Post-built Structure Research Articles

Spatial organisation within the earliest evidence of post-built structures in Britain.

This paper explores tool-using activities undertaken in and around the earliest known evidence of post-built structures in Britain. Microwear results associated with at least three structures identified at the Early Mesolithic site of Star Carr, North Yorkshire, are examined as a means of identifying activity zones associated with the diverse stone tools used to process a variety of materials (e.g. wood, bone, antler, plant, hide, meat, fish). With 341 lithic artefacts analysed, this research represents the first microwear study focused on the post-built structures at Star Carr. A combination of spatial and microwear data has provided different scales of interpretation: from individual tool use to patterns of activity across the three structures. Different types of tool use observed have aided interpretations of possible activity areas where objects were produced and materials were processed. Zones of activity within one of the structures suggest that the working of some materials was more spatially restricted than others; even where there are high densities of flint deposition, spatial patterns in tool-using activity were observed. From this, it is interpreted that social norms and behaviours influenced the spatial organisation of different spaces. Our results demonstrate the importance of combining microwear analysis with GIS to explore function and variability in the use of Mesolithic structures-providing new insights into their role as social spaces.

Dolge njive - Draga: Roman Crucium? The Roman roadside settlement in Dolenjska (southeast Slovenia)

The paper presents the archaeological sites in the environs of the modern settlement of Bela Cerkev and the results of archaeological excavations in 2002, prior to motorway construction. Excavations at four (?) different, but contiguous locations (Dolge njive, Draga 1, Draga 2 in Draga 3) revealed and documented part of the line of the road, the masonry foundations of buildings, numerous post-built structures, a cemetery and domestic material, dating to the Roman period. The paper also considers hypotheses surrounding the location of the Roman-period roadside settlement of Crucium. It is posited that the excavation on these sites have revealed the location of the Roman roadside settlement of Crucium, which was occcupied or functioned in the period from the 1st to the 4th Centuries AD.

Air-Surveyed Cropmarks of Early Iron Age Heritage in Central Europe—Integrating Remotely Detected Data and Excavated Evidence

This paper aims to present the potential of observations of the Earth’s surface by means of remote sensing (survey), specifically via direct (active) visual prospection from low altitude to identify and map small components (such as postholes) of archaeological contexts, namely aboveground post-built structures dated to the Early Iron Age (appr. 800–380 B.C.). This work gives an example of archaeological data on buried settlement constructions identified by aerial reconnaissance (i.e., by a non-invasive method), the interpretation—and primarily dating—of which is based on information achieved by excavation practice (recently performed predominantly during rescue campaigns). This research points to the fact that nonetheless to the traditional idea on the limited potential of crop-marked archaeological heritage in terms of dating (the ability of cropmarks displayed over pits, ditches, graves, etc., to produce exact ground-plans of even small buried features, so that their original function and dating can be determined) the number of more or less precisely datable archaeological sites and features buried under the surface is growing, including wooden structures once constructed on the ground (i.e., not sunken under the ground) and leaving on cereal crops just tiny spots/dots regularly spaced into lines. These are features (constructions) with identical ground plans (postholes placed in 4 × 3 and/or 3 × 3 patterns) of which commonly just one in a group of them situated on one site is enclosed by a perimeter line—a foundation for a wall or a trench for a palisade. Consequently, a retrospective survey of air-photo analog archives and digital repositories now brings new evidence on the chronological setting of many crop-marked Early Iron Age sites that previously remained undated.

A Summary Report of Excavation on Land West of Horndean Road, Emsworth, 2017

Excavation revealed four distinct phases of Roman enclosure ditches, of which the earliest were of mid-late 1st-century date. These were subsequently recut and augmented during the later 1st and 2nd centuries, to create a series of contiguous rectilinear enclosures, not all of which may have been in contemporary use. A notable density of finds within the north-central part of the excavated area, together with evidence of a small post-ring structure, suggested a focus of domestic activity. A later phase of post-medieval activity was represented by a probable field boundary ditch and a post-built structure of irregular rectilinear plan.

