Dana Challinor
University of Oxford, School of Archaeology, Graduate Student
Research Interests:
Research Interests: History and Archaeology
Studies of early fourth-millennium BC Britain have typically focused on the Early Neolithic sites of Wessex and Orkney; what can the investigation of sites located in areas beyond these core regions add? The authors report on excavations... more
Studies of early fourth-millennium BC Britain have typically focused on the Early Neolithic sites of Wessex and Orkney; what can the investigation of sites located in areas beyond these core regions add? The authors report on excavations (2011–2019) at Dorstone Hill in Herefordshire, which have revealed a remarkable complex of Early Neolithic monuments: three long barrows constructed on the footprints of three timber buildings that had been deliberately burned, plus a nearby causewayed enclosure. A Bayesian chronological model demonstrates the precocious character of many of the site's elements and strengthens the evidence for the role of tombs and houses/halls in the creation and commemoration of foundational social groups in Neolithic Britain.
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Nine areas, totalling 1.3ha were excavated after evaluation and desk-based assessment at land near Crowdhill, Eastleigh (NGR 448830 119560). Features were densest in Areas 1 and 2, with evidence dating from the Palaeolithic to the early... more
Nine areas, totalling 1.3ha were excavated after evaluation and desk-based assessment at land near Crowdhill, Eastleigh (NGR 448830 119560). Features were densest in Areas 1 and 2, with evidence dating from the Palaeolithic to the early Romano- British period. Three pieces of flint from a Long Blade assemblage were recovered, probably from a small localised scatter. A core tool rough-out, probably for a Mesolithic tranchet axe, was found in a pit with charred hazelnut shells from which two radiocarbon dates were obtained. Two cremation graves, each containing urned deposits, and an urned 'cenotaph' provide information about the inhabitants of the area although contemporary settlement evidence is lacking. By the Late Bronze Age there was evidence for settlement in the form of a pit containing flint-tempered pottery, worked flint and burnt flint along with charred cereal grain. A radiocarbon date was obtained on charred cereal grain from this pit confirming its age. There was ...
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Evidence for working rock crystal, a rare form of water-clear type of quartz, is occasionally recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland, however, very little has been written on the specific methods of working this material,... more
Evidence for working rock crystal, a rare form of water-clear type of quartz, is occasionally recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland, however, very little has been written on the specific methods of working this material, and its potential significance in the past. This paper presents the first synthesis of rock crystal evidence from Britain and Ireland, before examining a new assemblage from the Early Neolithic site of Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire. This outlines a methodology for analysing and interpreting this unusual material, and, through comparison with the flint assemblage, examines the specific uses and treatments of this material. Far from being used to make tools, we argue the distinctive and exotic rock crystal was being used to create distinctive and memorable moments, binding individuals together, forging local identities, and connecting the living and the dead.
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Evidence for working rock crystal, a rare form of water-clear type of quartz, is occasionally recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland, however, very little has been written on the specific methods of working this material,... more
Evidence for working rock crystal, a rare form of water-clear type of quartz, is occasionally recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland, however, very little has been written on the specific methods of working this material, and its potential significance in the past. This paper presents the first synthesis of rock crystal evidence from Britain and Ireland, before examining a new assemblage from the Early Neolithic site of Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire. This outlines a methodology for analysing and interpreting this unusual material, and, through comparison with the flint assemblage, examines the specific uses and treatments of this material. Far from being used to make tools, we argue the distinctive and exotic rock crystal was being used to create distinctive and memorable moments, binding individuals together, forging local identities, and connecting the living and the dead.
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The upcoming construction of a housing estate on the northern edge of Willington led to a programme of trial trenching, followed by two small areas of archaeological excavation. One area contained the heavily truncated remains of a... more
The upcoming construction of a housing estate on the northern edge of Willington led to a programme of trial trenching, followed by two small areas of archaeological excavation. One area contained the heavily truncated remains of a hengi-form ceremonial monument, defined by two concentric ring ditches with a grave at the centre. Little evidence was found to date the monument, but it remained a focus of activity until at least the Middle Bronze Age from its origin in the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. The other area was focused on a single ring ditch: the ditch itself was essentially undated, but a nearby cluster of pits contained pottery and loom weights dating to the Late Bronze Age.
