Early Neolithic Agriculture in County Mayo, Republic of Ireland: Geoarchaeology of the Céide Fields, Belderrig, and Rathlackan

Guttmann-Bond, Erika; Dungait, Jennifer A. J.; Brown, Alex; Bull, Ian D.; Evershed, Richard P.

doi:10.3721/037.006.3002

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(39 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…() had suggested that the use of animal manure was not introduced to Britain until the Iron Age, Radley and Cooper (), based on artefact scatters, had previously suggested its use in the Neolithic, and more recent geoarchaeological research led by the same researcher on soils in fields in Ireland indicates manuring during the early Neolithic (Guttmann‐Bond et al . ), an interpretation in line with that from elsewhere in western Europe (cf., Bakels ; Bogaard ). At Thayngen‐Weier in Switzerland, the presence of puparia of the house‐fly Musca domestica in samples has been utilized to infer the use of stall manure on fields during the early Neolithic (Nielsen ).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 86%

When a ‘Waterhole’ Is Full of Dung: An Illustration of the Importance of Environmental Evidence for Refining Archaeological Interpretation of Excavated Features

Buckland

Buckland²

2019

Archaeometry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Prehistoric field systems sometimes encompass excavated, pit-like features which are difficult to classify due to the complex stratigraphies resulting from reuse, infilling and collapse. They are frequently classified as wells and watering holes, but other potential uses for excavated depressions are rarely cited. We argue the need for environmental archaeology in the interpretation of features of this nature, and present a case study from a Bronze Age site at Pode Hole, near Peterborough (UK), where fossil insect material clearly contradicts the archaeological interpretation. We present empirical evidence for a sealed context filled with dung which cannot be interpreted as a water source. This evidence strongly contrasts with other superficially similar features at the site.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 86%

When a ‘Waterhole’ Is Full of Dung: An Illustration of the Importance of Environmental Evidence for Refining Archaeological Interpretation of Excavated Features

Buckland

Buckland²

2019

Archaeometry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A higher ratio means elevated amounts of coprostanol, which is produced during omnivorous digestion and is called “a feasible marker for the input of human feces in archaeology soil samples” (Bemmann et al, 2014). Furthermore, higher amounts of the bile acids DCA and LCA were detected, which could be indicative of human or herbivore feces (cattle, sheep, and goat, Guttmann‐Bond et al, 2016; Prost et al, 2017). Therefore, an input of human feces cannot be excluded in HA‐BAU.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In A‐PECK, the contents of bile acids LCA, DCA, and HDCA were only slightly increased (amounts less than 50 ng g −1 ). Thus, a fecal input is not unambiguously verifiable but possible as it also was the case for some Neolithic fields of the research of Guttmann‐Bond et al (2016), which were used for arable and pastoral farming. The reference soil of A‐PECK, however, contained an exceptionally high value of the bile acid HDCA in the depth of 10–20 cm.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, in Roman times, several authors described methods of fecal‐based fertilization practices (Cato, 2nd c. BC (Cato & Froesch, 2009), Columella, 1st c. AD (Columella, 2014), Plinius Secundus, 1st c. AD (Plinius, 2013), Varro 1st c. BC (Varro & Owen, 1800)). Some studies detected that even much earlier—in Neolithic times—livestock manure was used to increase crop yields (Bakels, 1997; Bogaard, 2012; Bogaard et al, 2013; Fokkens, 1982; Guttmann‐Bond et al, 2016). In medieval times (European classification 500–1500 AD) and the early Modern Period (from 1500 onwards), cleverly devised agricultural techniques were testified and discussed in numerous historical traditions as described as early as the Carolingian period (e.g., Capitulare de villis vel curtis imperii , 8th c. AD; Schneider, 1968), in the high and late Medieval Period (e.g., de Crescentiis, 1471; Ermisch & Wuttke, 1910; Magnus, 13th c. AD) and in the Modern Period (e.g., Beckmann, 1770; Coler, 1645; Germershausen, 1783; Heresbach, 1603; Thumbshirn, 1616; Tull, 1731).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Improvement of soil fertility in historical ridge and furrow cultivation

