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A Little Town with a Big Story
Dorchester A little town with a big story orc l D he a s tu t r e i r Look for the button V Virtual Dorchester F i n n o d ti map loca Click to find the map location Find out The Dorchester Henge more... Visit the henge circle marked out on the car park floor here, and see hen Waitrose supermarket was built here in 1984, Drawing to show how the henge was built in Neolithic times (about 5,000 years ago). Wooden posts were tipped into pits, the Dorset County Museum archaeologists found signs of huge wooden posts and a which were then back-filled to hold the posts up. Read Discover Dorset: The Prehistoric curving ditch. W Age by Bill Putnam. Each post was about a metre across and had been cut from a mature Discover more on Wessex oak tree. They were regularly spaced about a metre apart. Twenty one Archaeology’s website. post holes were found in an arc shape and some had also been found earlier in Church Street. Archaeologists worked out that the posts and the ditch must have been part of a huge circular monument - about 380 metres across. It is one of the largest Neolithic monuments in Britain. Large circular monuments like this are known as henges, named after Stonehenge. The Dorchester henge was about three times the size of Stonehenge, although it was never a stone structure. It wasn’t the only one in the neighbourhood; there were also henges at Maumbury Rings and Mount Pleasant, just outside Dorchester. -
The Origins of Avebury 2 1,* 2 2 Q13 Q2mark Gillings , Joshua Pollard & Kris Strutt 4 5 6 the Avebury Henge Is One of the Famous Mega
1 The origins of Avebury 2 1,* 2 2 Q13 Q2Mark Gillings , Joshua Pollard & Kris Strutt 4 5 6 The Avebury henge is one of the famous mega- 7 lithic monuments of the European Neolithic, Research 8 yet much remains unknown about the detail 9 and chronology of its construction. Here, the 10 results of a new geophysical survey and 11 re-examination of earlier excavation records 12 illuminate the earliest beginnings of the 13 monument. The authors suggest that Ave- ’ 14 bury s Southern Inner Circle was constructed 15 to memorialise and monumentalise the site ‘ ’ 16 of a much earlier foundational house. The fi 17 signi cance here resides in the way that traces 18 of dwelling may take on special social and his- 19 torical value, leading to their marking and 20 commemoration through major acts of monu- 21 ment building. 22 23 Keywords: Britain, Avebury, Neolithic, megalithic, memory 24 25 26 Introduction 27 28 Alongside Stonehenge, the passage graves of the Boyne Valley and the Carnac alignments, the 29 Avebury henge is one of the pre-eminent megalithic monuments of the European Neolithic. ’ 30 Its 420m-diameter earthwork encloses the world s largest stone circle. This in turn encloses — — 31 two smaller yet still vast megalithic circles each approximately 100m in diameter and 32 complex internal stone settings (Figure 1). Avenues of paired standing stones lead from 33 two of its four entrances, together extending for approximately 3.5km and linking with 34 other monumental constructions. Avebury sits within the centre of a landscape rich in 35 later Neolithic monuments, including Silbury Hill and the West Kennet palisade enclosures 36 (Smith 1965; Pollard & Reynolds 2002; Gillings & Pollard 2004). -
Rude Stone Monuments Chapt
RUDE STONE MONUMENTS IN ALL COUNTRIES; THEIR AGE AND USES. BY JAMES FERGUSSON, D. C. L., F. R. S, V.P.R.A.S., F.R.I.B.A., &c, WITH TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS. LONDON: ,JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1872. The right of Translation is reserved. PREFACE WHEN, in the year 1854, I was arranging the scheme for the ‘Handbook of Architecture,’ one chapter of about fifty pages was allotted to the Rude Stone Monuments then known. When, however, I came seriously to consult the authorities I had marked out, and to arrange my ideas preparatory to writing it, I found the whole subject in such a state of confusion and uncertainty as to be wholly unsuited for introduction into a work, the main object of which was to give a clear but succinct account of what was known and admitted with regard to the architectural styles of the world. Again, ten years afterwards, while engaged in re-writing this ‘Handbook’ as a History of Architecture,’ the same difficulties presented themselves. It is true that in the interval the Druids, with their Dracontia, had lost much of the hold they possessed on the mind of the public; but, to a great extent, they had been replaced by prehistoric myths, which, though free from their absurdity, were hardly less perplexing. The consequence was that then, as in the first instance, it would have been necessary to argue every point and defend every position. Nothing could be taken for granted, and no narrative was possible, the matter was, therefore, a second time allowed quietly to drop without being noticed. -
3 Avebury Info
