Papers by Kirsten Dinwiddy
Archaeological works undertaken in advance of the installation of a wind farm between Batsworthy ... 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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Wessex Archaeology, 2009
This volume presents the results of archaeological investigations undertaken at four sites in Ken... more This volume presents the results of archaeological investigations undertaken at four sites in Kent. The two 'linear' schemes, the West Malling and Leybourne Bypass and Weatherlees-Margate-Broadstairs Wastewater Pipeline, provided transects across the landscape revealing settlement and cemetery evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon date. Medieval settlement remains included sunken-featured buildings at West Malling, Fulston Manor and Star Lane, Manston
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Excavations in 2013 completed the archaeological works associated with the development of the are... more Excavations in 2013 completed the archaeological works associated with the development of the area to the north of Poundbury Farm, near Dorchester, Dorset. Investigation of the narrow strip of land, situated between two large areas excavated in 2007, revealed a number of features of prehistoric and Romano-British date. Two Middle Bronze Age cremation-related features, possibly cenotaphs or memento mori , were found not far from a few other, similarly-dated cremation burials recorded previously. A scattering of worked flint came from later features. There remains a distinct lack of evidence for Iron Age activity on or in the near vicinity of the site. It was possible to clarify the relationships between (and the development of) several of the large ditched-enclosures relating to the Romano-British community’s apparently agrarian, predominantly sheep product and crop-based, economy. The very bottom corner of a previously unknown enclosure ditch was revealed along the northern edge of the site, demonstrating that this complex of enclosures continued beyond the investigated areas. Small-scale craft and industry-related features generally appear later in the Romano–British sequence, as observed thus far. The remains of a well-built masonry-lined oven or kiln structure, featuring an iron door-post, had clearly been used, though it has not been possible to determine a particular function. In addition to the metal-working evidence recovered during both phases of excavation, the more recently found antler offcut suggests some variety in craft-related activities. A number of additional Romano-British inhumation burials were found in the northern part of the site. Three had been made in the local Durotrigian style – flexed and usually with a ceramic vessel or vessels – a tradition that has been proven to continue well into the period. A further 10 (nine found in a close-packed linear arrangement) held the remains of more standard Romano-British style burials, ie, coffined, extended and supine, and often wearing hobnailed footwear. Four of the burials had included complete lamb carcasses, laid along or at the end of the coffin, possibly related to their sheep-based occupations, or perhaps of some symbolic significance, eg, innocence and renewal. Regardless of the reasons, they are a most unusual find. One of these burials was even more remarkable; as well as being buried with a lamb offering, a child of around 10 years of age had been decapitated as part of the post mortem rites. Whilst decapitation burials are relatively common in the period, it is rare to find evidence for the ritual being performed on one so young. It is not possible to determine why they were treated in this manner, though it is likely that there was something that marked the child for special treatment in death. As previously surmised, there is little evidence for occupation in the vicinity during succeeding periods. It appears that, from the post-Roman period until recently, the site formed part of a large expanse of farmland to the west of the settlement now known as Dorchester.
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Excavations in 2014 at Shepherds Spring School, Andover identified a rare Early Neolithic pit con... more Excavations in 2014 at Shepherds Spring School, Andover identified a rare Early Neolithic pit containing an important assemblage of worked flint and Carinated Bowl pottery. Middle–Late Iron Age and early Romano-British features included a substantial enclosure ditch of at least two phases, storage pits and the remains of the Portway Roman road.
