Neolithic Studies: A Review of Some Current Research 9780860542919, 9781407317458

Table of contents :
Front Cover
Copyright
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of Ilustrations
Preface
List of Contributors
1. Introduction: Closing Doors and Opening Windows
Part One: Materials, Theories, and Themes
2. Regional Systems in Neolithic Britain
3. Lithic Distributions and Neolithic Setlement Paterns in Central Southern England
4. Ritual, Power and Ideology: A Reconstruction of Earlier Neolithic Rituals in Wesex
5. Studying Monuments
6. The Decline of Ritual Authority and the Introduction of Beakers into Britain
Part Two: Three Regional Studies
7. The Neolithic Sequence in Cranborne Chase
8. The Neolithic Sequence in the Upper Thames Valley
9. The Later Neolithic in Eastern England
Part Three: Three Local Studies
10. A Tale of Two Polities: Kinship, Authority and Exchange in the Neolithic of South Dorset and North Wiltshire
11. The Development of the Neolithic Landscape in the Environs of Stonehenge
12. Ritual Activity and Structured Deposition in Later Neolithic Wesex

Citation preview

Neolithic Studies A Review of Some Current Research

edited by

Richard Bradley and Julie Gardiner

Reading Studies in Archaeology No. 1 BAR Brit ish Series 13 3

1984

·B.A.R.

5, Centremead, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES, England.

GENERAL EDITORS A.R Hands, B.Sc., M.A., D.Phil. D.R Walker, M.A.

BAR 1JJ,1984 'Neolithic Studies'.

©

The Individual Authors,1984

The authors’ moral rights under the 1988 UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act are hereby expressly asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be copied, reproduced, stored, sold, distributed, scanned, saved in any form of digital format or transmitted in any form digitally, without the written permission of the Publisher. ISBN 9780860542919 paperback ISBN 9781407317458 e-book DOI https://doi.org/10.30861/9780860542919 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library This book is available at www.barpublishing.com

FOR I SOBEL SMITH

T ab le o fC on ten t s P AGE L i s to fI lu s t ra t ion s P ref ace

i v

L i s to fC on t r ibu tor s 1 . I n troduc t ion : c l o s ing d oor s a nd o pen ing w indow s

R icha rd B rad ley a nd J u l ie G a rd ine r

1

P ART 1 : MATER IALS , THEOR IES AND THEMES

5

2 . R eg iona l S y s tem si nN eo l i th ic B r i ta in

R icha rd B rad ley

3 . L i th ic D i s t r ibu t ion sa nd N eo l i th ic S e t t lemen t P a t tern si nC en t ra l S ou thern E ng land

J u l ie G a rd ine r

1 5

4 . R i tua l , P ower a nd I deo logy : a r e con s truc t ion o fE a rl i e rN eo l i th ic r i tua l si n We s sex

I .J .T horpe

4 1

5 . S tudy ing Monumen t s

R icha rd B rad ley

6 1

6 . T he D ec l ine o fR i tua l Au tho r i ty a nd t he I n t roduc t ion o fB eaker s i n to B r i ta in

I .J .T ho rpe a nd C o l in R icha rd s

6 7

7 . T he N eo l i th ic s equence i n C ranborne C ha se

R icha rd B rad ley , R o samund C lea l ,J u l ie G a rd ine ra nd M a r t in G reen , w i th M a rk B owden

8 7

8 . T he N eo l i th ic s equence i nt he U pper T hame s V a l ley

R icha rd B rad ley a nd R ob in l g a te , w i th S t ephen F o rd

1 07

9 . T he L a ter N eo l i th ic i nE a s te rn E ng land

R o samund C lea l

1 35

J u l ian T homa s

1 61

P ART 2 : THREE REG IONAL S TUD IES

P ART 3 : THREE LOCAL S TUD IES 1 0 .

AT a le o f Two P o l i t ie s : K in sh ip , a u thor i ty a nd e xchange i nt he N eo l i th ic o fs ou th D o r se t a nd n or th W i l t sh i re

1 .

T he D eve lopmen t o ft he N eo l i th ic 'L and scape i nt he E nv i ron so fS tonehenge

J ul ian R icha rd s

1 77

1 2 .

R i tua la c t iv i ty a nd s t ruc tu red -d epo s i t ion i nL a ter N eo l i th ic We s sex

C o l in R ichard sa nd J u l ian T homa s

1 89

L i s to fI lu s t ra t ion s F IGURE

P AGE

3 . 1

D i s tr ibu t ion o fL a te M e so l i th ic s i te si nS u s sex

1 6

3 . 2

D i s tr ibu t ion o fE a rl ie rN eo l i th ic s i te si nS u s sex

1 8

3 . 3

H i s tog ram s how ing t he d i s t r ibu t ion o fl e af shaped a r rowhead si nr e la t ion t od i s tance f r om c au sewayed e nc lo sure s a nd l ong b a r row s i nS u s sex

2 0

3 .4

D i s t r ibu t ion o fl e af shaped a r rowhead s o n t he E a s t S u s sex D own s

2 2

3 . 5

D i s t r ibu t ion o fE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s i te s i nH amp sh i re

2 3

3 . 6

D i s t r ibu t ion o fE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s i te si nD or se t

2 5

3 . 7

D i s t r ibu t ion o fL a te N eo l i th ic s i te s a nd B eaker f l in t i ndu s t r ie si nS u s sex

2 7

3 .8

D i s t r ibu t ion o fL a te N eo l i th ic s i te sa nd B eaker f l in t i ndu s t r ie si nH amp sh i re

2 9

3 . 9

D i s tr ibu t ion o fL a te N eo l i th ic s i te s a nd B eaker f l in t i ndu s t r ie si nD o r se t

3 1

3 . 10

D i s t r ibu t ion o fL a te N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge e l abo ra te s t one t oo l s i nD o r se t

3 3

3 . 11

D i s t r ibu t ion o fL a te N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge e l abo ra te s t one t oo l s i nS u s sex

3 4

3 . 12

D i s t r ibu t ion o fL a te N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge e l abo ra te s t one t oo l s i nH amp sh i re

3 5

4 . 1

D i s tr ibu t ion o fE a r l ier N eo l i th ic monumen t si nW e s sex

4 4

4 .2

H i s tog ram s how ing t he c on tex t o fb u r ia l f o r a du l t s ke le ton s

4 8

4 . 3

H i s tog ram s how ing t h e c on text o fb u r ia l f o rc h i ld s ke le ton s

4 8

4 .4

H i s tog ram s how ing t he r epre sen ta t ion o fd i f f eren t b ody p a r t s a t c au sewayed e nc lo su re s

5 0

4 . 5

H i s tog ram s how ing t he r epre senta t ion o fd i f f e ren t b ody p a r t s a tl ong b a r row s

5 0

4 . 6

H is tog ram s how ing t he s t a te o fb u r ia l s a tl ong b a r row s

5 2

4 . 7

H i s tog ram s how ing t he n umber o fb u r ia l sa tl ong b a r row s

5 2

4 .8

H i s tog ram s how ing t he n umbe ro fb ur ia l s a tl ong b a r row s h av ing d i sa r t icu la ted b u r ia l s o n ly

5 3

4 . 9

H i s tog ram s how ing t he n umbe ro fb ur ia l s a tl ong b a r row sh av ing a r t icu la ted b u r ia l so n ly

5 3

4 . 10

H i s tog ram s how ing t he n umber o fb u r ia l s a tl ong b a r row sh av ing b o th a r t icu la ted a nd d i sa r t icu la ted b ur ia l s

5 3

4 . 11

H i s tog ram s how ing t he s t a te o fa du l t b ur ia l s a tl ong b ar row s

5 5

4 . 12

H i s tog ram s how ing t he s t a te o fc h i ld b u r ia l s a tl ong b a r row s

5 5

4 . 13

H i s tog ram s how ing t he s t a te o f ma le b ur ia l s a tl ong b a r row s

5 6

4 . 14

H i s tog ram s how ing t he s t a te o ff ema le b u r ia l s a tl ong b ar row s

5 6

4 . 15

D i s t r ibu t ion o fM idd le N eo l i th ic monumen t s i nW e s sex

5 7

6 . 1

N or th -ea s te rn Y ork sh ire : k ey s i te sa nd c e ram ic a s soc ia t ions o ft he L a te N eo l i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge

6 9

P AGE 6 .2

S ou thern We s sex : k ey s i te s a nd c e ram ic a s soc ia t ion s o ft he L a te N eol i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge

7 4

6 . 3

T he S tonehenge a r ea : k ey s i te sa nd c e ram ic a s soc ia t ion so ft he L a te N eo l i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge

7 8

7 . 1

T he d i s t r ibu t ion o fE a r l ie r N eol i th ic l ong b a r row s a nd l e af shaped a r rowhead si nr e la t ion t ot he D or se t C u r su s

8 8

7 . 2

( a ) T he l e ng th s o fl ong b ar row si nC ranbo rne C ha se ;( b ) t he f r equency o fl ong b ar row si nr e la t ion t o t h e i rd i s tance f r om t he D o r se t C u r su s

9 1

7 . 3

T he d i s t r ibu t ion o fL a te rN eo l i th ic monumen t s , f l in t s c a t ter s a nd p o t tery i nr e la t ion t o t he D o r se t C u r su s

9 3

7 . 4

( a ) T he m in imum n umber o fp o l i shed i mp lemen t s i nf l in t s c a t te r s , p lo t ted a ga in s t d i s tance f r om t he D or se t C u r su s ; ( b ) t he s i ze o ff l in t s c a t te r s p lo t ted a ga in s t d i s tance f r om t he D o r se t C u r su s

9 5

7 . 5

Ou tl ine p l an o ft h e Wor B ar row c omp lex

9 7

8 . 1

O u t l ine map o ft he U pper T hame s V a l ley s how ing a r ea s o fa r chaeo log ica l i nve s t iga t ion

1 08

8 . 2

T he ma in l o ca t ion s r e f e r red t oi nt he t e x t , i nr e la t ion t o M e so l i th ic f i nd spo t s

10

8 . 3

T he d i s t r ibu t ion o fE a r l ie rN eo l i th ic s i te s a nd a r tefac t s i nt h e U ppe rT hame s V a l ley

11

8 .4

T he d i s tr ibu t ion o fM idd le N eo l i th ic s i te s a nd a r tef ac t s i nt h e U pper T hame s V a l ley

13

8 . 5

O u t l ine p l an s o fs e lec ted E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic o va l b a r row s a nd /or o va l e nc lo su re si nt he U pper T hame s V a l ley

15

8 . 6

O u t l ine p l an so fs e lec ted N eo l i th ic r i ng d i tche s a nd r e la ted e a r thwork s i n t he U ppe rT hame s V a l ley

17

8 . 7

( a ) Ou tl ine p l an o ft he D orche s te r o n T hame s c ur su s ; ( b-d ) t he p o s s ib le s equence o f monumen t s t oward s t h e w e s t e nd o ft h e c ur su s

19

8 . 8

T he N eo l i th ic s equence i nf our i n ten s ive ly s t ud ied p a r t s o ft he U pper T hame s V a l ley

1 24

8 . 9

T he d i s tr ibu t ion s o fL a ter N eo l i th ic s i te s a nd a r tef ac t s i nt h e U ppe rT hame s V a l ley

1 25

8 . 10

T he r e la t ive d en s i ty o fw o rked f l in t p er h ec ta re i nr e la t ion t ot he c rop m ark c omp lex a tN or th S toke

1 27

9 . 1

D i s t r ibu t ion o fs i te s w i th E bb sf lee t Wa re i nE a s tern E ng land

1 39

9 . 2

D i s t r ibu t ion o fs i te s w i th Mo r t lake Wa re i nE a s te rn E ng land

1 40

9 . 3

D i s t r ibu t ion o fs i te s w i th F enga te Wa re i nE a s tern E ng land

1 41

9 .4

D i s tr ibu t ion o fs i te s w i th G rooved Wa re i nE a s te rn E ng land

1 42

9 . 5

D i s t r ibu t ion o fs i te s w i th E a r ly S ty le B eaker si nE a s te rn E ng land

1 43

9 . 6

D i s tr ibu t ion o fs i te s w i th M idd le S ty le B eaker s i nE a s tern E ng land

1 44

9 . 7

D i s t r ibu t ion o fs i te s w i th L a te S ty le B eaker s i nE a s tern E ng land

1 45

9 . 8

T he c ompo s i t ion o ff l in t i ndu s t r ie s i nE a s te rn E ng land

1 53

9 . 9

S c raper t ype si nE a s tern E ng land

1 54

9 . 10

C ore t ypes i nE a s tern E ng land

1 55

I

PAGE 1 0 .1

N eo l i th ic monumen t sa nd f l in ts c a t ter si ns ou th D o r se t

1 65

1 0 .2

N eo l i th ic monumen t sa nd f l in ts c a t ter si nt he A vebury d i s t r ic t

1 71

1 .1

T he p reh i s tor ic l a nd scape a round S tonehenge : f i r s tp ha se ( Ea rl i e r N eo l i th ic )

1 79

1 .2

T he p reh i s tor ic l a nd scape a round S tonehenge : s e cond p ha se ( La te r N eo l i th ic )

1 81

1 .3

T he p reh i s to r ic l a nd scape a round S tonehenge : t h i rd p ha se ( s econd m i l lenn ium b c )

1 84

1 2 .1

R ep re sen ta t ion o fG rooved Wa re d e s ign s t ruc tu re i nh i era rch ica l s t age s

1 94

1 2 .2

D ur r ing ton Wa l l s : p l an o fi n terna le xcava ted f e a ture s

1 96

1 2 .3

D ur r ing ton Wa l l s : v a r ia t ion i nG rooved Wa re d e s ign s t age s b e tween f e a tu re s

1 98

1 2 .4

D u r r ing ton Wa l l s : r e la t ive p e rcen tage s o ff l in t a nd b one a r tef ac t si n d i f f eren t c on tex t s

1 99

1 2 .5

D u r r ing ton Wa l l s , S ou thern C i rc le , P ha se 2 :d en s i ty o fG rooved Wa re s herds a nd f l in tf l ake s w i th in t he p o s th o le s

2 00

1 2 .6

D u r r ing ton Wa l l s : d en s i ty o fG rooved Wa re s herd s a nd f l in t f l ake s f o r S ou the rn C i rc le , P ha se 2 ,C i rc le s A -B

2 01

1 2 .7

D ur r ing ton Wa l l s : a r tef ac td i s t r ibu t ion w i th in t he S ou thern C i rc le , P ha se 2

2 02

1 2 .8

D u r r ing ton Wa l l s : a ve rage d en s i ty o fG rooved Wa re s herd s a nd f l in t f l ake s w i th in e ach r i ng , S ou thern C i rc le , P ha se 2

2 03

1 2 .9

D u r r ing ton Wa l l s : T he o ccur rence o fp i ga nd c a t t le i ns e lec ted c on tex t s

2 05

1 2 .10

( aa nd b ) D ur r ing ton Wa l l s :r epre sen ta t ion o fp a r t s o fp i gi ns e lec ted c on tex t s

2 08

1 2 .11

D ur r ing ton Wa l l s : r ep re sen ta t ion o fp a r t s o fc a t t le i ns e lec ted c on tex t s

2 10

1 2 .12

D u r r ing ton Wa l l s : r e la t ive p e rcen tage s o fp r ima ry mea t b one s o fc a t t le a nd p i gi ns e lec ted c on tex t s

2 11

1 2 .13

S ca t te rd i ag ram s how ing t he d i s ta lb read th a nd d ep th o fc a t t le me taca rpa l s f r om k ey N eo l i th ic s i te s

2 12

1 2 .14

Moun t P l ea san t : n umber s o fc a t t le a nd p i gi ns e lec ted c on tex t s

2 13

ü i

P reface Sma l ler a rchaeo logy d epa r tmen t s i n B r i t i sh u n ive r s i t ie s s ome t ime sh ave a dvan tage s o ve r t he i r l a rge r c oun te rpa r t s . T h i s i sp a r t icu la r ly s o i ft hey h ave a n a c t ive c omm i tmen t t o r e sea rch , f o r t he o ppor tun i ty e x i s t s f o r c on s tan t a nd i n fo rma l d i scu s s ion a mong s t af fa nd s t uden ts . F or t he s ame r e a son t he w o rk o fs uch d epa r tmen t s may h ave r a the r mo re c ohe s ion t han w ou ld b et he c a se i n al a rge ri n s t i tu t ion . T h i s c an p roduce ad epar tmen ta l ' hou se s t y le ' , b u t i tn eed n o t c r ea te d epa r tmen ta l d ogma s . I ti sb ecau se t he w o rk o ft he R ead ing d epa r t m en t s e em s t o s how ar ange o f c ommon f e a ture s t ha t w e a r e e mba rk ing o n a n o cca s iona l s e r ie s o f s i ng le a u tho r monog raph s o r t hema t ic c o l lec t ion s , o f wh ich N eo l i th ic S tud ie s i s t he f i r s t . I n t h i s c a se a ny c ohe s ion t he b ook p o s se s se s may a r i se b ecau se s o many o f t he p ape r s h av e b een w r i t ten b yc u r ren ts t uden t s o rg radua te s o ft he R ead ing d epa r tmen t , a l l o f whom a r e i n r egu la r c on tac t w i th o ne a no ther . On ly t h ree o f t he a u thor s , Ma r t in G reen , R ob in H o lga te a nd J u l ian T homa s , h av e e s caped t he R ead ing n e t e n t i re ly , b u t t he i ro wn w o rk h a s many p o in t s i n c ommon w i th t he o ther p aper s , a nd l i ke t he r ema in ing c on t r ibu t ions i ti s t he o u tcome o f al ong p er iod o fa r gumen t a nd d i scu s s ion i nw h ich a l l o fu sh ave t aken p a r t . A t t he s ame t ime w e s hou ld s t re s s t ha t t h i s c o l lec t ion d oe s n o t p re sen t as i ng le p o in t o f v i ew . I n n o s en se i si ta n ' a g reed s t a temen t ' o n t he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic . S ome o ft he c on t r ibu t o r s d i f f e r f undamen ta l ly o n c e r ta in p o in t s , a nd t he e d i to r s t hemse lve s d o n o t e ndo r se e very th ing t ha t i ss a id h e re , a ny more t han i nd iv idua l a u tho r s wou ld a ccep t e ve ry th ing w r i t ten b y t he e d i tor s . T he se p aper s h ave b een s ome t ime i n t he mak ing . C hap ter s 3a nd 4 w e re g i ven a t ac on f e rence h e ld a tU n iver s i ty C o l lege , C a rd if fi ns p r ing 1 983 , a sw er e p a r t s o fC hap te r s 2 ,9 , 1 a nd 1 2 . A l l o f t he se h ave b een r ew r i t ten c omp le te ly s i nce t hen . C hap te r 6w a s f i r s t g i ven a t t he 1 982 m ee t ing o f t he T heo re t ica l A rchaeo logy G roup a t D u rham U n ive r s i ty , w h i l s t C hap ter 5 a nd t he f i na l v e r s ion o fC hap ter 1 2 w ere g i ven a ti t s 1 983 mee t ing , a ga in i nC a r d i f f . T he l a t te r w a s a l so p re sen ted a t t he s pr ing c onf erence o f t he P reh i s to r ic S oc ie ty i n L ondon i n 1 984 . C hap ter s 1 ,7 , 8a nd 1 0 w ere w r i t ten s pec ia l ly f o r t h i s c o l lec t ion . A l l t he p aper sh ave b een d i scu s sed among t he d i f f eren t a u thor s a nd w e h ope t ha t t h e l i nk s b e tween t he se s epa ra te s t ud ie s a r e s i gnpo s ted a sc l ear ly a sp o s s ib le . S evera l p eop le h ave c on tr ibu ted t o t he mak ing o ft h i s b ook a nd i ti sr i gh t t ha t w e t hank t hem a t t he o u t se t . Many o f t he p ape r s w ere t yped b y L or ra ine M epham a nd s c ru t in i sed f or l a p se s o fs t y le a nd s en se b yJ i l l F i sher . Ma rk B owden i sr e spon s ib le f o r an umber o ft he f i gu re d raw ing s a nd Ma r t in C ook h e lped c on s iderab ly i n moun t ing t he i lu s t ra t ion s . L a s t ly , w e a r e w e l l a wa re t ha t much t ha t i ss a id i nt h i sv o lume w i l l b e c on t rover s ia la nd t ha t n o t a l l o f i tw i l l s t and t he t e s t o ft ime . One a spec t w i l ln o t b e c on t rover s ia l ,h oweve r , a nd w e a r e c onf iden t t ha t t he d ed ica t ion t o I s obe l Sm i th w i l l b e r e cogn i sed a s at oken o f t he i ndeb tedne s s o f a l l N eo l i th ic s cho la r s t o h er wo rk . I ts e ems p ar t icu la r ly a ppropr ia te t ha t t h i s d ed ica t ion s hou ld h ead av o lume w i th s o many c on t r ibu to r s a t t he s t a r t o ft he i r c a reer s , f o r t he y ounge rg enera t ion h a s b enef i t ted s o much f r om h er a dv ice a nd e ncou rage m en t . R .B .

i v

J . P .G .

L i s to fC on tr ibu tor s M a rk B owden ( Chap ter 7 ) R oya lC omm i s s ion o n H i s tor ica l Monumen t s ( Eng land ) , S a l i sbury R icha rd B rad ley ( Chap ter s 1 ,2 ,5 , 7a nd 8 ) D epar tmen t o fA rchaeo logy , U n ive r s i ty o fR ead ing R o samund C lea l ( Chap te r s 7a nd 9 ) D epa r tmen t o fA rchaeo logy , U n iver s i ty o f R ead ing S t ephen F o rd ( Chap te r 8 ) D epar tmen t o fA rchaeo logy , U n iver s i ty o fR ead ing J u l ie G a rd iner ( Chap ter s 1 , 3a nd 7 ) N o rfo lk A rchaeo log ica lU n i t M a r t in G reen ( Chap ter 7 ) D own F arm , Woodcu t t s , D or se t R ob in H o lga te ( Chap ter 8 ) S u s sex F ie ld Un i t , L ondon U n iver s i ty I n s t i tu te o fA rchaeo logy C ol in R icha rd s ( Chap ter s 6a nd 1 2 ) D epa r tmen t o fA rchaeo logy , U n ive r s i ty o fG la sgow J ul ian R ichard s ( Chap te r 1) T ru s t f o r We s sex A rchaeo logy , S a l i sbury J u l ian T homa s ( Chap ter s 1 0a nd 1 2 ) D epar tmen t o fP reh i s to ry a nd A rchaeo logy , U n iver s i ty o fS heff ie ld I .J .T ho rpe ( Chap te r s 4a nd 6 ) D ep t . o fA n th ropo logy , U n iver s i ty C o l lege L ondon

1 .

