A Landscape Archaeological Study of the Mesolithic-Neolithic in the Milfield Basin, Northumberland

Abstract

A landscape archaeological study of the Mesolithic-Neolithic in the Milfield basin, Northumberland ABSTRACTThe primary objective of this thesis is the construction of a landscape-scale synthesis of past human behaviour during the Mesolithic-Neolithic in the Milfield Basin, Northumberland. Previous archaeological studies in this area have been dominated by site-based research with little account taken of the wider landscape setting, settlement patterns and land-use strategies. To acquire the appropriate 'landscape' (off-site) data this study has included a fieldwork component consisting of a 7km sampling transect which extended across the interfluve from watershed to watershed and sampled all the different environmental zones of the basin. This area, of nearly 6 million square metres, was systematically fieldwalked, geomorphologically mapped and test-pitted.A total of 146 test pits were opened to sample the subsurface lithic content and sediment stratigraphy of each of the different geomorphological slope types. The subsequent data was analysed in a G.I.S. environment and interpreted in combination with published palynological data, existing site-based archaeological data including the author's recent excavations at the Coupland complex. The method of acquiring, analysing and interpreting the fieldwalking data is an innovative contribution to landscape archaeology techniques and includes a model of lithic scatter slope displacement and archaeological inference for ploughed slope environments. The study culminates in a diachronic synthesis of Mesolithic-Neolithic behaviour together with associated thematic discussion. Consequently, this thesis contributes towards two areas of research: landscape archaeological syntheses and methodological/taphonomic studies. The principal findings of this study include new models of prehistoric settlement and land-use for this area, a re-evaluation of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition, a reconsideration of the late Neolithic 'ritual complex' and the identification of processes affecting surface lithic scatters and their implications for subsequent interpretation.

Geoarchaeology of the Milfield Basin, northern England; towards an integrated archaeological prospection, research and management framework

“…The Milfield basin is widely recognized for the wealth and diversity of its archaeological remains (Higham, 1986), and particularly for regionally and nationally important sites spanning three specific periods. A series of major neolithic sites that occur on the valley floor, including henges and associated features (Harding, 1981;Miket, 1981;Waddington, 1996Waddington, , 1997, pit alignments (Miket, 1981) and settlements (Harding, 1981;Miket, 1987;Waddington, 1999), have prompted Higham (1986, p. 46) to characterize the basin as 'the heartland of the Neolithic in the north-east'. Encircling the basin are several well-preserved hillfort sites, notably Yeavering Bell (Tate, 1862;Hope-Taylor, 1977) and Dod Law (Smith, 1990), that were occupied during the Iron Age and into the Romano-British periods.…”

“…Here, mixed age assemblages of artefacts lie within the ploughzone (e.g. flints; see Waddington, 1999) and archaeological features survive in situ where locally cut into underlying undisturbed gravels (e.g. at Thirlings; see Miket, 1987).…”

“…Multiperiod archaeological landscapes also may survive intact beneath soils developed on terraced glaciolacustrine deposits (Category 1d, Figure 3). These contexts are, however, not conducive to cropmark development and their archaeological record has yet to be assessed systematically by intrusive archaeological techniques (Waddington, 1999).…”

“…Category 1a and b landform elements have been shown to have formed the primary regional focus for prehistoric and early historic settlement and associated subsistence and ritual activity (Harding, 1981;Burgess, 1984;Miket, 1987;Waddington, 1999; Figure 7). In this respect they constitute 'persistent places' (sensu Schlanger, Figure 7.…”

“…This paper presents the initial results of the Milfield Basin Resource Management Study (MBRMS; Passmore et al, 1998), a geoarchaeological investigation of the valley floor of the Milfield Basin in Northumberland, northern England (Figure 1), which is intended to develop a local framework for archaeological management and research. The area has a regionally and nationally important archaeological record (Hope-Taylor, 1977;Harding, 1981;Higham, 1986;Waddington, 1999) that faces pressures from aggregate extraction, agricultural intensification and land drainage. However, assessment and management guidelines appropriate to the wide range of late-glacial and post-glacial (Holocene) environmental settings in this area have previously not been devised.…”