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Archaeological Journal, 2018
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Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine , 2022
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American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2015
In the Roman period, urban and rural ways of living were differentiated philosophically and legal... more In the Roman period, urban and rural ways of living were differentiated philosophically and legally, and this is the first regional study of these contrasting life-ways. Focusing on frailty and mortality risk, we investigated how these differed by age, sex, and status, using coffin type as a proxy for social status. We employed skeletal data from 344 individuals: 150 rural and 194 urban (1st-5th centuries A.D.) from Dorset, England. Frailty and mortality risk were examined using indicators of stress (cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, nonspecific periostitis, and enamel hypoplastic defects), specific metabolic and infectious diseases (rickets, scurvy, and tuberculosis), and dental health (carious lesions and calculus). These variables were studied using Chi-square, Siler model of mortality, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the Gompertz model of adult mortality. Our study found that overall, mortality risk and survivorship did not differ between cemetery types but when the data were examined by age, mortality risk was only significantly higher for urban subadults. Demographic differences were found, with urban cemeteries having more 0-10 and >35 year olds, and for health, urban cemeteries had significantly higher frequencies of enamel hypoplastic defects, carious lesions, and rickets. Interestingly, no significant difference in status was observed between rural and urban cemeteries. The most significant finding was the influence of the skeletal and funerary data from the Poundbury sites, which had different demographic profiles, significantly higher frequencies of the indicators of stress and dental health variables. In conclusion, there are significant health, demographic, and mortality differences between rural and urban populations in Roman Britain. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, 2016
Excavations by Archaeological Research and Consultancy University of Sheffield in 2007–8 revealed... more Excavations by Archaeological Research and Consultancy University of Sheffield in 2007–8 revealed the remains of an Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery at North Ridge Community School, Woodlands, Doncaster. Forty graves were excavated, thirty-seven of which contained in situ burial remains. Radiocarbon samples from five graves gave an overall date range extending from the late seventh to late eight centuries AD. The latter is commensurate with that suggested by the limited range of grave goods recovered from two of the graves. The majority of the burials were made supine and extended within graves predominantly arranged in two rows, and the demographic profile suggests it served a domestic population. There were occasional deviations from the ‘norm’ in burial position and orientation, and one adult female appears to have suffered a violent death. Strontium and Oxygen (Sr/O) isotope analysis of seven individuals showed mixed origins including local, regional/national migrants and two long-distance migrants.
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Nature, Mar 1, 2018
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Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine 114: 81-121, 2021
After a gap of almost two decades further investigations were initiated at this remarkable late p... more After a gap of almost two decades further investigations were initiated at this remarkable late prehistoric midden site, supported by Operation Nightingale/Breaking Ground Heritage. Geophysical survey clarified the extent of the broadly contemporary enclosure surrounding the midden, as well as other related features, while subsequent excavations provided new information on the midden, the enclosure and settlement. Two small trenches in the northeast half of the midden revealed a different sequence and produced far fewer finds than the 1992−3 excavations in the southwest half, demonstrating that it is not a homogeneous mound. A substantial ditch and associated bank, largely levelled by the late Roman period, may have been contemporary with or pre-dated the early development of the midden, while some 150 postholes attested to the presence of numerous roundhouses and other structures within the enclosure. Overall, a date range of c. 1000−500 cal. BC and possibly later is suggested from radiocarbon dating and pottery, the main phase of midden development perhaps later than the majority of the settlement. Furthermore, recent results of radiocarbon dating of material from the earlier excavations suggest the site sequence may continue as late as c. 400 cal. BC. Radiocarbon dating of the few human remains has also highlighted the likelihood that some were curated, the probable intervals between the dates of death and deposition ranging from a few decades to three centuries. Finds and environmental assemblages are generally consistent with those previously found, but a few sherds of scratch cordoned bowl represent a significant new discovery, as does a unique copper alloy 'pendant' of possible continental origin. Evidence now indicates that cattle, as well as sheep and pigs, were intensively managed and slaughtered on site, with the isotope data suggesting local origins for most of the animals, though some cattle may have been raised on pasturage further afield.