I n t roduc t ion : c l os ing d oor sa nd o pen ing w indow s R icha rd B rad ley a nd J u l ie G a rd iner

' "By t he w ay ," s a id t he c ap ta in ,r e ach ing i n to h i s p ocke t , " wou ld e i ther o fy ou l i ke t o s e e t he r ough S e s s ion s chedu le?" ... " D rG lube rt oo pen?" c r ied M r s M a l le t , s c ann ing t h e p aper . "Why s uch aR u s so -German s t a r t?" " Ii mag ine t og e t p ure t heory o u t o ft he w ay a ss oon a sp os s ib le" , s a id t he c ap ta in . " I t ' sb e t ter t o d epre s s p eop le a tt he b eg inn ing t han a tt he e nd ." " And A r thur Mu r ray S tan s tead s e cond ! .. " " Tha t ' s w i se t oo . F i r s t t heory , t hen s t a t i s t ic s . O n ly t hen , c hao s ."' N ige l D enn i s , C a rd s o fI d en t i ty T o s ome e x ten t t h i s c hap ter i s ag u ide t o t he c on ten t s o f t he b ook , a l though w e s ha l l make s ome a t temp t t oi nd ica te t ho se a r ea s i n wh ich w e f e e l t ha t f r e sh a pproache s a r e l i ke ly t o b e u sefu l a nd o the r s w here e x i s t ing a pp roache s s e em t o u s t o b e e xhau s ted . We s ha l l s ugge s t t ha t s ome d oo r sc an b e c l o sed a nd a t temp t t oo pen s ome w indow s . D if f eren t e s say si nt h i sc o l lec t ion c over t he p er iod b e tween t he L a te M e so l i th ic a nd L a te B eaker p ha se s ,a l though n o t a l lt he p aper s c on s ide r t h i s e n t i re t ime s pan . T he i rg eog raph ica l r ange e x tend s f r om s ou th D o r se t t ot he Y o rk sh i re Wo ld s , b u t d oe sn o t r e ach i n to t he H igh l a nd Z one where c u r ren t w o rk , p a r t icu la r ly i n t he O rkney s , s ugge s t s t ha t ac ompan ion v o lume may s oon b e n eeded . T he b ook i sd i v ided i n to t h ree s e c t ion s . T he f i r s t c on s ider ss ome o ft he b a s ic ma te r ia l s o f N eo l i th ic s t ud ie sa nd i n t roduce st he ma in t heore t ica l p o s i t ion s c on s ide red i nt h e c a se s t ud ie s i n P a r t s 2a nd 3 . A f te r a n i n troduc tory e s say wh ich a t temp t s t op u t t he p ape r s i nc h rono l o g ica l a nd g eog raph ica l p er spec t ive , t here f o l low f ou r d e ta i led r e v iew s o f k ey a r ea s o f r e sea rch . Ou r ma in ma ter ia l s a r e l i th ic s , c e ram ic s , b ur ia l s a nd monumen t s , a nd ac hap te ri s d evo ted t ot he i n te rpre ta t ion o fe ach o ft he se . C hap ter 3c ons ider s t he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween c hange s i n N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen t p a t te rn s a nd t he c ompo s i t ion a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o f l i th ic a s semb lage si nc en tra ls ou the rn E ng land . C hap te r 4i sc oncerned w i th t he e v idence o fb u r ia l r i te s , b u t g oe s b eyond t he o r thodox d i v i s ion o f f unera ry monumen t s i n to s t y l i s t ic g roup s b y p l ac ing g r ea ter empha s i s o n t he r o le s o fr i tua la nd i d eo logy . As im i la r a pp roach i st aken i n C hap ter 5 wh ich c on s ider s t he i mpo r tance o f monumen t b u i ld ing a s as oc ia lp roce s s a nd t he w ay s i n w h ich s uch s i te sm igh tu sefu l ly b e s t ud ied . F ina l ly i nP a r t 1 ,C hap te r 6r e v iew s t he b e t ter k nown c e ram ic d a ta , u s ing r e cen t i d ea s o n t he r o le o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re t oi n ve s t i g a te t h e p rob lem o fa s semb lage v a r ia t ion d u r ing t he L a te r N eo l i th ic p er iod . P ar t 2i sa n a t temp t t o a pp ly many o f t he se i d ea s t o t he c on t ra s t ing f i e ld a nd a r tefac t e v idence f r om t h ree w e l l d ef ined r e g ion s . T h i s s e c t ion h a s b een d e s igned a s at r i logy : d i s c u s s ion c en t re s o n ac ompar i son b e tween t he se a r ea s a nd t he p ape r s a r e m ean t t ob e r e ad i ns equence .T os ome e x ten t t he se e s say s d i f f e ri nt he ma in f o rms o fd a ta t ha t t hey u se ,T he e s say o n C ranborne C ha se i n C hap ter 7 p l ace s g r ea te r e mpha s i s o n s u rf ace l i th ic s c a t te r s t han t he o the r t wo a ccoun t s , wh i l s t C hap te r 8 ,o n t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley ,i s more c on c e rned w i th t he d e ta i led s equence o f monumen t s . C hap ter 9 , w h ich d i scu s se s t he L a te r N eo l i th ic i n e a s tern E ng land , make s more e x ten s ive u se o f c e ram ic e v idence . T he s t r ik ing c on tra s t s b e tween t he se t h ree r e g ion s a r e n o t , h owever , t he r e su l t o fw o rk ing w i th d i f f e ren t t ype s o f a r chaeo log ica l ma te r ia l , a s t he c l o s ing s e c t ion s o f C hap ter s 8a nd 9 make c l ea r . T aken t oge ther , t hey n o t o n ly i lu s t ra te h ow s im i la re l emen t s c ou ld b e c omb ined i nd i f f e r e n t w ay si ns epa ra te r e g ion so fB r i ta in b u t a l so t ha t v ery d i f f e ren t e mpha se s c an b e o b ser ved w i th in q u i te l im i ted a r ea s . 1

T he t h i rd p a r t , e n t i t led ' Loca l S tud ie s ' , i sp o s s ib ly l e s s h omogenou s , a l though i ti sc on c e rned w i th s t ud ie s o f much s ma l ler a r ea s ,v a ry ing f r om t he s u r round ing s o fs pec if ic monu men t s l i ke A vebu ry ( Chap te r 1 0 ) a nd S tonehenge ( Chap ter 1) t o a na ly s i s o f p a t te rn ing i n s ide i nd iv idua l s i te s : Ma iden C a s t le i nC hap te r 1 0 a nd Du r r ing ton Wa l l s i nC hap te r 1 2 . I n f a c t C hap ter 1 2 i sl i nked d i rec t ly t o i t s p redece s so r , a s i ti s ad e ta i led s tudy o ft he l a rge s t monumen t w i th in t he a r ea c ove red b y t he S tonehenge E nv i ron s P ro jec t . A l though c e r ta in d i f f e rence s o f i n te rpre ta t ion a ppea r , i ti si n te re s t ing t o c ompa re t he r e su l t s o ft wo a na ly se s o f t he s ame b a s ic a r ea , u nde r taken a t d i f f e ren t g eog raph ica l s c a le s . A l l t h ree p ape r s a l so s ha re a ni n tere s ti nt he s t r ik ing s pa t ia lv a r ia t ion s wh ich a r e t o b e f ound i n N eo l i th ic ma te r ia l c u l tu re T he e s say s c ove r as ub s tan t ia l t ime s pan a nd aw ide r ange o ft op ic s , a l though s ub s i s tence a nd c r af t p roduc t ion a r e n o t t r ea ted s epa ra te ly a sw e h ave l i t t le t o a dd t o r e cen t d i scus s ion o f t he se s ub jec t s . T he t heore t ica l o r ien ta t ion o f t he se p aper s i sj u s t a sw ide r ang ing . T he re i ss t i l l t he t r ad i t iona l c oncern w i th u nde r s tand ing o u r b a s ic ma te r ia l s s hown i n s t ud ie s o f a r tef ac t d i s t r ibu t ions a nd a s soc ia t ion s , a l though n one o f t he se a ccount sh ave b een w r i t ten i n i nnocence o f t he mo re a b s t rac t q ue s t ion s t ha t a ppea r i n t he o the r p aper s . A t t he s ame t ime s ome o f t he se e s say s owe more t o a pproache s d eve loped i n s oc ia l a n th ropo logy , i n p a r t icu la r t he t ype s o f N eo -Ma rx i s t mode l t ha t h ave r ecen t ly h ad s uch a n i mpac t o n p re h i s tor ic s tud ie s . L abe l sa r eu n impo r tan t , h owev er : wha t i ss i gn if ican t i st he c r ea t ive u se t ha t c an n ow b e made o f s uch c oncep t s a s r i tua l , i d eo logy a nd p re s t ige . T he o the r i nf luence , wh ich i sn o te n t i re ly i ndependen to ft h i s a pp roach , i sa na ly s i s o ft he r o le o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re i n s oc ie ty . U l t ima te ly , t h i s w ork d e r ive s f r om s t ruc tu ra la n th ropo logy , b u t i ta l so u se s t he r e su l t s o f more r e cen te thnoa rchaeo log ica li nve s t iga t ion s .I ne ach c a se t he a u tho r s wo rk f r om g ene ra l t heory , r a the r t han l oo se ly d ef ined ' e thnog raph ic p a ra l le l s ' . T he se p o s i t ion sa r e u n d en iab ly f a sh ionab le , b u t t he e s say s p re sen ted h ere may g o s ome w ay t owa rd s a ppea s ing t he c r i t ic s b y s how ing h ow s uch me thod s c an b e a pp l ied t o t he f i ne d e ta i l o f t he a r chae o log ica lr ecord a nd c an e ven r evea l c onnec t ion s wh ich h ad b een o ve r looked b efo re . We s poke o f c l o s ing d oor s a nd o pen ing w indow s . We w ou ld a r gue t ha tr e cen t wo rk h a s u nde rm ined s ome o f t he t a c i t a s sump t ion s o n wh ich N eo l i th ic r e sea rch h a s b een b a sed -a v i ew wh ich d oe s n o t d epend o n ac omm i tmen t t o t heore t ica l a r chaeo logy . F ir s t , t he se p ape r s s e em t o s how h ow p rofound w a s t he v a r ia t ion b e tween d eve lopmen t s i n s ma l l r e g ion s o f B r i ta in . Th i s c onfound s many o ft he b o lde rg ene ra l i sa t ion s i nt he c ur ren t l i t e ra t u re - a nd , mos t o f a l l , a ny a t temp t t o u se t he w e l l d ocumen ted s equence i n We s sex a sa mode l f o r d eve lopmen t s i n o the r a r ea s . Mo re wor ry ing i st he f a c t t ha t c on t ra s t ing l o ca l s equence s c ou ld e mp loy v i r tua l ly t he s ame e l emen t s -E th ic t ype s , c e ram ic s t y le s , f o rms o f b u r ia l a nd monumen t s -i n s uch i nd iv idua l c omb ina t ion s t ha t t he i r mean ing s a nd s i gn if i c ance mu s th ave b een s ub t ly d i f f eren t . S uch e l emen t s o fN eo l i th ic c u l ture c anno t b e t r ea ted o u t o f c on tex t . T hu s i ft he c omb ina t ion o f t he se s epa ra te e l emen t s o f f er s t he b es t c l ue t o t he c ha rac ter o f r eg iona l d eve lopmen t s , i tf o l low s t ha t d e ta i led s t ud ie s o fo ne t ype o fa r te f a c t o r monumen t may s e rve l i t t le p urpo se . F or e xamp le , t he re i sn o p o in t i ns t udy ing o ne t ype o f p o t tery i fo the r c on tempo ra ry s t y le s a r e n o t a na ly sed a t t he s ame t ime a nd t he s ame a pp l ie s t o o the ra spec t s o fN eo l i th ic ma ter ia l c u l tu re . T he b enef i t s o f amo re r ounded a pp roach a r ec l ea r when w e c ompa re t he p a t tern s d e sc r ibed i nC hap te r 9 ,f o ri n s tance , w i th e x i s t ing s tud ie s o fi nd iv idua la r tef ac t t ype s f r om t he s ame r eg ion . L a s t ly , t he s t reng th o f t he a r chaeo log ica l r eco rd i si t s a b i l i ty t o l a y b are l ong s equence s o f c hange , b u t t h i s d imen s ion i st oo r a re ly e xp lored i n d ep th . S equence i si mpo r tan t i n b u i ld ing s oc ia l mode l s , a nd i sc r i t ica l i n t e s t ing t hem . One l e s son o f t he se s t ud ie s i st ha t r ad ioca rbon d a te s a r e a lway s more u sefu l t han t ho se d e r ived f r om t ypo log ica ls tud ie s , f o r t he c hang ing r e la t ionsh ips b e tween a r tef ac t s , f auna l r ema in s , h uman b u r ia l sa nd monumen t s m ay b e much mo re s i gn if ican t t han t he a c tua l f o rms t aken b y t r ad i t iona l t ype f o s s i l s . T he re may h ave b een n o d i rec t r e la t ion sh ip b e tween s oc ia lc hange s a nd c hange s i nt ho se e l emen t s o u t o f wh ich a r chaeo log ica l t ime s c a le s h ave b een b u i l t . F or e xamp le , i nC hap te r 4w e s e e s i gn if ican t c hange s i n f unera ry p rac t ice t ak ing p l ace a ga in s t wha t w ou ld n o rma l ly b e c on2

s i dered as t a t ic b ackg round . I n s ome s oc ie t ie st he p a s t i s ac r i t ica lr e sou rce a nd y e t o b jec t s a nd monumen t so fo s ten s ib ly t r ad i t iona lf o rm c ou ld , g r adua l ly ,h ave c hanged t he i r m ean ing t o t he p eop le who u sed t hem . We c an n ol onge rt r ea t s uch g ene ra l c a tego r ie s a sl ong b ar row s o r c au sewayed e nc lo su re s a s u nchang ing e l emen t s i n N eo l i th ic a r chaeo logy , j u s t b ecau se t he ir s u rf ace a ppearance r ema ined u na l te red o ver al ong p er iod . We mu s tu se r ad ioca rbon t o mea su re p roce s se sa nd n o tj u s tt o d a te ' t ype s 'o fs i te . N ow t ha t may s e em v e ry n ega t ive , s o i n wha t w ay s d o t he se e s say s o pen w indow s? W e w ou ld s ugges t t ha t f ou r a pproache s t aken i n t h i s v o lume may h ave s ome s t ay ing p owe r , a l though t he i r a c tua l i mpor tance i sf o r t he r e ader t oj udge . F i r s t , t he se s t ud ie s d o g i ve a much more p rom inen t r o le t o N eol i th ic f l in twork . T h i s may a ppea rb ana l , b u ti nv e ry f ew a r ea s h ave w ee ve ra t temp ted t o w ork w i th t he e normou s a moun t o fp rovenanced a nd d a te a b le ma te r ia la l ready a va i lab le t ou s ,o f ten s ub s t i tu t ing f a c i le g ene ra l i sa t ion s a bou t t he N eo l i th ic p a t te rn o f s e t t lemen t f o r t he s heer h a rd w o rk o f t r y ing t o i n ve s t iga te t h i s q ue s t ion w i th r e a l d a ta . T ho se o fu s who h ave s urv ived t he a t temp t t o d o s oh ave f ound t ha t i nde p endent r e sea rch i n d i f f e ren t r e g ion s h a s p roduced r ema rkab ly c ohe ren t r e su l t s . C on se q uen t ly t he se p ape r s a r e a tl e a s t a b le t o s ugge s t t ha tb o th r e g iona la nd l o ca lt r end s c an b e i d en t if ied u s ing t h i s ma ter ia l ,a nd where t h i sw ork c an b e a mp l if ied b y p rope r ly c ons ide red f i e ld s urvey s t i l l more s t r ik ing p a t te rn s e me rge . T he d i s t inc t ive c ha rac te r o fN eo l i th ic a r te f a c t sd i scovered a round ma jo r monumen t si s ap a r t icu la r ly e xc i t ing f i e ld f o ri n ve s t iga t ion . Ou rs e cond w indow i so pened b y more d e ta i led a na ly s i so fN eo l i th ic b u r ia l s . T h i s d eve lop men t h a s b een u nde r w ay f o r s ome t ime b u t c l ea r ly i th a s p o ten t ia l f o r e ven f u r the r e x p an s ion , l a rge ly t h rough r ad ioca rbon d a t ing o fk ey c on tex t sa nd t h rough f r e sh e xcava t ion . T he c h rono log ica l t r end s wh ich a r e e me rg ing a r e u ndoub ted ly s t r ik ing , e spec ia l ly wh en t hey c an b e c or re la ted w i th d eve lopmen t o f o the r t ype s o f d a ta , e spec ia l ly monumen t s . S t i l l more i mpo r tan t i st he a t temp t t o l i nk t he b u r ia lr e co rd t ow ider c hange si nt he c i rcu l a t ion o fc omp lex a r tefac t sa nd t he i r man ipu la t ion b ys oc ie ty .A ga in t he c on tex tua l a pp roach i sa l li mpo r tan t . At h i rd a pproach d eve lop sf r om t ha ts t a r t ing p o in t .T he re s e em st ob e c on s ide rab le p o ten t i a l f o r i n ve s t iga t ing t he u se s o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re w i th in p a r t icu la r N eol i th ic c ommun i t ie s , a na ly s ing t he c on tex ti n wh ich i ti sf ound a nd a t temp t ing t ow ork o u t t he r u le s t ha t g ove rned i t s u se a nd d epos i t ion . A ga in w e mu s t t h ink i n t e rm s o f t he l o ca l s y s tem , a so b jec t s c an c hange t he i r a s soc ia t ion s f r om o ne a r ea t o a no the r . F or e xamp le , a n a xe t ha t w a sa n o rd i n a ry t oo l i n C umbr ia m igh t b e ap re s t ige g ood b y t he t ime i th ad c ro s sed t he P enn ine s . O f c ou r se i t i st emp t ing t o t ake t h i s a pproach t o e x treme s , t r ea t ing t he d i f f e ren t c e ram ic a s semb lage s o f t he L a ter N eo l i th ic a sr e f lec t ion s o f i d ea l s oc ia l t ype s , j u s t a si n t he p a s t t hey h ave b een t r ea ted a sc l ue s t o t he e x i s tence o fd i f f e ren t e thn ic g roup s o r d i f f e ren t t ype s o f s ub s i s tence e conomy . Ou r s t ud ie s , h oweve r , s t re s s t he w ay s i n wh ich t he se t r ad i t ion s m igh tb e more o rl e s ss t rong ly s epa ra ted i nd i f f e ren t a r ea s . L a s t ly , t he r e g iona l s t ud ie s i n t h i s c o l lec t ion s how t he a dvan tage s o f ab road ly b a sed a pproach a nd i n p a r t icu la r t hey e xemp l ify t he s t reng th s o fl ook ing a tt he s pa t ia la spec t o f t he se q ue s t ion s .O n ly b yt h i s mean s c an w e r e a l ly c on s ide rt he s epara t ion o fc omp lex monu men t s o r s pec ia l i sed ' r i tua l ' p rac t ice s f r om t he e ve ryday a c t iv i t ie s g o ing o n a round t hem . We c anno t t a lk a bou t s e t t lemen t p a t tern s o r r i tua l l a nd scape s f r om o ne k ind o f e v idence a l one . E ven when t he s ame t ype s o f a r tefac t s a nd monumen t s a r e f ound i n t wo d i f f e ren t a r ea s , a s t hey a r e i n s ou the rn We s sex a nd t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley ( Chap te r s 7a nd 8 ) , t he i r i n tegra t ion w i th o ne a no the r c an b e s ub t ly d i f f e ren t , a nd t he s ame c an a pp ly t o t he s c a le o f t he monumen t s t hemse lve s a nd t he i rs e t t ing i nt he w ide rl a ndscape . A ga in t he re i s an eed f o r at r u ly i n teg ra ted a pp roach . Al i t t le k now ledge i s ad ange rou s t h ing , b u t i na r chae o logy t oo much s pec ia l i sa t ion c an d o t he s ame d amage . N one o f t he se i d ea s a r e t o b e t r ea ted a s d ogma s , a nd t he v o lume a s awho le i so f f e red si mp ly a s ab a s i sf o rd i scu s s ion . B y c l o s ing d oo r sw e may l e ave t he b e s t i d ea s o u t s ide . Open i ng w indow so f ten l e t si nc o ld a i r . I nt he l ong t e rm w e h ave t o s t r ike av e ry c a refu l b a lance , b u t i nt he s hor tt e rm i td oe sn oh a rm t o s t ick o u rn eck so u t . 3

PART ONE

MATERIALS , THEORIES AND THEMES

' " Who i st ha t?" a sked F lora i n al owe red v o ice ,a s al a rge r ed s c ien t i s t w a lked b y ... " Far ine , t he I nconce ivab le F ramework s man ... " S te l la G ibbon s , C onf e rence a tC o ld C omfo r t F arm

2.

Regional Systems in Neolithic Britain

Richard Bradley Questions of scale Studies of Neolithic Britain run the risk of observing a picture dominated by its frame. Discussions of local development are restricted from th outset by the scale of the region under consideration, just as the larger European landscape calls for a broader brush but entails a dangerous loss of detail. At one extreme the literature perpetuates the rather sterile debate between the proponents of diffusion and those who favour local develop­ ment, whilst at the other extreme there are studies of social change so general that they involve a whole continent (Sherratt 1979; Gilman 1981). In focussing on the problems of lowland England this collection of essays has the advantage of coming to grips with a fairly well defined body of data, but at the same time by concentrating on only one area there is the risk that broader processes will be overlooked. This paper is an attempt to chart the changing scale of the social and economic system between the fourth and second millennia be. It also tries to distinguish between the different types of regional interaction which have left their mark on the archaeological record and to suggest a framework within which to study changes between them. To some extent these problems have been created by period spe.cialists, so often a reac­ tionary force in British archaeology. The existing literature builds too sharp a contrast between the fourth and third millennia be, discussing the Mesolithic sequence in different parts of Britain through a model of internal development and then modifying this frame­ work to accommodate the long distance contacts represented by the introduction of agri­ culture (Case 1969; Whittle 1977). The same change in perception is seen between the beginning of farming and the first appearance of metals. The latter development may have occurred because a society was seeking prestige objects from outside, but by the late second millennium it is sometimes supposed that local developments had come to depend on broader fluctuations in European society, so that changes taking place in Britain might have been influenced, however distantly, by those in the Mediterranean (see for instance Burgess 1980, 245-9 and 265). All too often different types of system are being confused. At the outset we must dis­ tinguish between two forms of spatial patterning in the archaeological record and between developments taking place at two distinct scales. The distributions of artefacts may be either complementary or intercutting. In the first case, there could be evidence of mutually ad­ justed regional traditions, whose distinctive distributions are related to the presence of separate groups expressing their collective identity through their material culture. In its simplest form this idea has been discussed by Ian Hodder (1979) and may have a limited application to this study.Jacobi has suggested the existence of a series of mutually exclusive social territories during the Mesolithic period (1979, 56 ff.). There are also distinctive style zones in the distribution of Earli�r Neolithic ceramics (Whittle 1977, fig. 11; Kinnes 1978, fig. 38). The second possibility is that relatively local sequences of artefacts may be cross-cut by long distance links, operating within a relatively restricted sphere. Again a few examples may be helpful. At the simplest level, this pattern can be seen in the concentration of certain types of artefact in Earlier Neolithic enclosures, at the expense of other, less elaborate sites (Bradley 1982). During the later third millennium be it shows up still more clearly in the distributions and associations of a limited range of complex artefacts, most of which belong to Manby's 'Macehead Complex' (Manby 1974, 77 ff.). By about 2000 be this develop­ ment reached its fullest extension with the apparent co-existence of at least three widely

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d i s t r ibu ted c e ram ic t r ad i t ion s a nd t h e ir a s soc ia t ions -P e terbo rough Wa re , G rooved Wa re a nd B eaker s . I ndeed , i ti sb rough t e ven mo re s harp ly i n to f ocu s o nce i ti sa pprec ia ted t ha t t he P e te rbo rough s ub s ty le sa r e a tl e a s tp a r t ly r e g iona l , w h i l s t t he f our s ub s ty le s o fG roov ed Wa re l a ck a ny g eog raph ica l f ocu s a nd a r e d i s t r ibu ted d i scon t inuou s ly a c ro s s e no rmou s a r ea s o f t he c oun t ry . I n e f f ec t L a te r N eo l i th ic c e ram ic s t y le s a nd t he i ra s soc ia t ion sr an i n p ara l le l , where p rev iou s ly t he ma jo r c on t ra s t s h ad f o rmed a l ong r e g iona l l i ne s ( c fB rad ley 1 984 , C hap te r3 ) . S o f a r w e h ave b een d i scu s s ing a r tef ac t s . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o f monumen t s may s how r a ther d i f f e ren tt endenc ie s . I ns ome c a se s t hey c an a l so b eg rouped i n to r e g iona l t r ad i t ion s , b u t s i nce i d ea s c an p a s sj u s t a sr ap id ly a s o b jec t s , t he s ame t ype s o f monumen t a r e f ound i n v ery d i f f e ren t a r ea s . A l though b o th a r tef ac t s a nd monumen t s may c a rry v e ry s pec ial i sed i n fo rma t ion , t he b u i ld ing a nd ma in tenance o f monumen t s w ou ld h ave h ad as pec ia li mpac t o n t he s oc ia l l a nd scape a nd c ou ld h ave b een af e a tu re o f p e r iod s o f c hange . T he se p o in t s a r e c on s ide red i n mo re d e ta i l i n as epa ra te p aper ( t h i s v o lume , p . 6 1) . A t t h i s s t age i ti s e nough t o s ugge s t t ha t t he p roce s se s t h rough w h ich monumen t s w e re a dop ted i nd i f f eren t a r ea s w ou ld h ave b een a tl e a s t a ss pec ia l i sed a st ho se g ove rn ing t he movemen t o fc omp lex o b jec t s . S t i l l a nothe r t ype o f p a t te rn ing c oncern s t he d i s tr ibu t ion s o f b o th a r tef ac t s a nd monu men ts o n al o ca ls c a le . C er ta in i t ems may b e u nu sua l ly w e l lr epre sen ted i nt he l a rge r monu m en t s o f t he E a rl i e r N eo l i th ic , wha tever t he p r ima ry r o le o f s uch s i te s ( Brad ley 1 982 ) . D u r ing t he L a te rN eo l i th ic p er iod t h e re a r e s i gn s t ha t s im i la r d i s t inc t ion sm igh t b e e xp re s sed t h rough s pa t ia l p a t te rn ing . T he re a r e c l u s ter s o f c omp lex a r tefac t s i n t he v i c in i ty o f t h e mo s t e l abo ra te monumen t s o ft h i sp e r iod . E xamp le s o fs uch p a t te rn ing i n c lude t he r ema rk a b le c oncen tra t ion o f f i nd s o f G rooved Wa re a nd i t sa s soc ia t ion sn ea r t oD u r r ing ton Wa l l s ( t h i s v o lume , p . 1 82 ) , t he c l u s te r ing o f s t one a xe s a round A vebu ry ( th i s v o lume ,p . 1 73) , o r t he g roup s o f d i s t inc t ive l i th ic a r tef ac t s c l o se t o A rbor L ow a nd R ud s ton ( Brad ley a nd H a r t 1 983 ; P i e rpo in t 1 980 , 2 71 f . ) . I n s uch c a se s d i s t inc t ion s wh ich w e re e mpha s i sed b y i n tercu t t ing d i s t r ibu t ion s a t an a t iona l l e ve l w e re e xpre s sed b y s pa t ia l p a t te rn ing o n t he l o ca l s c a le . H e re w e a r e f a ced b y ama jo rp rob lem o fi n terp re ta t ion , f o r wh i l s ti tw ou ld b e t emp t ing t o s e e t he a r ea sw i th c oncen tra t ion s o ft he se f i nd s a st he s e t t lemen t s o f as pec ia l i s ed g roup , t he d ome s t ic n a tu re o f s ome o f t h i s ma te r ia l c an b e q ue s t ioned . A re w e t o p o s tu la te t he ma in tenance o f a' r i tua l l a nd scape ' , p e rhap s c on ta in ing d e l ibe ra te o f f e r ing s , o r w a s d i f f e ren t ia t ion b e ing e xpre s sed a t t he l o ca l s c a le b y e xc lu s ive o ccupa t ion o f p a r t i cu la r a r ea s? T h i s p rob lem i sr a i sed i na cu te f o rm b y J ul ian R icha rd s ' s u rvey o ft he S tone h enge a r ea ( th i sv o lume , p . 1 82 ) . Q ue s t ions o ft h eory T he t heo re t ica l f r amewo rk e mp loyed t o a ccoun t f o r t he se d i f f eren t p a t tern s h a s b een r ema rkab ly e c lec t ic , b ecau se e ach p rob lem h a s b een c on s idered s epa ra te ly a nd t he re h a s b een l i t t le o r n o c oncern w i th t he o vera l l s equence o f d eve lopmen t . J u s ta st he re a r e c on t r a s t s o f s c a le t o a ccommoda te , s ome o f t he se e xp lana t ion s e mp loy d i f f e ren t t empo ra l f r amewo rk s . T here h ave b een s e ve ra l a pproache s t o t h i s ma te r ia l , e ach s t emm ing f r om a s epa ra te o r ig in . S ince many o f t he se q ue s t ion s w i l l b e c on s ide red i nd e ta i li no the rp ape r s , o n ly as hor tr e v iew o ft he ma in p o in t si sn ece s sa ry h e re . F rom t he o u t se t w e mu s t c on s ide r t he r o le o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re w i th in a nd b e tween i nd i v i dua l r e g ion s . T he s imp le s t t heo ry i se s sen t ia l ly ar e s ta temen t o f C h i lde ' s c oncep t o ft h e c u l tu re ; as oc ie ty s ymbo l i se si t sd i s t inc t ive i d en t i ty t h rough t he ma in tenance o ft r ad i t iona l n o rm s . T he ma in c hange f r om C h i lde ' so r ig ina l n o t ion i st he e mpha s i s t ha tn ow f a l l s o n t h e s t ruc ture o f a r tef ac t d i s t r ibu t ion s , a nd i np a r t icu la r o n t he d ef in i t ion o f t he i r b ounda r ie s ( Hodder 1 979 ) . We mu s t a l so c on s ide r t he r o le s o f c e r ta in a r tef ac t s i n s oc ie ty . T he more s pec ial i sed a r tef ac t s w ou ld h ave p l ayed l i t t le p a r t i n e veryday a c t iv i t ie s . T hey may h ave h ad a r e s tr ic ted c i rcu la t ion a nd f u lf i l led a c ruc ia l r o le i n e s sen t ia l ly s oc ia l t r an sac t ion s , s o t ha t a cce s s t o s uch o b jec t s b ecame ap re requ i s i te f o r ma in ta in ing o ne ' s p o s i t ion i nt he 6