Iron Age domestic activity at Dornoch, Sutherland

Archaeological works in 2015 within an agricultural area to the north of Dornoch have provided evidence for the prehistoric occupation of the area. The 2015 excavation uncovered evidence of Iron Age settlement, including a palisade enclosure within which was a post-built structure as well as a collection of hearth pits and large stone-lined pits. The recovery of a pivot stone from one later Iron Age feature is evidence for the former presence of a domestic structure. While the artefactual evidence and a programme of radiocarbon dating strongly indicates an Iron Age origin for the majority of the remains identified, a single calibrated date recovered from a shell midden indicates the likely reworking of Neolithic material, and one hearth structure may potentially overlie a large Neolithic pit feature. An artefact assemblage of worked coarse stone, worked antler, and Iron Age pottery was recovered.

Late Iron Age–Romano-British Settlement at Razor's Farm, Chineham, Basingstoke

A Late Iron Age farmstead was represented by an oval ditched enclosure, subsequently cut by another enclosure and together possibly forming a figure-of- eight plan, with contemporary features including a well, pits and post-holes. This was succeeded by a larger, early Roman enclosure in which lay a rectangular post-built structure and a sub-oval gully that may have been associated with a roundhouse, as well as hearths, pits, a well and a waterhole. The final mid–late Roman phase of settlement was characterised by a series of rectilinear enclosures. Although there is nothing of particular note amongst the finds and environmental assemblages, the significance of the site overall is that it provides a rare example of rural settlement of this date and duration on the Hampshire claylands, just to the south of Silchester and close to the Roman road that linked this with Chichester.

Excavations at Musselburgh Primary Health Care Centre

An excavation was undertaken by CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) between August and November 2010 on the site of the new Musselburgh Primary Health Care Centre. The site, which lies to the south of Inveresk Road, is centred on NGR: NT 3428 7224. Until its demolition, the area had been occupied by Brunton Wireworks. The Scheduled Monument of Inveresk Roman Fort lies at the top of the steep slope c 50m to the south of the excavation site. The excavation identified six phases of activity on the site, the earliest being a Mesolithic flint scatter. The area was used as a burial ground in the Iron Age and a ring ditch may also be of prehistoric date. Later, six Roman inhumation burials (four of which had been decapitated) and a horse burial were interred, and a possible Roman fortlet was constructed. Across the site, a network of interconnected ditches formed part of a Roman-period field system, which cut through the rampart of the possible fortlet, and through a number of the graves. Along the southern boundary of the site a large accumulation of Roman midden deposits overlay features associated with the field system, although it may have started to build up while the latter was still in use. A post-built structure was also found, one post of which cut a ditch of the field system. The midden deposits extended along the full length of the southern boundary of the site, measuring 110m long by up to 20m wide. Numerous artefacts were recovered, representing the rubbish and discarded personal belongings of the fort occupants. The pottery included samian bowls with personal names scratched on the bases. Evidence from these, together with isotopic analysis of the human skeletons, shows that the ethnic origin of those living in the fort was diverse, as would be expected for the Roman army.

New data for studies on settlement and economy of the La Tène culture in Lower Silesia

The paper presents results of research carried out on two La Tène culture settlements situated in the vicinity of present-day Wrocław. The sites of Wrocław-Partynice 6 and Ślęza 11–12 revealed relics of La Tène culture buildings including semi-sunken houses, storage pits, and post-built structures, which are typical of La Tène culture villages distinguished by highly dispersed housing. The research yielded a considerable series of pottery and a small number of small finds made of clay, metal, and glass. Based on abundant analogies, the ceramic material, which included both wheel- and hand-made vessels, can be dated to the close of the Early La Tène period and the beginnings of the Middle La Tène period. The analysis of animal bones retrieved from archaeological features revealed that cattle was the predominant species in animal husbandry practiced by the people from both sites.

Neolithic pits and Late Bronze Age roundhouses in the Upper Ury Valley, Aberdeenshire

Archaeological monitoring of works on a gas pipeline route in Aberdeenshire, north-west of Inverurie, resulted in the discovery and excavation of several groups of Neolithic pits and four Bronze Age roundhouses. The Neolithic pits were concentrated around the Shevock Burn, a small tributary of the Ury, and in the East and North Lediken areas to the north. They produced significant assemblages of Early Neolithic Impressed Ware and of Modified Carinated Bowl. The Bronze Age roundhouses included the heavily truncated remains of a post-built structure near Pitmachie, the remains of a pair of ring ditch structures near Little Lediken Farm, and another ring ditch structure close to Wrangham village.

