The Idea of Residence in the Neolithic Cotswolds
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THE IDEA OF RESIDENCE IN THE NEOLITHIC COTSWOLDS Volume 1 Nicola Snashall A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY & PREHISTORY UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD September 2002 This thesis is an investigation of the idea of residence in the British Neolithic carried out at a regional level. The aim is to produce a clearer understanding of ideas and modes of residence as experienced by groups residing in the Cotswolds between the Later Mesolithic and the Early Bronze Age. This is undertaken through the use of lithic assemblages in combination with other sources of monumental and topographical information. The assemblages are analysed in a series of sampling units chosen to reflect the diversity in monumentality and topography within the region. Analysis of the assemblages is undertaken in two stages. The first establishes the validity of using Pitts’ and Jacobi’s (1979) chronometric methodology within the region and goes on to suggest a supplementary method more suited to dealing with lithic material produced within a parsimonious tradition of stone working. The second stage builds upon the chronometric patterning established in the first phase. It uses this patterning in combination with a technological and typological analysis of selected assemblages to establish the residential choices made by communities in different topographic and monumental areas. The analyses of the character of individual assemblages is then used to build an understanding of the residential choices made in different periods within individual monumental and topographical areas. Finally an attempt is made to draw out the contrasts and continuities in residential practices in the region as a whole during different periods. CONTENTS Contents VOLUME 1 Contents ii Acknowledgements xxii Quotation from “Luminous Debris” by Gustaf Sobin xxiv CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2. MODELLING THE PROBLEM: SETTLEMENT AND THE INHABITATION OF PREHISTORIC LANDSCAPES 3 Sources of evidence for residence 6 H ouses 6 Lithic scatters 9 CHAPTER 3. REVIEWING THE REGION 13 CHAPTER 4. LITHIC SCATTERS RECONSIDERED 18 epistemology 18 methodology 20 H ermeneutics 27 CHAPTER 5. QUESTIONS OF METHOD 31 Underlying Methodological Principles 31 T he Sampling Methodology 34 T he Assemblage Recording Methodology 46 CONTENTS CHAPTER 6. THE ASSEMBLAGES: A MATTER OF CHOICE 50 y Phase I: Chronometric Comparisons 54 Phase 2: Analysis of Assemblages 56 SO 91 56 SP 03 73 SP 12 74 SP 22 78 SP 23 81 ST 77 83 SP 00 90 Choices: contrasts and continuities 103 BIBLIOGRAPHY 105 VOLUME 2 APPENDIX 1. THE ASSEMBLAGES: DATA TABLES, CHARTS & GRAPHS 117 APPENDIX 2. DATABASES AND SPREADSHEETS: CREATION AND CODING 297 APPENDIX 3. THE DATA ARCHIVE CD-ROM i i i CONTENTS Figures FIGURE 1 Map showing outline of the sampling units within the Cotswolds 38 FIGURE 2 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 39 FIGURE 3 Key to Figures 2 and 4-9 39 FIGURE 4 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 40 FIGURE 5 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 41 FIGURE 6 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 42 FIGURE 7 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 43 FIGURE 8 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 44 FIGURE 9 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 45 l Iv CONTENTS Tables (Appendix 1) A l.l ” Phase 1 Assemblages. Al.2.1 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone A Al.2.2 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone B Al.2.3 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone C Al.2.4 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone D Al.2.5 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone E A 1.3 Phase 1 Intact Flakes L:W indices detailed breakdown Al.4 Phase 1 Intact Flakes L:W indices flake/narrow flake/blade A 1.5 Phase 1 Intact Flakes L:W indices non-blade/blade A1.6 Phase 1 All Recognisable flake/narrow flake/blade breakdown PEAK CAMP Ass. 34 Al.7.1 Balance of Assemblage A 1.7.