c ommun i ty ( F ranken s te in a nd R ow lands 1 978 ) . W e c anno t i d en t ify s uch a r tef ac t s s imp ly t h rough t he i r q ua l i ty o r t he i r e xo t ic o r ig in , b u t mu s t c on s ide r t he i r c on tex t s a nd a s soc i a t ion s i n t he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord . A t t h i s s t age s e ve ra l p rob lem s a r i se , f o r t he re h a s b een at endency t o t r ea t a l l N eol i th ic a r tef ac t s , a pa r t f r om g r ave g ood s , a se v idence o fd ome s t ic a c t iv i ty . T her e m ay b e s e ve ra lw ay so fr e cogn i s ing s pec ia l p urpo se o b jec t s . We c an c on s ide r t he i r c oncen t ra t ion i n a nd a r ound c e remon ia l c en t re s , b ur ia l s a nd h oa rds . We c an a l so i n v e s t iga te t he i r a s soc ia t ion s , e spec ia l ly t he i rr a r i ty o r a b sence i nd epo s i t s o fd ome s t ic r e fu se ( c f B rad ley 1 984 , 4 8 f . ) . P re s t ige o b jec t s c ou ld h ave b een d epo s i ted d e l ibe ra te ly b efo re t he i r ' u se l i f e ' w a s o ve r . T he l a t te r a r gumen t d e r ive s f r om t he w o rk o fM e i l la s soux ( 1968 ) who s ug ges t s t ha t i fs pec ia l p urpose a r tefac t s a r e u sed o n ly i n s pec if ic t r an sac t ion s , t hey mu s t b e r emoved f r om c i rcu la t ion o nce t ho se t r an sac t ion s a r e c omp le te . O the rw i se t he re i s ad anger t ha t t hey c an b e a ccumu la ted a nd s o t h rea ten t he b a s i s o ft he who le s y s tem . T he q ue s t ion o fd e l ibe ra te d epo s i t ion w i l lb e d i scu s sed i ns e ve ra l e s say si nt h i sv o lume . T he s ame d i s t inc t ion b e tween e ve ryday a r tef ac t s a nd more s pec ial i sed i t ems c an b e h i gh l i gh ted b y t he e x i s tence o f d i f f e ren t f o rm so fe xchange , a nd h i gh s t a tu so r s pec ia lp urpo se g oods m igh t p a s s o n ly b e tween e qu iva len t g roup s o r i nd iv idua l s . T hu s e l i te e xchange , o r t he e xchange o f r i tua l o b jec t s , mu s t b e k ep t c omp le te ly s epa ra te f r om t he movemen t o f u t i l i ta r ian i t em s a nd i ts hou ld b e i mpo s s ib le t o c onve r t b e tween t he se d i f f e ren t s phe re s o f a c t iv i ty ( MacCormack 1 981) . I n t he s ame w ay t he e xchange o f a g r icu l tu ra l p roduce may b e as epa ra te p roce s s f r om t he movemen t o ff i ne o b jec t s . T h i s i d ea h a sb een a pp l ied t ot he s epa ra te a s semb lage s o f t he L a te r N eo l i th ic , u s ing t he c on ten t s o ft he g r ave s a nd h oa rd sa s ac l ue t o t he i d en t i ty o f s pec ia lp urpo se a r tef ac t s . I na n e a r l ier p ape r ( B rad ley 1 982 ) t he se d i s t inc t ion s w ere t r ea ted a s e v idence o f s oc ia l r ank ing , b u t s e ve ra l c on tr ibu to r s t o t h i s v o lume h ave s ugge s ted amo re s a t i sf ac to ry i n te rp re ta t ion , i n wh ich t wo d i f f eren te xchange n e two rk s may h ave o pe ra ted i n c ompe t i t ion w i th o ne a no the r ( c ft h i sv o lume ,p p . 6 7 a nd 1 66 ) . O ne s y s tem a s soc ia ted w i th p e r sona l s t a tu s may h ave c ha l lenged a n a l te rna t ive n e t w ork l i nked w i th t he ma in tenance o fr i tua la u tho r i ty . A l l t he se s chemes c on s ide r r a the r s t a t ic p a t te rn s . We mu s t n ow t u rn t ot he q ue s t ion o f c h rono log ica l d eve lopmen t . Ac e r ta in t ime d ep th i sp rov ided b y t he c oncep t o fp eer p ol i ty i n te rac t ion ( c f R enf rew 1 981) . T h i s i s amuch b roade r n o t ion t han r anked e xchange a nd w a so r ig ina l ly a pp l ied t o more c omp lex s oc ie t ie s t han a ny o ft ho se c on s ide red h e re . I tr e f e r s t o t he e xchange s o fi n forma t ion a nd o b jec t s wh ich t ake p l ace b e tween e me rg ing p o l i t ie s , a nd h a s b een u sed t o a ccoun t f o r s im i la r i t ie s i n t he i r d eve lopmen t . T h i s a pp roach a vo id s t he s t re s s o n u nequa l r e la t ion s t hough t t o e x i s t b e tween p owerfu l c o re a r ea s a nd ad epen d en t p er iphery , a nd c an a ccommoda te t he f o rma t ion o f r e s t r ic ted l i nk s b e tween d i f f e ren t g roup s w i thou t i n s i s t ing o n t he e xc lu s ive c ha rac ter o f p re s t ige g oods . B y p ay ing more a t ten t ion t o t he d eve lopmen t o fs pec ia l i sed r e la t ion s b e tween membe r s o fs epa ra te g roup s , t h i s i d ea p rov ide s ah e lpfu l a l terna t ive t o t he d i f fu s ion i s t mode l . Wh i l s t t he l a t te r s e e s t h e t r an sm i s s ion o f i d ea s f r om o ne s oc ie ty t o a no ther a s ama jor c au se o fc hange , p ee r p ol i ty i n te rac t ion r e f e r s t o t he g row th o f e xchange r e la t ion s b e tween c ommun i t ie s w hose o wn e vo lu t ion h ad t aken p l ace i ndependent ly . I n t h i s mode l c onnec t ion s b e tween t he se g roup s c ome w i th t he d eve lopmen t o f t he l o ca l s equence , a nd f o r t h i s r e a son t he s ame i d ea h a s b een d e sc r ibed a s' c onve rg ing e vo lu t ion ' ( Brad ley a nd C hapman i np re s s ( a ) ) . Two ma in p o in t s a r i se f r om t h i s d i scu s s ion . F i r s t , mode l s h ave b een s e lec ted i n ap i ece mea l f a sh ion a nd h ave b een f i t ted r a ther r ough ly t o e mp i r ica l p a t te rn s o b served i nf i e ld o r mu seum w ork .F or e xamp le , t he re i s ad i s t inc t d ange r t ha t t he r e cogn i t ion o fp re s t ige g oods may a ppea r a s s imp le , a nd f o rt ha tr e a son a sm i s lead ing , a st he i d en t if ica t ion o fc h iefdom s ad ecade a go . S uch mode l s w i l l b e u nhe lpfu l u n le s s w e c an t r ace a l o g ica l s equence o f d eve lopmen t wh ich a ccoun t s f o rc hang ing r e la t ion sh ip s o ve r t ime . S econd ly , s ome o ft he se mode l s h ave b een d eve loped i n s t ud ie s o f much more c omp lex s oc ie t ie s t han a ny i nN eo l i th ic B r i ta in a nd a pp ly t o s uch c omp lex p roce s se s a s t he e me rgence o f t he s t a te . I ft he i r u se i st o b ej u s t if ied , i t may w e l l b e a ppropr ia te t o mou ld t he i r d i s t inc t ive o u t l ine s t o t he v ery d i f f eren t c ha rac ter o fo u rd a ta . 7

Q ue s t ions o fe xp lana t ion T he f i r s t s e c t ion o f t h i s p ape r d e scr ibed as e r ie s o fe mp ir ica lp a t tern sa nd t he p rob lems o f s c a le a t tend ing t he i r s t udy . T he s e cond s e c t ion r e v iewed s ome o ft he a pp roache sw h ich c ou ld a ccoun t f o r t ha t e v idence . I n e ach c a se i tb ecame e v iden t t ha t t he se i d eas h ad b een a pp l ied r a the r h aphaza rd ly t o s ucce s s ive s y s tem s i n t he a r chaeo logy o f l ow land B r i ta in . T h i s s e c t ion w i l l s e ek t o a ccoun t f o r t he c hange s w h ich o ccur red b e tween t he se s ucce s s ive s y s tem s . I tu se s as imp l if ied c h rono logy wh ich d i v ide s t he p reh i s to r ic s e quence i n to f i ve p ha ses . T he f i r s tp ha se i sc onven t iona l ly d e sc r ibed a sM e so l i th ic , a l though t he s i gn if icance o ft he M e sol i th ic /Neol i th ic t r an s i t ion i n B r i ta in u rgen t ly n eed s r e a s se s smen t . R ecen t w o rk b y R oger J acob i h a s r evea led a n umber o f s i gn if ican t p roce s se s a t wo rk d u r ing t h i s p ha se . T h ree o f t he se a r e p a r t icu la r ly i mpo r tan t . T he re s e em s t o h ave b een ar ap id g row th i nt he p opu la t ion , r e vea led b y a n i n c rea s ing n umbe r o f w e l l d a ted i ndu s t r ie s ( J acob i 1 973) . A t t he s ame t ime J acob i s e e s aw iden ing i n t he s e t t led l a nd scape , s o t ha t t he a r ea s s e t t led i n t he L a te rM e so l i th ic h a rd ly d i f f e r f r om t hose u sed i nt he f o l low ing p e r iod . Mo re i mpo r tan t , t he i s o la t ion o f B r i ta in f r om t he C on t inen t d u r ing t he s e ven th m i l lenn ium b c may h ave m ean t t ha t f ewer r e sou rce s w ere n ow a va i lab le . T he s ame p roce s sl e d t o t h e b reakdown o f l ong d i s tance s oc ia lr e la t ion sw i th E u rope ( J acob i 1 976) . T he se c hange s may b e c onnec ted w i th s e ve ra l n ew d eve lopmen t s i n B r i ta in . F rom t he s e ven th m i l lenn ium b c t he re i se v idence f o r t he e x i s tence o f mu tua l ly e xc lus ive a r tefac t s t y les , s ugge s t ing t he f o rma t ion o f s epa ra te s oc ia l t e r r i tor ie s ( J acob i 1 979 , 5 6 f . ) . J acob i s ugge s ts t ha t r e la t ion s b e tween t he o ccupan t s o f t he se a r ea s c ou ld h ave b een m ed ia ted t h rough t he e xchange o f r aw ma te r ia l s a nd p or tab le a r tef ac t s ( 1981, 1 9-20 ) . T h i sp roce s s b egan i nt he l a te rs i x th o r f i f th m i l lenn ia b e , a nd i t may b e s i gn if ican t t ha t s o many o ft he se i t em s h ave b een f ound c l ose t o t he b oundary b e tween t wo o f t he se t e r r i to r ie s . L a s t ly , J acob i s ugge s t s t ha t f r om a bou t 5 200 b er eo rgan i sa t ion o fl a nd u se w i th in s ou the rn B r i ta in l e d t og r ea ter u se o fc oa s ta l r e sou rce s ( J acob i a nd T ebbu t t 1 981, 2 8-9 ) . T h e l a t te rd eve lop men t ma tche sb road ly c on tempora ry c hange s e l sewhe re i nB r i ta in a nd E u rope . A l though t h i s s equence c an b e t r aced d own t o a bou t 4 000 b e , i n s ou the rn E ng land i t s e em s t o s t op a tt ha tp o in t . A l though t he d i su se o fm ic ro l i th sm igh t a f f ec t t h e a r chaeo log i c a l v i s ib i l i ty o f l a ter s i te s , t he p rob lem i st oo s e ve re t ob e s o lved s os imp ly . T he re a ppea r s t o b e ag ap o f s ome 7 00 y ea r sb e tween t he r ad ioca rbon d a te s f o r t he L a te r M e so l i th ic a nd t ho se f o r n ea r ly a l l E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic a r tefac t s a nd monumen t s ( B rad ley 1 978 , 6 10 ) . N o r ma l ly , t h i s i st hough t t o r e su l t f r om ap ro longed p er iod o f p ionee r a g r icu l tu re i n wh ich many e l emen t s o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re w e re a l lowed t ol a p se . I ti sh a rd t o s e e why t h i s p roce s s s hou ld h ave h ad l e s si mpac to nt he a r chaeo log ica lr e co rd t han mob i le h un t ing a nd g a the r ing . I n f a c t t he re i ss ome e v idence f o r t he c ha rac te r o f s e t t lemen t d u r ing t h i s a l l i mpo r tan t i n te rva l , a l though l i t t le o f t h i s i n fo rma t ion c ome s f r om s ou thern E ng land . Mo s t o f t he r ad ioca rbon d a te s f o r M e so l i th ic a c t iv i ty a f te r 4 000 b e c ome f r om c oa s ta l s i te s , n ea r ly a l l o f wh ich a r e i n t he a r ea o f i s o s ta t ic u p l if t ( Brad ley 1 984 , f i g . 2 . 2 ) . T h e o ne s i gn if ican t e xcep t ion i st he m idden a tB la shenwe l l i nD or se t ( P reece 1 980 ) w here ad epo s i t c on ta in ing a n ima l b one s a nd ma r ine s he l l s h a s p rov ided d a te s o f 4 500±150 b e , 3 700±140 b e a nd 3 475±150 b c ( BM 8 9 , 1 257 a nd 1 258 ) . D u r ing t he s ame g enera l p e r iod t he re i sp o l len e v idence f o r l a nd c l ea rance , s ome t ime s i n c oa s ta l a r ea s ( Brad ley 1 978 , f i g . 2 . 2 ) . T he re i s a l so e nv i ronmen ta l e v idence t ha t a g r icu l tu re w a s t ak ing p l ace ( G roenman -van Waa te r inge 1 983 ;E dward s a nd H i ron s 1 983) . Mo s t N eo l i th ic s pec ia l i s t s h ave r e ac ted t o t he se p rob lem s b y p o s tu la t ing a n ' E a r l ie s t N eo l i th ic ' p e r iod , e x tend ing b ack t o t he b eg inn ing o f t he f ou r th m i l lenn ium b e , b u t t h i s v i ew r a i se s p rob lem s ( Ca se 1 969 ; Wh i t t le 1 977 ) . T he re a r ev e ry f ew d a te s f o r c ha r ac te r i s t ic N eo l i th ic a r tef ac t s o r monumen t s e a r l ie r t han 3 300 b e , a nd mo s t o ft he se c ome f r om o n ly t wo s i te s . T he re a r e s t rong t heore t ica l o b jec t ion s t o t he i d ea t ha t monumen t b u i ld ing w a s a n o p t ion w h ich c ou ld b e s he lved u n t i l e a r ly f a rmer s h ad b u i l t u p a n a g r icu l tu ra l s u rp lu s ( Brad ley 1 984 , 1 f .) ,a nd i ti ss t i l ll e s ss a t i sf ac tory t o s uppo se t ha t a n i mm ig ran t p opu la t ion 8

a bandoned i t st r ad i t iona l c u l tu re a nd t hen r e sumed i t many g ene ra t ion s l a ter ( i b id , 1 314 ) . T he E uropean r e la t ion s o ft he B r i t i sh E a r l ie r N eol i th ic a r e a tt he h ea r to ft h i s p rob lem , f o r a g r icu l tu ra l c o lon i sa t ion f r om t he C on t inen t h a s b een a s sumed a lmo s t w i thou t a r gu m en t , t he p re sen t w r i te r b e ing ap e r s i s ten t o f f ende r . T he re a r e t wo p rob lems wh ich mu s t b e o ve rcome b efo re t h i si n te rp re ta t ion c an b e a ccep ted . We n eed t oe xp la in why E u ropean a g r icu l tu ra l i s t sw an ted t os e t t le i nB r i ta in , a nd w e h ave t o f i nd ap l au s ib le s ou rce o r s ou rce s f o r t he se c o lon i s t s . N e i the r r equ i remen t h a s b een me t . A s D enne l lh a sp o in ted o u t ( 1983 , 1 84 ) , t here may n o t b e s uf f ic ien t e v idence o f p opu la t ion p re s su re i n t he a r ea s i n wh ich t h i s d eve lopmen t i ss uppo sed t oh ave s t a r ted , a nd i na ny c a se t he c l o se s t l i nk sb e tween t he N eo l i th ic a r chaeo logy o f B r i ta in a nd E u rope r ema in t hose c on s idered b y P i ggo t t ( 1954 ) . T he se b e long t ot he l a te f ou r th m i l lenn ium b ea nd f o rt h i sr e a son t hey h ave t ob e c on s ide red a s as epa ra te p rob lem f r om s pec if ica l ly a g r icu l tura lo r ig in s . Moreover , t he c o lon i sa t ion mode l r equ i re ss e t t lemen tf r om as ou rce a r ea o ra r ea s c l o se t o t he B r i t i sh I s le s , w h i l s t t he e mp i r ica l d a ta s ugges t am ix tu re o fr a ther s pec ia l i sed c on tac t sb e tween r e g ion s a sf a ra pa r t a sB r i t tany a nd D enma rk . T he se s e em t oh ave i n vo lved ar e s tr ic ted r ange o fe l emen t s , f r om c e ram ic st o c ompl i ca ted monumen t s . I ti sa tt h i sp o in t t ha tw e s hou ld r e ca l lo u r e a rl i e r d i scu s s ion o ft h e d i f f e ren t v a r ie t ie s a nd f unc t ion s o fe xchange , f o rt h e a va i lab le e v idence s ugge s t s t ha t f a rm ing may h ave d eve loped i n B r i ta in a s ar e su l t o fq u i te d i f f e ren tp roce s se s f r om t ho se r e spon s ib le f o r ' Neo l i th ic ' a r te f a c t s o r monumen t s . I n f a c ti ts e em sq u i te l i ke ly t ha t t he f i r s t e xpe r imen t sw i th a g r icu l tu re w e re a s soc ia ted w i th t he s ame i n ten s if ica t ion o f f ood p roduc t ion a s t he d eve lopmen t o f c oa s ta l e conom ie s ( c f D enne l l 1 983 , 1 84 ) . T h i s p roce s s s t a r ted i n t he f i f th m i l lenn ium b e a nd c on t inued i n to t he f ou r th . T he a dop t ion o f d ome s t ic a n ima l s a nd c e rea l s -i fb o th w e re t aken u pt oge the r -c ou ld h ave b een a ccomp l i shed t h rough t he l ong d i s tance e xchange r e la t ion sh ip s a lmo s t i n ev i tab le i n ac oa s ta l e conomy . T he movemen t o f t he se r e sou rce s c ou ld h ave t aken p l ace i n a n e n t i re ly d i f f e ren t s oc ia l a mb i t f r om t he a dop t ion o f monu m en t s o r o f s ome o ft he mo re c omp lex a r tef ac t s . T he l a t te rm igh tr e su l t f r om ap roce s s o f i n te rna ls oc io -econom ic c hange wh ich l e d t o t he c r ea t ion o fl ong d i s tance a l l iance s b e tween c ommun i t ies who w ere e xpe r ienc ing ap a ra l le l p a t tern o fg row th . T he ' l i nk s ' b e tween t he se d i f f e ren t a r ea s a r e r e s tr ic ted a nd o f ten s pec ia l i sed , a nd t hey a r e q u i te d i f f e ren t f r om o ne a r ea t o a no ther . I nn o c a se w a sa ne n t i re c on t inen ta l s y s tem i n t roduced i n to B r i ta in , where E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen t sr ema in a ss l igh t a st ho se o ft he L a te r M e so l i th ic . T h i ss ugge s t s t ha t t he a dop t ion o f f a rm ing a nd t he a dop t ion o f ' Neo l i th ic ' ma te r ia l c u l tu re w e re q u i te d i f f e ren t p roces se s wh ich t ook p l ace a td i f f e ren t t ime s a nd i n d i f f e ren t s oc ia l c on tex t s . I f s o , t h i sc ou ld b e ac l a s s ic c a se o f' c onve rg ing e vo lu t ion ' ( Brad ley a nd C hapman i np re s s ( a ) ) . T he n ex t s t age i st he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic , a s c onven t iona l ly d ef ined . B y t h i s t ime t he re i s e v idence o ff a i r ly w eak ly d eve loped r e g iona ls t y le z one s i nt he d i s t r ibu t ion s o fb o th p o t te ry a nd e nc lo sure s ( Brad ley 1 984 , 3 4 ) . T here h ave b een s im i la r c l a im s f o r b ur ia l monumen t s . T he m a in c e ram ic s t y le z one s c ove rr ough ly t he s ame a r ea s a ss ome o fJ acob i ' s L a ter M e so l i th ic s oc ia lt e r r i tor ies .T he e v idence i ss e ve re ly l im i ted b u t s e em s t os ugge s t t ha t i n terac t ion t ook p l ace ma in ly w i th in t he se r e g ion s , a l though t here a r e i nd ica t ion s t ha t i mpo r tan t s i te s w e re d eve lop ing t owa rd s t he i rb ounda r ie s , s ome t ime s p e rpe tua t ing much e a r l ie r p a t te rn s o f e xchange . F o re xamp le ,M a iden C a s t le w a sr e ce iv ing p o t te ry a nd s t one a xe s f r om s ou th -we s t E ng land a nd may h ave s upp l ied t ha t a r ea w i th f l in t a xe s a nd P or t land C her t ( Ca re 1 982 ) . A pa r t f r om t he p roduc t s o ft he S u s sex f l in t m ines , i td oe s n o t a ppea r t ha t many a r tef ac t s moved f a rf r om t he i rp roduc t ion a r ea s ,a nd e ven when t hey d id s ot he n umbe ro ff i ndspo t s d ec rea sed f a i r ly s t ead i ly ( Sm i th 1 979 ; C umm in s 1 979 ) . C er ta in t ype s a r e e spec ia l ly w e l l r ep re sen ted a t c au sewayed e nc losure s ( Brad ley 1 982 ) . D e sp i te t he b road s im i la r i ty wh ich e x i s ted b e tween d eve lopmen t s i n s e ve ra l p a r t s o f t he c oun t ry , t he re a ppear t o h ave b een d i f f eren t r a te s o fc hange w i th in t hese r e g iona l t r ad i t ion s . T h i si ss ugge s ted b y t he c on s t ruc t i on d a te s o ft he l a rge e nc lo su re s . B eh ind t he se m inor r e g iona l d i f f erence s , t here may b e i n terna l c on tra s t s . C e r ta in s i te s s e em t o h ave a f a i r ly e l abo ra te a r tef ac t r e cord , s ugge s t ing r e s t r ic ted a cces s t o p a r t icu la r 9