Langewitz¹,

Wiedner²,

Fritzsch

et al. 2022

Geoarchaeology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ridge and furrow cultivation is the most widely used agricultural technique in medieval and postmedieval Europe, but the fertilization of soils during their use is not yet fully understood. Pedological analyses of this cultivation technique provided information, which led to the assumption that some of the investigated sites in Northern and Central Germany were manured with livestock excrements during cultivation. The objective of this study is to determine whether and how the soils have been fertilized and which materials were applied for this purpose. We investigated soils at five sites using phosphate and steroid analyses (stanols and bile acids), black carbon analyses, and a micromorphology study. The results showed that livestock waste was likely used as fertilizer at four of the five studied sites at low intensities, with pigs and herbivores being the probable sources of the excrement. But also the application of human feces to the soil might be possible at least at one site. Often used agricultural methods such as plaggen cultivation and an intentional charcoal input to enhance soil fertility could not be clearly verified for our study sites.

show abstract

“…The early agricultural societies faced severe challenges to provide adequate food supply for the growing populations. Therefore, the prehistoric farmers overcome from this challenge either by increasing arable production by the expansion of arable land, or by intensifying production on land already under cultivation [3], or by crop rotations, or by using several types of fertilizers [4][5][6][7][8]. The usage of fertilizers is not only improving crop yields, about also helps preventing soil deterioration [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Micromorphology to Study Manuring Practices: A Case Study from Bronze Age in Cornwall, UK

Dev¹

2018

GJAA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The arable soils from Bronze Age settlement of Gwithian in Cornwall (UK) were analysed using micromorphology to recognise manuring practices over time. The analysis was conducted to determine whether the Gwithian farmers used fertilizers during Bronze Age? If they have used fertilizers, the aim of this research is also to identify which material were used. Moreover, it also aims to investigate if the sandy horizons at Gwithian (context 602 in layer 4) were stabilised by adding the midden material. Lastly, the research also describes if the context 606 was used for agricultural activity or was it a neglected area? The results of this study identify five phases of occupations where manures were used. The occurrence of rubified fine mineral, ash particles, decomposed wood, charred wood fragment with original tissue structure, shells and identifications of phytoliths from phase I and phase II of Early Bronze Age (c 1800 Cal BC) suggest that this material derived from manure heap, indicating accumulation of household waste dominated by fire residues. The occurrence of phytoliths indicates to herbivore dung component.The identifications of planar voids and the sandy grain aggregates surrounded by dusty clay coatings may indicate to practice of tillage and ploughing activities during these phases. The Early/Middle Bronze Age (phase III -context 606=6) is characterised by wind-blown sandy horizons and anthropogenic evidence were not identified from the field evidence [1]. Thin section analysis also did not show any traces of wood, burnt wood, and the pottery. However, soil aggregates surrounded by fine material may indicate that arable soils were raised by manuring practice. Moreover, few traces of yellowish porous material are also identified, which is interpreted as bone. The phase IV is ascribed to Middle Bronze Age (c 1500-1200 cal. BC). The results from this phase demonstrate that arable soils are characterised by blown sands, shells, ashes from hearth, and bones. The findings of bones, decomposed wood, charred wood, ashes from grasses and woods, rubified iron nodules, burnt carbonate, bones and evidence of animal dung demonstrate that farmers brought midden material to sandy horizons (602 =4) of this site. They used midden material not only to stabilise them, but also for increasing the fertility of soils. The Middle/Late Bronze Age (c 1300-900 cal. BC) is assigned to phase V of this site. The results of this analysis show that the midden material was continuously used as fertilizers during this phase. The noteworthy amount of burnt material (e.g. burnt wood, burnt carbonates, rubified iron nodule, few ashes) demonstrate that burning practice was common, and agricultural soils were raised by ashes. This study indicate that Bronze Age farmers have used fertilizers to increase the agricultural production.

show abstract

Early Neolithic Agriculture in County Mayo, Republic of Ireland: Geoarchaeology of the Céide Fields, Belderrig, and Rathlackan

Cited by 5 publications

References 37 publications

When a ‘Waterhole’ Is Full of Dung: An Illustration of the Importance of Environmental Evidence for Refining Archaeological Interpretation of Excavated Features

When a ‘Waterhole’ Is Full of Dung: An Illustration of the Importance of Environmental Evidence for Refining Archaeological Interpretation of Excavated Features

Improvement of soil fertility in historical ridge and furrow cultivation

Application of Micromorphology to Study Manuring Practices: A Case Study from Bronze Age in Cornwall, UK

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About