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Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural HIstory Magazine 109, 38-82, 2016
Excavation of an Early Beaker−Early Bronze Age funerary monument at Porton Down revealed an unusu... more Excavation of an Early Beaker−Early Bronze Age funerary monument at Porton Down revealed an unusually complex burial sequence of 12 individuals, spanning four centuries, including eight neonates or infants and only one probable male, surrounded by a segmented ring-ditch. In the centre was a large grave which contained the disturbed remains of an adult female, accompanied by a Beaker, which had probably been placed within a timber chamber and later 'revisited' on one or more occasions. This primary burial and an antler pick from the base of the ring-ditch provided identical Early Beaker radiocarbon dates. Two burials were accompanied by a Food Vessel and a miniature Collared Urn respectively, others were unaccompanied, and there was a single and a double cremation burial, both within inverted Collared Urns. A C-shaped enclosure nearby may have been contemporary with the funerary monument, but its date and function are uncertain. Other features included an Early Neolithic pit which contained a significant assemblage of worked flint, and several Middle Bronze Age ditches and a Late Bronze Age 'Wessex Linear' ditch that reflect later prehistoric land divisions probably related to stock control.
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Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural HIstory Magazine 108, 97-104, 2015
An excavation on the Salisbury Plain Training Area, just north of Tilshead, revealed mostly Roman... more An excavation on the Salisbury Plain Training Area, just north of Tilshead, revealed mostly Romano-British features comprising pits, ditches, and a grave. Artefacts include a brooch, a coin, ceramic spindle whorls and/or weights, and fragments of quernstones. The site is probably on the periphery of an area of Romano-British rural settlement, the inhabitants of which participated in agricultural and small-scale industry and crafts. The results augment the known evidence for widespread Romano-British activity across and around Salisbury Plain.
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Further Prehistoric and Romano-British activity at Poundbury Farm, Dorchester, Dorset. Wessex Archaeology Online Report , 2019
Excavations in 2013 completed the archaeological works associated with the development of the are... more Excavations in 2013 completed the archaeological works associated with the development of the area to the north of Poundbury Farm, near Dorchester, Dorset. Investigation of the narrow strip of land, situated between two large areas excavated in 2007, revealed a number of features of prehistoric and Romano-British date. Two Middle Bronze Age cremation-related features, possibly cenotaphs or memento mori, were found not far from a few other, similarly-dated cremation burials recorded previously. A scattering of worked flint came from later features. There remains a distinct lack of evidence for Iron Age activity on or in the near vicinity of the site. It was possible to clarify the relationships between (and the development of) several of the large ditched-enclosures relating to the Romano-British community’s apparently agrarian, predominantly sheep product and crop-based, economy. The very bottom corner of a previously unknown enclosure ditch was revealed along the northern edge of the site, demonstrating that this complex of enclosures continued beyond the investigated areas. Small-scale craft and industry-related features generally appear later in the Romano– British sequence, as observed thus far. The remains of a well-built masonry-lined oven or kiln structure, featuring an iron door-post, had clearly been used, though it has not been possible to determine a particular function. In addition to the metal-working evidence recovered during both phases of excavation, the more recently found antler offcut suggests some variety in craftrelated activities. A number of additional Romano-British inhumation burials were found in the northern part of the site. Three had been made in the local Durotrigian style – flexed and usually with a ceramic vessel or vessels – a tradition that has been proven to continue well into the period. A further 10 (nine found in a close-packed linear arrangement) held the remains of more standard Romano-British style burials, ie, coffined, extended and supine, and often wearing hobnailed footwear. Four of the burials had included complete lamb carcasses, laid along or at the end of the coffin, possibly related to their sheep-based occupations, or perhaps of some symbolic significance, eg, innocence and renewal. Regardless of the reasons, they are a most unusual find. One of these burials was even more remarkable; as well as being buried with a lamb offering, a child of around 10 years of age had been decapitated as part of the post mortem rites. Whilst decapitation burials are relatively common in the period, it is rare to find evidence for the ritual being performed on one so young. It is not possible to determine why they were treated in this manner, though it is likely that there was something that marked the child for special treatment in death. As previously surmised, there is little evidence for occupation in the vicinity during succeeding periods. It appears that, from the post-Roman period until recently, the site formed part of a large expanse of farmland to the west of the settlement now known as Dorchester.