i t em s . T o s ome e x ten t t h i s c ou ld h ave h appened b ecau se t he se s i te s w ere a b le t o c on t ro l r aw ma ter ia l s ou rce s o r t he i r p roduc t s , w he rea s i nt he L a te r N eo l i th ic mo re e mpha s i sw a s p l aced o n a cqu i r ing a r tef ac t s o r ma te r ia l s t ha t h ad l e s ss i gn if icance i nt he i r a r ea s o fo r ig in . F or e xamp le , c ompa re t he l a rge n umber o f C orn i sh a xe s a tC am B rea ( Me rcer 1 98 1) w i th t he l a ter c oncen tra t ion o f n o r the rn B r i t i sh a xes a round A vebu ry ( Even s , Sm i th a nd W a l l i s 1 972 , f i g . 8 ) . T he b u r ia l r e cord s how s o the r c hange s w i th in t he E a r l ier N eo l i th ic p er iod , a nd a n i n c rea s ing ly r e s t r ic ted s e gmen t o f s oc ie ty may h ave h ad a cce ss t oe l abo ra te t omb s . T he e mpha s i s i n t he mo r tua ry r i tua ls t a r ted t o c hange f r om t he c o l lec t ive t ot h e i n d iv idua l d epos i t , ap o in t made mo s t e xp l ic i t ly b y t he b u r ia l o f a r t icu la ted s ke le ton s ( t h i s v o lume , p .5 1; c f B rad ley 1 984 , 3 2-3) . T he o the r s i gn o fc hange c ome sf r om e v idence o fu n re s t t owa rd s t he m idd le o ft h e t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c . J u s ta sn ew d i s t inc t ion sa ppea red i nt h e a r tef ac t a nd f une ra ry r e cord s , s ome o f t he e nc lo sure s a s sumed a n e l abora te , e ven d ef en s ive f o rm ( B rad ley 1 984 , 3 4-5 ) . I t may b e n o a cc iden t t ha t a t a bou t t he s ame t ime w e s e e a n e x ten s ion i n t he a r ea s o v e r w h ich f i ne a r tef ac t s w ere d i s t r ibu ted . T h i s p o in t h a s b een made mo s t c l ear ly i n I s obe l Sm i th ' s s t udy o f t he c h rono logy o f s t one a xe p roduc t ion ( 1979 ) . I ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t b y t h e m id t h i rd m i l lenn ium a n umbe r o f t endenc ie s a r e t o b e s e en i n N eol i th ic a r chaeo logy : t he e mergence o f d i s t inc t ive l o ca lg roup sw i th a cce s s t os pec ia l a r tef ac t s ; t he c on s t ruc t ion , a nd e ven t he d es t ruc t ion , o f as e r ie s o f f o r t if ied s e t t lemen t s ; a nd t he e x ten s ion o f e xchange r e la t ion s o u t s ide t he s t y le z ones c on s ide red e a r l ie r . R ecen t s t ud ie s o f E a rl i e r N eo l i th ic b ur ia l s h ave s t re s sed t he s ymbo l i sm i n vo lved i n a ppa ren t ly ' e ga l i ta r ian ' d epo s i t s a nd h ave e mpha s i sed t he r o le o f monumen ta l t omb s a s ar ep re sen ta t ion o f c ommuna l s o l ida r i ty ( Shank s a nd T i l ley 1 982 ) . C ou ld i tb e t ha t t he c hange s w e n ow s e e a mong N eol i th ic b u r ia l s r ef l ec t ap e r iod o fi n c rea sed c ompe t i t ion i n wh ich t he c r ea t ion o fa l l iance so ut s ide t he l o ca l c ommun i ty b ecame mo re i mpor tan t? I n t he L a te r N eo l i th ic , t he se t endenc ie s w ere t aken much f u r the r , b u t a tt he s ame t ime t he e v idence f o r r e g iona l t r ad i t ion s i ss i gn if ican t ly w eake r . F o r awh i le s ou thern E ng land p l ay s al e s s p rom inen t r o le i n t he a r chaeo log ica l r e co rd . R a the r t han t r ac ing e n t i re ly l o ca l d eve lopmen t s , l i ke t hose s t ud ied i n We s sex o r Y o rk sh i re , i t may b e i mpo r tan t t oc ommen t o n t he i n te rac t ion b e tween r e g ion si n wh ich t he s equence o fe ven t ss e ems v e ry d i f f e ren t . I t i sw or th mak ing t he p o in t t ha t o n ly o ne o ft he se s equence ss e ems t of e a tu re t h e u se o ff i ne a r tef ac ts a sg r ave g ood si n tended t o i nd ica te p er sona ls t a tu s ( K inne s 1 979 ) . T he se d eve lopmen t sh ad v e ry d i f f e ren te mpha se s . F o r o u r p u rpo se s t he i mpo r tan t f e a tu re i st he i n terac t ion t ha t t ook p l ace a st hey r e ached t he i r f u l l e x ten s ion ( Brad ley 1 984 , C hap t e r 3 ; B rad ley a nd C hapman i n p re s s ( b ) ) . I n I r e land a nd t h e O rkney s t h e P a s sage G rave t r ad i t ion s how s as im i la r s t re s s o n c o l lec t ive b u r ia l t ot he b a r row sa nd c a i rn s o ft he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic , b u t n ow t he re w a s g r ea te r e mpha s i s o n t he d epo s i t ion o fc omp lex a r tef ac t sa nd o n t he s c a le o f t he monumen t st hemse lve s . E l sewhe re a spec t s o ft he e a r l ie r t r ad i t ion c ou ld h ave c on t inued i n r ad ica l ly a l te red f o rm t h rough t he b u i ld ing o f c u r su s monumen t s a nd b ank b ar row s , a l though t h i s may h ave h appened d u r ing at r an s i t iona l p ha se b efo re o the r d eve lopmen t s t ook p l ace . T he mo s ti mpor tan t o ft he se r epre sen t q u i te d i f f e ren t a spec t s o f N eo l i th ic s oc ie ty . I n s ome a r ea s p ower s e em s t oh ave b een c oncea led t h rough c on t ro l o ve r r i tua l , a nd c e remon ia l e nc lo sure s a r e t he mo s t p rom inen t f e a tu re o f t he l a nd scape . E l se whe re w e f i nd at r ad i t ion o fi nd iv idua l b u r ia l s w i th g r ave g ood s . We c an make s e ve ra l o bse rva t ion s c oncern ing t he r e la t ion sh ip s b e tween t h e se d i f f e ren t d eve lopmen t s , a nd b e tween d i f f eren t p a r t s o ft he c oun t ry . T he se t ake t h ree f o rms : w e f i nd t he s ha r ing o f p a r t icu la rt ype so fa r tef ac t wh ich a ppea ri n al im i ted r ange o fa r chaeo log ica l c on tex t s ; t he s har ing o f i nd iv idua l d e s ign mo t if s ; a nd t he c opy ing o fc ha rac te r i s t ic monu men t s f r om o ne a r ea t o a no the r . A l l t he se p o in t s h ave b een d i scu s sed i n d e ta i l b efo re , i n p a r t icu la r t he r e la t ion sh ip wh ich s e em s t o h ave e x i s ted b e tween ama in ly e a s te rn t r ad i t ion o f G rooved Ware a nd aw e s te rn t r ad i t ion o f mega l i th ic a r t . Two p o in t sn eed e mpha s i s ing a t t h i sp o in t : t he f a c t t ha tn one o ft he se c a tegor ie s o fe v idence i sr e la ted c l o se ly t ot h e n orma l s e t t lemen t r e cord ; a nd t he r e a l i sa t ion t ha t i ns ome c a se s d ecora t ive mo t if sw e re e xchanged 1 0

r a the r t han t he p or tab le o b jec t s wh ich c a r r ied t hem ( c fB rad ley a nd C hapman i np re s s ( b ) ) . A l though t he re s e em s l i t t le c hance o f d ecod ing t he se p a r t icu la rs ymbo l s , t he i rp re sence i n P a s sage G rave a r t m ean s t ha t t he re c an b e l i t t le d oub t a bou t t he s pec ial i sed c ha rac te r o f t he i n forma t ion a s soc ia ted w i th t hem -t hey a r e n o tj u s t d ecora t ion ( c ft h i sv o lume , p . 1 92 ) . E qualy s pec ia l i sed r e la t ion sh ip s c ou ld o fc ou r se p rov ide ac on tex t f o r t he s p read o fd i f f e r e n t t ype s o f monumen t . H ow f a r d oe s t h i s p a t te rn f i t i n to t h e t heo re t ica l f r amework c on s ide red e a rl i er? A t t he o u t se t w e mus t d i s t ingu i sh b e tween t he u se s o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re i nd i f f e ren t p a r t s o f t he c oun t ry .G ene ra l ly s peak ing ,t he ma jor c oncen t ra t ion so fG rooved Wa re a nd o the r c omp lex a r tefac t s a r e i n a r ea s w i th s ub s tan t ia l c e remon ia l monumen t s , b u t t h i s i sn o t t o s ay t ha t t hey a r e a bsen t f r om a l l d ome s t ic s i te s . A t t he s ame t ime as i gn if ican t p ropo r t ion o ft he se i t em s h ave a l so b een f ound i n b u r ia l s . T he i mpo r tan t p o in t i st ha t t he b u r ia l o f t he d ead d oe s n o t s e em t o h ave b een t he p r imary r o le o fl a rge h enge s ; a r ea sw i th c e remon ia l c en tre s a nd t hose w i th s i ng le b u r ia l s t end t oa vo id o ne a no the r , a tl e a s t o n t he l o ca l s c a le . T h i sh a s b een n o t iced b y s e ve ra l p eop le d i scu s s ing t he a dop t ion o f B eake r p o t te ry i n t he f une rary r e cord . F or e xamp le i n C hap te r 6T ho rpe a nd R icha rds c on s ide r t he c on t rad ic t ion w i th in N eo l i th ic s oc ie ty b e tween t he t ype o fs oc ie ty s ugge s ted b y t he s i ng le b ur ia l s a nd t he r i tua l a u thor i ty s t ruc tu re s ugge s ted b y t he h enge s . T h i s d oe s n o t d eny t ha t t he s ame t ype s o f o b jec t c ou ld h ave b een u sed i n b o th s y s tem s , p rov ided t h i s t ook p l ace i n d i f f e ren t a r ea s . R a the r , i te mpha s i se s o u r n eed t o i nve s t iga te t he i r r o le s w i th in e ach s epa ra te s y s tem a nd n o t t o i mpose as i ng le s t ruc tu re o nt he e v idence , whe the ri tb e aG rooved Wa re s ubcu l tu re ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971, 2 68 ) o r t he r e tu rn o f t he S econda ry N eo l i th ic ( G reen 1 980 , 1 86-91) . T he c ommon f e a tu re s o f t he se s y s tem s a r e a l so i mpo r tan t . I ti sc l ea r t ha t f ew o ft he se a r tefac t s p l ayed much p a r t i n t he d omes t ic e conomy . I nf a c t t he L a te rN eo l i th ic i sc ha rac t e r i sed b y as e r ie s o f l a rge ly i ndependen t d eve lopmen t s w i th in c ommun i t ie s whose v i s ib le l i nk s may h ave more t o d o w i th t he i r b e l ief s t han t he i r s ub s i s tence e conom ie s ( Brad ley 1 984 , C hap te r 3 ) . I n c e r ta in a r ea s i ti sl i ke ly t ha t a cce s s t o s ou rce s o f r i tua l k now ledge p l ayed a s much p a r t i n r e inforc ing a u thor i ty a s a cce s s t o s pec ia l p urpo se o b jec t s . H e re t he r e a l i t ie so fp ower may h ave b een c oncea led b eh ind t r ad i t iona lr i tua l s . T horpe a nd R icha rd s a r gue t ha t t he i n t roduc t ion o f t he B eake r c e ram ic t r ad i t ion c on t i nued a nd e ven a cce lera ted t he d eve lopmen t o f ap re s t ige g ood s e conomy a l ready e v iden t i np a r t s o fB r i ta in .C er ta in ly ,t he s equence i ns e cond m i l lenn ium We s sex s how s ac on t inu ing t en s ion b e tween t he t r ad i t ion o ff u rn i shed b u r ia l a nd t h e b u i ld ing o r ma in tenance o fh enge s ( Brad ley 1 984 , C hap ter 4 ) . A t t he s ame t ime t he a r chaeo log ica lr e co rd s how s a no ther t ype o f c on t inu i ty ;b o th t he se s y s tem s made u se o fl o ca t ion s w i th E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic monumen t s , p erhap s a s aw ay o fn a tura l i s ing wha t i nf a c t w e re p rofound c hange si ns oc ie ty . A s ar e su l t , t he a r ea s w i th c omp lex B ronze A ge b u r ia l s s how as ub s tan t ia l c on t inu i ty w i th t he ma in a r ea s u sed b y e a r l ie r s y s tem s , e ven when t he c ha rac te r o f s oc ie ty i t se lf h ad b een t r an s f o rmed . I ti sn o t k nown whe ther a l l t he se a r ea sw e re o ccup ied c on t inuou s ly , b u t o nce t he e xchange o f me ta l s b ecame i mpor tan t , t he i r r a the r p er iphe ra l p o s i t ion m igh t h ave n ece s s i t a ted t he d eve lopmen to fc omp lex r e la t ion sh ip s w i th c ommun i t ie sl i v ing n eare r t ot he c oa s t ( c f B rad ley 1 980 ) . N o d oub t s uch c hange s m igh t h ave l e d t o t he f o rma t ion o f s t i l l mo re s pec ia l i sed n e twork s ,b u t ,i fs o ,t hey g o b eyond t he b ound s o ft h i s e s say . S ummary T h i s d i scu s s ion b egan w i th ab r ief r e v iew o f t he ma in t ype s o f s pa t ia lp a t te rn ing i nt he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord , a nd o f s ome o f t he mechan i sm s wh ich c ou ld h ave f a c i l i ta ted t he i r d eve lopmen t .I tmay b eh e lpfu lt oc onc lude t h i sp aper w i th as ho r t s umma ry o ft he c hang ing c ha rac te r o f t h i s e v idence , f o r i ti so n ly b y f r am ing o u rq ue s t ion s a td i f f e ren tg eog raph ica l s c a le s t ha t t he p rob lem s o f N eo l i th ic a r chaeo logy c an b e a pproached . T o s ome e x ten t t he p a t tern s d e sc r ibed h e re w e re c yc l ica l -as ucces s ive e xpan s ion a nd c on trac t ion i nt he f i e ld o f s oc ia l r e la t ion s -b u t t he c hange s b e tween t he se s y s tem sh ad many d i f f e ren t r oo ts , a nd 1

t he se a l tered d ra s t ica l ly f r om o ne p er iod t o t he n ex t . F ive p e r iods o f a c t iv i ty h ave b een c on s idered i nt h i se s say : 1 .6 000-4000 b e . Du r ing t h i s p e r iod t he re w a s ama rked c on trac t ion i n t he g eog raph ica l e x ten t o f a c t iv i ty , r e su l t ing f r om t h e i s o la t ion o ft he B r i t i sh I s le s a nd t he l o s so fi mpo r tan t r e source st ot he s e a . T h i sp ha se s aw t he d eve lopmen t o fr e g iona l s t y le z one s a nd .the g row th o f l ong d i s tance e xchange i n s ou the rn E ng land . T here w ere a l so s i gn if ican t c hange s i nt h e s e t t led l a nd scape w h ich may h ave e n ta i led as t ronge r e mpha s i s o n c oa s ta lr e sou rce s . 2 .4 000-3400 b c . G rea ter d ependence o n c oa s ta l r e sou rces may h ave e ncouraged t h e r e n ewa l o f l ong d i s tance r e la t ion s w i th c ommun i t ie s i nE u rope . A t t h e s ame t ime c hange s i n t he s ubs i s tence e conomy a round t he c oa s t l ine may h ave i n c luded e xpe r imen t s w i th d ome s t ic p l an t s a nd a n ima l s i n t roduced f r om t he C on t inen t . T h i s c ou ld h ave h appened w i thou t t he d eve lopmen t o fs eden ta ry p opu la t ion s . 3 .3 400-3000 b c . I n ten s if ica t ion o f s oc ia l a nd e conom ic c on tac t sa round t he c oa s tl ine l e d i n t ime t o t he f o rma t ion o fl ong d i s tance a l iances w i th g roup s e x tend ing f r om n o r th -we s t F rance t o S cand inav ia a nd t he a dop t ion i nB r i ta in o f an a r row r ange o fn ew a r tefac t t ype s . T he B r i t i sh p opu la t ion a l so a dop ted monumen t ss ome t ime s a s soc ia ted w i th t he d ema rca t ion o ft e r r i to ry a nd t he c e lebra t ion o fa nce s to r s . 4 .3 000-2500 b c . T he se c hange s c u lm ina ted i nt he e s tab l i shmen t o f as e r ie s o fr e g iona l t r a d i t ion si nB r i ta in ,e xp re s sed b y t he r enewed d eve lopmen t o fs t y le z one s a nd t he b u i ld ing o f l o ca l f o rm s o f monumen t . A t t he s ame t ime l i nk s w i th E urope b ecame l e s si mpor tan t . T o w ards t he e nd o ft h i sp ha se t he a r chaeo log ica l r e co rd s how s mo re d i f f e ren t ia t ion , s ugge s t ing t ha t t he ' e ga l i ta r ian ' i d eo logy e s tab l i shed i np e r iod 3w a s b reak ing d own . T he re i se v idence f o r t he r enewa l o f l ong d i s tance r e la t ion s , r e vea led b y c hange si nt he s c a le a nd o r ien ta t ion o fe xchange . T h i sp ha se e nded r a ther a brup t ly , a nd w i th c e r ta in s i gn s o fc onf l ic t . 5 .2 500-2000 b c . T he f i na l p ha se s e e s t he d eve lopmen t o f s e ve ra l i ndependen t r e g iona l s equence s , a s soc ia ted w i th i n c rea sed u se o f c omp lex a r tefac t s , i nd iv idua l b u r ia l o r t he b u i ld ing o f n ew t ype s o f monumen t . T he se s epa ra te s y s tem s w e re c onnec ted b y l o ng d i s t ance l i nk s r e su l t ing i nt he s ha r ing o fv e ry r e s t r ic ted e l emen t s o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re . T h i sa l so a pp l ie s t o d i f f eren t f o rm so f monumen t , b i t u n l ike t he s y s tem e s tabl i shed i np e r iods 2a nd 3 ,t he re i sl i t t le s i gn o fu n iform c hange s i nt he s ubs i s tence e conomy o r o ft he movemen t o f u t i l i ta r i an a r tef ac t s . T h i s f i na l p ha se o f e xpan s ion c u lm ina ted i nt he a r t icu la t ion o fB r i t i sh e xchange n e twork s w i th t ho se i n E urope a nd p rov ide s ac on tex t f o r t he i n t roduc t ion o f B eake r s . T h i s p ape r h a s c on s idered t he c hang ing s cope o f s oc ia l r e la t ion s o ve r ap e r iod o f 4 000 y ea r s , a nd i n t r ea t ing s uch al a rge f i e ld h a sn ece s sar i ly b een s e lec t ive . S ome o ft he se i s sue s a r e e xam ined i n more d ep th i n o ther c on tr ibu t ion s t o t h i s v o lume ; t h i s a ccoun t s imp ly p l ace s t hem i n t he i r g eog raph ica l p e r spec t ive . T o r e tu rn t o ap o in t made a tt he b eg inn ing o f t h i s e s say : ac en tra l p rob lem f o r N eo l i th ic s t ud ie s i st he q ue s t ion o fs c a le , a nd t h e s c a le t ha t i sa dop ted i n d i scu s s ion t oo o f ten d e te rm ines t he t ype s o f f r amewo rk t ha t a r e u sed . T he n eed f o r r e g iona l s t ud ie s r ema in s , b u t i n c a rry ing o u t t h i s w ork N eo l i th ic s pec ia l i s t s mus t n o t f o rge t t he w ide r f r amework wh ich l i nks t he se s t ud ie s t oge ther . L oca l a nd l ong d i s tance r e la t ion s a r e o ppos i te s i de s o f t he s ame c o in . When w e i g nore o ne i n f a vour o f t he o ther , w e d eva lue t he c ur rency a s aw ho le .

A cknow ledgement s Much o ft h i s ma ter ia lh a sb een d i scu s sed w i th J i l l F i she r , I an K inne s a nd t h e c on t r ibu to r s t o t h i s v o lume . Ia m g r a tefu l t o t hem f o rt he i r c ommen t s a nd t o R ob in D enne l l f o r h i s r o le a sa gen t p rovoca teu r . T he t ex t h a sb een t yped b y L or ra ine M epham .

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B ib l iog raphy BRADLEY , R . 1 978 . T he P reh i s tor ic S et t l ement o fB r i ta in ( London , R ou t ledge ) . BRADLEY , R . 1 980 . S ub s i s tence , e xchange a nd t e chno logy : as oc ia l f r amework f o r t he B ronze A ge i n S ou the rn E ng land c . 1 400-700 b c , i n B a r re t t , J .a nd B rad ley , R . ( ed i tor s ) , S et t l ement a nd S oc ie ty i n t he B r i t i sh L ater B ronze Age ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 5 7-75 . BRADLEY , R . 1 982 .P o s i t ion a nd p o s ses s ion : a s semb lage v ar ia t ion i nt he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchaeo logy 1 ,2 7-38 . BRADLEY , R . 1 984 . T he S oc ia lF ounda t ions o fP reh i s tor ic B r i ta in ( Ha r low , L ongman ) . BRADLEY , R . a nd CHAPMAN , R . i n p re s s ( a ) . P a s sage g r ave s i nt he E u ropean N eo l i th ic : at heo ry o f c onverg ing e vo lu t ion , i n B ur renhu l t , G . , T he C ar rowmore p ro jec t -F ina l R epor t ( S tockho lm , I n s t i tu te o fA rchaeo logy ) . BRADLEY , R . a nd CHAPMAN , R . i n p re s s ( b ) . T he n a tu re a nd d eve lopmen t o fl ong d i s t ance r e la t ion si nL a ter N eo l i th ic B r i ta in a nd I r e land ,i nR enf rew , C . a nd C he r ry , J .( ed i tor s ) , P eer P o l i ty I nterac t ion ( Camb r idge , Un ive r s i ty P re s s ) . BRADLEY , R . a nd HART , C . 1 983 . P reh i s tor ic s e t t lemen t i nt he P eak D i s t r ic t d u r ing t he t h i rd a nd s econd m i l lenn ia b c : ap re l im ina ry a na ly s i s i nt he l i gh t o fr ecen t f i e ldwork ,P ro c eed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc iety 4 9 , 1 77-93 . BURGESS ,C . 1 980 .T he B ronze A ge i n Wa le s ,i nT ay lo r , J .A . ( ed i tor ) , C u l ture a nd E nv i ron ment i nP reh i s tor ic W a l e s ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 43-86 . CARE , V . 1 982 .T he c o l lec t ion a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o fl i th ic r aw ma te r ia l sd u r ing t he M e so l i th ic a nd N eo l i th ic p er iod si n S ou thern E ng land , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchaeo logy 1 ,2 69-85 . CASE , H . 1 969 . N eo l i th ic e xp lana t ion s , Ant iqu i ty 4 3 , 1 76-86 . CUMM INS , W . 1 979 . N eo l i th ic s t one a xe s : d i s t r ibu t ion a nd t r ade i nE ng land a nd Wa le s , i n C lough , T . a nd C umm in s , W . ( ed i tor s ) , S tone Axe S tud ie s ( London , C ounc i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 5 -12 . DENNELL , R . 1 983 .E uropean E conom ic P reh i s tory : AN ew Approach ( London , A cadem ic P re s s ) . EDWARDS , K . a nd H IRONS , K . 1 984 . C erea l p o l len g ra in s i n p re -E lm D ec l ine d epo s i t s : i mp l ica t ion s f o r t he e a r l ie s t a g r icu l tu re i n B r i ta in a nd I r e land , J ourna l o fA rchaeo log ica l S c ience 1, 7 1-80 . EVENS , E . , SM ITH , I .F . a nd WALL IS , F . 1 972 . T he p e t ro log ica l i d en t if ica t ion o f s t one i mp lemen t sf r om s ou th -we s te rn E ng land ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc iety 3 8 , 2 35-75 . FRANKENSTE IN , S .a nd ROWLANDS , M . 1 978 . T he i n te rna ls t ruc tu re a nd r e g iona l c on t ex t o f E ar ly I r on A ge s oc ie ty i n s ou th -we s te rn G e rmany , B u l l e t in o ft he L ondon U n iver s i ty I ns t i tute o fA rchaeo logy 1 5 , 7 3112 . G ILMAN , A . 1 98 1. T he d eve lopmen t o f as oc ia l s t ra t if ica t ion i n B ronze A ge E u rope , C ur ren t Anthropo logy 2 2 , 1 -23 . GROENMAN -VAN WAATER INGE , W . 1 983 . T he e ar l ie s t a g r icu l tu ra l u t il i sa t ion o f t he I r i sh l a nd scape : t he l a s t wo rd o n t he E lm D ec l ine? i n R eeve s -Smy th , T . a nd H amond , F . ( ed i to r s ) , L and scape A rchaeo logy i n I r e land ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 17-32 . GREEN , H . S . 1 980 . T he F l int A r rowhead s o ft he B r i t i sh I s l e s ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchae o log ica l R epo r t s ) . HODDER , I .1 979 . S oc ia l a nd e conom ic s t re s s a nd ma te r ia l c u l tu re p a t te rn ing , Amer ican Ant iqu i ty 4 4 , 4 46-54 . J ACOB I , R . 1 973 . A spec t s o f t he ' Me so l i th ic A ge ' i nB r i ta in , i n Koz low sk i , S .K . ( ed i to r ) , T he Meso l i th ic i nE urope ( War saw , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) , 2 37-65 . J ACOB I , R . 1 976 . B r i ta in i n s ide a nd o u t s ide M eso l i th ic E u rope , P roceed ing s o ft he P re h i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 2 , 6 7-84 . J ACOB I , R . 1 979 . E a r ly F landr ian h un ter s i n t he s ou th w e s t , P roceed ing s o ft he D evon A rchaeo log ica lS oc ie ty 3 7 , 4 8-93 . 1 3

J ACOB I , R . 1 981 . T he l a s t h un ter s i n H amp sh i re , i n S hennan , S . a nd S chad la -Ha l l , T . ( ed i tor s ) , T he A rchaeo logy o fH ampsh i re ( Sou thamp ton , H amp sh i re F ie ld C lub ) , 1 0-25 . J ACOB I , R . a nd TEBBUTT , C .F . 1 981 . Al a te M e so l i th ic r ock she l te r s i te a tH igh H u r s t w ood , S u s sex ,S us sex A rchaeo log ica lC o l l ec t ions 19 , 1 -36 . K INNES , I .1 978 . T he e a r l ie r p reh i s tor ic p o t te ry , i n H edge s , J . a nd B uck ley , D . , E xca v a t ion s a t aN eo l i th ic c au sewayed e nc losu re , O r se t t , E s sex , 1 975 , P roceed ing s o f t h e P re h i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 59-268 . K INNES , I . 1 979 . Round B ar row s a nd R ing -D i tche s i n t he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic ( London , B r i t i sh Mu seum ) . MACCORMACK , C . 1 981 .E xchange a nd h i e ra rchy ,i nS he r idan , A . a nd B a i ley , G . ( e d i to r s ) , E conom ic A rchaeo logy ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) , 1 59-66 . MANBY , T . G . 1 974 . G rooved W ar eS i te s i n Y ork sh i r ea nd t h e Nor th o fE ng land ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) . ME ILLASSOUX , C . 1 968 . O s ten ta t ion , d e s truc t ion ,r ep roduc t ion ,E conom i e e tS oc ie te 2 , 7 60-72 . MERCER , R . 1 981. E xcava t ion s a t C a m nB rea , aN eo l i th ic f o r t if ied c omp lex o f t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c , C orn i sh A rchaeo logy 2 0 , 1 -204 . P IERPO INT , S .1 980 . S oc ia lP at terns i n Y ork sh i re P reh i s tory ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log i c a l R epor t s ) . P IGGOTT , S .1 954 .N eo l i th ic C u l ture so ft h e B r i t i sh I s l e s ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . P REECE , R . C . 1 980 . T he b io s t ra t ig raphy a nd d a t ing o ft he t uf a d epos i t a tt he M e so l i th ic s i te a tB la shenwe l l , D or se t ,J ourna lo fA rchaeo log ica lS c ience 7 ,3 45-62 . RENFREW , C . 1 981 . P o l i ty a nd p ower : i n te rac t ion , i n tens if ica t ion a nd e xp lo i ta t ion , i n R enf rew ,C .a nd Wag s taf f ,J .M .( ed i to r s ) , An I s land P o l i ty : t h eA rchaeo logy o fE xp lo i ta t ion i n Me los ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 2 64-90 . S HANKS , M . a nd T ILLEY , C . 1 982 . I d eo logy , s ymbo l ic p ower a nd r i tua l c ommun ica t ion : ar e in terpre ta t ion o f N eo l i th ic mor tua ry p rac t ice s , i n H odde r , I .( e d i to r ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tur a lA rchaeo logy ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 29-54 . S HERRATT ,A . 1 979 .P lough a nd p a s to ra l i sm : a spec t so ft he s e conda ry p roduc t sr e vo lu t ion , i n H odde r , I . , H ammond , N . a nd I s aac , G . ( ed i to r s ) , P a t te rn o f t h e P a s t( Camb r idge , U n i v e r s i ty P re s s ) , 4 77-542 . SM ITH , I .F . 1 979 . T he c h rono logy o f B r i t i sh s t one i mp lemen t s , i n C lough , T . a nd C um m in s ,W . ( ed i tor s ) ,S tone Axe S tud ie s ( London , C ounc i l f o rB r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 1 3-22 . WA INWR IGHT ,G .a nd LONGWORTH , I .1 971 . Dur r ing ton W a l l s :E xcava t ions 1 966-1968 ( London , S oc ie ty o f An t iqua r ie s ) . WH ITTLE , A . 1 977 . T he E ar l ier N eo l i th ic o fS outhe rn E ng l and a nd i t s C ont inenta lB ack g round ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) .