AVEBURY HENGE & WEST KENNET AVENUE Information for teachers A henge is a circular area enclosed by a bank or ditch, Four or five thousand years ago there were as many as used for religious ceremonies in prehistoric times. 200-300 henges in use. They were mostly constructed Avebury is one of the largest henges in the British Isles. with a ditch inside a bank and some of them had stone Even today the bank of the henge is 5m above the or wooden structures inside them. Avebury has four modern ground level and it measures over one kilome- entrances, whereas most of the others have only one or tre all the way round. The stone circle inside the bank two. and ditch is the largest in Europe. How are the stones arranged? The outer circle of standing stones closely follows the circuit of the ditch. There were originally about 100 stones in this circle, of which 30 are still visible today. The positions of another 16 are marked with concrete pillars. Inside the northern and southern halves of the outer circle are two more stone circles, each about 100m in diameter. Only a small number of their original stones have survived. There were other stone settings inside these circles, including a three-sided group within the southern circle, known as ‘the Cove’. The largest stone that remains from this group weighs about 100 tonnes and is one of the largest megaliths in Britain. What is sarsen stone? Sarsen is a type of sandstone and is found all over the chalk downland of the Marlborough Downs. -
Jersey's Spiritual Landscape
Unlock the Island with Jersey Heritage audio tours La Pouquelaye de Faldouët P 04 Built around 6,000 years ago, the dolmen at La Pouquelaye de Faldouët consists of a 5 metre long passage leading into an unusual double chamber. At the entrance you will notice the remains of two dry stone walls and a ring of upright stones that were constructed around the dolmen. Walk along the entrance passage and enter the spacious circular main Jersey’s maritime Jersey’s military chamber. It is unlikely that this was ever landscape landscape roofed because of its size and it is easy Immerse Download the FREE audio tour Immerse Download the FREE audio tour to imagine prehistoric people gathering yourself in from www.jerseyheritage.org yourself in from www.jerseyheritage.org the history the history here to worship and perform rituals. and stories and stories of Jersey of Jersey La Hougue Bie N 04 The 6,000-year-old burial site at Supported by Supported by La Hougue Bie is considered one of Tourism Development Fund Tourism Development Fund the largest and best preserved Neolithic passage graves in Europe. It stands under an impressive mound that is 12 metres high and 54 metres in diameter. The chapel of Notre Dame de la Clarté Jersey’s Maritime Landscape on the summit of the mound was Listen to fishy tales and delve into Jersey’s maritime built in the 12th century, possibly Jersey’s spiritual replacing an older wooden structure. past. Audio tour and map In the 1990s, the original entrance Jersey’s Military Landscape to the passage was exposed during landscape new excavations of the mound. -
Neolithic Houses from Llanfaethlu, Anglesey Number 81 Autumn 2015
THE NEWSLETTERAST OF THE PREHISTORIC SOCIETY P Registered Office: University College London, Institute of Archaeology, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY http://www.prehistoricsociety.org/ Neolithic houses from Llanfaethlu, Anglesey C.R Archaeology was commissioned by Isle of Anglesey The houses County Council to undertake a programme of archaeological House 1 is the largest of the structures and associated works at Llanfaethlu, Anglesey. The site is located on the with a large but ephemeral spread of relict soil which had north-eastern slope of a low hill overlooking a river. Three accumulated in a natural hollow outside the building. Early Neolithic houses, a large Middle Neolithic pit group This probably represents an activity or refuse disposal area. and two features with Grooved Ware pottery have been The house is not yet fully excavated (excavation will be excavated. Llanfaethlu is the first Early Neolithic multi-house completed this autumn), but is in excess of 16 m by 7 m settlement in north-west Wales, and whilst it has some striking and is oriented on a north-east–south-west axis. A number of resemblances to the houses at Llandegai and Parc Cybi it is different construction methods were utilised in the erection exceptional in terms of the artefactual assemblage and the level of the outer walls, ranging from stone-lined postholes in the of preservation. There is a strong resemblance to Irish sites north-east to wall slots and stakeholes in the south-east wall. where a recurring pattern of two or three buildings clustered Charcoal in one of the wall slots suggests that fire played a together is evident. -
Edwards Road, Dorchester