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Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society , 2019
Excavations in 2013 completed the archaeological works associated with the development of the are... more Excavations in 2013 completed the archaeological works associated with the development of the area to the north of Poundbury Farm, near Dorchester, Dorset. Investigation of the narrow strip of land, situated between two large areas excavated in 2007, revealed a number of features of prehistoric and Romano-British date. Two Middle Bronze Age cremation-related features, possibly cenotaphs or memento
mori , were found not far from a few other, similarly-dated cremation burials recorded previously. A scattering of worked flint came from later features. There remains a distinct lack of evidence for Iron Age activity on or in the near vicinity of the site. It was possible to clarify the relationships between (and the development of) several of
the large ditched-enclosures relating to the Romano-British community’s apparently agrarian, predominantly sheep product and crop-based, economy. The very bottom corner of a previously unknown enclosure ditch was revealed along the northern edge of the site,
demonstrating that this complex of enclosures continued beyond the investigated areas. Small-scale craft and industry-related features generally appear later in the Romano–British sequence, as observed thus far. The remains of a well-built masonry-lined oven or kiln
structure, featuring an iron door-post, had clearly been used, though it has not been possible to determine a particular function. In addition to the metal-working evidence recovered during both phases of excavation, the more recently found antler offcut suggests some variety in craft-related activities. A number of additional Romano-British inhumation burials were found in the northern part of the site. Three had been made in the local Durotrigian style – flexed and usually with a ceramic vessel or vessels – a tradition that has been proven to continue well into the period. A further 10 (nine found in a close-packed linear arrangement) held the remains of more standard Romano-British style burials, ie, coffined, extended and supine, and often wearing hobnailed footwear. Four of the burials had included complete lamb carcasses, laid along or at the end of the coffin, possibly related to their sheep-based occupations, or perhaps of some symbolic significance, eg, innocence and renewal. Regardless of the reasons, they are a most unusual find. One of these burials was even more remarkable; as well as being buried with a lamb offering, a child of around 10 years of age had been decapitated as part of the post mortem rites. Whilst decapitation burials are relatively common in the period, it is rare to find evidence for the ritual being performed on one so young. It is not possible to determine why they were treated in this manner, though it is likely that there was something that marked the child for special treatment in death. As previously surmised, there is little evidence for occupation in the vicinity during succeeding periods. It appears that, from the post-Roman period until recently, the site formed part of a large expanse of farmland to the west of the settlement now known as Dorchester.
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Further investigations at Merlin's Cave, Symond's Yat West, Herefordshire. Hereford Archaeology Report No 299, 2012
Bones were found eroding out of the steep slope immediately below Merlin's Cave, Symond's Yat Wes... more Bones were found eroding out of the steep slope immediately below Merlin's Cave, Symond's Yat West. Excavations in 2010 and 2011 revealed the remains of two burials, radiocarbon dating confirmed 6th and early 7th century AD dates.
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GGAT 115: Cwn Nash, Monknash, Vale of Glamorgan: archaeological excavation (CADW), 2012
The remains of an extended, supine burial were found protruding from a cliff-face at Cwn Nash. Se... more The remains of an extended, supine burial were found protruding from a cliff-face at Cwn Nash. Several similar findspots and an excavation have indicated the presence of an early Post-medieval cemetery within the vicinity, and the remains are considered to be of a commensurate date.