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3 .

L i th ic D i s t r ibu t ions a nd N eo l i th ic S e t t lemen t P a t te rn si nC en t ra l S ou the rn E ng land J u l ie P .G ard iner

I n t roduc t ion T h i s p aper r ep re sen t s af i r s ta t temp t a t as yn the s i s o fa n e normou s a moun t o fp rev iou s ly u npub l i shed N eo l i th ic f l in twork f r om t he t h ree E ng l i sh c oun t ie s o fS u s sex , H amp sh i re a nd D o r se t . T he r e sea rch o n wh ich i ti sb a sed h a sb een a n a t temp t , n o t o n ly t oi n ve s t iga te a nd c ha rac te r i se t he c ompo s i t ion a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o fs u rf ace f l in ti ndu s t r ie s , b u t a l so t op rov ide ab road e va lua t ion , a t t he r e g iona l l e ve l , o f f a c to r s i nf luenc ing t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f l i th ic m a ter ia l s . S uch f a c tor s m igh t b e e xpec ted t o i n c lude : a spec t s o ft opog raphy ;g eo logy a nd t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f n a tu ra l r e source s s uch a s f l in t , w a te r a nd p roduc t ive f a rm land ; a sw e l l a sa spec t s o f h uman b ehav iou r , s uch a s t he s i t ing a nd c on s t ruc t ion o f b ur ia l monumen t s , c au sewayed e nc losu re s a nd o the r l a rge sca le , l a bou r in ten s ive a c t iv i t ie s i n vo lv ing l a rge s e c t i on s o ft he c ommun i ty . T he d a ta b a se f o r t h i si n ve s t iga t ion h a sb een t he c o l lec t ion s h e ld i n4 2 E ng l i sh mu seums a nd 1 0p r iva te c o l lec t ion s . Ap ropo r t ion o ft he ma te r ia l c ome s f r om s y s tema t ic f i e ld s u rvey a nd s t ra t if ied e xcava t ion b u t t he v a s t ma jor i ty c ome s f r om t he l a rge ly u n sy s tema t ic c o l lec t i on o f s u r f ace f l in t s i te s b y aw ide r ange o f i nd iv idua l s , many o f whom h ave h ad l i t t le o r n o a r chaeo log ica lt r a in ing ,a nd mo s t o f whom a r e , i na ny c a se , n ow d ead . A s ar e su l t o ft he h aphaza rd n a ture o ft he se c o l lec t ion st hey h ave , f o r t he mo s t p a r t ,b een c omp le te ly i g no red b y s e r iou ss cho la r s . T h i si su nfor tuna te s i nce , d e sp i te an umbe r o fs e r iou s d i f f icu l t ie sw h ich mu s t f i r s t b e o ve rcome , t he re i s ac on s ide rab le a moun t o fi n forma t ion wh ich c an b eg a ined f r om as t udy o ft hem . T he mos t o bv iou s p rob lem s l i e w i th t he c l o se -p rovenanc ing o f ma te r ia l a nd w i th t he o ve r repre sen ta t ion o f l a rger a nd f i ner p i ece s , s uch a sp o l i shed a xe s a nd a r rowhe ad s , a tt he e xpen se o f t he more mundane a nd l e s s e a s i ly r e cogn i sab le , s uch a ss c rape r s a nd s imp le r e t ouched p i ece s . Ac on s ide rab le a moun t o f d e tec t ive w ork i st he refo re n ece s sa ry , i n o rde r t o a s se s s t he q ua l i ty o f e very i nd iv idua l c o l lec t ion a nd o f e ach g roup o f ma te r ia l w i th in i t i n t e rm s o fi t s c ompo s i t ion a nd t he a ccu racy w i th wh ich i tc an b e p rovenanced . I ne ve ry c a se aj udgemen t h a s t o b e made a st o t he e x ten t o f a ny i nheren t b i a se s a nd t he a b i l i t ie s a nd t horoughne s si nr e covery o fe ach c o l lec to r . O f t he 7 0 o r s o i nd iv idua l c o l lec t ion s e xam ined p e rhap s o n ly 1 5 m ay b e c on s ide red s u f f ic ien t ly r e l iab le b u t , i n f a c t , b ecau se o f t he s i ze o f s ome o f t he se p erhap s a s much a s 7 0% o f t he ma ter ia l e xam ined c an b e c on s idered r e l iab le w i th in c e r ta in , f a i r ly o bv iou s l i m i ta t ion s . On t he o the r h and , t o i g no re t h i s ma ter ia l c omp le te ly w ou ld b e t or educe t he d a ta b a se b y w e l lo ve r aq ua r te ro f am i l l ion d i agno s t ic a r tef ac ts . T he s amp le h a s b een r e cove red f r om aw ide v a r ie ty o fl o ca t ion s a nd c on tex t s t h roughou t t h e s t udy a r ea . T h i s make s i tp os s ib le t o c ompa re a nd c on t ra s t i n fo rma t ion f r om d i f f e ren t t opog raph ica l a nd g eo log ica l a r ea s , a t af a i r ly l ow l e ve l o f a na ly s i s , i n o rder t o p rov ide a b road , r e g iona l o ve rv iew . S uch a n a pproach i sd e s igned t op rov ide u sw i th n o mo re t han a b a s ic o u t l ine -i fn o t s t r ic t ly o fp a t tern s o fs e t t lemen t , t hen a tl e a s t o ft he r ange o fa c t iv i t ie s p rac t i sed b y , a nd e nv i ronmen t s u t i l i sed b y , t h e N eol i th ic i nhab i tan t s o f as ub s tan t ia l a r ea o fs ou the rn E ng land . T he t h ree c oun t ie s f o rm ar e a sonab ly c ohe ren tg eo log ica la nd t opog raph ica lu n i t . F rom s ou th t o n or th e ach c on s i s t s o f ac oa s ta l p l a in , ama jo r b lock o fc ha lk d own land w i th t he d i p s lope f a c ing s ou th , a nd a n a r ea o f l ow land . I n D or se t t h i s l ow land i sf o rmed b y t he N o r th D or se t P l a in a nd t he V a le o f Wa rdou r ;i nn or the rn H ampsh i re b y t he T hame s V a l ley , a nd i n c en t ra l S u s sex b y t he c l ay -f iled Wea lden g eo sync l ine w h ich i sb ounded t ot h e n or th b y ah i gh s ands tone r i dge . 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m a sked i np l ace sb y s upe rf ic ia l d epo s i t s , c h ief ly o fc l ay -w i th -f l in t s . S ome a r ea sw i th in t h i sr e g ion w i l lo bv iou s ly h ave b een mo re f u l ly i n ve s t iga ted t han o the r s a nd i ti sc l ea r t ha t s ome o f t he p a t te rn ing i n t he d i s t r ibu t ion s me re ly r ef l ec t s t he h ome t e r r i to r ie s o f t he a c tua l c o l lec tor s ! S im i la r ly , s ome b l ank a r ea s o n t he map s may b e m i s l e ad ing s i nce , a si st he c a se o ft he N ew F o re s t a nd t he S u s sex c oa s ta lp l a in , t h i s may s imp ly r e f lec t ap auc i ty o f c u l t iva ted l a nd o r t he r e cen t b u i ld -up o f s upe rf ic ia l d epo s i t s . O n t he c ha lk t he re i sap a r t icu la rp rob lem r e su l t ing f r om t he b u i ld -up o fc o l luv ium a nd o the rv a l ley b o t tom s ed imen t s . I ns ome c a se st he se d epo s i t s may s imp ly ma sk p reh i s tor ic ma te r ia l -o f ten b y ac on s ide rab le d ep th ( Be l l 1 984 ) -o r may h ave b een r e spon s ib le f o r t he d own s lope move m en t o f c u l tu ra l ma ter ia l i n corpora ted i n t hem . I n t h i s p aper a t ten t ion w i l ln ece s sa r i ly b e f ocu s sed o n t ho se a r ea s f o r wh ich t he b e s t d a ta e x i s t , b u t w i l l d raw o n i n fo rma t ion f r om t he who le o ft he r e g ion i no rde rt o s ugges t a n o u t l ine o ft he p robab le s equence o fN eo l i th ic o ccupa t ion . T he Me so l i th ic /N eo l i th ic t r ans i t ion B efore d i scus s ing t he N eo l i th ic s equence , i ti sf i r s t n ece s sa ry t oe xam ine t he L a te M e so l i th ic b ackg round t o i t . R oger J acob i h a s r e cen t ly r e v iewed much o f t he e v idence f o r t he M e so l i th ic i n H amp sh i re a nd S u s sex ( J acob i 1 978 ; 1 981) b u t , w i th h i sg ene rou s a s s i s tance , i th a s b een p os s ib le t o p lo t o u t ag r ea td ea l o fr e cen t ly r e -exam ined a nd d a ted ma ter ia l f o r t he f i r s t t ime . T h i s w ork h a s r e -af f i rmed t he w e l l d ocumen ted a s soc ia t ion b e tween M e so l i th ic s i te s a nd t he l ower g r een sand i n t he Wea ld ( c f R ank ine 1 952 f o r e xamp le ) b u t h a s a l so s hown t ha t t h i s -a lmos t e xc lu s ive - r e la t ion sh ip i sr e s t r ic ted t o E a r l ie r M e so l i th ic i ndu s t r ie s . T he L a ter M e so l i th ic s e e s a n e no rmou s e xpan s ion i n t he r ange a nd d i ve r s i ty o f h ab i ta t s e xp lo i ted , a nd a s t he map o f S u s sex i mp l ie s( f ig . 1 ) , a l l ma jo rg eo log ica l o u tc rop s a r eu t i l i sed . On ly af ew s i te s o ccur o n t he c ha lk , b u t t he d i s t r ibu t ion o fn ea r ly 5 00 t r anche t a dze s f r om S u s sex ( Ca re 1 979 ) s ugges t s t ha t M e so l i th ic a c t iv i ty may h ave o ccu r red much mo re w ide ly o n t he d own s . T he d i f f icu l t ies o ff i nd ing m ic ro l i th ic p i ece s i nc ha lk s o i l s w i th o u t t he u se o f s i eves h a sp robab ly m ean t t ha t much ma ter ia lh a sg one u nno t iced , b u t c a re f u l c o l lec t ion i n s ou th H ampsh i re b y C h r i s D raper h a s c on s i s ten t ly r e cove red m ic ro l i th ic i mp lemen t s f r om many l o ca t ion s o n t he d own s t he re . I nforma t ion f r om H amp sh i re a nd D o r se t i sl e s s c omp le te t han f o r S u s sex , b u t t he s ame w ide spread p a t tern ing i sg radua l ly e merg ing . T he d i s t r ibu t ion a nd n a tu re o f k nown E a r l ier N eo l i th ic s i te s i n S u s sex p re sen t s as t a rk c on tra s t w i th t he L a te M e so l i th ic . N o t o n ly a r e t he re f a r f ewe r s i te s b u t t here i sa l so a h eavy e mpha s i s o n t he c ha lk . U n t i l v e ry r e cen t ly t he o n ly r e cogn i sed ' e ar ly ' s i te s w ere t he s t and ing e a r thwork s -t he c au sewayed e nc lo sure s a nd l ong b ar row s -a nd t he c e lebra ted f l in t -m in ing s i te s i n t he w e s t o f t he c oun ty a round F indon . T he se s i te s a r e c l ea r ly n o t r ep resen ta t ive o f o rd inary d ome s t ic s e t t lemen t . B y t h e i r a s soc ia t ion w i th s pec ia l i sed n ons ub s i s tence b a sed a c t iv i t ie s , w i th t he f o rma l d i sposa l o f c e r ta in s e c t ion s o ft h e d ead p opu l a t ion a nd b y t he i r v e ry s c a le , t hey mus t b e s e en a s t he v i s ib le man if e s ta t ion s o f af a i r ly e l abora te ly s t ruc tu red s y s tem o f s oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion , a nd , b y i mp l ica t ion , o f ac omp lex i d eo logy ( Tho rpe t h i s v o lume , C hap te r 4 ) . H owever e a r ly i n t he s e t t lemen th i s to ry o ft he a r ea t he se s i te s may a c tua l ly o ccu r , t hey d o n o t o f f e r many c l ue s a s t o t he n a tu re o ft he M e so l i th ic /Neo l i th ic t r an s i t ion , s i nce e ven i f monumen ts o n t h i s s c a le c ou ld b e i mpo sed o n t he l a ndscape a s p a r t o f a n i n i t ia l l a rge sca le f o lk -movemen t , w e a r e s t i l l l e f t w i th t he p rob lem o f wha t h appened t ot he i nd igenou s M eso l i th ic p opu la t ion . A s J acob ih a s p o in ted o u t ( 1981, 2 3) t he w ide sp read o ccur rence a nd d en s i ty o f L a te M e so l i th ic ma ter ia l i ss uch t ha t t he re a r e n o o bv iou s a r ea s ' whose u p take b y e a r ly f a rm ing c ommun i t ies w i l ln o t h ave i mp inged i n s ome w ay u pon p re -ex i s t ing p a t tern s o f t e r r i tor ia l i ty ' , y e t t he a r chaeo log ica l e v idence s e em s t o s ugge s tn o p o in t so fc on tac t . I n a dd i t ion t o t he monumen t s , h oweve r , t he re a r e as e r ie s o f f l in t s c a t te r s c on ta in ing E ar l ie r N eo l i th ic ma ter ia l wh ich p robab ly d o r ef lec t s ome o ft he a r ea s o fd ome s t ic a c t iv i ty w i th in t he c oun ty . Unfo r tuna te ly t hese s c a t ter s a r e a lmo s t e xc lu s ive ly c onf ined t o t he 1 7

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c ha lk where t he i r s pa t ia l a nd t ypo log ica l r ; la t ion sh ip w i th L a te M e sol i th ic i ndu s t r ie s c an n o t b e a dequa te ly e xp lo red . Moreove r , t hey a r e o n ly r a re ly a s soc ia ted w i th a ny o the r c u l t u ra l ma ter ia la nd c anno t b e c l ose ly d a ted . A t t he p re sen t t ime t he r ad ioca rbon c h rono logy f o r s ou thern E ng land s ugge s t s t ha t m ic ro l i th ic t e chno logy e f f ec t iv e ly c ea sed b y c .4 000 b c ( B rad ley t h i s v o lume , p . 8 ) wh i l s t r e l iab le d a te s f o r E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic i ndu s t r ie s d o n o t b eg in u n t i l c .3 300 b c . M e t r ica l a na ly s i s o f E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic a s semb lage s ( P i t t s a nd J acob i 1 979 ) h a s c onf i rmed t he i mpre s s ion , f o rmed o n t ypo log ica l g round s , t ha t t he se i n du s tr ie s n eve r the les s owe much t o t h e t e chno logy o ft he p reced ing p e r iod . T h i sr a i se s t he p o s s ib il i ty t ha t s ome e a r l ie s t ' Neo l i th ic ' i ndu s tr ie s may b e m i s taken f o r ' L a te M e sol i th ic ' ma te r ia l a nd v i ce v e r sa -p a r t icu la r ly i fn o m ic ro l i th ic p i ece s o r l e af shaped a r rowhead s h appen t o b e p re sen t . T he p rob lem o f t he M eso l i th ic /Neo l i th ic t r an s i t ion i sd i scu s sed i n mo re d e ta i l b y B rad ley ( t h i s v o lume , p . 8 ) b u t f o r t he momen t i ti s ap rob lem t ha t mu s t r ema in u n s o lv ed . T he E ar l ier N eo l i th ic A pa r t f r om t h e e l abora te monumen ta l s i te s a nd t he f l in t m ine s , e v idence f o r E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty i nS u s sex i sr e s t r ic ted t o t he d i s tr ibu t ion o f al a rge n umber o fl e af shaped a r rowhead s a nd t he much s ma l ler n umbe r o fs u rf ace f l in t s c a t te r sm en t ioned a bove . E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic f l in twork g ene ra l ly c ompr i se s as e lec t ion o fs ma l l , c a refu l ly p repa red c o re sa nd a v a r ie ty o fs c rape r s , d en t icu la ted f l ake sa nd o ther s imp le r e touched p i ece s , w i th ac on t inued b u tr educed p ropor t ion o fb l ade sa nd b l ade l ike f l ake si nt he i ndu s t ry a s awho le . L eaf shaped a r rowheads a l so o ccu r ,o f ten i nl a rge n umber s ,a nd f r equen t ly i nu nf in i shed o rb roken f o rm . F igu re 2 s how s t ha t t here i s ah eavy c oncen tra t ion o ff i nd spo t so n t he E a s t S u s sex d own s , i n t he a r ea b e tween Wo r th ing a nd E a s tbou rne . T o s ome e x ten t t h i s r ef l ec t s t he i n ten s ive c o l lec t ing h ab i t s o f s ome o f t he mo s t e n thu s ia s t ic S u s sex c o l lec to r s , b u t i td oe s p rov ide u s w i th as i zeab le a r ea f o r wh ich d a ta ( f or a l l p e r iods ) a r e r e l iab le . T h i s a r ea o f E a s t S u s sex c on ta in s n ine l ong b a r row s , i n c lud ing t he e xcava ted mound a t A lf r i s ton ( Drewe t t 1 974 )a nd t h ree c au sewayed e nc lo sure s . Two o ft he se -O f fham ( Drewe t t 1 976 ) a nd C ombe H i l l ( Mu s sen 1 950 ) -b e long t o t he s imp le , ' c e remon ia l ' t ype i d en t if ied b yD rewe t t( c fS e lk i rk 1 983) a nd a r el o ca ted o n t he s c arp r i dge f a c ing o u t a c ro s s t he Wea ld . Mo l lu scan e v idence s ugge s t s t ha t t hey w e re c on s t ruc ted i n ac l o sed w ood land e nv i ronmen t ( Dr ewe t t 1 978 ;T homa s1 982 ) .T he t h i rd e nc lo su re , Wh i tehawk ( Cu rwen , E . C . 1 931; 1 934 ; C urwen , E . 1 936 ) i s much more e l abora te , h av ing f ou r s ubs tan t ia l i n ter rup ted d i tche s , i n te rna l f e a tu re s a nd s ome e v idence f o r ag a te s t ruc tu re . I tw a s b u i l t i n ar e cen t c l ea r ing a nd l i ke t he T rund le i n We s t S u s sex may h ave b een e s sen t ia l ly af o r t if ied s e t t lemen t . A l so w i th in t h i s a r ea a r e s ome 2 5 r e levan t s u rf ace s c a t te r sa nd o ve r 3 00 l e af shaped a r rowhead s . T he a moun t o f e a r ly ma ter ia l i n e ach l o ca t ion i sc ompa ra t ive ly s ma l l a nd , i ndeed , t h i s i s af e a ture w h ich i sr epea ted t h roughou t t he s t udy a r ea a s w e l l a s , a ppa ren t ly , i n o the r r e g ion s ( c f R icha rds t h i s v o lume , p . 1 78) . T he o ve ra l l p a t te rn s e em st ob e o ne o fl o cal i sed a c t iv i ty w i th ' s i te s ' l o ca ted b e tween 0 . 7 a nd 3 .0 km a pa r t . On s ome s c a t te r sl a rge n umbe r s o ff i n i shed l e af a r rowhead sa r e p re sen ta nd i na tl e a s t t h ree l o ca t ion s , a tB e l le T ou t , H obb ' s H aw th a nd P incham ,r oughou t a r rowhead s d om ina te , s ugge s t ing t ha t t h e i r manuf ac tu re w a s o ne a c t iv i ty a tt he se s i te s .H obb ' s H aw th a nd P incham a r e s i tua ted l e s s t han h a lf ak i lome tre a par t . I n o ther c hap te r s o f t h i s v o lume ( Chap te t s 7a nd 8 ) i th a s b een p os s ib le t o e xam ine i n s ome d e ta i l s pa t ia l r e la t ion sh ip s b e tween monumen t s a nd ' d ome s t ic ' -e s sen t ia l ly f l in t s c a t te r -s i tes f o rr e la t ive ly s ma l lg eog raph ica la r ea s . I n C ranborne C ha se f o ri n s tance , t here s e em s t ob e s ome p hy s ica ls epa ra t ion i nt he d i s t r ibu t ion o f monumen t s a nd p r inc ipa l s e t t le m en t a r ea s , whe rea si nt he U pper T hames V a l ley n o s uch p a t tern ing s e em s t oo ccur . A t t he l e ve l o f a na ly s i s a dop ted h e re s uch p a t te rn ing i sl i ke ly t ob e a tl e a s t p a r t ly o b scured , b o th b y t he s i ze o f t he a r ea i n vo lved a nd b y t he n a tu re o f d a ta c o l lec t ion , wh ich h a s b een f a r l e s s s y s tema t ic t han i n t he t wo a r ea s men t ioned a bove . S ome a t temp t may b e made t o e xam ine s pa t ia lr e la t ion sh ip sb u t o n ly o n av e ry g enera l l e ve l . 1 9

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I n S u s sex a s aw ho le t he n umbe r o f i d en t if ied a c t iv i ty a r ea s i sr a the r l ow b u t t he d i s t r i b u t ion o fl e af a r rowhead sm igh t b e t aken a sa n i nd ica t ion o ft he g ene ra l p a t te rn a nd e x ten t o fs e t t lemen ts i nce ,a sB rad ley e ta l . ( Chap te r 7 )h ave s hown f o r C ranborne C ha se , t he n um b e r o f l e af a r rowhead s r ecovered f r om i nd iv idua l f l in t s c a t ter s t he re b ea r s a n a lmo s t d i rec t r e la t ion sh ip t o t he t o ta l n umbe r o f a r tef ac t s r e cove red , e ven i fn o o ther ' e a r ly ' f l in two rk i si d en t if ied . L eaf a r rowhead s a r e c e r ta in ly mo re e a s i ly r e cogn i sab le t han o the r E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic f l in t t ype s b u t , i n S u s sex a t l e a s t , c ompa ra t ive ly f ew o ccur a s s i ng le s t ray f i nds . We may a r gue t herefore t ha t s ome i nd ica t ion o fs pa t ia l p a t te rn ing may b e a ch ieved b y as t udy o ft he d i s t r ibu t ion o ft he se a r tef ac t si nr e la t ion t o t he k nown monumen t s . •F igu re 3 s how s t he n umbe r o f l e af a r rowhead s r ecove red f r om w i th in 1 0 km o fa l l t he S u s sex l ong b ar row s , i n 0 . 5 km b ands . T h ree -qua r te r s o f t he s amp le c ome s f r om t he Wo r th ing /Eas tbourne a r ea ( f ig . 4 ) . On ly t wo e xamp le s w e re a c tua l ly r ecove red d u r ing e xcava t ion o f al ong b ar row ( D rewe t t 1 974 ) a nd o n ly f i ve s t ray f i nd s o ccu r w i th in 1km o f a ny b a r row . L a rge n umbe r s o ccu r f r om 1km w i th as udden f a l l o f fa t8 . 5km . B y c on t ra s t , p lo t t ing t he s ame d a ta a ga in s t d i s tance f r om t he c au sewayed e nc lo su re s s how st ha t , a pa r t f r om t he 2 0 e xamp le s e xcava ted f r om w i th in t he e nc lo su re s t hem se lve s , v e ry f ew a r row h eads o ccur w i th in 3 .5 km . C h i squa red t e s t s w e re c a r r ied o u t o n t he se d i s t r ibu t ion s a nd t he r e su l t s s howed t ha t t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f l e af a r rowheads i n r e la t ion t o b o th t ype s o f monumen t d i f f e r s v e ry s i gn if ican t ly f r om a n e ven d i s tr ibu t ion o f a r tef ac t s . T h i s o fc ou r se i sf a i r ly o bv iou sf r om t he h i s tog ram b u t more i mpor tan t ly , i fw e c ompa re t he t wo d i rec t ly — b y t r ea t ing t he l ong b ar row /a r rowhead f i gu re s a st he n o rma l o r e xpec ted d i s t r ibu t ion , a nd t he e nc losu re /ar rowhead f i gu re sa so u r o b served v a lue s —t hen X2 = 1 93 .2 a nd i sv e ry h i gh ly s i gn if ican t a tt he 0 .01% l e ve l . I n s t a t i s t ica l t e rm s t h i s d oe s n o t g e t u sv e ry f a rb u t i td oe s p o in t q u i te f i rm ly t o t he f a c t t ha t t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f E ar l ie r N eo l i th ic f l in twork b ehave sr a the rd i f f e ren t ly i nr e la t ion t o d i f f eren t t ype s o f monumen t . T he h i s tog ram i t se lf ( f ig . 3 ) s ugge s t s t ha t a r rowhead s a r e c l u s te red r a the r more t owards t he b a r row s t han t owa rds t he e nc lo su re s , a nd t h i s r e ca l l s t he p a t tern o b se rved b y T or sden Mad sen i nJ u t land ( Mad sen 1 982 ) whe re TRB s e t t lemen t s s howed amarked t endency t o c l u s te r t oward s t he mega l i th ic t omb s . Af u r the r i n te re s t ing p a t te rn e merge s f r om t h i s . V i r tua l ly a l l o ft he s u rf ace s c a t te r s a nd s t ray a r rowhead s a r e l oca ted o n , o r v ery c l ose t o , e x i s t ing p a tche s o f c l ay -w i th -f l int s . I n E a s t S u s sex e i gh t o f t he n ine l ong b a r row s a r e a l so s i tua ted o n t h e s ame d epo s i t s . C au se w ayed e nc lo sure s , o n t he o the r h and , a r e n o t o n c l ay -w i th -f l in t s a nd a r e i n f a c t s i ted o n r a the ri s o la ted h i l l top s a tt he p e r iphery o ft he ma in d i s tr ibu t ion o fl i th ic ma ter ia l . T h i so bserva t ion h a s an umbe ro fi mp l ica t ion s w i th r e ga rd t o s oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion , t o wh ich w e s ha l l r e turn , a nd a l so t o t he n a tu re o f t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s . T he a ccep ted v i ew h a s l ong b een t ha t c l ay -w i th -f l in t s s o i l s w e re t oo h eavy a nd a c id ic f o r a l l b u t t he mo s t ma rg ina l o f s ub s i s tence a g r icu l ture , b u t r ecen t w ork b y F i sher ( f or thcom ing ) h a s s ugge s ted t ha t t hey a c tua l ly r epre sen t t he s eve re ly w ea the red r ema in s o f l i gh t , f e r t i le a nd w e l l -dra ined l o e s s s o i l s w h ich wou ld h ave b een h igh ly s u i ted t o N eo l i th ic f a rm ing p rac t ice s . ( Fo r af u r the r d i scus s ion o f t h i s p o in t s e e t h i s v o lume , p .8 9 ;c f . B e l l 1 983) . T h i s i sa n e x treme ly i mpo r t a n t o b serva t ion a f f ec t ing i n te rpre ta t ion o f much o f t he s pa t ia l p a t te rn ing d i scu s sed i nt he r ema inder o f t h i s p ape r . I n t h i s c a se i t mean s t ha t v i r tua l ly a l l t he e v idence f o r E ar l ie r N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty i n E a s t S u s sex i sc oncen t ra ted o n wha t w e re p robab ly t he b e s t s o i l s i n t he a rea , w i th o n ly af ew e l abora te , n on subs i s tence b a sed s i te s o ccur r ing a ta ny d i s tance . T h i s , o f c ou r se , wou ld s e em t o make c on s iderab le s en se a nd i ti s ap a t tern t ha t w e m igh t b eg in t o l ook f o re l sewhere i ns ou thern E ng land . I n f a c t , o n ly e l emen t s o f t h i s p a t tern s e em t o b e r epea ted i n o ther a r ea s . I n n o r thern H amp sh i re ( f ig . 5 ) t he re a r e b o th l e af a r rowheads a nd an umbe r o f s u rf ace s c a t te r s c on t a in ing e ar ly f l in twork . T he se a r tef ac t s a r e a ga in c l o se ly a s soc ia ted w i th c l ay -w i th -f l in t s b u t t here a re n o l ong b ar row s a nd i n t he c oun ty a s a who le b u r ia l monumen t s a r e n o t g enera l ly a s soc ia ted w i th t he se d epos i t s . T he re i so ne a r ea o f H amp sh i re f o r wh ich t he re d oe s s e em t o b e s ome c or re spondence b e tween t he d i s tr ibu t ion o ft he se t h ree e l emen t s . O n 2 1

