Change and Diversity in Neolithic Mortuary Practices on the Isle of Man

Chris Fowler,Rachel J Crellin,Michelle Gamble

doi:10.1017/ppr.2021.12

Abstract

While the Early Neolithic chambered tombs of the Isle of Man are well known and the Late Neolithic has been clearly defined with reference to a distinctive suite of artefacts, little is known about the Middle Neolithic. This article reports on 17 new Neolithic radiocarbon dates from cremated human remains from the Isle of Man. These identify five burials in cists as Middle Neolithic and indicate new sequences of activity at cemeteries starting in the Middle Neolithic. Each of these sites is examined in detail. The dates also spur a reconsideration of the development of Ronaldsway pottery and the integration of Grooved Ware pottery and motifs into early 3rd millennium practice on the island. The paper ends with a consideration of the changing effects of mortuary practices throughout the Neolithic on the Isle of Man and a discussion of connections with Middle and Late Neolithic activity in Ireland and Britain.

Highlights

Recent decades have seen repeated refinement of our understanding of chronological sequences for the Neolithic in Britain and Ireland (eg. Schulting et al 2011; Whittle et al 2011; Bayliss et al 2017).1 This has assisted in the recognition of a Middle Neolithic period following the abandonment of rectangular houses in Ireland, southern Britain, and parts of mainland Scotland, and the cessation of construction of chambered tombs in most of mainland Britain
Recent decades have seen repeated refinement of our understanding of chronological sequences for the Neolithic in Britain and Ireland.1 This has assisted in the recognition of a Middle Neolithic period following the abandonment of rectangular houses in Ireland, southern Britain, and parts of mainland Scotland, and the cessation of construction of chambered tombs in most of mainland Britain
This article fills the gap between the Early and Late Neolithic on the Isle of Man and thereby provides a more detailed understanding of the sequences of changing mortuary practices in the mid- to late 4th millennium. It discusses the implications of 17 new Neolithic radiocarbon dates from cremated human remains from the Isle of Man obtained as part of the Round Mounds of the Isle of Man Project, which has been re-assessing the evidence for mortuary practices and monuments from the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age on the island since 2016

Summary

Introduction

Recent decades have seen repeated refinement of our understanding of chronological sequences for the Neolithic in Britain and Ireland (eg. Schulting et al 2011; Whittle et al 2011; Bayliss et al 2017).1 This has assisted in the recognition of a Middle Neolithic period following the abandonment of rectangular houses in Ireland, southern Britain, and parts of mainland Scotland, and the cessation of construction of chambered tombs in most of mainland Britain.

Results

Conclusion