An Assemblage of Late Bronze Age Metalworking Debris from Dainton, Devon

Abstract

Excavated sites referable to the earlier first millennium B.C. are rare in the south-west peninsula. Although Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor exhibit well preserved Bronze Age landscapes, most of the upland settlements are attributed to the second millennium and there are few which on present evidence fall within the succeeding centuries (Silvester 1979). Beyond the granite moors, pottery from Kent's Cavern, Torquay and the Mount Batten peninsula, near Plymouth, suggest sporadic occupation, while radiocarbon dates from Killibury in Cornwall imply activity prior to the construction of the hillfort (Miles 1977, 111). Yet such is the imbalance of archaeological activity in the region that even in well worked areas such as west Cornwall, few sites of relevant date can be readily identified. In Devon, other than on Dartmoor and Exmoor, the limestone plateaux around Torbay provide the only surface evidence of open settlements. A small proportion of the modern fields and woods on the limestone preserve groups of clearance cairns and rubble banks of varying complexity; many of these are undoubtedly medieval in date, but in two locations at Dainton, also known as Miltor Mator Common (SX 859668), and Walls Hill, Torquay (SX 935651), there are the unobtrusive remains of rectangular field systems. The former consisted of a minimum of perhaps ten fields, averaging just over 0·4 ha. in area, and randomly spaced cairns, most of which are presumably contemporary (fig. 1). Part of Walls Hill is covered by dense ashwood scrub, a recurring feature of the limestone plateaux, but on the cliff top are the vestiges of nine fields which are generally of smaller size than those at Dainton. That these sites survive is fortuitous but perhaps not surprising; the soil on the plateau is well-drained but normally less than 0·3 m in depth (Clayden, 1971, 122). Loose rock occurs frequently and occasional outcrops add to the problems of agricultural use. Consequently the limestone hills tend to be given over to permanent pasture and are ploughed only rarely.

A Late Bronze Age Landscape at South Hornchurch, Essex

“…There are cord impressions on the inner face of the outer wrap ( Fig. 19.1, 3); similar impressions in an assemblage from Dainton, Devon are described by Needham (1980), who cites comparative material from Fimber, Humberside (Sheppard 1930) and Jarlshof, Shetland (Curie 1933-4).…”

The Shaugh Moor Project: Fourth Report — Environment, Context and Conclusion

“…The local manufacture of bronze weapons and implements on the South Hams during this period is attested by the discovery of a broken stone palstave mould from Burgh Island and the hoard of clay mould fragments and bronze working debris dating to the tenth century BC which was found at Dainton (Needham 1980). It may be that local metals from Dartmoor were employed although evidence of this has remained elusive.…”

Alignments: Revising the Atlantic Late Bronze Age Sequence

“…But this close to Normandy, this hoard is better assigned to the St-Brieuc tradition than to its new British equivalent. There are other finds which could give this new stage a name, such as the mould fragments from Dainton, Devon (Needham 1980), but unfortunately these offer no specifics. In other words, the types represented could be Limehouse or Wilburton.…”