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t he d owns i n t he s ou th -ea s t o f t he c oun ty t he re a r e af ew i s o la ted l ong b a r row s a nd o ne p o s s ib le , t hough u nexcava ted c au sewayed e nc lo su re , o n B u t se r H il ( SU 7 15204 ) , w he re s u rf ace c o l lec t ion h a s p roduced a t l e a s t t wo l e af a r rowheads a nd t wo s he rds b e long ing t o a n E a r ly N eo l i th ic b ow l . An umbe ro fs u rf ace s c a t te r s o ccur i nt he g enera la r ea b u t t h ey a r e f r equen t ly m ixed w i th L a te M e so l i th ic ma te r ia l . I ti sp o s s ib le t ha t mo re E a r l ie r N eol i th ic f l in twork i sp re sen t i n t h i s a r ea t han h a s b een r e corded b ecau se , w here M e sol i th ic m a te r ia l i sa l so p resen t ,i t may b e v e ry d i f f icu l t t os epa ra te t he t wo . C l ea r ly more r e sea rch i sn eeded i n t h i s a r ea b u t t here i ss ome i nd ica t ion t ha t t he monumen t s , s u rf ace ma te r ia l a nd c l ay w i th -f l in t s b ea r s ome s i gn if ican t s pa t ia l r e la t ion sh ip t o o ne a no the r . B y c on t ra s t a ga in , t o t he n or th o f B u t se r l i e s t he a r ea i n ve s t iga ted b y t he E a s t H amp sh i re F ie ld S urvey , wh ich i n c ludes l a rge a r ea s o f c ha lk c apped b y c l ay -w i th -f l in t s , b u t p roduced o n ly f ou r l e af s haped a r rowhead s a nd n o o the r e v idence f o r E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty ( Ga rd ine r a nd S hennan f o r thcom ing ) . E ven more p ecu l ia r i st he s i tua t ion i n n o r th -ea s t D or se t , i n C ranborne C ha se . T h i sa r ea h a s r e cen t ly b een c a refu l ly i n ve s t iga ted a nd , a s w e s ha l l s e e i nC hap te r 6 ,t he re i sa n u n u sua l ly h i gh c oncen t ra t ion o f ' e a r ly ' monumen t s , s ome v e ry i mpo r tan t c l ay -w i th -f l in t s d epos i ts , b u tv e ry l i t t le e v idence o fE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic f l in twork . T h i ss i tua t ion a l so s e ems t o b e t he c a se j u s t t o t he w e s t , i nt he i ndependen t ly s t ud ied a r ea a round t he H amb ledon H i l l c omp lex ( Sav i l le p e r s . c omm . ) . I n E a s t D or se t mo s t e v idence f o r e a r ly a c t iv i ty c ome s n o t f r om t he c ha lk , b u t f r om t he r i ve r g r ave l s o n t he c oa s ta l p l a in a round B ournemou th ( f ig . 6 ) . T here i s an o tab le c oncen t r a t ion o fE ar l ie rN eo l i th ic f i nd spo t st o t he w e s t o fC h r i s tchurch H a rbou r , i n c lud ing ag r ea t many l e af a r rowhead s a nd s e ve ra l f i nd s o f H embury w a re . T he o n ly l ong b a r row i sa tH o l d enhu r s t ( P iggo t t 1 937 ) . T he s t r ik ing c on t ra s t s wh ich a r e a ppa ren t b e tween t h i s a r ea a nd C ranborne C ha se a r e d i scu s sed more f u l ly i nC hap te r 6 . T he se a r e t he o n ly t wo a r ea s o f D o r se t f o r wh ich s uf f ic ien t d a ta a r e a va i lab le f o r m ean ingfu l c ompa r i son s t o b e made . S ome i nve s t iga t ion h a s o ccur red a round M a iden C a s t le i nt he w e s t o ft h e c oun ty , b u t mo s t a t ten t ion h a s b een f ocu s sed o n t he monumen t c omp lex i t se lf . T he w ork t ha t h a s b een c a r r ied o u ti nt h i s a r ea i ss umma r i sed b y T homa si nC hap te r 1 0 . T h i s b r ief s ummary i ss uf f ic ien t t os how t ha t t he re i s ap ronounced r e g iona ld i spa r i ty i n t he d i s tr ibu t ion o fb o th l i th ic a nd monumen ta l e v idence w i th in t he s t udy a r ea a s awho le . T he p resence o fo n ly s ma l l amoun t so f ma te r ia l a ta ny g i ven l o ca t ion , e ven whe re c o l lec t ion h a s b een mos tt horough ,a nd t he e normou st ime span d u r ing wh ich a l l t he se v a r iou se l emen t s w e re c ommon m ake i tv e ry d i f f icu l tt op rov ide ac ohe ren t s o lu t ion t o t he q ue s t ion o fE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen t p a t tern s , b u t t he re i so ne f u r the r i mpo r tan t f a c to r w h ich m igh t h e lp t o c l a r ify t he s i tua t ion , a t l e a s ti ns ome a r ea s . T h i s c oncern s t he n a tu re a nd d i s tr ibu t ion o f f l in t s ou rce s . Wh i l s t s ma l l n odu le sa nd p ebb les o ft h i s m a ter ia l a r e w ide ly a va i lab le t h rough o u t t he r e g ion , s ou rce so fl a rge ,g ood q ua l i ty n odu le s s u i tab le f o r manufac ture i n to e s sen t ia l t oo l s s uch a sa xe sa nd a dze s a r e f a i r ly r e s t r ic ted . T he m in ing o f f l in t i n We s t S u s sex , a tB lackpa tch a nd C i s sbu ry f o r e xamp le , b egan w e l l b efore 3 000 b c . A t l e a s t f i ve ma jor m ine s i te s a r e k nown a nd a round 2 00 i n d iv idua lm ine s haf t s h ave b een i d en t if ied ,a l though v e ry f ew h ave a c tua l ly b een e xcava ted . S ome o ft he se m ine shaf t sa r ea s much a sf i ve m e tre sd eep a nd e x tend t h rough t h ree s e ams o ff l in t . A l though i ti sn ow i mpo s s ib le t oj udge e i the r t he o u tpu t o r t he p er iod o fe xp lo i ta t ion o ft h em ine s , i ti sc l ea r t ha t av a r ie ty o fi mp lemen t sw e re b e ing p roduced . W e l l o ve r 1 000 r oughou t a xe s , f r om C i s sbury a l one , a r e e x tan t i n mu seum c o l lec t ion s , b u t t he re a r e a l so c h i se l s , s i ck le s , l a u re l l e ave s ,b acked k n ive sa nd 5 0 o r s om in ia tu re a xe f o rm s , a l i nv a r iou s s t age s o f manu f a c ture . C on s ide rab le o rgan i sa t ion mu s t h ave b een i n vo lved i n t h e r unn ing o f a n o pe ra t ion o n t h i s s c a le , e ven i fe xp lo i ta t ion w a s o n ly o n at empora ry s e a sona l b a s i si n vo lv ing r e la t ive ly f ew i nd iv idua l s . A t l e a s t o ne o ft he S u s sex c au sewayed e nc lo su re s a tT he T rund le h ad b een c on s truc ted b y t he t ime t ha t t he m ine s w e re i nf u l l p roduc t ion a nd i ti sp robab ly n o c o in c i dence t ha t i ts hou ld h ave b een s i ted i nt he s ame a r ea . I ts e ems p robab le t ha t c on t ro l o ve r 2 4

2 5 D i s t r ibu t ion o fE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s i te si nD or se t

t he h i gh ly s pec ia l i sed e x trac t ion o f s e amed f l in t a nd t he manuf ac tu re o ff i ne q ua l i ty f l in t a xe s w a s o ne m e thod b y wh ich s oc ia l r e la t ion s c ou ld b e ma in ta ined . T he re i sn o o the r c e r ta in e v idence f o r t he a c tua l m in ing o f f l in t d u r ing t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic i nt he e n t i re s t udy r e g ion ,b u t t he re i so ne o ther s ou rce o fg ood q ua l i ty f l in t . A s t he n ame i mp l ie s , c l ay -w i th -f l in t s c on ta in s l a rge n umbe r s o f f l in t n odu le s . I n mo s t i n s tance s t he se o ccur i n t h e f o rm o f s ma l l , i r regu la r p ebb le s w h ich a r e b ad ly w ea the red , t h ick ly c or t ica l a nd h ave v e ry p oo r f l ak ing p rope r t ie s . I n af ew a r ea s , h oweve r , t he f l in t i s o f much b e t te r q ua l i ty a nd i so f ten a va i lab le i nv e ry l a rge n odu la r f o rm . T he d epo s i t s o f E a s t S u s sex a r e o ne s ou rce o ft h i sb e t te r ma ter ia l . F or E a s t S u s sex i ti sp o s s ib le t o s ugge s t t ha t t he c omb ina t ion o f g ood s o i l a nd ar e ady s upp ly o fq ua l i ty f l in t i n t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s a r ea s w a s ad ec i s ive f a c tor i nt he l o ca t ion o f p r inc ipa ls e t t lemen t a r ea s .T he n a tu re o ft he o ccupa t ion s e ems t oh ave b een b road ly s im i la r t o t ha t i n We s t S u s sex a nd i ts e em s p robab le t ha t s e t t lemen t s p read g r adua l ly e a s twa rds a c ros s t he d own s , o ver a p e r iod o f p e rhap s 8 -900 y ea r s . T he d a te s f o r t he c au sewayed e nc losure s , a t l e a s t , g e t p rog re s s ive ly l a te r f r om w e s t t o e a s t , C ombe H i l l b e ing t he l a te s t w i th ad a te o f2 640±110 b c( 1I I 6 13) . S ou rce s o fg ood f l in t i n H amp sh i re o ccur i nc l ay -w i th -f l in t s d epo s i t s t owa rd s t he n o r th o f t he c oun ty , t he a r ea s wh ich h ave p roduced much o f t h e E a r ly N eo l i th ic f l in twork . I n t he s ou th ea s t t he q ual i ty i s much mo re v a r iab le b u t t he o ccu r rence o f r oughou t a xe s i n s u r face f l in t a tW indm i l l H il , C ha l ton s ugge s t s t ha t s ome l a rge ,u nwea the red n odu le s w ere a va i lab le . A l l o f t he f l in t r e cov ered b y t he E a s t H amp sh i re S u rvey , o n t he o ther h and , i s o fv e ry p oor q ua l i ty ,o ccur r ing o n ly i ns ma l l , b ad ly w ea thered n odu le s a nd i ti st emp t ing t o • ugge s t h e re t ha t ac omb ina t ion o fr e la t ive ly s t eep s l ope s a nd p oor f l in t m i l i ta ted s e r iou s ly a ga in s t s e t t lemen t o n a ny s c a le w hen t he a r ea a round B a s ing s toke , t o t he n o r th -wes t , p ro v i ded amuch b e t te ra l te rna t ive . T he s i tua t ion i n H ampsh i re a s aw ho le i sp rob lema t ica l . I nh i sp ape r ( th i sv o lume , C hap t e r 4 ) T horpe h a s d i scu s sed a t l e ng th t he b ur ia l a nd monumen ta l s equence i nt h i s c oun ty a sp a r t o f aw ider d i scu s s ion o fr i tua la nd mo r tua ry p rac t ice si nN eol i th ic We s sex a s awho le . F or o u r p u rposes ama jo r p rob lem a r i se s i n t ha t , b ecau se o f t h e w ay i n wh ich d a ta h ave b een c o l lec ted , mo s t o f t he e v idence f o r t he l i v ing p opu la t ion i sw ide ly s epa ra ted , g eo g r aph ica l ly , f r om t ha t o ft he d ead . A t p re sen t i ti sn o t p o s s ib le t oi n teg ra te t he ' r i tua l ' w i th t he ' d ome s t ic ' e v idence i n o rde r t o s ugge s t a ny s equence o fo ccupa t ion . T he mos t t ha t w e c an s ay i st ha t a r ea s w i th b o th g ood s o i l s a nd g ood f l in t s e em t o h ave a t trac ted t he mo s t a t tent ion . Why t he c ha lk land s o f e a s t D or se t s hou ld h ave p roduced s o l i t t le E a r l ie r N eol i th ic f l in t w ork a l so r ema in s s ome th ing o f a my s te ry . P re sent e v idence s ugge s t s t ha t mo s t a c tua l s e t t lemen t may h ave b een c oncen tra ted o n t he c oa s ta l p l a in b u t t h i s w ou ld s e em t o i mp ly t ha t t he a s soc ia ted c ommuna l monumen t s w e re h e re s e t a t ac on s iderab le d i s tance . I tw il b e a r gued i n C hap te r 7t ha t t he re may b e ac h rono log ica l f a c tor i n vo lved h e re a nd t ha t t he ma jor ' e a r ly ' monumen t s o f C ranbo rne C ha se a r e a c tua l ly q u i te l a te b y c ompa r i son w i th a d jacen ta r ea s ,a nd f o rm o ne e l emen ti n af a i r ly r ap id , a nd s omewha t d rama t ic , o rgan i sa t ion o ft he l a nd scape . T h i s i sn o t t o s ugge s t ,h oweve r , t ha t t he c ha lk w a su n inhab i ted d ur ing t he e a r l ier p a r to ft h i s p er iod -s imp ly t ha t t he l e ve l o fa c t iv i ty w a sg ene ra l ly v e ry l ow . I ti sa l so p o s s ib le i nt h i s c a se t ha t s ome E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic ma ter ia l w i l l h ave b een ma sked b y t he p re s e nce o n c l ay -w i th -f l in t so f as e r ie s o fM eso l i th ic s i te s . T he L a ter N eo l i th ic I ft he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s t i l l r ema in s s omewha t e n igma t ic , f o r t h e L a te rp e r iod t h ere i sa v a s t ly g r ea ter a moun t o f l i th ic ma ter ia l a nd v e ry much mo re c an b e s a id a bou t t he n a tu re a nd c ompo s i t ion o fi ndu s t r ie sg ene ra l ly . T ak ing t he r e g ion a s a who le t here i s ah eavy , t hough b y n o m ean s e xc lu s ive , e mpha s i s o n t he c ha lk a nd , i n p a r t icu la r , a n i n ten s if ica t ion o f a c t iv i ty o n t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s . T he s i ze o f f l int i ndu s t r ie s i se normou s ly i n c rea sed , b o th i nt e rms o ft h e i r a c tua le x ten t o n t he 2 6

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c r ;

2 7 Neo l i th tc/ Beake r

g round , a nd i nt he v o lume o f ma te r ia l r e cove red . I n C ranborne C ha se s ome s c a t te r s c ove r a s much a s 2 8 h ec ta r es a nd may p rove t o b e much l a rge r i f mo re l a nd i st aken u nder t he p lough . T he mo s t p ro l if ic o f t h e se s c a t te r s h ave s o f a rp roduced a s many a s8 00 a r tef ac t s , wh i l s t h undreds , a nd i n s ome c a se s s e ve ra l t hou sands , o f i mp lemen ts a r e r e corded f r om l o ca t ion s i n b o th H amp sh i re a nd S u s sex . T he g ene ra l f e el ing i n C ranbo rne C ha se i st ha t t he re i sp robab ly a n a lmo s t c on t inuou s s p read o f L a te r N eol i th ic f l in two rk e x tend ing a l l a c ro s s t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s a nd s im i la r o p in ion s h ave b een v o iced b y c ur ren t c o l lec to r s i n E a s t S u s sex . T he s i ze o f t he se i ndu s t r ie s e nab le s u s t o make s ome s i gn if ican t o b se rva t ion s w i th r e ga rd t oa s semb lage v a r iab i l i ty . N ea r ly 1 00 t ype s a nd s ub type s o f f l in t a r tefac t h ave b een r e cogn i sed f r om L a te r N eo l i th ic a s semb lage s i n s ou thern E ng land . T he i d en t if ica t ion o f s ome o ft he se t ype s i s ,i n ev i t a b ly , p a r t ia l ly s ub jec t ive , a nd c ompa r ing t he n umbe r o f i nd iv idua l t ype s f r om d i f f e ren t l o ca t ion s r e su l t s i n a n u nmanageab le s e r ie s o f t i ny p ercen tage f i gu re s . E xper ience h a s s hown t ha t d i rec t c ompa r i son s o f a s semb lage v a r iab i l i ty , a t t h i s l e ve l o fa na ly s i s , a r e mo s t e a s i ly made i fa l l t he p o s s ib le t ype s a r e d i v ided i n to ar e la t ive ly s ma l l n umber o f ma jo r g roup s . T he se i n c lude : p o l i shed a xe sa nd f r agmen t s ; a l s c raper s ;e l abora te k n ives ;a nd m i s c e l laneou s h eavywe igh t p i ece s s uch a s c hoppe r s a nd h amme r s . B y b a s ing t he se g roup ing s o n s im i la r i t ie s i n t oo l morpho logy , s i ze a nd t e chn ique s o f p roduc t ion , r a the r t han o n a s sumed f unc t ion , w e a r e a b le t o make q u ick a nd b a s ic c ompa r i son s wh ich d o n o t o ver e s t ima te t he r e l iab i l i ty o f s ome o f t he d a ta , o r s ugge s t t oo s pec if ica l ly t he f unc t ion o fa ny p a r t icu la rs i te . O ne i mpor tan tf e a ture o fc l ay -w i th -f l in t ss c a t te r si n many a r ea si st he o ccur rence o fl a rge n umbe r so fr oughou ta xe sa nd o the rr ough ,h eavy -du ty i mp lemen t s . T he se i n c lude h amme r s , p i ck sa nd ' Y shaped 't oo l sb u t t here a r e ag r ea t many mo re wh ich c anno t e a s i ly b e c l a s s if ied a coord ing t o n orma l t ypo log ica l c onven t ion s . Mo s t a r e e x treme ly c rude a nd i r regu la r b u t d o n o t s e em t o b e i n tended f o rf u r ther mod if ica t ion . V e ry f ew e xamp le s e ve r s e em t oh ave b een r e cove red i n e xcava t ion a nd t he b e s t p a ra l le l s c ome f r om t he f l in t m ine s where l a rge n umbe r s o f c rude ly r e touched a nd o f ten h eav i ly u t il i sed a r tef ac t so ccu r ( c f . S av i l le 1 981) . T he se t oo a r eg ene ra l ly u nc la s s if iab le b u t s e em t oh ave b een f a sh ioned f o ri mmed ia te u se i n t he e x trac t ion a nd p r imary w ork ing o f f l in t . We may s ugge s t t ha t t he n on spec if ic h eavy d u ty i mp lemen t s f r om t he s u rf ace s c a t ter s w ere e mp loyed i n s im i la r a c t iv i t ie s -i n t he g rubb ing o u t a nd d re s s ing o ff l in tn odu les . I n E a s t S u s sex t he se a r tefac t s a r e v ery c ommon a nd o ccu r i n a s soc ia t ion w i th l a rge n umbe r s o f r oughou t a xe s w h ich c an b e d i s t ingu i shed b y t he i r r e gu la r i ty o ff o rm a nd t he d e l ibera te t h inn ing a nd s hap ing o f t he b l ade . I n t he a r ea a round F r i s ton , t o t he n o r th o f B eachy H ead , o n a ve rage 3 0 .4% o f t he t o ta l n umber o f a r tef ac t s r e co rded f r om s u rf ace s i te s a r e u nf in i shed a xe s , w i th af u r ther 1 7 .8% o f h eavy -duty t oo l s . T he re i st he p rob lem , i n s ome c o l lec t ion s , o f a n o ve r rep re sen ta t ion o f h eavy a xe l ike i mp lemen t s s o t ha t s uch f i gu re sm ay b eb i a sed .H oweve r ,i nt he a r ea t o t he n or th o fB r igh ton , a round S add le scombe , t h e re a r e as e r ies o fs u rf ace s c a t te r s wh ich w ere i n ve s t iga ted b y t he s ame i nd iv idua l s a st ho se a round F r i s ton ,b u th ere t he p e rcen tage o fa xe s a nd h eavy -du t ie si sv ery much l owe r -a bou t 1 3% . I ts e em s ,o nt h i se v idence ,t ha t a xe p roduc t ion w a s o ne i mpo r tan t a c t iv i ty i nE a s t S u s sex , e spec ia l ly i n t he F r i s ton a r ea whe re t he s u rf ace f l in t i so f p a r t icu la r ly g ood q ua l i ty a nd r e ad i ly a va i lab le i n l a rge n odu le s . T h i s o b se rva t ion i so fp a r t icu la ri n te re s t b ecau se t he re i s n o e v idence t ha t t he a c tua l m in ing o f f l in t i n We s t S u s sex c on t inued i n to t he L a te r N eo l i th ic , s ot ha tt he c l ay -w i th -f l in t sd epo s i t si nE a s t S u s sex may h ave b een t he p r inc ipa l s ou rce o ff l in t i nt he c oun ty a tt h i st ime . T he ma jor i ty o f i mp lemen t s f r om t h e S u s sex s i te s a r e s ma l l l i gh t -we igh t f l ake too l s , p a r t i cu la r ly s c raper s . On a ve rage 6 0-70% o ft he t oo l s p re sen t a ta ny l o ca t ion m ay b e c l a s s if ied a ss c rape r sa l though ,i nt he F r i s ton s e r ie s , i nd iv idua l f i gu re s t end t ob e s l igh t ly l ower . F abr i c a to r s , p i erc ing t oo l s , t r an sve r se a r rowheads ( of b o th o b l ique a nd c h i se l f o rm ) a nd p o l i shed a xe f r agmen t s a r e r e la t ive ly c ommon , w i th m in ia ture ' a xes ' a nd a dze s , ' k n ives ' , c h i se l s , 2 8

3 . 8

D i s t r ibu t ion o fL a te N eo l i th ic s i te s a nd B eake rf l in ti ndu s t r ie si nH amp sh i r e