The Cow Cave CC16 project was a rescue excavation and sampling project undertaken in response to ongoing damage to the site through natural and human causes. The project was funded by Historic England and managed by Devon County Council,... more
The Cow Cave CC16 project was a rescue excavation and sampling project undertaken in response to ongoing damage to the site through natural and human causes. The project was funded by Historic England and managed by Devon County Council, with fieldwork carried out in 2016 and laboratory analysis over 2016 and early 2017. The cave preserves a nationally important long sequence of sediments dating from the late Middle Pleistocene to the Holocene.
Research Interests: Archaeology and Cave
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Excavations by Oxford Archaeology at Glyn House, Ewell, revealed prehistoric, Roman and post-medieval remains. Activity of Mesolithic date was identified by the presence of residual microliths. Two concentric curvilinear gullies (one of... more
Excavations by Oxford Archaeology at Glyn House, Ewell, revealed prehistoric, Roman and post-medieval remains. Activity of Mesolithic date was identified by the presence of residual microliths. Two concentric curvilinear gullies (one of which contained a barbed-and-tanged flint arrowhead) and a tree-throw hole in the south-eastern corner of the site indicated an area of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age activity. Lying to the north-west of the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age activity was evidence of Roman settlement, including a dense band of intercutting pits, part of a post-built structure and several deep pits (not fully excavated because of their depth), possibly well shafts. Overlying the Roman settlement was a post-medieval structure, which may have been the remains of the rectory, and a number of garden features.
Archaeological works undertaken in advance of the installation of a wind farm between Batsworthy Cross and Beaple’s Moor Cross, Knowstone, Devon, revealed the remains of a medieval farmhouse, associated field boundaries and a droveway. No... more
Archaeological works undertaken in advance of the installation of a wind farm between Batsworthy Cross and Beaple’s Moor Cross, Knowstone, Devon, revealed the remains of a medieval farmhouse, associated field boundaries and a droveway. No earlier settlement was detected, though the droveway is considered prehistoric in origin. The farmhouse was probably constructed in the 13th century, when favourable environmental and economic conditions led to agrarian expansion into the upland fringes. The subsequent deterioration in the weather and the socio-economic changes wrought by famine and plague are likely to have been influential in the site’s abandonment, sometime in the 14th century. An increased demand for agricultural commodities in mid-16th to early 20th centuries brought about the re-establishment of the region’s agricultural usage and improvement of the routeways. Later, as the trend towards urbanisation increased, farming declined and expanses of upland reverted back to moorland.
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A trial trench evaluation and subsequent excavation in 2014, by Northamptonshire Archaeology (now MOLA Northampton) on behalf of CgMs Consulting, on land at the former Cattle Market site, Brackmills Point, Northampton, identified a pair... more
A trial trench evaluation and subsequent excavation in 2014, by Northamptonshire Archaeology (now MOLA Northampton) on behalf of CgMs Consulting, on land at the former Cattle Market site, Brackmills Point, Northampton, identified a pair of pits and an isolated pit. One of the pair of pits contained a number of worked flints and debitage, dating to the early Neolithic, while charred hazelnut shell has been radiocarbon dated to the end of the early Neolithic. The site was traversed by remnant furrows of medieval ridge and furrow cultivation
Edited by Andy M. Jones, James Gossip and Henrietta Quinnell Between 2008 and 2011 excavations were undertaken by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit at Tremough, near Penryn, Cornwall. The site is situated on a plateau overlooking the... more
Edited by Andy M. Jones, James Gossip and Henrietta Quinnell Between 2008 and 2011 excavations were undertaken by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit at Tremough, near Penryn, Cornwall. The site is situated on a plateau overlooking the Carrick Roads, historically one of the busiest waterways in Cornwall. The excavations led to a large number of significant archaeological features being uncovered ranging from Neolithic pits to Bronze Age structures and late prehistoric enclosures. Foremost of these sites were a Middle Bronze roundhouse (circa 1500-1300 cal BC) and a large circular Late Bronze Age enclosure (circa 1000-800 cal BC). Importantly, the roundhouse was found to contain stone moulds associated with the production of socketed tools and pins, and traces of metalworking were found inside the building. As such, the excavations have provided the first evidence for metalworking inside a Middle Bronze Age roundhouse in southern England, as well as radiocarbon dating for a range of metalwork forms. As part of the project finds of metalwork from other roundhouses in the South West region have been reassessed. The Late Bronze Age enclosure is the first of its type to found in the South West of Britain. It encircled a large number of pits and postholes, some of which were associated with rectangular post-built structures. A carefully made cairn of burnt stone beside a large pit and a second large pit containing burnt stone and pottery were also investigated. These may have been associated with cooking or perhaps with a small-scale episode of metalworking, as the tip of a sword mould was found in one of the pits. The significance of the investigated sites is fully discussed with regard to their relationships with other prehistoric sites on the plateau and in terms of their wider context with other sites in the South West and beyond.
