Neolithic buildings in England, Wales and the Isle of Man

Darvill, Timothy

doi:10.2307/j.ctvh1dw5t.12

Cited by 22 publications

(25 citation statements)

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“…Wall posts were present, however, on a recently discovered neighbouring site of closely similar form (Kenney and Davidson 2006), suggesting perhaps that the shallowness of the perimeter features on the 1967 house reflects the setting of posts within a supporting turf wall (a combination of structural forms one and two). Comparably spaced paired aisle posts (c. 2-2.5m) have also been recorded at house sites with outer wall lines defined by posts, gullies and stone: Carsie Mains, Perth and Kinross (Brophy and Barclay 2004); Ballygalley, County Antrim (Simpson 1996); Ballyglass, County Mayo (O'Nuallain 1972); Knap of Howar, Orkney (Ritchie 1983); Clegyr Boia, Dyfed and Lismore Fields, Derbyshire (Darvill 1996). They also appear to be evident among the many postholes within the interior of the house site at White Horse Stone, Kent (Selkirk 2000).…”

Section: How Far Back Can Turf Building Be Traced?mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…It has usually been explained in terms of the twin effects of slight construction and heavy agricultural erosion (e.g. Holgate 1988;Darvill 1996) but discoveries at Claish and Balbridie have pointed to the existence of impressive structures built of substantial timbers (Fairweather and Ralston 1993;Barclay et al 2002). They may have been qualitatively different -cult or communal halls rather than houses (Thomas 1996;Brophy 2007) -but that does not reduce their value.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Where Have all the Neolithic Houses Gone? Turf – an Invisible Component

Loveday

2006

Scottish Archaeological J

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The use of a currently invisible form of walling is suggested by the Neolithic structures at Claish, Balbridie and Balfarg. It is possible that this was turf. Historical, as well as archaeological, evidence is examined to clarify structural patterns associated with such material and its perceived advantages over wood. Its ready availability through the practice of shifting agriculture is postulated.

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Section: How Far Back Can Turf Building Be Traced?mentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Where Have all the Neolithic Houses Gone? Turf – an Invisible Component

Loveday

2006

Scottish Archaeological J

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“…30;Darvill 2004a, fig. 84), the portal settings at portal dolmens and in the terminal ends of some long barrows (Burl 1988a, 5), and in the shape and layout of some domestic dwellings (Darvill 1996;Smyth 2014). It was the last of these that become important in the third millennium BC because when the long-houses and timber halls of earlier times disappear from the archaeological record the square forms persist.…”

Section: Sarsen Architecture and The Stonehenge Ensemblementioning

confidence: 99%

Houses of the Holy: Architecture and Meaning in the Structure of Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK

Darvill

2016

Time and Mind

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Stonehenge in central southern England is internationally known. Recent re-evaluations of its date and construction sequence provides an opportunity to review the meaning and purpose of key structural components. Here it is argued that the central stone structures did not have a single purpose but rather embody a series of symbolic representations. During the early third millennium this included a square-in-circle motif representing a sacred house or 'big house' edged by the five Sarsen Trilithons. During the late third millennium BC, as house styles changed, some of the stones were re-arranged to form a central oval setting that perpetuated the idea of a sacred dwelling. The Sarsen Circle may have embodied a time-reckoning system based on the lunar month. From about 2500 BC, more than 80 bluestones were brought to the site from sources in the Preseli Hills of west Wales about 220km distant. Initially arranged as a Double Circle they were variously rearranged at least four times over the following centuries. The diverse lithology of the bluestones reflects the landscape from which the stones derived so that the monument embodied a microcosm of the distant land. Associations with water and healing suggest one reason why Stonehenge became such a powerful place in prehistoric times. ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…In a review of similar structures in England and Wales, Darvill (1996) recognised four main types of Earlier to Mid Neolithic construction methods (A-D). If this model were to be carried over into Scotland (which would not be without problems) then the Kingarth structure would appear to belong to house class C, 'post and wall-slot buildings'.…”

Section: Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Excavation of a Possible Neolithic Structure, Lithic Finds and Later Ditch Features at Kingarth Quarry, Isle of Bute

Richardson¹

2006

Scottish Archaeological J

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Topsoil stripping in advance of an extension to sand and gravel quarrying operations at Kingarth, Isle of Bute, revealed a series of ditches, the remains of a small oval structure and discrete concentrations of worked stone artefacts. The site is situated on a raised beach deposit on the east-facing Kilchattan Bay. The ditches formed a discrete grouping on the higher, gravel deposits in the westernmost part of the site whilst the oval structure, defined by a shallow slot trench and enclosing an area measuring 7m by 3.5m, lay in the eastern part of the site on fine sand deposits. Despite the absence of reliable dating material, the ditch features are probably relatively modern features and correspond closely to field boundaries shown on the Ordnance Survey 1st edition map (1863) whilst the oval structure is thought to be a habitation site of possible Neolithic date. Neolithic stone tool working debitage was recorded from a scatter 200m away. If correct, then the discoveries at Kingarth potentially add to the limited corpus of information on Neolithic settlement structures in the West of Scotland and Britain in general.

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Neolithic buildings in England, Wales and the Isle of Man

Cited by 22 publications

References 0 publications

Where Have all the Neolithic Houses Gone? Turf – an Invisible Component

Where Have all the Neolithic Houses Gone? Turf – an Invisible Component

Houses of the Holy: Architecture and Meaning in the Structure of Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK

Excavation of a Possible Neolithic Structure, Lithic Finds and Later Ditch Features at Kingarth Quarry, Isle of Bute

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