Thirlings: A Neolithic Site in Northumberland

Abstract

r o g e r m i k e t a n d b e n j a m i n e d w a r d s , w i t h c o l m o ' b r i e n Excavation at Thirlings, Northumberland revealed very extensive pit and post-pit features of Neolithic date. Some were suggestive of circular, trapezoidal and possibly rectangular structures. Radiocarbon dates indicate activity commencing around the beginning of the fourth millennium bc and continuing intermittently until at least the mid-third millennium bc. The pottery assemblage was substantial, and included Early Neolithic Carinated Bowl, and later Neolithic pottery in a variety of impressed styles that include Peterborough Wares as well as Grooved Ware. This collec tion adds considerably to the pottery record from the period in Northumberland. There was some evidence for cereal cultivation. Spatial analysis of deposition on the site was undertaken alongside the abrasion analysis of the pottery sherds. Mechanisms to explain the findings are discussed, and the nature of occupation on the site is interpreted in light of recent thinking on the nature of the British Neolithic.

A new method for identifying sherd refits: A case study from the Neolithic of Northumbria, U.K.

“…The sample included a total of 523 fragments recovered from 39 negative features. The material was recorded by feature and sometimes by the level or context within a feature (Miket et al 2008). …”

“…We chose this case study to conduct refitting experiments because of the unusually large amount of ceramic material for northeastern England-over 500 sherds corresponding to ca. 80 vessels (Miket et al 2008: 1, 29, tables 2-3). We also consider the large surface area exposed during excavations (over 2000 sq m), and the prior analysis of predepositional patterns of fragmentation and abrasion (Edwards 2009: 124-159) that can be tested again using our improved recording and scoring system.…”

“…Roger Miket and Colm O'Brien conducted several seasons of excavation (1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981) at this later prehistoric and early Medieval site. The prehistoric occupation consisted of scattered negative featureswells, trenches, post-marked pits, stake holes, etc.-backfilled (i.e., deliberately filled after primary use) with different sandy, loamy, dark, organic and charcoal-rich deposits, and cultural residues (Miket et al 2008;Edwards 2009Edwards , 2012. Despite documenting several arrangements of features, the investigators did not identify any clear residential structures.…”

Towards Synthesis: Research and Discovery in Neolithic North-East England

“…3). A comprehensive sequence of radiocarbon determinations has been acquired for the Neolithic ceramic sequence based on Miket 1985;Miket et al 2008). Although the ceramic sequence and settlement sites are becoming increasingly well-dated in the region, it is the chronology of the ceremonial monuments that is less well understood in Northumberland.…”

“…At Thirlings single grains of barley and oat (the latter could not be identified with certainty as a domesticate) were recovered from pits containing Grooved Ware, together with hawthorn and bramble (Miket et al 2008). At the recently excavated site at Lanton Quarry the various pits and hearths associated with what are currently believed to be Neolithic structures, on the basis of their pottery associations, radiocarbon dating, and structural form (see above), produced small amounts of cereal grains including wheat, barley, and wild oats, as well as hazelnut shell and fruitstones from hawthorn and cherry family (ASUD 2008).…”