Research Interests: Ancient History, Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Publishing, Metalwork (Archaeology), and 12 moreIron Age Britain (Archaeology), Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, Later prehistoric Britain and Europe, Neolithic Britain and Ireland, Prehistory, Bronze Age, Scientific, Publisher, Phd, Dissertation, and Publishing House
A Late Iron Age farmstead was represented by an oval ditched enclosure, subsequently cut by another enclosure and together possibly forming a figure-of- eight plan, with contemporary features including a well, pits and post-holes. This... more
A Late Iron Age farmstead was represented by an oval ditched enclosure, subsequently cut by another enclosure and together possibly forming a figure-of- eight plan, with contemporary features including a well, pits and post-holes. This was succeeded by a larger, early Roman enclosure in which lay a rectangular post-built structure and a sub-oval gully that may have been associated with a roundhouse, as well as hearths, pits, a well and a waterhole. The final mid–late Roman phase of settlement was characterised by a series of rectilinear enclosures. Although there is nothing of particular note amongst the finds and environmental assemblages, the significance of the site overall is that it provides a rare example of rural settlement of this date and duration on the Hampshire claylands, just to the south of Silchester and close to the Roman road that linked this with Chichester.
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Two phases of activity were revealed, the earlier relating to the late Iron Age-early Roman and the second to the early medieval periods. In the first period an area of settlement was identified in the south-west sector (Area 2/3) of the... more
Two phases of activity were revealed, the earlier relating to the late Iron Age-early Roman and the second to the early medieval periods. In the first period an area of settlement was identified in the south-west sector (Area 2/3) of the site defined by ditches and areas of possible quarrying. Contemporary field boundary ditches had been identified in the evaluation trenches across the southern part of the development and part of the field system was exposed in the excavation of area 1 in the south-east sector. Following a long period of abandonment the settlement site was re-occupied probably in the late 11th or early 12th century in the form of a small farmstead defined by a rectangular ditched enclosure with associated ditched paddocks or fields to the north and east. This settlement lasted until possibly the 13th century, after which time the site reverted to agricultural land.
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Between september 2006 and February 2007 cotswold archaeology (ca) carried out a programme of archaeological investigation along the route of the a419 Blunsdon Bypass, Blunsdon st andrew, Wiltshire (between nGr su 136 912 and su 152 894;... more
Between september 2006 and February 2007 cotswold archaeology (ca) carried out a programme of archaeological investigation along the route of the a419 Blunsdon Bypass, Blunsdon st andrew, Wiltshire (between nGr su 136 912 and su 152 894; Figure 1). the ...
The excavations at Southampton French Quarter produced a large number of samples, of which 166 were assessed (Challinor, OA Assessment Report). Wood charcoal was abundantly and well preserved from a range of features dating from the Late... more
The excavations at Southampton French Quarter produced a large number of samples, of which 166 were assessed (Challinor, OA Assessment Report). Wood charcoal was abundantly and well preserved from a range of features dating from the Late Saxon to the Post Medieval periods. The assessment also indicated that many of the samples contained a wide diversity of tree taxon, which would be time-consuming to
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This report presents the results of three projects undertaken by Oxford Archaeology in North-West Kent from 2005-2007; on the A2/A282/M25 Improvement Scheme immediately south-east of Dartford, on part of the Eynsford to Horton Kirby... more
This report presents the results of three projects undertaken by Oxford Archaeology in North-West Kent from 2005-2007; on the A2/A282/M25 Improvement Scheme immediately south-east of Dartford, on part of the Eynsford to Horton Kirby Pipeline a little further south-east, and at Dartford Football Club. While different in character and scope, all three projects are located close together either within Dartford or just to the south and east, with a maximum distance of c 6 km between them. Not only, therefore, do they share a common geography (the area of the lower Darent valley and territory to the east of it), but, despite their multiperiod character – particularly in the case of work on the A2/A282/ M25 Improvement Scheme – all have a focus on the archaeology of the later prehistoric and Roman periods. For these reasons, and to allow presentation of the results of these pieces of work at reasonable length, it has seemed appropriate to publish the reports on these projects, originally ...
