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Blog post about the photogrammetry survey of the rock art on the top of the Quoit.
“Our new survey aimed to identify evidence for an external bank and to locate other unrecorded archaeological features within the scheduled area. Evidence for a bank would potentially inform understanding of the chrono-typological development of later Neolithic monuments across north-west Atlantic Europe, in Ireland, Wales and Scotland.”
Nice page by the local council about the site includes maps, what to expect and find pictures.
HAMBLEDON HILL, DORSET,
ENGLAND.
Excavation and survey of a
Neolithic monument complex and
its surrounding landscape
Volumes 1 & 2
Roger Mercer and Frances Healy
Image contained in the middle of the “East Midlands Research framework wiki: Chapter 4 The Neolithic and Early to Middle Bronze Age”
(main page link archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/researchframeworks/eastmidlands/wiki/Eastmid4)
Half way down this page is a ground plan showing the path of the cursus.
The Greater Manchester Archaeological Journal Volume 1 1985 – Chapter 1 -Bronze Age complex on Cheetham Close, Turton (M.Fletcher)
Great summary of the site including maps, history, detailed descriptions and context.
A short report of what was found upon excavation in 1980 by Robina McNeil.
A pic showing the stone dugout to a depth of maybe 5 foot. Looks like it might have been broken off at some point and then flipped onto its side maybe?
Stoke On Trent Museum Archaeological Society results for magnetometer and resistance surveying in the field next to the remaining stones. Also includes a brief antiquarian history of the site together with a report into a small excavation looking at anomalies in the scans.
Schulting,R., 2005. ‘… Pursuing a rabbit in Burrington Combe’: New Research on the Early Mesolithic burial cave of Aveline’s Hole. UBSS Proceedings, 23(3) , pp 171-265
Abstract: The main focus of this paper is the re-analysis of the fragmentary human skeletal assemblage from Aveline’s Hole. A brief history of the site’s discovery and excavation is presented. A minimum of 21 individuals can be identified in the extant collection, including both sexes and a wide range of ages from neonatal to older adult. Some stress markers are evident in the form of cribra orbitalia, linear enamel hypoplasia and Harris lines. Evidence for other pathologies is very limited, in part no doubt due to the poor preservation and representation of articular ends of longbones and vertebrae. Dental pathology is also low, with caries occurring on only one individual in the surviving assemblage. Interproximal grooves are present on a number of molars, and striations are also seen on some anterior teeth relating to non-dietary activities. Dental microwear analysis examines the occlusal wear on a number of molars in greater detail, provisionally suggesting a softer diet and more important role for plant foods than might have been expected for hunter-gatherers in a north-temperate environment. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of 18 individuals shows no secure evidence for any consumption of marine foods, with implications for seasonal and lifetime mobility of the population using Aveline’s Hole. In apparent contradiction to the microwear findings, stable nitrogen values are high relative to contemporary fauna and suggest high consumption of animal protein. However, the two methods of palaeodietary analysis operate at very different time-scales, and also may emphasise different foods. Strontium isotope analysis suggests that most individuals interred at the site were drawn from the Mendips and its surrounding area, though some movement to the Chalk Downs may be indicated. AMS dating results further confirm an Early Mesolithic (10000-8500 BP) attribution to the burials, and in fact place the use of the site as a cemetery within a surprisingly brief period, between 8460 and 8140 cal BC, with a good probability that use was concentrated within a period of only 70-180 years. A brief discussion of the surviving faunal assemblage is also presented, including some new findings not noted in the original reports. Attempts to extract pollen from sediment in the medullary cavities of four long bones were partly successful, and the results consistent with an open pine-birch woodland in the area near the time of burial. The same sediments were analysed to determine their origin, which was found to be local to the cave environment. Finally, the wider significance of the site is discussed, with a tentative proposal that increased territoriality relating to rapidly rising sea levels in the early Holocene may be implicated.