Breedon Hill, Leicestershire: new surveys and their implications

This article presents the results of a non-intrusive investigation conducted at the scheduled multi-period site at Breedon Hill, Leicestershire. The hilltop is the site of a univallate hillfort believed to date to the Early-Middle Iron Age. From the 7th century AD, a minster church was founded within the hillfort enclosure, which became the site of an Augustinian Priory in the 12th century. Today approximately two-thirds of the hilltop has been irretrievably lost due to quarrying). Breedon Hill from the air looking southward. (Taken from http://www.geograph.org.uk/p/4597198 ©Anthony Parkes (2015) and licensed for reuse under CC BY-SA 2.0) The investigation, undertaken in spring 2016, combines gradiometer and earth resistance geophysical surveys, alongside digital terrain modelling (processed LIDAR data), to contribute to the understanding of the character and development of the hillfort interior. While previous excavations have sought to understand the development of the hillfort ramparts, little is known about the different phases of occupation at the hilltop, especially within the hillfort interior. The results of the geophysical surveys reveal several phases of roundhouses and post-built structures in the south-eastern part of the hillfort interior. The interpreted results are contextualised in relation to similar regional sites. An interpretation of a possible phase of occupation is made based on the results.

Middle and Late Iron Age Occupation at Cadnam Farm, Alton, Hampshire

Three individual areas, totalling 0.55ha, were excavated at the Cadnam Farm site, following evaluation. Area 1 contained a D-shaped enclosure of Middle Iron Age date, associated with the remains of a roundhouse, and a ditched drove-way. Other features included refuse pits, a four-post structure and a small post-built structure of circular plan. Area 2 contained the superimposed foundation gullies of two Middle Iron Age roundhouses, adjacent to a probable third example. Area 3 contained a small number of Middle Iron Age pits, together with undated, post-built structures of probable Middle Iron Age date, including a roundhouse and four and six-post structures. Two large boundary ditches extended from the south-west corner of Area 3, and were interpreted as the funnelled entrance of a drove-way. These contained both domestic and industrial refuse of the late Iron Age date in their fills.

A First-Centurya.d.Burial Plot at Barnwood, Gloucestershire: Excavations in 2013–14

ABSTRACTExcavations at Barnwood, Gloucestershire, revealed several phases of activity dating to thea.d.60s. This included gravel quarrying, with one quarry pit containing a significant assemblage of pottery, metalwork and glass with strong first-century military associations. A large roadside enclosure contained ditches and a post-hole alignment; these were replaced by a square burial plot containing a post-built structure and several pits, which yielded a leadossuariumcontaining cremated human remains and a collection of burnt beans and hobnails. The location of the site raises questions regarding the organisation of the military landscape around Gloucester during the first century. The Supplementary Material available online (https://doi.org/10.1017/S0068113X18000272) contains full specialist reports and catalogues for the excavated artefacts and biological remains.

The Cyrenaican Prehistory Project 2012: the fifth season of investigations of the Haua Fteah cave