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During 2004–2005 Oxford Archaeology carried out a series of archaeological excavations along the proposed route of the A421 Great Barford Bypass, Bedfordshire (NGR TL 102 513–TL 159 554). The route extends from the Black Cat roundabout on... more
During 2004–2005 Oxford Archaeology carried out a series of archaeological excavations along the proposed route of the A421 Great Barford Bypass, Bedfordshire (NGR TL 102 513–TL 159 554). The route extends from the Black Cat roundabout on the A1 and runs to the north and west of Great Barford linking up at its western end to the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass near Water End. A total of nine sites (Sites 1–9) were investigated in detail revealing evidence of activity from early prehistoric times through to the post-medieval period. Earlier prehistoric activity was sparse and largely evidenced through a light flint scatter over the entire route and a single early Neolithic pit on Site 2. Isolated early Bronze Age pits were located at Sites 2 and 6. Following an apparent hiatus in the middle Bronze Age small-scale activity reappeared at Site 2 in the later Bronze Age-early Iron Age. More widespread occupation and associated activities were apparent from the middle Iron Age and have been ...
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with contributions by Leigh Allen, Steve Allen, Paul Backhouse, Paul Booth, Ceridwen Boston, Edward Biddulph, Paul Blinkhorn, Lisa Brown, Dana Challinor, Carl Champness, H E M Cool, Brian Dean, Anne Dodd, Steve Ford, Gill Hey, Lynne Keys,... more
with contributions by Leigh Allen, Steve Allen, Paul Backhouse, Paul Booth, Ceridwen Boston, Edward Biddulph, Paul Blinkhorn, Lisa Brown, Dana Challinor, Carl Champness, H E M Cool, Brian Dean, Anne Dodd, Steve Ford, Gill Hey, Lynne Keys, Hugo Lamdin-Whymark, David Mullin, Rebecca Nicholson, Richard Oram, Cynthia Poole, Steve Preston, Fiona Roe, Ruth Shaffrey, Wendy Smith, Elizabeth Stafford, Lena Strid, Andy Taylor, Andrew Weale
Current models view southeast England as where Neolithic lifeways were first introduced to Britain from continental Europe c. 4000 cal BC, however, there has been little work detailing this process in coastal East Anglia. In 2019, work at... more
Current models view southeast England as where Neolithic lifeways were first introduced to Britain from continental Europe c. 4000 cal BC, however, there has been little work detailing this process in coastal East Anglia. In 2019, work at the Freston causewayed enclosure provided the first view of a major gathering space associated with semi-mobile farming communities of the Early Neolithic in the county of Suffolk and located on a major estuary close to the North Sea. Excavation produced a rich assemblage of worked flint and Mildenhall Ware pottery (potentially for feasting), plus evidence for the consumption of cereals and hazelnuts. IZVLE∞EK – S trenutnimi modeli vidimo jugovzhodno Anglijo kot prostor, kamor je ok. 4000 pr. n. ∏t. prvi≠ prispel neolitski na≠in ∫ivljenja v Veliko Britanijo iz kontinentalne Evrope. Do sedaj je bilo znanih le malo podatkov o tem, kako je ta proces potekal na priobalnem obmo≠ju vzhodne Anglije. Leta 2019 so nam raziskave ograde z nasipi v Frestonu om...