NB: the photographs in this report were NOT prepared by, or taken by the Osteoarchaeologist
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Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, 2017
Excavations at the Old Dairy, Amesbury, Wiltshire, revealed three previously unknown ring-ditches... more Excavations at the Old Dairy, Amesbury, Wiltshire, revealed three previously unknown ring-ditches of Early Bronze Age and possible Neolithic dates, a scatter of Neolithic pits, a pit containing dolerite-tempered pottery of probably Middle Bronze Age date and a Final-Phase (7th-8th century) Anglo-Saxon cemetery
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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY MAGAZINE , 2015
An excavation southeast of Salisbury revealed burials of Early and Middle Bronze Age, and Early I... more An excavation southeast of Salisbury revealed burials of Early and Middle Bronze Age, and Early Iron Age date representing a number of mortuary traditions. All the burials were radiocarbon dated. The earliest involved the unaccompanied inhumation of bones from more than one individual, a practice characteristic of some Beaker-period burials. Two adjacent pits, at a distance from this grave, contained Beaker pottery and other finds, and appear to be of a similar date to the early grave. A plough-levelled round barrow, dated towards the end of the Early Bronze Age, appears to have had a cremation burial with a Collared Urn near its centre, and to have later become the focus for a group of Middle Bronze Age inhumation burials. Subsequently, a small Early Iron Age inhumation cemetery was established on the edge of an area of possibly contemporary settlement, comprising clustered quarry pits and post-built structures, features also found in the Early Iron Age settlement enclosure of Little Woodbury just 200m upslope. Later features on the site relate to Romano-British and medieval/post-medieval land division.
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Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, 2011
An evaluation and borehole survey of the site of the former Central Electric Lighting Station, cl... more An evaluation and borehole survey of the site of the former Central Electric Lighting Station, close to St Philip's Bridge, Temple Back, Bristol, aided by contextual and documentary evidence, has enabled a better understanding of the development of this estuarine location and its adjacent port. An inlet of late-prehistoric origins was intermittently and then more consistently used as a midden for the flourishing settlement that was to become Bristol. By the late 16th/early 17th century it had been necessary to re-channel the inlet, though 'Dung Wharf', as it became known as, very quickly became choked with domestic and industrial refuse. By the early 18th century, when Bristol was inextricably tied to ship-building and long-distance trade, the waterway was infilled and the reclaimed land became part of a bustling and innovative industrial district and residential area, and remained so until the later 20th century.
Amongst the rich artefactual and ecofactual assemblages, notable findings include evidence for imported goods such as pottery from France and Spain, as well as figs, grapes and walnuts. Most exciting, however, was the discovery of a number of seeds of the bottle gourd, a cultigen of Africa and until now, not recorded from a British archaeological context.
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Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society, 2017
Archaeological works undertaken in advance of the installation of a wind farm between Batsworthy ... 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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Papers by Kirsten Dinwiddy
mori , were found not far from a few other, similarly-dated cremation burials recorded previously. A scattering of worked flint came from later features. There remains a distinct lack of evidence for Iron Age activity on or in the near vicinity of the site. It was possible to clarify the relationships between (and the development of) several of
the large ditched-enclosures relating to the Romano-British community’s apparently agrarian, predominantly sheep product and crop-based, economy. The very bottom corner of a previously unknown enclosure ditch was revealed along the northern edge of the site,
demonstrating that this complex of enclosures continued beyond the investigated areas. Small-scale craft and industry-related features generally appear later in the Romano–British sequence, as observed thus far. The remains of a well-built masonry-lined oven or kiln
structure, featuring an iron door-post, had clearly been used, though it has not been possible to determine a particular function. In addition to the metal-working evidence recovered during both phases of excavation, the more recently found antler offcut suggests some variety in craft-related activities. A number of additional Romano-British inhumation burials were found in the northern part of the site. Three had been made in the local Durotrigian style – flexed and usually with a ceramic vessel or vessels – a tradition that has been proven to continue well into the period. A further 10 (nine found in a close-packed linear arrangement) held the remains of more standard Romano-British style burials, ie, coffined, extended and supine, and often wearing hobnailed footwear. Four of the burials had included complete lamb carcasses, laid along or at the end of the coffin, possibly related to their sheep-based occupations, or perhaps of some symbolic significance, eg, innocence and renewal. Regardless of the reasons, they are a most unusual find. One of these burials was even more remarkable; as well as being buried with a lamb offering, a child of around 10 years of age had been decapitated as part of the post mortem rites. Whilst decapitation burials are relatively common in the period, it is rare to find evidence for the ritual being performed on one so young. It is not possible to determine why they were treated in this manner, though it is likely that there was something that marked the child for special treatment in death. As previously surmised, there is little evidence for occupation in the vicinity during succeeding periods. It appears that, from the post-Roman period until recently, the site formed part of a large expanse of farmland to the west of the settlement now known as Dorchester.