AbstractThe paper reports on the fifth (2012) season of fieldwork of the Cyrenaican Prehistory Project. The primary focus of the season was the continuation of the excavation of the prehistoric occupation layers in the Haua Fteah cave. A small trench (Trench U) was cut into Holocene (Neolithic) sediments exposed on the south wall of Charles McBurney's Upper Trench. Below this, the excavation of Trench M was continued, on the southern side of McBurney's Middle Trench. In previous seasons we had excavated Oranian ‘Epipalaeolithic’ layers dating toc.18,000–10,000 BP (years before the present). In 2012 the excavation continued downwards through Dabban ‘Upper Palaeolithic’ occupation layers, one of which was associated with a post-built structure and likely hearths. There are indications of an occupational hiatus separating the oldest Dabban from the youngest Levallois-Mousterian (Middle Palaeolithic or Middle Stone Age) lithic material. The Deep Sounding excavated by Charles McBurney in 1955 was cleared of backfill to its base, and its south-facing wall was recorded in detail and sampled extensively for materials for dating and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. McBurney believed that he had reached bedrock at the base of the Deep Sounding, but a small sounding (Trench S) cut into the sediments below this level found further, albeit sparse, evidence for human occupation. Whilst the antiquity of ‘Pre-Aurignacian’ human occupation at the site still needs to be resolved, it seems likely to reach back at least to Marine Isotope Stage 5e, the beginning of the last interglacial (c.130,000–115,000 BP). Important finds from the 2012 excavations in terms of the behavioural complexity of the human groups using the cave include a possible worked bone point from a Pre-Aurignacian layer and a granite rubbing stone in a Dabban layer from a source over 600 km from the cave.

Lockerbie Academy

Trial trenching carried out by CFA Archaeology Ltd in 2006 to the north of Lockerbie Academy (NGR: NY 13398273) identified four areas of archaeological significance covering a timescale from early Neolithic to post-medieval periods. The earliest site identified was the remains of a Neolithic timber hall, which was situated on top of the flat plateau towards the northwest end of the site (Area A). Pottery recovered from the Neolithic structure was of the Carinated Bowl ceramic tradition. At the summit of the rounded knoll in the centre of the area (Area D) a Bronze Age phase consisting of a cremation and inhumation cemetery enclosed by a possible ring-cairn was identified. The Bronze Age cemetery included a Collared Urn and a copper alloy dagger of Butterwick type. At the base of the rounded knoll, the remains of an Early Historic timber hall were identified (Area C). This Anglian timber hall reoccupied the site of a post-built structure, which was interpreted as a timber hall, possibly belonging to an earlier British tradition. Radiocarbon dates taken from the primary fill of two of the post-holes of the earlier structure gave dates which are broadly contemporary with the dates obtained for the Anglian hall, suggesting that the post-built structure immediately preceded it. A corn-drying kiln was identified cut into the same knoll as the Bronze Age cemetery (Area D) and has been dated to the late medieval or early post-medieval period. A segmented ditched enclosure was located towards the north-east end of the site (Area B), but the poor survival of this feature combined with a lack of finds and palaeobotanical evidence means that it remains undated and poorly understood.

Lockerbie AcademyNeolithic and Early Historic timber halls, a Bronze Age cemetery, an undated enclosure and a post-medieval corn-drying kiln in south-west Scotland

Trial trenching carried out by CFA Archaeology Ltd in 2006 to the north of Lockerbie Academy identified four areas of archaeological significance covering a timescale from early Neolithic to post-medieval periods. The earliest site identified was the remains of a Neolithic timber hall, which was situated on top of the flat plateau towards the northwest end of the site (Area A). Pottery recovered from the Neolithic structure was of the Carinated Bowl ceramic tradition.At the summit of the rounded knoll in the centre of the area (Area D) a Bronze Age phase consisting of a cremation and inhumation cemetery enclosed by a possible ring-cairn was identified. The Bronze Age cemetery included a Collared Urn and a copper alloy dagger of Butterwick type.At the base of the rounded knoll, the remains of an Early Historic timber hall were identified (Area C). This Anglian timber hall reoccupied the site of a post-built structure, which was interpreted as a timber hall, possibly belonging to an earlier British tradition. Radiocarbon dates taken from the primary fill of two of the post-holes of the earlier structure gave dates which are broadly contemporary with the dates obtained for the Anglian hall, suggesting that the post-built structure immediately preceded it.A corn-drying kiln was identified cut into the same knoll as the Bronze Age cemetery (Area D) and has been dated to the late medieval or early post-medieval period.A segmented ditched enclosure was located towards the north-east end of the site (Area B), but the poor survival of this feature combined with a lack of finds and palaeobotanical evidence means that it remains undated and poorly understood.

A Semi-Elliptical, Timber-Framed Structure at Inveresk (The Most Northerly Amphitheatre in the Empire?)