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Excavations by Oxford Archaeology at Glyn House, Ewell, revealed prehistoric, Roman and post-medieval remains. Activity of Mesolithic date was identified by the presence of residual microliths. Two concentric curvilinear gullies (one of... more
Excavations by Oxford Archaeology at Glyn House, Ewell, revealed prehistoric, Roman and post-medieval remains. Activity of Mesolithic date was identified by the presence of residual microliths. Two concentric curvilinear gullies (one of which contained a barbed-and-tanged flint arrowhead) and a tree-throw hole in the south-eastern corner of the site indicated an area of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age activity. Lying to the north-west of the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age activity was evidence of Roman settlement, including a dense band of intercutting pits, part of a post-built structure and several deep pits (not fully excavated because of their depth), possibly well shafts. Overlying the Roman settlement was a post-medieval structure, which may have been the remains of the rectory, and a number of garden features.
A Late Iron Age farmstead was represented by an oval ditched enclosure, subsequently cut by another enclosure and together possibly forming a figure-of eight plan, with contemporary features including a well, pits and post-holes. This was... more
A Late Iron Age farmstead was represented by an oval ditched enclosure, subsequently cut by another enclosure and together possibly forming a figure-of eight plan, with contemporary features including a well, pits and post-holes. This was succeeded by a larger, early Roman enclosure in which lay a rectangular post-built structure and a sub-oval gully that may have been associated with a roundhouse, as well as hearths, pits, a well and a waterhole. The final mid−late Roman phase of settlement was characterised by a series of rectilinear enclosures. Although there is nothing of particular note amongst the finds and environmental assemblages, the significance of the site overall is that it provides a rare example of rural settlement of this date and duration on the Hampshire claylands, just to the south of Silchester and close to the Roman road that linked this with Chichester.
Research Interests:
Archaeological excavations between 2002 and 2007 on the former sites of Northgate House, Staple Gardens and the former Winchester Library, Jewry St. - the specialist reports & tables.
Current models view southeast England as where Neolithic lifeways were first introduced to Britain from continental Europe c. 4000 cal BC, however, there has been little work detailing this process in coastal East Anglia. In 2019, work at... more
Current models view southeast England as where Neolithic lifeways were first introduced to Britain from continental Europe c. 4000 cal BC, however, there has been little work detailing this process in coastal East Anglia. In 2019, work at the Freston causewayed enclosure provided the first view of a major gathering space associated with semi-mobile farming communities of the Early Neolithic in the county of Suffolk and located on a major estuary close to the North Sea. Excavation produced a rich assemblage of worked flint and Mildenhall Ware pottery (potentially for feasting), plus evidence for the consumption of cereals and hazelnuts.
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In 1984 two roundhouses within the Bronze Age settlement at Bosiliack were partially excavated by Jeannette Ratcliffe and Charles Thomas on behalf of the Institute of Cornish Studies. Six radiocarbon determinations have now been obtained... more
In 1984 two roundhouses within the Bronze Age settlement at Bosiliack were partially excavated by Jeannette Ratcliffe and Charles Thomas on behalf of the Institute of Cornish Studies. Six radiocarbon determinations have now been obtained on charcoal from these. The dates fell into two groups, with three in the later part of the Bronze Age in the centuries between 1390 and 1000 cal. BC, and three in the Iron Age between 750 and 200 cal. BC.