Wessex Archaeology Edward Road, Dorchester, Dorset. Archaeological Watching Brief Report Ref: 72330.03 August 2009 Edward Road, Dorchester, Dorset Archaeological Watching Brief Report Prepared for: Bryant Homes Southern Counties Templars House Lulworth Close Chandlers Ford Hampshire SO53 3TJ by: Wessex Archaeology Portway House Old Sarum Park Salisbury Wiltshire SP4 6EB Report reference: 72330.03 August 2009 © Wessex Archaeology Limited 2009 all rights reserved Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No. 287786 Edward Road, Dorchester Archaeological Watching Brief Report Edward Road, Dorchester, Dorset Archaeological Watching Brief Report Contents 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................1 1.1 Project Background .................................................................................1 2 SITE DESCRIPTION ...........................................................................................1 2.1 Location, topography and geology.........................................................1 3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...............................1 4 AIMS....................................................................................................................2 5 METHOD .............................................................................................................2 6 RESULTS ............................................................................................................3 6.1 Introduction...............................................................................................3 -
Archaeological Research Agenda for the Avebury World Heritage Site
This volume draws together contributions from a number of specialists to provide an agenda for future research within the Avebury World Heritage Site. It has been produced in response to the English Heritage initiative for the development of regional and period research frameworks in England and represents the first formal such agenda for a World Heritage Site. Following an introduction setting out the background to, need for and development of the Research Agenda, the volume is presented under a series of major headings. Part 2 is a resource assessment arranged by period from the Lower Palaeolithic to the end of the medieval period (c. AD 1500) together with an assessment of the palaeo-environmental data from the area. Part 3 is the Research Agenda itself, again arranged by period but focusing on a variety of common themes. A series of more over-arching, landscape-based themes for environmental research is also included. In Part 4 strategies for the implementation of the Research Agenda are explored and in Part 5 methods relevant for that implementation are presented. Archaeological Research Agenda for the Avebury World Heritage Site Avebury Archaeological & Historical Research Group (AAHRG) February 2001 Published 2001 by the Trust for Wessex Archaeology Ltd Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury SP4 6EB Wessex Archaeology is a Registered Charity No. 287786 on behalf of English Heritage and the Avebury Archaeological & Historical Research Group Copyright © The individual authors and English Heritage all rights reserved British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue entry for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 1–874350–36–1 Produced by Wessex Archaeology Printed by Cromwell Press Ltd, Trowbridge The cost of this publication was met by English Heritage Front Cover: Avebury: stones at sunrise (© English Heritage Photographic Library. -
Loudsmill (WP11)
Proposed Dorset Waste Sites – Loudsmill (WP11) Heritage Assessment November 2017 Looking after the past, today... Proposed Dorset Waste Sites – Loudsmill (WP11) for C1 project code: C1/DBA/17/DMW Dorset County Council HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT Prepared by Dr Clare Randall, Archaeological Officer Date 22/11/17 Approved by Dr Cheryl Green, Post-excavation Manager Signed Date 23/11/17 Issue 01 PROJECT DETAILS Client project/scheme ref. WP11 Planning Application ref. N/A Civil parish and District Dorchester, West Dorset District Council National Grid Reference centred on SY 71371 90101 Site Area c. 0.91ha (of 3.44ha) Current Use Part of existing Site C1 STAFF Director, Historic Environment Consultant Richard McConnell BA (Hons), MCIfA Post-excavation Manager, Historic Buildings Cheryl Green FSA, BA Hons, PhD, MCIfA Archaeologist, Stone Specialist Illustrator, Project co-ordination, Historic Tara Fairclough BA (Hons), PCIfA Buildings Archaeologist Archaeological Officer, Animal bone Specialist, Clare Randall FSA, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, MCIfA Archivist Senior Field Archaeologist Peter Fairclough BA (Hons) DISCLAIMER This report is produced solely for the benefit of an individual client and for the proposed uses stated in the report, and should not be relied upon for other purposes or by other parties unless specifically agreed by us in writing. The different elements of the report are designed to be integral to each other and therefore do not necessarily stand alone. Opinions and information provided in this report are on the basis of C1 using reasonable skill and care, however no investigative method can eliminate the possibility of obtaining partially imprecise, incomplete or less than fully representative information. -
Knowlton Circles: a Later Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Ceremonial Complex and Its Environs - a Review
