Analytical survey of the above ground evidence has been undertaken on twelve areas of prehistoric fields in southern Britain. In all cases at least two phases were noted, one directly overlying the other; in ten of these areas the earlier phase comprised an extensive rectilinear grid and the later smaller areas of aggregated fields.

The earlier field systems could be externally bounded and left little land unenclosed for open grazing and timber production, movement was only allowed along high ridges. It is suggested that the earliest of these fields date to the beginning of the 2nd millennium, on both sides of the Channel, where they were regarded as symbolic of status within a period of visible ostentatious possessions. The majority were created in the middle centuries of that period, possibly as a reaction to perceived land pressure. No settlements could be identified as coeval with these fields.

The later fields represent a major contraction of enclosed land and their design is more suited to stock, rather than arable, production. Larger areas around the fields were marked by linear ditch systems or by cross ridge dykes. Settlements were frequently, and presumably deliberately, placed over the boundaries of the earlier fields, possibly in an act of incorporation; these settlements tend to date to the two centuries on either side of 1000BC, and it is likely, though not certain, that the later fields were contemporary with these settlements. The production of stock as evidence of wealth led to feasting, as exemplified by midden sites, and to a raiding culture within which aggression is more likely, but warfare not proven.

The point is made that, with no structure visible at excavation across lynchets, analytical survey is the best method of recording phase differences. Also, given the lack of below ground evidence these sites, though widespread, are a diminishing resource and protection of the best examples is highly desirable.

Pattern and Progress: Field Systems of the Second and Early First Millennia BC in Southern Britain

Fourth-century a.d. chalk tesserae from Roman Leicester (Ratae Corieltavorum) yield rich microfossil assemblages that identify a biostratigraphical age of Cretaceous Late Cenomanian to Early Turonian. The nearest chalk outcrops to Leicester lie in Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and north Norfolk, indicating that the material for the tesserae must have been sourced remotely and transported to Ratae. Superimposing the Roman road network onto a map of the relevant Chalk Group distribution provides a guide to possible sources. A process of evaluation identifies Baldock in Hertfordshire and Bridlington in Yorkshire as the most likely sources for the Leicester tesserae.

/pdf/provenance-of-chalk-tesserae-from-a-roman-town-house-in-vine-3c09d8t8v2.pdf

Provenance of Chalk Tesserae from a Roman Town-House in Vine Street, Leicester

Microfossil analysis of chalk tesserae from mosaics at five sites in Roman Britain
(Caerleon, Colchester, the Isle of Wight, Leicester and London) was undertaken in
order to ascertain the biostratigraphical age of the chalk used and thereby to
determine its lithostratigraphical position within the Chalk Group. This information
was then used to determine its most likely geographical provenance.
The foraminiferal evidence presented in this thesis strongly suggests that the source of
the chalk used to manufacture the tesserae within the Roman province varied with
time. Comparison of the results obtained with previous micropalaeontological analyses
of chalk tesserae from Silchester, Norden (Dorset) and elsewhere in London suggest
that Dorset may have acted as a regional source of chalk tesserae supply for mosaics
dating to the first or early second century AD. This confirms previous suggestions that
a ‘geomaterials complex’ was operating in the Poole-Purbeck area of south-east Dorset
at this time.
Chalk tesserae dating to later periods did not display this same pattern of supply and
appear to have been derived from elsewhere in the province. Kent and Sussex are
suggested as possible sources for chalk tesserae dating to the second and third
centuries AD, whereas Baldock in Hertfordshire emerges as a possible source in the
fourth. The geological evidence also shows that harder members of the Chalk Group
do not seem to have been preferentially selected for use in tesserae manufacture.
The results obtained confirm the value of the ‘microfossil approach’ to the problem of
provenance in archaeological studies. It is suggested that the extension of this
technique to chalk tesserae from other sites might enable some wider aspects of
mosaic manufacture in Roman Britain to be investigated and two areas are put
forward for future consideration.

The provenance of chalk tesserae from selected sites in Roman Britain

Perforated plates of fired clay have long been recognised as a component of Late Bronze Age material culture in south-eastern England, but recent developer-funded excavations have produced a wealth of new evidence. These artefacts, showing a considerable degree of standardisation, are now known from more than 70 sites, which show a markedly riverine and estuarine distribution along the lower Thames. Their function is still uncertain, but it is suggested that they were parts of ovens for baking bread, a new technology for food preparation in the later Bronze Age. Some of the largest assemblages of such plates are found at strongly defended sites, and it is further suggested that the baking and consumption of bread was particularly associated with such sites of social authority. The estuarine distribution is discussed in this paper, and it presents further evidence for the regionally distinctive nature of food consumption in later prehistory.

/pdf/food-technology-and-culture-in-the-late-bronze-age-of-k01w106jt4.pdf

Food, Technology and Culture in the Late Bronze Age of Southern Britain: Perforated Clay Plates of the Lower Thames Valley

From Iron Age roundhouse to Roman villa: excavations at Barcomhe, Sussex, 2001-2003

Oxford Archaeology undertook a programme of archaeological work on land west of Mackie Avenue, Hassocks, West Sussex. Archaeological remains consisting of ditches, pits and postholes indicative of a number of phases of activity dating to the Bronze Age and Roman periods were revealed during these excavations. Excavated features include the remains of three post-built roundhouses of Bronze Age date, which were associated with a series of pits and possible field boundaries. A Roman rectangular structure was uncovered and this was associated with a field system. A ring-gully enclosing a number of pits, interpreted as a structure, was also excavated. By David Mullin Edward Biddulph & Richard Brown

A Bronze Age settlement, Roman structures and a field system at Hassocks, West Sussex

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 conceived as
separate pieces of work, together, offering both
economies of scale and also the benefits of a wider
view than that presented by each individually. The
individual reports were themselves based on
proposals for publication arising from separate
programmes of post-excavation assessment. Most of
the original format of each report has been retained,
but the outlines of the archaeological background to
the area formerly contained in each report have been
combined (Chapter 1), and a short general discussion
(Chapter 16) has been added to the site-specific ones.

Excavations in North-West Kent,2005-2007One hundred thousand years of human activityin and around the Darent valley

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A Bronze Age settlement, Roman structures and a field system at Hassocks, West Sussex

Excavations in North-West Kent,2005-2007One hundred thousand years of human activityin and around the Darent valley