The radiocarbon dates are important because, although settlements of roundhouses are well known in west Penwith, none had been scientifically dated. They are also significant because they demonstrate the longevity and changing character of occupation within the roundhouses, and demonstrate the differing biographies of adjacent structures. This paper outlines the results from the excavations and the radiocarbon dating programme before moving on to a discussion of settlement on the West Penwith uplands.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00665983.2011.11020830#.VZgDP9HH_IU
The radiocarbon dates are important because, although settlements of roundhouses are well known in west Penwith, none had been scientifically dated. They are also significant because they demonstrate the longevity and changing character of occupation within the roundhouses, and demonstrate the differing biographies of adjacent structures. This paper outlines the results from the excavations and the radiocarbon dating programme before moving on to a discussion of settlement on the West Penwith uplands.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00665983.2011.11020830#.VZgDP9HH_IU
Research Interests: Archaeology, Bronze Age Archaeology, British Prehistory (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, Middle Bronze Age, and 8 moreBritish Archaeology, Round Houses, British Bronze Age, Archaeology of British Uplands, Iron age settlements, Cornish Archaeology, Middle Bronze Age settlement, and Bronze Age Roundhouses
Excavation in Area 1 identified an enclosed settlement of Middle–Late Iron Age and Early Roman date, which included a roundhouse gully and deep storage pits with complex fills. A group of undated four-post structures, situated in the east... more
Excavation in Area 1 identified an enclosed settlement of Middle–Late Iron Age and Early Roman date, which included a roundhouse gully and deep storage pits with complex fills. A group of undated four-post structures, situated in the east of Area 1, appeared to represent a specialised area of storage or crop processing of probable Middle Iron Age date. A sequence of re-cutting and reorganisation of ditches and boundaries in the Late Iron Age/Early Roman period was followed, possibly after a considerable hiatus, by a phase of later Roman activity, Late Iron Age reorganisation appeared to be associated with the abandonment of a roundhouse, and a number of structured pit deposits may also relate to this period of change. Seven Late Iron Age cremation burials were associated with a contemporary boundary ditch which crossed Area 1. Two partly-exposed, L-shaped ditches may represent a later Roman phase of enclosed settlement and a slight shift in settlement focus. An isolated inhumation b...
Excavations were undertaken in 2016 in advance of development at Chesil Street car park, Winchester, to the east of the Roman and medieval city defences, in a part of the eastern suburb that has seen little previous investigation. The... more
Excavations were undertaken in 2016 in advance of development at Chesil Street car park, Winchester, to the east of the Roman and medieval city defences, in a part of the eastern suburb that has seen little previous investigation. The work revealed four Romano-British pits – at least one possibly a lime kiln, extensive areas of chalk quarrying and several medieval features including a chalk-lined cess pit that contained well-preserved environmental evidence. Post-medieval remains comprised five wells in addition to wall foundations alongside Chesil Street, while the east side of the site had been truncated by construction of a railway opened in 1895.
Research Interests: Archaeology and Geology
Survey and sampling at the classic single-entranced henge monument at Castle Dykes, in North Yorkshire, has revealed traces of circular timber structures, interpreted as later prehistoric roundhouses, in the immediate vicinity and within... more
Survey and sampling at the classic single-entranced henge monument at Castle Dykes, in North Yorkshire, has revealed traces of circular timber structures, interpreted as later prehistoric roundhouses, in the immediate vicinity and within the henge. Coring of the waterlogged silts of the internal ditch has produced considerable environmental data: plant, insect, pollen and charcoal remains. A small jet bead was also recovered. Radiocarbon dates from short-lived materials unexpectedly indicate that the monument was constructed in the Iron Age, which prompts a review of other potentially Iron Age ‘henges’ further afield.
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Landscape geophysical survey around the small upland ‘henge’ at Yarnbury, Grassington, North Yorkshire revealed few anthropogenic features around the enclosure but did identify a small rectangular structure in the same field. Sample... more
Landscape geophysical survey around the small upland ‘henge’ at Yarnbury, Grassington, North Yorkshire revealed few anthropogenic features around the enclosure but did identify a small rectangular structure in the same field. Sample trenching of this feature, radiocarbon and archaeomagnetic dating proved it to be an earlier Neolithic post and wattle structure of a type that is being increasingly recognised in Ireland and the west of Britain. It is the first to be recognised in the Yorkshire Dales and it is argued that the Dales may have been pivotal in the Neolithic for east–west trade as well as pastoral upland agriculture.
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Research Interests: Archaeology and Geology
Archaeological works undertaken in advance of the installation of a wind farm between Batsworthy Cross and Beaple’s Moor Cross, Knowstone, Devon, revealed the remains of a medieval farmhouse, associated field boundaries and a droveway. No... more
Archaeological works undertaken in advance of the installation of a wind farm between Batsworthy Cross and Beaple’s Moor Cross, Knowstone, Devon, revealed the remains of a medieval farmhouse, associated field boundaries and a droveway. No earlier settlement
was detected, though the droveway is considered prehistoric in origin. The farmhouse was probably constructed in the 13th century, when favourable environmental and economic conditions led to agrarian expansion into the upland fringes. The subsequent deterioration in the weather and the socio-economic changes wrought by famine and plague are likely to have been influential in the site’s abandonment, sometime in the 14th century. An increased demand for agricultural commodities in mid-16th to early 20th centuries brought about the re-establishment of the region’s agricultural usage and improvement of the routeways. Later, as the trend towards urbanisation increased, farming declined and expanses of upland reverted back to moorland.