Excavation carried out prior to the development of Park Lane Hospital, Musselburgh revealed the partial remains of a probable ring-groove house of first millennium B.C. date and a later sub-rectangular, post-built structure attached to a curving fence line. Although initially interpreted as a Roman granary, it now seems likely that the features were the partial remains of a timber amphitheatre associated with Roman Inveresk. Ditches and a number of negative features of unknown date and function were also recorded.

THE TRICONCH PALACE AT BUTRINT: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A LATE ROMAN DOMUS

The Triconch Palace was first noted in the 1920s, when the Italian archaeological mission to Butrint interpreted a triapsidal building as una chiesa bizantina The interpretation of the building as a martyrium church was generally accepted until 1994 when it was recognised as the triclinium of a palatial Late Roman domus . From 1994 until 2003, the Triconch Palace and its surroundings were the subject of extensive open-area excavations revealing a rich late antique and medieval occupation sequence. This chapter summarises the results of the excavation and the phasing of the building between the 4th and 7th centuries. The excavations also revealed a complex sequence of events that followed the abandonment of the Triconch Palace as a prestige residence, when the area saw periodic usage involving post-built structures, industrial activity, and finally service as an informal cemetery, before its eventual abandonment during the 7th century. Keywords: Butrint; Italian archaeological mission; late antique house; Late Roman domus ; Triconch Palace

Bryn Eryr: An Enclosed Settlement of the Iron Age on Anglesey

Excavations on the site of a rectangular earthwork at Bryn Eryr, Angelsey, have identified a sequence of occupation. In the Middle Iron Age a single clay-walled round-house stood within a timber stockade. By the later Iron Age a second house had been added, adjacent to the first, and these two houses became the focus of a planned settlement. A rectangular bank and ditch enclosure was established of 0.3 ha internal area. A yard developed in front of the houses, at the head of a trackway leading from the entrance. Rectangular post-built structures, perhaps granaries, were built and pits were dug to provide clay flooring and, perhaps, wall plastering for the houses. By the early 1st millennium AD the perimeter ditch had become choked with silt and the bank was eroding badly. A third house, with stone footings, was added to the south of the original two, one of which was by now out of use. Romano-British pottery, in small quantities but of good quality, was in use on the site. The farm appears to have been abandoned, after perhaps 700 years of development, during the late 3rd or 4th century AD.

Un site d'habitat protohistorique avec un cercle de trous de poteaux à Cagny (Calvados)

In the village of Cagny, 10 km east of Caen (Calvados), a circular post-built structure is associated with a small post built loft and a large pit, probably dug for the exploitation of mari. The artefacts in the large pit constitute a domestic rubbish dump. The small collection of bowls date the rubbish pit to the late Bronze Age or the Early Iron Age. The association of thèse différent structures may indicate a domestic site, differenciating itself with a circular post-built hitherto unknown in Basse-Normandie. The fortuitous association of a circular funeral structure and domestic structures can't however be excluded.

Excavations at Upper Suisgill, Sutherland

A narrow section across an area between two souterrains was excavated in advance of road realignment; part of one of the souterrains was also exposed. The excavation revealed deposits up to c 1.8 m deep in places, largely made up of material washed downhill on to the site. 
 Early-mid first millennium BC: Period I – ard tillage; II – construction and reconstruction of a round timber house, and the erection of a stone-faced earth bank; III – tillage; IV – the construction, and destruction by fire, of a post-built structure; beginning of water scouring of the site and start of hillwash deposition.
 Settlement was re-established later in the millennium on the surface of the hillwash deposits (Period VI). This was subsequently covered by more hillwash. Recent settlement was represented by uncharacterized activity at the south edge of the excavated area and by two post-medieval buildings (associated with a settlement to the SE) the later of which was probably demolished during 19th-century road building.
 Quantities of pottery of 10 fabrics and three main styles (I, flat rims; 2, splayed rims; 3, everted rims) were found. Carbonized plant material was recovered, including many grains of six-row (mainly naked) barley, a little wheat, and oats, possibly domesticated. The pollen analysis of a peat column taken from a bog 2 km from the site showed a notable forest decline at c 4500 BP, followed by a pinebirch regeneration, followed, shortly before 1700 BP, by a further decline.