Mullan,G.J., and Wilson,L.J., 2005. A Possible Mesolithic Engraving in Aveline’s Hole, Burrington Combe, North Somerset. UBSS Proceedings, 23(2) , pp 75-85
Abstract: In July 2003, a group of engraved crosses were found in Aveline’s Hole, Burrington Combe. Although it has not been possible to apply direct dating techniques to them, the evidence from their appearance and their archaeological context suggests that they may have been engraved during the early Mesolithic at a time when the cave was in use as a cemetery. Evidence for portable art from this site is also reviewed
Lewis,J., 2009. The long barrows and long mounds of West Mendip. UBSS Proceedings, 24(3) , pp 187-206
Abstract: This article considers the evidence for Early Neolithic long barrow construction on the West Mendip plateau, Somerset. It highlights the difficulties in assigning long mounds a classification on surface evidence alone and discusses a range of earthworks which have been confused with long barrows. Eight possible long barrows are identified and their individual and group characteristics are explored and compared with national trends. Gaps in the local distribution of these monuments are assessed and it is suggested that areas of absence might have been occupied by woodland during the Neolithic. The relationship between long barrows and later round barrows is also considered.
Phillips,C.W., and Taylor,H., 1972. The Priddy Long Barrow, Mendip Hills, Somerset. UBSS Proceedings, 13(1) , pp 31-36
Abstract: The Priddy Long Barrow was partially excavated in 1928. It had been previously disturbed. Its main structure was a cairn orientated approximately N-S with the higher and wider end at the south. Primary and secondary features were found. No objects by which these features could be dated came to light. The date of its construction is an enigma. From its form and structure a late Neolithic date may be presumed.
Lewis,J., 2002. Reinterpreting the Priddy Long Barrow, Mendip Hills, Somerset.. UBSS Proceedings, 22(3) , pp 269-288
Abstract: The Priddy Long Barrow was partially excavated by UBSS in 1928, the first long barrow excavation to be undertaken by the Society. A very short report detailing some of the findings was published by Phillips and taylor in 1972 (with editor’s comments), when it was suggested to be an artificial mound containing human bone of Late Neolithic date. Few other conclusions were drawn but intriguing details suggested that this was a complex monument, worthy of re-analysis. This paper details the results of an examination of the site archive and offers a new interpretation of the monument. It is argued that the Priddy long barrow is a non-megalithic long barrow dating to the Early Neolithic period. At least four phases of activity and construction are suggested. new information on the finds, destroyed during World War II, is also given and new plans presented.
Report on the 2008 excavations at the Priddy circles by Lewis, J & Mullin, D
This is a new facebook group purely to discuss Peak District Prehistory. Its to show off sites we’ve been to, help for sites we can’t find and to organise meet ups! If you live nearby or regularly visit the region, feel free to join...
How To: Report Dumped Rubbish or Damage to a Heritage Site
An article I wrote which details how to report damage or litter at prehistoric sites that you may find as you work your way through the sites on TMA. In short:
1. Take lots of photos.
2. Take 5 minutes to briefly write down the following:
- date
- site name
- site location (an OS ref will do)
- type of crime
- extent of crime
3. Ring the police on 999 if its happening right now and on 101 if its already happened. You do not have to give your name.
Welcome to the Arbor Low Environs Project website. This is a new project which will be exploring the landscape surrounding the henge of Arbor Low in the Peak District. The project is a collaboration between archaeologists, students, volunteers and farmers.
The project has a number of questions which it seeks to address, including how has this landscape been experienced through time? For some it seems that a monument such as Arbor Low exists in isolation, built by unknown hands at some unknown point in time in the past, for some as yet unknown reason. This project will be bringing together the various strands of what we do know and trying to develop a new, broader understanding of not only the monument but the landscape around it.
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Unfortunately the 2012 digging season is over but they are planning 5 years of work.
Lovely blog post about Lugbury.
A great site predominantly about the Dolmens of the Lot department and some of Tarn & Garonne department.
There is an article from the french Archéologia about the Lot dolmens with an english translation at the bottom. Plus several pages of pictures the author has visited and also cupules (cups) and standing stones in the region.
The website of the visitors centre at the caves. Look through this to get an idea of the magnificence of the paintings.
BBC news story about some Cresswell Crags style rock art found at aveline’s hole.
One page site by someone who is conducting some of the research on the remains found.
A kinda letters page including a description of rows & carved stones in the Winter Hill area.
Page with aerial photo of the site and limited information.
The valley is also a National Nature Reserve; this is the English Nature webpage for it!
“The Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society has received part of a Bronze Age socketed axe said to have been found, with the aid of a metal detector, in 1986 somewhere on the top of Croham Hurst.”
Transport details, opening times, prices and dubious history.
A good synopsis of the history of the stone together with recent events.