NB: the photographs in this report were NOT prepared by, or taken by the Osteoarchaeologist
Amongst the rich artefactual and ecofactual assemblages, notable findings include evidence for imported goods such as pottery from France and Spain, as well as figs, grapes and walnuts. Most exciting, however, was the discovery of a number of seeds of the bottle gourd, a cultigen of Africa and until now, not recorded from a British archaeological context.
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.
mori , were found not far from a few other, similarly-dated cremation burials recorded previously. A scattering of worked flint came from later features. There remains a distinct lack of evidence for Iron Age activity on or in the near vicinity of the site. It was possible to clarify the relationships between (and the development of) several of
the large ditched-enclosures relating to the Romano-British community’s apparently agrarian, predominantly sheep product and crop-based, economy. The very bottom corner of a previously unknown enclosure ditch was revealed along the northern edge of the site,
demonstrating that this complex of enclosures continued beyond the investigated areas. Small-scale craft and industry-related features generally appear later in the Romano–British sequence, as observed thus far. The remains of a well-built masonry-lined oven or kiln
structure, featuring an iron door-post, had clearly been used, though it has not been possible to determine a particular function. In addition to the metal-working evidence recovered during both phases of excavation, the more recently found antler offcut suggests some variety in craft-related activities. A number of additional Romano-British inhumation burials were found in the northern part of the site. Three had been made in the local Durotrigian style – flexed and usually with a ceramic vessel or vessels – a tradition that has been proven to continue well into the period. A further 10 (nine found in a close-packed linear arrangement) held the remains of more standard Romano-British style burials, ie, coffined, extended and supine, and often wearing hobnailed footwear. Four of the burials had included complete lamb carcasses, laid along or at the end of the coffin, possibly related to their sheep-based occupations, or perhaps of some symbolic significance, eg, innocence and renewal. Regardless of the reasons, they are a most unusual find. One of these burials was even more remarkable; as well as being buried with a lamb offering, a child of around 10 years of age had been decapitated as part of the post mortem rites. Whilst decapitation burials are relatively common in the period, it is rare to find evidence for the ritual being performed on one so young. It is not possible to determine why they were treated in this manner, though it is likely that there was something that marked the child for special treatment in death. As previously surmised, there is little evidence for occupation in the vicinity during succeeding periods. It appears that, from the post-Roman period until recently, the site formed part of a large expanse of farmland to the west of the settlement now known as Dorchester.
NB: the photographs in this report were NOT prepared by, or taken by the Osteoarchaeologist
Amongst the rich artefactual and ecofactual assemblages, notable findings include evidence for imported goods such as pottery from France and Spain, as well as figs, grapes and walnuts. Most exciting, however, was the discovery of a number of seeds of the bottle gourd, a cultigen of Africa and until now, not recorded from a British archaeological context.
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.
Excavations in 2003-4 were carried out largely in response to the damage being caused to this and other prehistoric monuments by badgers. The subsequent work in 2012-14 was made possible by the participation of Operation nightingale (Exercise Beowulf), an innovative military initiative to involve injured service personnel in archaeology to aid their recovery.
