Archaeologists have returned to a hillside in Nesscliffe, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, where they previously made a fascinating discovery of an unusual sandstone carving.

Known as the Nessglyph, this intriguing find was unearthed in January at the site, which holds the remains of an Iron Age hillfort and later Roman occupation, managed by the council.

The sandstone carving displays intricate circular and straight lines that were carefully carved into the stone, the BBC has reported.

Archaeologists Dr. Paul Reilly and Gary Lock, who made the initial discovery, were thrilled by its uniqueness. Dr. Reilly, a visiting fellow at the University of Southampton, expressed that finding cut marks in carvings in Britain is exceptionally rare.

The initial excitement prompted the researchers to explore the meaning behind the carving.

The discovery garnered attention from experts worldwide, with appeals for help in identifying the artifact reaching countries like Australia, Brazil, and Japan.

Dr. Reilly recounted the overwhelming response, sharing that they received dozens of emails daily for almost four months from individuals across the globe.

The carving, featuring a figure with four horns, led Dr. Reilly to believe that it potentially represented a deity associated with the Pagan movement, harkening back to ancient times.

The excavation site is scheduled to open to the public on Sunday, allowing visitors to explore and learn more about this intriguing archaeological site.

The opening hours are from 10:00 to 16:00 BST, providing an opportunity for enthusiasts and the curious to engage with the rich history preserved at Nesscliffe.

Written by staff