2 9

w he ts tone s , p ol i she r s a nd o the r m i sce l laneou s p i ece s o ccur r ing i n s ma l le r b u t c on s is ten t n umbe r s o n mos t s i te s . I ng ene ra l , t he S add le scombe s i te s , wh ich p roduced f ewe r a xe s a nd h eavy p i ece s , h ave aw ider r ange o f s ma l l i mp lemen t s w i th ap a r t icu la r e mpha s i s o n l i gh t w e igh t p roce s s ing t oo l s s uch a s f a br ica to r s a nd b orer s . M any o f t he se a r tef ac t s a l so r e vea l s i gn s o f h eavy u sage . G iven t he s i ze a nd r ange o fa c t iv i t ie s s ugge s ted b y t he c ompo s i t ion o f t he se i ndu s tr ie s i ts e em s r e a sonab le t o s ugge s t t ha t t hey r ep re sen t s e t t lemen t s . F rom We s t S us sex i n forma t ion i sa ga in p a tchy b u t af ew v e ry l a rge s c a t te r s , f o ri n s tance a tP arham D own ( TQ 0 59127 ) a nd S tor r ing ton D own ( TQ 0 98117 ) , h ave b een i n ve s t iga ted . T oge the r t he se t wo s i te s h ave p roduced o ve r 2 000 s c raper s , w i th n ea r ly 3 000 i mp lemen t s i na l l .B o th a r e l o ca ted a tt he h ead s o f ma jor d ry v a l ley s s i tua ted j u s t b eh ind t he ma in s c a rp r i dge . B e low t hem , o n t he g r een sand , i st he o ne ma jo r L a te r N eo l i th ic s i te i nS u s sex wh ich h a s a c tua l ly b een e xcava ted . R ackham p roduced o ve r 8 00 s c rape r s ( Ho lden a nd B rad ley 1 975) a nd t he g enera l c ompo s i t ion o ft he a s semb lage i sc l o se ly s im i la r t o t ha t o fb o th P a r h am a nd S to r r ing ton . T he se s i te s i nt urn c ompa re w e l lw i th t ho se t o t he n o r th o fB r igh ton , a l though t he p e rcen tage o f a xe s i sa ga in l ower . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o f L a te N eo l i th ic s i te s i n S u s sex i ss hown i nf i gu re 7 . F or H amp sh i re t he b u lk o f t he i n forma t ion c ome s f r om t he d own s a round B a s ing s toke ( f ig . 8 ) a nd t h i s ma ter ia l c an b e c ompa red f a vou rab ly w i th t he f l in t i ndu s t r ie s f r om E a s t S u s sex d i scu s sed a bove . O ve r 5 0 L a ter N eo l i th ic f l in t s c a t te r s h ave b een i n ve s t iga ted a nd , o nce a ga in , t hese o ccur o n o r c l ose t o c l ay -w i th -f l in t s , a nd t he l a rge , g ood q ua l i ty f l in t n odu le s a va i lab le i n t h i s a r ea w ere u t i l i sed i n t he manuf ac tu re o f a xe s . L arge n umbe r s o f r oughou t a xe s a nd c or re spond ing h eavy -du ty t oo l s a r e p re sen t a nd t oge ther t he se c omp r i se o n a verage 1 7 .2% o ft he i mp lemen t t o ta l . I n o the r r e spec ts t he c ompos i t ion o ft he se i ndu s t i re s mos t c l o se ly r e semb le s t he S add le scombe s e r ie s , w i th av e ry w ide r ange o ff l ake too l f o rm s o ccu r r ing i ns ma l lb u tc on s i s ten tn umber sa nd w i th ah eavy p reponderance o fs c rape r s . A ga in w e may s ugge s t t ha t t h i s w a s a n a r ea w h ich s aw i n ten s ive L a ter N eo l i th ic d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty . T he L a ter N eo l i th ic f l in twork f r om C ranborne C ha se w i l l o n ly b e s ummar i sed v e ry b r ief ly h e re ( s ee t h i s v o lume , C hap ter 7 ) . B as ica l ly , s i te s o n c l ay -w i th -f l in t s e xh ib i t as im i l a r ly w ide r ange o f f o rm s t o t he S u s sex a nd n o r th H amp sh i re s c a t te r s a nd h e re a ga in many i mp lemen t s , e spec ia l ly s c raper s , h ave w ork ing e dge s wh ich a r e c ru shed a nd p o l i shed b y u se . T he f l in t i n t h i s a r ea i sa l so s u i tab le f o r t he manuf ac tu re o fa xe s , b u t a l though n ume r ica l ly t here i s ah i gh i n c idence o f b o th r oughou t a xes a nd h eavy -du ty t oo l s , i np e rcen tage t e rms t hey r epre sen t l e s s t han 5 % o f t he t o ta l . P e rhap s s i gn if ican t ly , a l though p o l i shed a xe s a r e r e la t ive ly c ommon i n C ranborne C ha se g enera l ly , o n c l ay -w i th -f l in t s s i te s t hey o ccur q u i te r a re ly a nd u sua l ly i n s ma l l , o f ten r eworked f r agmen t s . T he ma jo r i ty o f p o l i shed a xe s a r e e i the r s t ray f i nds o r c ome f r om a s e r ie s o f much s ma l le r , a ppa ren t ly mo re s pec ia l i sed , s c a t te r s wh ich c l u s te r a round t he D or se t C u r su s , a nd c on ta in u nu sua l ly h i gh p ropo r t ion s o f p ol i shed , e l abo ra te a nd e xo t ic i t em s . A n umbe r o f t he se a xe s a r e made o f n on loca l , p os s ib ly m ined f l in t . S im i la r a xe s o ccur a round B ou rnemou th a nd a t Ma iden C a s t le ( e .g . Whee ler 1 943 , f i g . 3 9 ) . T he f l in t e v idence f r om C ranborne C ha se s ugges t s t ha t t he re a r e t wo b a s ic e l emen t s —a s e r ie s o ff a ir ly r i ch b u t s ma l l s i tes wh ich s e em t o b e c l o se ly r e la ted t o t he r i tua l monument s o f t he a r ea a nd , a t ad i s tance f r om t he se , a n e no rmou s b ody o f m a ter ia l l o ca ted o n c l ay w i th -f l in t s a nd p robab ly r ep re sen t ing t he ma in L a te r N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen t c omponen t . T he o bser va t ion t ha t t he f l in t i n t h i s a r ea i so f h i gh q ua l i ty a nd l a rge s i ze b u t s e em s t o h ave b een l i t t le u sed i n t he manuf ac ture o f a xes may b e s i gn if ican t . I ti sp o s s ib le t ha t s ome s oc ia l r e s tra in t r e la t ing t o t he n on subs i s tence a c t iv i t ie s i n t he C ha se w a s o pe ra t ing h ere a nd r e ca l l s t he s i tua t ion i nY ork sh i re whe re i mpor ted s t one a xe s s e em t o h ave b een u t i l i sed i np ref erence t oi mp lemen t sm ade o fl o ca l f l in t , w h ich w a s a l so o f as uf f ic ien t ly h i gh q ua l i ty ( Thorpe a nd R ichard s t h i s v o lume , p . 7 0 ) . I n o ther r e spec t s t he c ompo s i t ion a nd d i s t r i b u t ion o f t he ma jor L a te r N eo l i th ic s i te s s e ems s imp ly t o e x tend w es twa rds t he p a t te rns o bse rved i n n or thern H amp sh i re a nd S u s sex . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o f k nown L a ter N eo l i th ic 3 0

3 1

D i s t r ibu t ion o f L a te N eo l i th ic s i te s a nd B eaker f l in t i ndu s tr ie si nD or se t

s i te s i nD or se t a s awho le i ss hown i nf i gu re 9 . I n s ummary i tw ou ld s e em t ha t t he L a te r N eo l i th ic o n t he d own s o fs ou thern E ng land s e e s ag rea t e xpan s ion i n t he a r ea o f s e t t lemen t , w i th ah eavy e mpha s i s o n t he c l ay -w i th f l in t s whe re t he re i se v idence o f aw ide v a r ie ty o fa c t iv i t ie s . I na pp rop r ia te a r ea s o ne i d en t i f i ab le a c t iv i ty s e em s t o b e t he manuf ac tu re o ff l in t a xe s . T h i s r a ther h omogeneou s p i c tu re i si nc l ea r c on t ra s t w i th t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic w he re t he l i th ic e v idence w a s b o th f r agmen tary a nd , t o s ome e x ten t , c on t rad ic tory when c ompa red w i th t he k nown d i s tr ibu t ion o f monumen t s . F o r t he L a te r N eo l i th ic , i nS u s sex a nd H amp s h i re a t l e a s t , t here a r e n o l onger a ny c ommuna l monumen t s . C au sewayed e nc lo su re s a nd l ong b ar row s g o o u t o fu se a nd t he re a r e a ppa ren t ly n o h enge s o r o the r monumen t st o r e p lace t hem . T he S u s sex f l in t m ine s a l so s t op p roduc t ion , a l though t he re d oe s s e em t o b e s ome s upe rf ic ia lu se o ft he s i te s . T h i s s ugge s t s aw ide sp read a nd s ub s tan t ia l c hange i ns oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion , o ne r e su l t o f wh ich s e em s t o b e t he s moo th ing o u t o f many r e g iona l d i s t in t i on s i nt he c harac ter a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o ff l in t a s semb lage s . L a te N eo l i th ic t oE ar ly B ronze A ge T he d own land One a r ea wh ich d oe s c on t inue t o b e d om ina ted b y c ommuna l monumen t s i sC ranborne C ha se , whe re t he d en se c oncen t ra t ion o f l ong b a r row s i sa ugmen ted - o rp e rhap s c on so l i d a ted - b y t he c ons t ruc t ion o f t he D o r se t C ur su s . I n t h i s a r ea , a s w e h ave s e en , s pa t ia l p a t tern ing i n t he monumen t s i s r ef lec ted b y aq u i te d i s t inc t ive p a t te rn ing i n t he f l in t i ndu s t r ie s a nd , mos t i mpor tan t , b y ac l o se p hy s ica l a s soc ia t ion b e tween e l abora te s t one i t em s wh ich m igh t b e c on s ide red t o h ave s ome e x t ra -u t i l i ta r ian o r ' p re s t ige 'v a lue a nd t he monumen t s t hem se lve s . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o f t h i s g roup o f L a te r N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge a r tef ac t s , w h ich i nc lude s p iano -convex a nd p o l i shed d i sco ida l k n ive s , f l in t d agge r s , i mpor ted s t one a xe s a nd s haf t -ho le i mp lemen t s , i sb y n o mean s r e s t r ic ted t o C ranborne C ha se ( f ig . 1 0 ) . I nd iv idua l p i eces o ccu r w ide ly : i n a s soc ia t ion w i th o ther f l in two rk ; i n b u r ia l c on tex t s , n o tab ly w i th b eake r s ; o r a s s t ray f i nd s . I ft he se a r tef ac t s d id p o s se s s s ome ' p re s t ige ' v a lue , i tm igh t b e p os s ib le t o s ugges t t ha t c oncen t ra t ion s , e ven i nt he a b sence o f monumen t s , m igh t i nd ica te a r ea s o fh ighe r s t a tu s a c t iv i ty . I n E a s t S u s sex t he re a r e t wo ma in c oncen t ra t ion s o ft he se i mp lemen t so n t he c ha lk ( f ig . 1) . T he f i r s t i so n t he e a s te rn e dge o f t he d own s a bove E a s tbou rne i na n a r ea wh ich a l so i n c ludes t he i mpo r tan t B eaker s e t t lemen t o f B e l le T ou t ( Brad ley 1 970 ; 1 982 ) a nd t he r ecen t ly i nve s t iga ted f l in t i ndu s try a tK i ln C ombe ( Be l l 1 983 ) . O ft he e l abo ra te i t em s p re s e n t h e re 2 5 a r e d i sco ida l k n ive s a nd 1 8 a r e s haf tho le i mp lemen t s i n c lud ing f ou rb a t t le -axe s . As e cond c oncen t ra t ion o ccur sj u s t n o r th o fB r igh ton a nd t owa rds t he e dge o ft h i s l i e s t he h i l lfor t o f Wo l s tanbu ry R ing . L im i ted e xcava t ion h e re r evea led a s i ng le -banked e nc lo su re w i th a n i n terna l d i tch . Af r agmen t o ff ood v e s se l w a sr e cove red f r om t he p r imary d i tch f i l l ( Cu rwen , E . C . 1 930 ) , wh i l s t ad io r i te macehead i sr e co rded f r om t he s u rf ace ( SX 6 7 ) . T h i s r a i se s t he p os s ib i l i ty t ha t Wo l s tanbu ry w a s ah enge . T h i s e v idence m igh t s ugge s t t ha t , a t l e a s t b y t he b eg inn ing o f t he E a r ly B ronze A ge , a n ew s oc ia l h i era rchy w a s b eg inn ing t o e merge i n E a s t S u s sex . O n t he o the r h and , b o th c oncen tra t ion s o ccur i na r ea s w h ich h ave r e ce ived p a r t icu la ra t ten t ion f r om f l in t c o l lec to r s , a nd s i nce t he t ype s o f i mp lemen t c once rned a r e p robab ly more e a s i ly s po t ted t han many o ther f orm s ,w e may b e d ea l ing w i th av e ry b i a s sed s amp le . F o r tuna te ly s e ve ra l o the ro b ser v a t ion s t ha t w e c an make a r gue a ga in s t t h i s b e ing t he c a se . I n t he f i r s t p l ace , i fa l l t he d i s tr ibu t ion map s f o r E a s t S u s sex a r e s upe r impo sed , i tc an b e s e en t ha t t he a r ea b e tween t he t wo c l u s te r s h a s p roduced ac on s iderab le q uan t i ty o fo the r f l in twork s o t ha t t he g ap i sl i ke ly t o b e r e a l ;a nd s e cond ly , t he d i s tr ibu t ion o ff l in ta r row h eads a nd p o l i shed a xe s -c a tego r ie s o f i mp lemen t w h ich a r e n o to r iou s ly o ver repre sen ted i n many c o l lec t ion s -i sv e ry much w ide r f o r t he c oun ty a s awho le t han i ti sf o r t he se e qua l ly c on sp icuou sa r tef ac t s . 3 2

3 3

3 . 10 D i s tr ibu t ion o fL a te N eol i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge e l abo ra te s t one t oo l si n Do r se t

3 4

D i s tr ibu t ion o fL a te N eol i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge e l abora te s t one t oo l si n S u s sex

HAMPSH IRE

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L N V EBA E labo ra te S tone T oo ls

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I P o l ished D isco ida l K n i fe A , P lano -convex K n i fe ✓ D agge r

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A AA 1

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O Sha f tho le I mp lemen t

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2 0km 1

3 . 12 D i s tr ibu t ion o fL a te N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge e l abora te s t one t oo l s i nH amp sh i re

3 5

P erhap s more s i gn if ican t i st he o vera l l l a ck o fe l abo ra te s t one , a nd e spec ia l ly f l in t , t oo l s i nH amp sh i re ( f ig . 1 2 ) .D e sp i te t he e normou sa moun t o f L a te r N eo l i th ic f l in two rk r ecove red f r om t he n or th H amp sh i re d own s , o n ly 1 5 p i ano -convex k n ive s , f ou r s haf t -ho le t oo l s a nd o ne d i sco ida l k n if e a r e r e co rded . T he E a s t H amp sh i re S u rvey r e cove red o n ly o ne mo re p i ano -convex k n if e . E l sewhe re i n t he c oun ty s uch a r tef ac t s a r e r a re a nd t he re a r e n o c on c en t ra t ion s . T he S u s sex Wea ld a nd H amp sh i re B a s in L a te r N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge a c t iv i ty o n ar e la t ive ly i n ten s ive s c a le i sn o t c onf ined t o t he c ha lk a nd t he re a r e t wo t opog raph ica l ly d i f f e ren t a r ea s wh ich c an b e e xam ined f o r c ompa ra t ive p urpo se s . F igu re 7s how s ac l u s te r o f U t te rN eol i th ic s c a t te r s i nc en t ra l S u s sex a round H or sham .T he r i dge o ft he h i gh Wea ld i sc ompo sed o fA shdown a nd T unbr idge We l l s s and s tone b ed s , n e i ther o f wh ich h a s a ny n a tu ra l ly o ccu r r ing f l in t . F igure 1s hows ag r ea t many f i nd spo t s o f M e so l i th ic ma ter ia l a l l a c ro s s t he r i dge b u t i ti so n ly i no ne a r ea , o n t h e v e ry e dge o f t he T unbr idge s and s w he re t hey a bu t t t he W ea lden c l ay , t ha t L a te r N eo l i th ic s c a t te r s s e em t o o ccu r . T he se s c a t te r s c ove r v e ry much s ma l ler a r ea s ( g ene ra l ly u nder t wo a c re s ( 0 .8 h a ) ) a nd a r e more e a s i ly d ef ined t han t he i r d own land c oun te rpa r t s . T he i r c om p o s i t ion i sr ema rkab ly c on s i s ten t -o ver 8 0% o f i mp lemen t s a r e s c raper s w i th 2 00-250 i mp lemen t s p e r s c a t ter s . F lake k n ive s , p i e rc ing t oo l s a nd t r an sve r se a r rowh ead s a r e mo s t n umerou s a mong s t t he f l ake t oo l s b u t t here i sn o h eavy c omponen t . On ly 1 8 f l aked a xe s a r er e corded f r om t he who le o ft he S u s sex Wea ld , wh i l s t p o l i shed a xe s s e em t oo ccu r e i th e r i n p r i s t ine c ond i t ion ( and s ome a r e e x t reme ly h eavy ) o r , mo re c ommon ly , a ss ma l l a nd h eav i ly r eworked f r agmen t s . T h i s p re sumab ly r ef l ec t s t he n eed t o c u ra te a nd r e -u se g ood q ua l i ty i mpor ted f l in t . T he re a r e a l so a n u nu sua l ly h i gh n umbe r o f e l abo ra te i t ems i nt h e a r ea , i n c lud ing p i ano -convex k n ive sa nd s e ve ra l f l in t d agger s ( f ig . 1) . A f u r the r i n tere s t ing o b se rva t ion i st ha t v i r tua l ly a l l o f t he se s c a t ter s a r e m ixed w i th L a te M e sol i th ic ma te r ia l . T h i s i s as i tua t ion wh ich a l so o ccur s i n a r ea s o f t h e c ha lk , f o r i n s tance a round P eacehaven i nS u s sex ,a nd i nC ranbo rne C ha se , a sw e l l a si nt h e H amp sh i re B a s in a round B ou rnemou th .I nt he H o r sham a r ea , whe re v e ry l i t t le E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic ma te r ia l i sr e corded , i ts e em sp o s s ib le t ha tw e a r e s e e ing t he d e l ibera te r e -u se o fp a r t icu la r ly f a vou r a b le l o ca t ion s , i n t h i s c a se o n as p r ing l i ne , wh ich h ad a l ready e xpe r ienced a n e ar ly p ha se o f f o re s t c l ea rance a nd p a r t ia l r e genera t ion . T he s ame m ay h ave h appened i no the r a r ea s . A t p re sen t l i t t le c an b e s a id a bou t t he se W ea lden s c a t ter s , b u t c l ea r ly s ome c o lon i sa t ion o f t he s and s tone b y f a rm ing c ommun i t ie s o ccur red d u r ing t he L a te r N eol i th ic /Ea r l ier B ronze A ge . T he S tou r /Avon b a s in a round B ou rnemou th a nd C h r i s tchu rch h a s a l so p roduced c on s i de rab le e v idence f o r o ccupa t ion a t t h i s t ime . An umbe r o f c oncen tra t ion so f L a te r N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge f l in twork o ccu r o n t he r i ve r g r ave l s o f t he f l oodp la in s . A l o t o f ma ter ia l h a s n ow b een l o s t a nd e xac t f i gu re s a r e d i f f icu l t t o o b ta in , b u t s uf f ic ien t s u rv iv e s f o r u s t o b e a b le t o s ugge s t t he p re sence o f an umbe r o f o ccupa t ion s i te s w i th in amuch w ider , more g ene ra l s c a t te r o f ma ter ia l i nt he a r ea a s aw ho le . A ga in t here a r e al a rge n um b e r o f e l abora te t oo l s , i np a r t icu la rp l ano -convex k n iv e s , a nd o vera l l t here i s an o tab le c on c en tra t ion o f f i nd s t o t he w e s t o f C h r i s tchu rch H a rbou ra nd p a r t icu la r ly t owa rds H eng i s t b u ry H ead ( f ig s . 9 , 1 0 ) . T h ree l a rge a nd i mpo r tan tg roup s o fd ome s t ic B eake r c e r am ic s a l so o ccur i nt h i sa r ea ( Ca lk in 1 951 ; 1 962 ) a nd t he re a r e a tl e a s t f i ve f i nd spo ts o fG rooved Wa r e . A t l e a s t t wo v e ry p ro l if ic f l in t i ndu s t r ie s o ccur c l o se t o t he h a rbou r . A t L a tch F a rm , C hr i s tchurch , a mu l t i -per iod i ndu s t ry i n c luded av e ry l a rge L a ter N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge c omponen t a s w e l l a s b o th G rooved Wa re a nd B eaker c e ram ic s ( Ca lk in 1 951) . T h e s e cond i ndu s t ry , f r om H eng i s tbu ry H ead , h a s o n ly r e cen t ly b een e xam ined i nd e ta i l ( Ga r d ine r f o r thcom ing ) . E ach o f t he se i ndu s t r ie s p roduced o ver 6 00 s c raper s , l a rge n umber s o f t r an sve r se a r rowhead s( ob l ique a nd c h i se l f o rm s ) i n c lud ing r oughou ts , aw ide a s sor tmen t o f s ma l l f l ake t oo l s a nd s ome v e ry f i ne p l ano -convex k n ive s a nd B eake r type s c rape r s . Af r ag m en t o f as t age Ib a t t le -axe i sa l so r e corded f r om H eng i s tbury ( DO 1 59 ) . T he ma jor i ty o f 3 6

t he a r tef ac t s a r e m ade o fl o ca lf l in t p ebb le s wh ich a r eg ene ra l ly o fg ood q ua l i ty ,b u t a bou t 2 0% o f t he u t i l i sed f l in t a tH eng i s tbu ry i ss u rf ace c ha lk f l in t , p o s s ib ly i mpo r ted f r om C ran b orne C ha se . T he s t anda rd o fw orkman sh ip i nt h i si ndu s t ry i sv ery h i gh t h roughou t . T he q ua l i ty o f t he H eng i s tbu ry f l in two rk a nd t he c oncen t ra t ion o f f i ne s t one a r tefac t s j u s t t o t he w es t o f t he h ead a ga in s ugge s t s h i gh s t a tu s a c t iv i ty . I n t h i s c a se t he a r gumen t i sp e rhap s r e inforced b y t he p re sence o f t he B eaker g roup s m en t ioned a bove a nd b y t he o ccu r rence w i th in 1km o fa l t he n on sepu lch ra lf i nd s o fd eco ra ted L a te N eo l i th ic p o t tery f r om t he c oa s ta l p l a in , i n c lud ing G rooved Wa re f r om H eng i s tbu ry i t se lf . T he n a tu re o ft he o ccupa t ion o n t he l a t ter s i te c an o n ly b eg ue s sed a tb u t i t may b e s i gn if ican t t ha ti te f f ec t i v e ly g ua rds b o th t he e n t rance t o C h r i s tchurch H a rbou r a nd t he mou th o ft he R ive rA von , b yw h ich i ti sl i nked t ot he h ea r to ft he W e s sex d own land a nd t ot h ree o ft he mo s t e l abo ra te monumen t s , t ho se a tD u r r ing ton Wa l l s , M a rden a nd S tonehenge . T he o ccu r rence o fm ixed L a ter N eo l i th ic /Ea r ly B ronze A ge s c a t ter s i nt he B ou rnemou th a r ea i st yp ica l o f t he r e g ion a s awho le i nt ha t d i sc re te B eake rf l in t i ndu s t r ie s d o n o t s e em t o o ccu r . U sualy , s ma l l a moun t s o f B eaker ma te r ia l ,s uch a s' t humb ' s c rape r sa nd b a rbed a nd tanged a r rowhead s , a r e p re sen t a mong s t much l a rge r c o l lec t ion s o f L a te r N eo l i th ic f l in twork a nd e ven t he l a rge r , e xcava ted a s semb lage s , s uch a sB e l le T ou t ( Brad ley 1 982 ) o r B i shops tone ( Be l l 1 977 ) , d on o t o ccu ri ni s o la t ion b u t a r e m ixed w i th e a r l ie r ma ter ia l . T h i s o ve ra l l l a ck o f B eake r ' d ome s t ic ' a c t iv i ty i sr ef l ec ted i no the ra r ea s o ft he c ha lk a nd c ou ld s ugge s t t ha t l a rge a r ea s o f t he d own s w e re v i r tua l ly a bandoned f o r ap e r iod ,a l though t h i s w ou ld s e em u n l ike ly ( c f p . 1 02 ) . One p o s s ib i l i ty i st ha t s ome B eaker s i te s may h ave d i s a ppeared u nde r v a l ley b o t tom c o l luv ia l d epo s i t s r e su l t ing f r om i n ten s ive 2 nd m i l lenn ium p lough ing . T h i s m igh t p a r t icu la r ly b e t he c a se i na r ea s n o t d i rec t ly a s soc ia ted w i th c l ay w i th -f l in t s . T he se d epo s i t s s e em t o h ave b een l a rge ly a vo ided f r om t he L a te r B ronze A ge o nward s , p re sumab ly b ecau se o f ad ec rea sed l o e s s c omponen t a nd w an ing f e r t i l i ty . S uch as i tua t ion h a s a l ready b een d emon s tra ted a t K i ln C ombe , S u s sex ( Be l l 1 983 ) a nd a l so s e em s t o b e t he c a se i n a n a r ea a d jacen t t o t he L e s se r C u r su s n ea r S tonehenge ( En tw i s t le p e r s . c omm .) . T he 2 nd M i l lenn ium F rom t he B eake r p er iod i n to t he L a ter B ronze A ge t he r e l iab i l i ty o f t he f l in t e v idence d e te r iora te s r ap id ly . T h i s i sp a r t ly b ecau se o f t he a ppa l l ing q ua l i ty o fs ome o ft he ma tu re B ronze A ge f l in twork , w h ich may e a s i ly b e o ve r looked . P robab ly t he o n ly m ean ingfu l d i s t r ibu t ion wh ich c an b e o bse rved c oncern s b a rbed -and tanged a nd r e la ted a r rowheads , o fw h ich t here a r e ag r ea t many . T he se l a te a r rowhead f o rm s o ccu r v e ry c ommon ly r i gh t a c ros s t he S u s sex a nd H amp s h i re d own s , i nr ough ly e qua l n umber s t o t r an sve r se t ype s . I nt he h i gh W ea ld t hey s l igh t ly o u tnumber t r an sve r se a r rowhead s a nd h ave a w ide r d i s t r ibu t ion , p e rhap s s ugge s t ing a g r adua l e xpan s ion o f s e t t lemen t ; wh i l s t i n t he B r igh ton a r ea a nd a r ound B ou rnemou th , t hey a r e a lmo s t t w ice a sn umerou s . B y c on t ra s t ,i nC ranborne C ha se t r an sve r se a r rowhead s o u tnumber t he l a te r f o rm s b ya bou t f i ve t o o ne . I ng ene ra l i tc an b e s hown t ha t t he d i s tr ibu t ion o ft he se a r rowhead s , a nd o fB ronze A ge f l in t i ndu s tr ie s w he re t hey h ave b een r e cogn i sed , i sf a rl e s s c l o se ly a s soc ia ted w i th t he c l ay w i th -f l in t s t han w ere t he e a r l ie r i ndu s t r ie s . T h i s may r ef l ec t ag ene ra l d eg rada t ion o f t he l o e s s s o i l s , a nd /or as ub s tan t ia lc hange i nf a rm ing p rac t ice s . E i the rw ay , d e ta i led d i scu s s ion o ft he B ronze A ge i s ,n ece s sa r i ly , b eyond t he s cope o ft h i s p aper . C onc lus ion T h i s p aper i si nn o w ay i n tended t ob e ad ef in i t ive s t a temen t . I ti si n tended s imp ly a sa n i lu s t ra t ion o f w ha t c an b e a ch ieved f r om as t udy o fa l lt he a va i lab le f l in t e v idence f r om a l a rge a r ea o ft he c oun t ry . T he b road p a t te rn s a nd r e g iona l t r end s wh ich h ave b een o u t l ined may s t i l l b e i r r i ta t ing ly v ague i n s ome c a se s , b u t t og o f u r the r a tt h i s s t age w ou ld c e r ta in ly b e a sk ing t oo much o f ad a ta s e t t ha t h a s a l ready b een h eav i ly c r i t ic i sed . Wha t h a s b een 3 7

a ch ieved i st he p rov i s ion o f ab a s ic f r amewo rk - b o th f o r t he s equence o fN eo l i th ic o ccu p a t ion ,a nd f o rt he n a tu re o ft he e v idence f o rt ha t o ccupa t ion -a c ro s s aw ide t r ac t o fc ha lk d own land a nd s ome o fi t sa d jacen tl ow land a r ea s . I th a s s hown t ha t n o t o n ly i st h e re r e cog n i sab le r e g iona l a nd , i ndeed ,l o ca lv a r ia t ion i nt he c ha rac te ra nd d i s tr ibu t ion o ff l in t a s sem b l age s , b u t t ha t t he e xcava ted s amp le s wh ich w e h ave o b ta ined f r om i nd iv idua ls i te si nt h e p a s t h ave n o t e ven b egun t o d e tec t many o f t he se p a t te rn s a nd a r e , t herefo re ,s imp ly n o t a dequa te f o ra nu nde r s tand ing o ft h i sl ong a nd f o rma t ive p e r iod o fh uman s e t t lemen t . I nP ar t s Two a nd T h r ee o ft h i sv o lume t he r e su l t so f an umbe ro fv e ry i mpo r tan t s ma l le r s c a le r e g iona l s urvey s w i l l b e p re sen ted . S ome o f t he r e g ion s i n vo lved l i e a d jacen t t o t h e a r ea s d i scu s sed i nt h i sp aper .T he se s t ud ie s w i l lb e b a sed o n much mo re p rec i se d a ta t han i t h a sb een p o s s ib le t ou se h e re a nd , d e l ibera te ly o rc o inc iden ta l ly , an umbe r o ft h e i d ea sa nd s ugge s t ions p u t f orwa rd i nt h i sp ape rw i l lb e t e s ted . Whe the r t hey a r e c onf i rmed o rr e fu ted i si n c iden ta l ;w ha ti si mpor tan ti st ha t t here i s ,a tl a s t , af r amework o fi n forma t ion o n wh ich t o b u i ld ,a nd s ome s pec if ic q ue s t ion s wh ich w e c an s e ek t oa n swer .