Radiocarbon dating has provided a coherent chronology for the important prehistoric sequence , and has also shown that Anglo-Saxon burial continued into the 7t and possibly the 8th century. Notable cemetery finds include a sword with well-preserved organic remains, a bucket with surviving yew staves, a fine great square-headed brooch and only the second Visigothic brooch of its type found in Britain.
An extensive Romano-British field system, found across all three excavation areas, is associated with a previously identified farmstead to the north. The farmstead and field system were aligned with a trackway that linked the settlement with the Roman road to Ilchester; a ditch pertaining to this was recorded during the excavations.
Two late Romano-British inhumation burials and several pits, some containing large quantities of pottery and charred plant remains, were also present in the area adjacent to the farmstead. Less well-preserved gullies defining fields or paddocks are tentatively dated to the Bronze Age; and a four-post granary structure was dated to the early Middle Iron Age and is likely associated with a contemporary settlement known to the east.
A number of significant sites and areas of past human activity and inhabitation from the Iron Age, the Romano-British period, the medieval and early post-medieval periods have been recorded. The results follow broad regional patterns seen in the Severn Estuary Levels, with the more regularly planned farming landscapes and permanent settlement evidence from the Romano-British period onwards, developing from seasonal, episodic exploitation of this resource-rich salt-marsh landscape. It has also highlighted extensive continuities within the Steart Point landscape of land divisions and drainage patterns which have their inception at least as far back as the early medieval period and possibly the Romano-British period.
The Romano-British settlement appears to have been established in the mid-/late 1st century AD, and was continually occupied until the end of the 4th century. The settlement contained roads, buildings of stone and timber construction, a crop drier, wells, pits, human and animal burials, agricultural enclosures and evidence for metalworking, but was most notable for its large number of cooking ovens.
The ceramic and metal finds are indicative of a highly Romanized settlement, whist the animal bone assemblage and plant remains suggest that the provision of food – particularly roast pork and bread – was an important part of the settlement’s economy. The discovery of a pair of small stone altars provide evidence for a roadside shrine.
The cemetery was probably used by several generations of the local community, though there are indications that some individuals originated outside of the area. General health was on the whole poorer than that of comparable contemporaneous populations, and there is evidence for infections such as tuberculosis and leprosy.
burials were accompanied by weapons and a diversity of jewellery assemblages, though none exhibit a particularly impressive range of wealth. As virtually the entire cemetery appears to have been explored, reliable observations can be made about its establishment, layout and development.
A number of pits contained axe manufacturing debris, early Neolithic pottery and environmental remains, including one with an extensive dump of charred grain.
A ring-ditch of probable Early Bronze Age date was recorded, although there was limited evidence for contemporary occupation. Middle and Late Bronze Age field systems, pits, roundhouses, and cremation burials were identified. In keeping with other sites in the area, Iron Age activity was very limited.
In the early Romano-British period a farmstead was established, comprising enclosures, stone-built structures, grain driers, ovens and other features. Early Romano-British Durotrigian graves, as well as middle and late Romano-British graves, were associated with the settlement. One individual was buried in a stone coffin, and there was a single late Romano-British cremation burial.
were those of a child (burial 2615) – probably a girl, around four years old – whose unusual skeletal morphology is
consistent with a genetic disorder of the cartilage, ie, achondroplasia, the most common form of disproportionate dwarfism.
Whilst historic evidence can provide some insight into how this child might have been regarded in life, the archaeological
evidence implies that they had not received any disparate or special funerary treatment.
Despite the condition being well-documented historically, osteoarchaeological examples of dwarfism are relatively
uncommon. Of the seven reported cases from British assemblages, four have been attributed to achondroplasia,
comprising a tentative Neolithic case, a 7th– 9th century infant from Pembrokeshire, an adult from medieval London
and another from Newcastle (19th century). Examples of the mesomelic and pituitary forms of dwarfism comprise
adults from Dorchester and Gloucester (Romano-British), and early medieval Tyne and Wear
NB superseded in 2023