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) Al.7.3 Scar Direction Al.7.4 Platform Preparation Al.7.5 Cortex Al.7.6 Flake Termination Al.7.7 Raw Materials Al.7.8 CoreScars CONTENTS Figures \ FIGURE l.Map showing outline of the sampling units within the Cotswolds 38 FIGURE 2 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 39 FIGURE 3 Key to Figures 2 and 4-9 39 FIGURE 4 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 40 FIGURE 5 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monumentswithin square 41 FIGURE 6 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 42 FIGURE 7 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 43 FIGURE 8 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 44 FIGURE 9 Map showing location of lithic assemblages and monuments within square 45 i iv CONTENTS Tables (Appendix 1) A l.l Phase 1 Assemblages. A 1.2.1 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone A Al .2.2 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone B Al.2.3 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone C Al.2.4 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone D Al.2.5 Phase 2 Assemblages: Zone E A 1.3 Phase 1 Intact Flakes L:W indices detailed breakdown A 1.4 Phase 1 Intact Flakes L:W indices flake/narrow flake/blade A 1.5 Phase 1 Intact Flakes L:W indices non-blade/blade A1.6 Phase 1 All Recognisable flake/narrow flake/blade breakdown PEAK CAMP Ass. 34 Al.7.1 Balance of Assemblage A 1.7.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) Al.7.3 Scar Direction Al.7.4 Platform Preparation Al.7.5 Cortex Al.7.6 Flake Termination Al.7.7 Raw Materials Al.7.8 CoreScars CONTENTS Al.7.9 Core Weights and Dimensions Al.7.10 Length: Width Indices Al.7.11 Thickness PEAK CAMP Ass. 325 Al.8.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.8.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) Al.8.3 Scar Direction Al.8.4 Platform Preparation Al.8.5 Cortex Al.8.6 Flake Termination Al.8.7 Raw Materials Al.8.8 Core Scars \ AÎ.8.9 Core Weights and Dimensions Al.8.10 Length: Width Indices Al.8.11 Thickness CRICKLEYHILL Ass. 61 Al.9.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.9.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) BIRDLIP QUARRY Ass. 318 Al.10.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.10.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) VJ. CONTENTS Al.10.3 Scar Direction Al.10.4 Platform Preparation Al.10.5 Cortex Al.10.6 Flake Termination Al.10.7 Raw Materials Al.10.8 Core Scars Al.10.9 Core Weights and Dimensions A l.10.10 Length: Width Indices A l.10.11 Thickness LECKHAMPTON Ass. 137 Al.11.1 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) Al. 11.2 Cortex Al.11.3 Raw Materials Al. 11.4 Core Scars Al.11.5 Core Weights and Dimensions CRIPPETT’S FIELD Ass. 62 Al. 12.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.12.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) Al.12.3 Scar Direction Al.12.4 Platform Preparation Al.12.5 Cortex vii CONTENTS A l.12.6 Flake Termination A l.12.7 Raw Materials A l.12.8 Core Scars A l.12.9 Core Weights and Dimensions A l.12.10 Length: Width Indices A l.12.11 Thickness WITMNGTON, COBERLEYAss. 146 Al.13.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.13.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) BIRDLIP BYPASS Ass. 40 A l.14.1 Balance of Assemblage A l.14.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) A l.14.3 Scar Direction A l.14.4 Platform Preparation A l.14.5 Cortex A l.14.6 Flake Termination A l.14.7 Raw Materials A l.14.8 Core Scars A l.14.9 Core Weights and Dimensions A l.14.10 Length: Width Indices A l.14.11 Thickness viii CONTENTS BLACKLAINS, BRIMPSFIELD Ass. 41 Al.15.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.15.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) Al.15.3 Scar Direction Al.15.4 Platform Preparation Al.15.5 Cortex Al.15.6 Flake Termination Al.15.7 Raw Materials Al. 15.8 Core Scars Al.15.9 Core Weights and Dimensions Al. 15.10 Length: Width Indices Al. 15.11 Thickness CRANHAM III, HUNGERFIELD BARROW Ass. 149 Al.16.1 Balance of Assemblage A1.16.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) NORTH SIDE OF FOSTON’S ASH CRANHAM Ass. 194 Al.17.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.17.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) A1.17.3 Scar Direction Al.17.4 Platform Preparation A1.17.5 CortEx i x CONTENTS A1.17.6 Flake Termination A l.17.7 Raw Materials A l.17.8 Core Scars A l.17.9 Core Weights and Dimensions A l.17.10 Length: Width Indices A 1.17.11 Thickness NORTH OF FOSTON’S ASH Ass. 209 Al. 18.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.18.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) Al.18.3 Scar Direction Al.18.4 Platform Preparation A l. 18.5 Cortex Al.18.6 Flake Termination A1.18.7 Raw Materials Al.18.8 Core Scars A 1.18.9 Core Weights and Dimensions A1.18.10 Length: Width Indices Al.18.11 Thickness CRANHAM Ass. 324 Al.19.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.19.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) CONTENTS Al.19.3 Scar Direction s.. Al.19.4 Platform Preparation Al.19.5 Cortex Al.19.6 Flake Termination Al.19.7 Raw Materials HAILES FARM, NR HAILES ABBEY Ass. .144 Al.20.1 Balance of Assemblage Al.20.2 Breakdown of Tools (classifiable) Al.20.3 Scar Direction Al.20.4 Platform Preparation Al.20.5 Cortex AI.20.6 Flake Termination Al.20.7 Raw Materials Al.20.8 Core Scars Al.20.9 Core Weights and Dimensions CONDICOTE HENGE Ass.