was detected, though the droveway is considered prehistoric in origin. The farmhouse was probably constructed in the 13th century, when favourable environmental and economic conditions led to agrarian expansion into the upland fringes. The subsequent deterioration in the weather and the socio-economic changes wrought by famine and plague are likely to have been influential in the site’s abandonment, sometime in the 14th century. An increased demand for agricultural commodities in mid-16th to early 20th centuries brought about the re-establishment of the region’s agricultural usage and improvement of the routeways. Later, as the trend towards urbanisation increased, farming declined and expanses of upland reverted back to moorland.
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The Neolithic settlement in Vinča near Belgrade, Serbia, was occupied for more than a millennium (c. 5600–4500 cal BC); from about 5200 cal BC the occupation, associated with the regional Vinča culture phenomenon, was uninterrupted. After... more
The Neolithic settlement in Vinča near Belgrade, Serbia, was occupied for more than a millennium (c. 5600–4500 cal BC); from about 5200 cal BC the occupation, associated with the regional Vinča culture phenomenon, was uninterrupted. After gradual horizontal expansion in the beginning, the Vinča culture settlement grew vertically. A number of successive occupation levels composed of large, dense agglomerations of buildings formed an artificial mound of more than 10 ha in extent. The long and continuous life in a fixed location was likely facilitated by favourable natural environment offering a range of subsistence options and pathways. This paper reviews previous, and presents more recent, archaeological (i.e. artefactual) and palaeoenvironmental (geological, hydrological, palaeobotanical, faunal) evidence for the Vinča site and uses it to identify natural resources available in the settlement’s surroundings as well as those found in more distant areas. Using the on-and off-site data, it indirectly evaluates economic potential of the different environmental zones around Neolithic Vinča. The impression is that the resources available locally were remarkably diverse, offered a wide spectrum of food and raw materials, and were exploitable throughout the duration of the settlement. In addition to the apparently marked profusion and variety of opportunities in the vicinity of the site, the subsistence behaviour and the nature of landscape use were likely such that they did not have a great impact on the natural environment.
The UK Charcoal and Wood Workgroup will hold a Summer workshop from 9am-4pm on Saturday, June 17th, 2017 at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. All welcome. Attendance free, but please RSVP
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Investigations of the c. nine meter-high successive occupation levels of the Vinča tell (c. 5200-4600 BC) on the Danube have been instrumental for the construction of the Vinča culture chronology and the understanding of Neolithic... more
Investigations of the c. nine meter-high successive occupation levels of the Vinča tell (c. 5200-4600 BC) on the Danube have been instrumental for the construction of the Vinča culture chronology and the understanding of Neolithic developments in the central Balkan region. Until recently, however, there was virtually no information on the environmental context of this large long-lived settlement; very little was known about the vegetation, soil distribution, hydrology of the site, and natural resource potential and use. New work at Vinča for the first time includes archaeobotanical sampling and analysis of plant remains, and geomorphological investigations on and off the site. The archaeobotanical record suggests presence and use of a range of vegetation formations, from oak forests and open woodland (wooded steppe) to riparian and wetland sources. In terms of plant-based food economy, the evidence points to the importance of crop cultivation, as well as collection and, in some cases, possible management/cultivation of wild fruit. The results of geomorphological investigations reveal that, in contrast to the previously assumed location of the settlement directly on the Danube, the river course at the beginning of the Neolithic occupation, and likely through the whole history of the site, has been located few kilometers to the north of its current position. This perhaps indicates that the role of the Danube for the Vinča inhabitants has not been life-sustaining. Instead, a small Danube tributary bordering the site to the east may have played a key role for the settlement’s location and economy, as it regularly deposited loess-rich alluvium at the confluence. A combination of archaeobotanical and geomorphological data presented here shed new light on the environment of the site and allow better understanding of the land potential and use in the Neolithic."