Knowlton Circles: A Later Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Ceremonial Complex and its Environs - a review John Gale1 Department of Archaeology, Anthropology & Forensic Sciences, Bournemouth University, UK N.B. This copy is the Author’s Original Manuscript accepted for publication (postprint). The Version of Record of this manuscript has been published and is available in: Landscapes vol 18 issue 2 published online 22 Feb 2018 https://doi.org/10.1080/14662035.2018.1429715 1 Contact: John Gale; [email protected]; Department of Archaeology, Anthropology and Forensic Sciences, Bournemouth University Knowlton Circles: A Later Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Ceremonial Complex and its Environs - a review John Gale2 Department of Archaeology, Anthropology & Forensic Sciences, Bournemouth University, UK Abstract The larger henge monuments of Wessex have been the focus of detailed archaeological investigation for over a century and consequently their study has provided a greater, albeit fragmentary, understanding of later Neolithic society. For the most part such studies have continued to show that these great mega-structures of the 3rd millennium BC persist as beacons of ceremonial functionality into which later societies invested much of themselves, intellectually, spiritually and unquestionably physically. While Stonehenge, Avebury and Durrington Walls continue to attract a great deal of attention with on-going research, comparable sites in Dorset have been less well researched. Two campaigns of archaeological investigation undertaken in the Allen Valley of east Dorset by the author have focussed upon the complex of earthworks at Knowlton and additionally at one of three broadly contemporary barrow cemeteries located nearby. The findings from these investigations are beginning to shed more light on the possible origins and development of these important but weakly understood landscapes. -
The Henge Monuments of Wessex
Enclosing the Neolithic Recent studies in Britain and Europe Edited by Alex Gibson BAR International Series 2440 2012 Published by Archaeopress Publishers of British Archaeological Reports Gordon House 276 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7ED England [email protected] www.archaeopress.com BAR S2440 Enclosing the Neolithic: Recent studies in Britain and Europe © Archaeopress and the individual authors 2012 ISBN 978 1 4073 1039 8 Printed in England by Information Press, Oxford All BAR titles are available from: Hadrian Books Ltd 122 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7BP England www.hadrianbooks.co.uk The current BAR catalogue with details of all titles in print, prices and means of payment is available free from Hadrian Books or may be downloaded from www.archaeopress.com Living with Sacred Spaces: The Henge Monuments of Wessex Joshua Pollard Abstract By asking why henge monuments might be constructed in the first place, and in the locations where they were, we might better be able to understand their form and purpose. Here the matter is approached at two scales: first at a macro level by asking why the Wessex region should have become such a focus for monument construction during the first three quarters of the 3rd millennium BC. The second is more specific and seeks to understand the local conditions in which places might be transformed and become sufficiently sanctified to require monumentalisation. It is argued that places and their properties, powers and politics all played their part. Keywords: Wessex, henge, settlement, monumentalisation, sacredness The sheer concentration and often immense scale of the later Neolithic (c.3000-2400 BC) monuments of Wessex marks the prehistory of this region of southern Britain as something exceptional. -
A Long Barrow at the Cove?
A Long Barrow at the Cove? Geophysical hen the BANES County Archaeologist, Richard Sermon, invited BACAS Survey at to collaborate in a geophysics project and provide public demonstrations Stanton Drew W on geophysics at an open day in Stanton Drew in July 2009, John Oswin was quick to agree, and set up a programme of research. The Section 42 licences were John Richards and duly obtained from English Heritage, and BACAS members got the opportunity to John Oswin work for several days on one of the most important Neolithic sites in the UK. The village of Stanton Drew lies approximately 10 km south of Bristol city centre and approximately 15 km west of Bath, on the south bank of the River Chew. The stone circles lie mainly to the east of the modern village in farmland. Within the complex are three stone circles, and two avenues. West of this, in the pub garden of the Druids Arms, are the three stones known as the Cove. In the nineties, English Heritage carried out a geophysical survey with surprising and spectacular magnetometry results that showed nine concentric rings of probable post-holes and an encircling ditch in the Main Circle, and also features in the other circles (David et al 2004). The BACAS work extended the geophysical survey beyond that of English Heritage by demonstrating the capability of newer instruments to detect and investigate more features than have been studied to date. We wanted to see if recent fluxgate technology could produce a view of the Main Circle as clear as the Caesium vapour magnetometer used by English Heritage; whether Figure 1 Overhead view of the Cove twin-probe resistance and pseudosection profiling could detect empty stone sockets and buried stones; and to examine the nature and purpose of the SSW Circle and the Cove.