A cknow ledgement s Is hou ld l i ke t o t hank t he C u ra tor sa nd s t af fo fa l l t h e mu seum sv i s i ted d ur ing t he c ou r se o f my r e sea rch ,i np a r t icu la rM rD . A l len , o ft he H amp sh i re C oun ty Mu seum S e rv ice ;M s F . M ar sden , B arb ican H ou se Mu seum , L ewe s a nd M r D . D un lop , B r i t i sh Museum , f o r t he i r c on s iderab le a s s i s tance . Ia m a l so e x tr eme ly g r a tefu l f o r t he h o sp i ta l i ty o f a l t h e p r iva te c o l lec tor s who made t he i r t ime a nd c o l lec t ion s a va i lab le t o m e : - M r D . C r ipp s , M r C . F . T ebbu t t , M r s S .M . S tand ing , M r E . W . H o lden , M r W . G o r ton , M r C . W . Y ea te s , M rJ .C . a nd M r s H . D raper a nd , i np a r t icu la r M r M . G reen . T hank s a r e a l so d ue t o D r R oger J acob i f o r mak ing ag r ea t d ea l o fu npub l i shed ma te r ia la va i lab le t o me , t oD r R . Mo r t imo re ( C iv i l E ng ineer ing D ep t . , B r igh ton P o ly techn ic ) , t o R icha rd B rad ley ( f o r whom a l t h ing s a r e p o s s ib le !) a nd t o a l l t he c o l league s a nd f e l low s t uden t s who h ave c on t r ibu ted t he i r c om men t s a nd c r i t ic i sm s , i np a r t icu la r : R o s C lea l , J ohn D av ie s , R ob in H o lga te , R oy E n tw i s t le , R ob in T ay lo r a nd B ob C hapman . L o r ra ine M epham t yped t he f i na l t ype sc r ip t . A l l map s a r e b yt he a u tho r .

B ib l iog raphy BARRETT , J .C . , BRADLEY , R . J . , GREEN , M . a nd L EW IS , B . 1 981 . T he e a r l ier p reh i s t or ic s e t t lemen t o f C ranborne C ha se : T he f i r s t r e su l t s o f c u r ren t f i e ldwork , A nt iqua r ie s J ourna l6 1, 2 03-37 . B ELL , M . 1 977 . E xcava t ion s a t B i shop s tone , S u s sex , S u s sex A rchaeo log ica l C o l lec t ion s 15 , 7 -44 . B ELL , M . 1 983 . V a l ley s ed imen t s a se v idence o fp reh i s to r ic l a nd -u se o n t he S ou th D own s , P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 9 , 19150 . BRADLEY , R . J . 1 970 . T he e xcava t ion o f aB eake rs e t t lemen t a tB e l le T ou t , E a s t S u s sex , E ng land ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 3 6 , 3 12-379 . BRADLEY , R . J . 1 982 . B e l le T ou t ,r ev i s ion a nd r e -a s se s smen t , i nD rewe t t , P .( e d i tor ) , T he A rchaeo logy o fB u l lock Down ( L ewe s , S u s sex A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty ) , 6 2-71 . BUSHE -FOX , J .P . 1 915 . E xcava t ions a tH eng i s tbury H ead , H amp sh i re 1 911-12 ( London , S oc ie ty o fA n t iqua r ie s ) . CALK IN , J .B . 1 951 . T he B ou rnemou th a r ea i n N eo l i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge t ime s , P roceed ing so ft he Dor se tN a tura lH i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica lS oc ie ty 7 3 , 3 2-70 . CALK IN , J .B . 1 962 . T he B ournemou th a r ea i n t he M idd le a nd L a te B ronze A ge w i th t he D eve re l -R imbury p rob lem r e con s ide red ,A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l 19 , 1 -65 .

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CARE , V . 1 979 . T he p roduc t ion a nd d i s tr ibu t ion o f M e so l i th ic a xe s i n s ou the rn B r i ta in , P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 5 , 9 3103 . CURWEN , E . 1 936 . E xcava t ion s i n Wh i tehawk C amp , B r igh ton , t h i rd s e a son , 1 935 ,S u s sex A rchaeo log ica lC o l lec t ions 3 7 , 6 6-92 . CURWEN , E . C . 1 930 . Wo l s tanbu ry ,S u s sex A rchaeo log ica lC o l l ec t ions 7 1, 2 37-45 . CURWEN , E . C . 1 934 . E xcava t ion s i n Wh i tehawk N eo l i th ic C amp , B r igh ton , 1 932-3 , A nt iquar ies J ourna l 1 4 , 9 9133 . CURWEN , E . C . 1 937 . T he A rchaeo logy o fS u s sex ( London , M e thuen ) . DREWETT , a tA lf r i s ton , DREWETT , E a s t S u s sex , DREWETT ,

P . 1 975 . T he e xcava t ion o f a n o va l b u r ia l mound o ft he t h i rd m ilenn ium B C E a s t S u s sex , 1 974 ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 1, 19152 . P . 1 977 . T he e xcava t ion o f aN eo l i th ic c au sewayed e nc lo su re o n O f fham H i l l , 1 976 ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 3 , 2 01-242 . P . 1 978 . N eo l i th ic S u s sex , i n D rewe t t , P . ( ed i to r ) , A rchaeo logy i nS u s sex t o

AD 1 500 ( London , C ounc i l f or B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 2 3-29 . DREWETT , P . 1 982 . T he A rchaeo logy o fB u l lock Down , E a s tbourne , E a s t S u s sex : t he d eve lopment o f al a nd scape ( Lewe s , S u s sex A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty ) . FASHAM , P . J . a nd S CHADLA -HALL , R . T . 1 981 . T he N eol i th ic a nd B ronze A ge , i n S hennan , S . J . a nd S chad la -Ha l l , R . T . ( ed i to r s ) , T he A rchaeo logy o fH ampsh i re ( Sou th a mp ton , H amp sh i re F ie ld C lub ) , 2 6-36 . F ISHER , P . f or thcom ing . T he e nv i ronmen t o fC ranbo rne C ha se ,i nB ar re t t , J . , B rad ley , R . a nd G reen , M . , T he P reh i s tory o fC ranborne C ha se . GARD INER , J .P . f o r thcom ing , O ccupa t ion 3 5001000 b e , i n C un l if f e , B . , H eng i s tbury H ead . GARD INER , J .P .a nd S HENNAN , S .J .f o r thcom ing . T he M e so l i th ic , N eo l i th ic a nd B ronze A ge , i n S hennan , S .J .( ed i to r ) , T he E a s tH amp sh i re S urvey ( Sou thamp ton ) . HOLDEN , E . W . 1 974 . F l in t m ine s o n W indover H i l l , W i lm ing ton , S u s sex A rchaeo log ica l C o l l ec t ions 12 , 1 54 . HOLDEN , E . W . a nd BRADLEY , R . J . 1 975 . A l a te N eo l i th ic s i te a t R ackham , S us sex A r chaeo log ica lC o l lec t ions 13 , 8 5103 . J ACOB I , R . M . 1 978 . T he M e sol i th ic o f S u s sex , i n D rewe t t , P . ( ed i to r ) , A rchaeo logy i n S u s sex t o AD 1 500 ( London , C ounc i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 1 5-22 . J ACOBI , R . M . 1 981 . T he l a s t h un te r s i n H amp sh i re , i n S hennan , S .J . a nd S chad la H a l l , R . T . ( ed i to r s ) , T he A rchaeo logy o f H amp sh i re ( Sou thamp ton , H amp sh i re F ie ld C lub ) . J ARV IS , K . 1 983 . A rchaeo log ica lExcava t ions i nC hr i s tchurch ( Dorche s te r , D o r se t N a tu ra l H i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty ) . MADSEN , T . 1 982 . S e t t lemen t s y s tem s o fe a r ly a g r icu l tu ra l s oc ie t ie s i nE a s tJ u t land , D en ma rk : Ar eg iona l s t udy o fc hange ,J ourna lo f Anthropo log ica lA rchaeo logy 1 ,1 97-236 . MUSSON , R . 1 950 . An e xcava t ion a t C ombe H i l l C amp n ea r E a s tbou rne , Augu s t 1 949 , S u s sex A rchaeo log ica l C o l l ec t ions 8 9 , 1 05116 . P IGGOTT , S . 1 937 . T he e xcava t ion o f al ong b a r row i n H o ldenhu r s t p a r i sh n ea r C h r i s t c hu rch , H amp sh i re ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc iety 3 , 1 14 . P ITTS . M . a nd J ACOB I , R . M . 1 979 . S ome a spec t s o fc hange i nf l aked s t one i ndu s tr ie s o f t he M eso l i th ic a nd N eo l i th ic i n S ou thern B r i ta in , J ourna l o fA rchaeo log ica l S c ience 6 , 1 63-77 . RANK INE , W . F . 1 952 . M e so l i th ic r e sea rch i nE a s t H amp sh i re -t he H amp sh i re g r een sand , P roceed ing so ft he H ampsh i r e F ie ld C lub 1 8 , 1 57159 . ROYAL COMM ISS ION ON H ISTOR ICAL MONUMENTS 1 979 . L ong b a r rows i nH amp s h i r ea nd t he I s l eo fW ight ( London , H .M .S .0 . ) . S AV ILLE , A . 1 981. T he f l in t a s semb lage , i n M ercer , R . , G r ime s G rave s , Norf o lk : e xcava t i on 1 97 1-72 , V o lume 2 ( London , H .M .S .0 . ) . S ELK IRK , A . 1 983 . S u s sex p reh i s tory , C ur rent A rchaeo logy 8 8 , 1 50152 .

3 9

S T GEORGE GRAY , H . u npub l i shed .H eng i s tbury H ead , e xcava t ion n o tebook s , 2v o lume s ( Hamp sh i re C oun ty Mu seum S erv ice ) . THOMAS , K . D . 1 982 . N eo l i th ic e nc lo su re s a nd w ood land h ab i ta t so n t he s ou th d own si n S u s sex , E ng land , i nB e l l , M . a nd L imbrey , S .( ed i tor s ) ,A r chaeo log ica lA spec t so fW ood land E co logy ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 1 47-70 . WA INWR IGHT ,G .J .1 979 . Mount P lea san t , Dor se t :E xcava t ions 1 970-71 ( London , S oc ie ty o fA n t iqua r ie s ) . WA INWR IGHT , G . J . a nd LONGWORTH , I .1 971 . D ur r ing ton W a l l s 1 966-68 ( London , S oc ie ty o f An t iqua r ie s ) . WHEELER , R . E . M . 1 943 . Ma iden C a s t l e , Dor se t( London , S oc ie ty o f An t iqua r ie s ) . WH ITTLE , A . W . R . 1 977 . T he E ar l ier N eo l i th ic o fS ou thern E ng land a nd i t sC ont inenta l B ackg round ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) .

4 0

4 .

R i tua l , P owe ra nd I deo logy : ar econ s t ruc t ion o fE a rl ie rN eol i th ic r i tua l s i n We s sex I .J .T horpe

T he re w a s a n e no rmou s i nve s tmen t o f t ime a nd e ne rgy i n t he b u i ld ing o f i mp re s s ive monumen t s i n t he N eo l i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge o f B r i ta in . I n t h e a b sence o f as i gn if i c an t a moun t o fs e t t lemen t e v idence , t hese monumen t sh ave a lway s d om ina ted a r chaeo log i c a l t hough t j u s t a s t hey d om ina ted t he p reh i s to r ic l a ndscape . T hey h ave u sua l ly b een d ea l t w i th i n t he a rchaeo log ica l l i t era tu re b y d i v id ing t hem i n to w a te r t igh t c a tego r ie s o f ' b ur ia l ' a nd ' r i tua l ' . T he o r thodox v i ew o fb ur ia ls i te sh a s b een t ha t t he i rf unc t ion a sc on ta ine r s o f b od ies i sa n o bv iou s o ne wh ich n eed s n o f u r the re xam ina t ion . I th a s n o t p roved p o s s ib le t o f i t r i tua l monumen t s i n to as im i la r ' n a tu ra l ' c a tego ry . T he r e su l t o ft h i s f a i lu re h a s b een a mo t ley c o l lec t ion o fs i te sd ef ined a sr i tua l l a rge ly b y t he i r l a ck o fa ny o bv iou s e conom ic o r d ome s t ic f unc t ion . T h i s c onfu s ing s t a te o f a f f a i r s h a s n o t b een h e lped b y t he p re sen ta t ion o f p rema tu re g ene ra l e xp lana t ion s wh ich a t temp t t o d ea lw i th a l l N eo l i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge B r i t i sh e v idence . B y t r y ing t o f i t a l l B r i t i sh f i e ld monumen t s i n to n ea t c l a s s if ica to ry b oxe s much s i gn if ican t v a r ia t ion h a s b een g l o s sed o ve r . T here i sn o r e a son t o a s sume t ha t d eve lopmen ts i n o ne p ar t o f B r i ta in a r e e xac t ly p ara l le led i n a ny o the r . T o a t temp t t o c oun te rac t t h i s , t he g eog raph ica la r ea o ft h i ss t udy i sr e s t r ic ted t o amanageab le s i ze . T he a r ea c ho sen i st ha t o f W es sex ( def ined h e re a s D or se t , W i l tsh i re a nd H amp sh i re , e xc lud ing t he I s le o fW igh t ) . H av ing a t temp ted t oi n te rp r e t t he se d a ta Is ha l l b r ief ly p l ace t hem i nt he i r r eg iona l c on tex t . T h i s p aper i sc once rned w i th E a r l ie rN eo l i th ic We s sex , a nd i np a r t icu la ri t s b u r ia lr eco rd . T he r e ason s f o r c hoo s ing t h i s b ody o f ma te r ia l a r e e s sen t ia l ly p rac t ica l . T he u se i na r chae o l og ica l a na ly s i s o f g ene ra l c oncep t s c once rn ing t he r e la t ion sh ip s b e tween r i tua l ,i d eo logy a nd p owe r i sp rob lema t ic . I tt he refo re s e em s p ruden t t o a t temp t t o u se t he se i d ea s t o r e a na lyse a l a rge b ody o f d a ta wh ich a r e r e a sonab ly w e l l r e corded . T h i sp ape ra ims t o s how t ha t o rde r c an b e b rough t i n to t he a ppa ren t c hao s o ft he a r chaeo log ica lr eco rd . T he s t re s s h e r e i so n d i scove r ing a nd e xam in ing p a t te rn s i n d a ta mo s t ly c o l lec ted i n t he n ine teen th c en tury . D e ta i led p a t te rn s a r e n o t l ooked f o r , i n g enera l , i n t he b e l ief t ha t t he r e la t ive ly s ma l l n umber o fr e cen t ly e xcava ted s i te s a r e u n l ike ly t o b e t yp ica l . T he d ef in ing f e a ture o ft he a r chaeo log ica lv i ew o fr i tua lh a s b een t he l a ck o fc on s ide ra t ion p a id t o i t . I n g ene ra l , i th a s b een a n e mp ty c a tegory , .d ef ined i nt e rm s o fn on se t t lemen t o r n on -func t iona l a c t iv i ty , o r e ven a s ac a tegory c on ta in ing t ha t wh ich i so u ts ide t he b ound s o fa r chaeo log ica l e xp lana t ion . A s a l ready n o ted , o u r k now ledge o f E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic Wes sex i sd om ina ted b y i t s monu m en t s ,e spec ia l ly'bur ia l ' monumen t s .T h i s b r ing s u st o ac on s ide ra t ion o ft he a rchaeo log ica l a na lys i s o f mor tua ry p r ac t ice s . T h i s h a s l ong b een ama jo rr e sea rch i n te re s t i na r chaeo logy . I th a s i ndeed b een c l a imed t ha t n o o ther s i ng le c l a s s o f d a ta r ep re sen t s s uch a d i rec t a nd p u rpo sefu l r ecord o f s oc ia l s t ruc tu re ( Ta in te r 1 976 ) . B info rd ( 1972 ) s ough t e thnog raph ic c onf i rma t ion f o rh i sh ypo the s i st ha t s t a tu s d i s t inc t ion s c ou ld b e c or re la ted w i th t he f o rm o f b u r ia l . T a in te r ( e .g . 1 975) t ook t h i s d i rec t c or re la t ion f u r the r i ns ugge s t ing t ha t t he h igher r ank o f d ecea sed i nd iv idua l s w i l l c or re spond t o t he e xpend i tu re o f g r ea te r e f for t i ni n te r m en t r i tua l s , r ef lec ted i n t he s i ze a nd e l abo ra t ion o f t he i n te rmen t , t he h andl ing a nd d i s p o sa l o ft he c orp se , a nd t h e g rave g oods . S uch s imp l i s t ic d i rec t c o r re la t ion s h ave b een c ha l lenged i n r e cen t y ea r s i n t he wo rk o f P ader ( 1982 ) , a nd H odde r ( 1982 ) a mong many o ther s . T he g ene ra l c on sen su s o f o p in ion w ou ld n ow s ugges t t ha t t he re i sn o d i rec t r e la t ion sh ip b e tween mor tua ry p rac t ice s a nd s oc ie ty , a s t ha t r e la t ion sh ip t ake s p lace t h rough t he med ium o fs oc ia la c t ion wh ich d i s to r t s a nd man ipu la te s p ercep t ion s o f s oc ie ty . Wha t c an b e d one , h oweve r , i st o t u rn t o t he 4 1

g ene ra l a n th ropo log ica l a nd s oc io log ica l l i te ra tu re t o e xam ine t he c onnec t ion s b e tween f une rary r i tua l ,c oncep t so fl i f e a nd d ea th , f e r t i l i ty a nd r ep roduc t ion , a nd t he l i nk sb e tween t he se a nd g ene ra ls oc ia la nd e conom ic p rac t ice .T here a r e f ou r ma in t heme s wh ich t h i s s tudy d raw s o u to ft he d i ver se g ene ra la n th ropo log ica la nd s oc io log ica ll i t e ra tu re i nt he b e l ief t ha t t hey p romp t n ew w ay s o fl ook ing a tt he p reh i s to r ic d a ta . F i r s t , t he re i st he q ue s t ion o f a nces t ry . T he l i te ra tu re p o in t s t o ad ua l e mpha s i so n c on t i nu i ty a nd t he r o le o ft he a nce s to r s ;t he d ea th o ft he s i ng le i nd iv idua l i sa ppa ren t ly d en ied b y c oncen t ra t ing o nt he d ead a sa nce s to r sr a the r t han c o rp se s —t hu s t he u n se t t l ing e f f ec t o n t he g roup o f t he d ea th o f o ne o f i t s membe r si sm in im i sed . A s V an G ennep ( 1960 ) n o ted , t he d ead h ave t o u nde r take ap a s sage f r om t he wor ld o ft he l i v ing t o t he wo r ld o ft he d ead . T h i s i nvo lve s t he d ecompo s i t ion o f t he f l e sh , w i th i t s u nf avou rab le a s soc ia t ion s w i th t he i nd iv idua l a nd d i scon t inu i ty , u n t i lo n ly t he p u r if ied wh i te b one s a r e l e f t , w i th t h e i r f avou r a b le a s soc ia t ion s w i th t he a nce s t ra lg roup a nd c on t inu i ty . T h i s o ppos i t ion b e tween c on t inu i ty a nd d i scon t inu i ty i sl i nked t o a n o ppo s i t ion b e tween c yc l ica l a nd l i nea r v i ew s o f t ime ( Thorpe 1 983) . B loch a nd P a r ry ( 1982 ) s ugge s t t ha t a c yc l ica l v i ew o f t ime i sc ommon among a g r icu l tu ra l c ommun i t ie s wh ich a t temp t t oi nco r p o ra te t he d i s rup t ive i nf luence o f t he d ead i n to t he s a f e ly p red ic tab le c yc le o f t he a g r i c u l tura l y ear .' , Th i s o ppo s i t ion b e tween c ycl ica l a nd l i nea rv i ew s o ft ime i sn o t , h owever , a s L each ( 1961) p o in ts o u t , as imp le d i cho tomy , f o r t he se t wo a ppa ren t ly e xc lu s ive v i ew si n p rac t ice a re o f ten c omb ined . A ny v i ew o fp reh i s to r ic s oc ie t ie s wh ich a s sume s as o le ly l i nea r v i ew o f t ime i st he refore f l awed . iT he f a c to r c ommon t o b o th c yc l ica l a nd l i nea rv i ew s o f t ime i st he s e gmen ta t ion o ft ime i n to b lock sw i th b ounda r ie s ( e spec ia l ly f e s t iva l s ) b e tween t hem . A sL each ( 1961) s ugge s t s , t he o bv iou sr e su l t o ft h i sa s s im i la t ion o fc ycl ica la nd l i nea r v i ew s o f t ime i s ab e l ief t ha t t he l i v ing , t he d ead a nd t he a nce s to r s a re f i xed i n ac yc le i n wh ich b i r th f o l low s d ea th j u s t a sd ea th f o l low s b i r th . T he s e cond t heme w e c an d i s t ingu i sh i sH e r tz ' s ( 1960 ) d i s t inc t ion b e tween p r ima ry a nd s e condary b u r ia l . T h i s i sn o t n ece s sa r i ly t he s ame a st he f l e sh :bone a nd l i f e :dea th d iv i s ion s a l ready d i scu s sed . I n s tead o f as imp le r e la t ion sh ip b e tween ap r ima ry b u r ia l wh ich i sj u s t a ma t ter o f d i spo s ing o f a n u np lea san t ly r o t t ing c o rp se , a nd as e conda ry b u r ia l t om e rge t he p urged s ke le ton i n to t he i d ea l c ommun i ty o f t he a nce s tor s , t here a re a r ange o f c ho ice s o pen t o a ny c ommun i ty , a s r ev iewed b y B loch a nd P a r ry ( 1982 ) . I t may d i spo se o f a l l c o rp se s w i thou t r e ga rd t o t he a nce s to r s , who p lay o n ly a m in ima l r o le , a s a mong s ome h un ter -ga there r s oc ie t ie s . A l te rna t ive ly , t he b ody may e n te ra n i d ea l i sed c ommun i ty o ft he a nce s tor s , b u t o n ly a f te r i th a s b een c omp le te ly d e s troyed t o l e av e b eh ind j u s t t he i nco r r up t ib le i mmor ta l s ou l ( a s among t he H indu ) . I n b e tween t hese t wo e x treme sa r e t he v a s t ma jor i ty o f s oc ie t ie s wh ich r equ i re t he b ody t o p a s s t h rough an umbe r o fb ounded s t age s ( i n s ome s en se a p a ra l le l b o th t o t he p a s sage t h rough s t age s i n l i f e a nd t he mo re g ene ra l p a s sag e o f t ime ) b efore i n te rmen t i n t he a nce s t ra l r e s t ing p l ace . E ven t hen p a r t s o f t he a nce s tor may b e r emoved , t empo ra r i ly o r p e rmanen t ly , t o p l ay a c on t inu ing s oc ia l r o le . Wh i le c ommun i t ie s r e ly o n t he a nce s to r s t o o ccupy a n i n termed ia te p o s i t ion f r om wh ich t hey may i n tervene w i th t he g ods t o f a vou r t he i r d e scendan t s b y b e s tow ing w ea l th u pon t hem , e qua l ly t he a nce s to r s n eed t he i r l i v ing d e scendan t s t o b e a b le t o c on t inue t oe xerc i se p ower i n t h i s w or ld . I n s uch s oc ie t ie s t he re i su nequa l t r ea tmen t o f t he d ead : o n ly t he c orp se s o f c e r ta in i nd iv idua l s a r e c on s idered wo r thy o f b e ing r ece ived i n to t he i d ea l c om mun i ty o f t he a nce s tor s ( a p o s i t ion o f g r ea t p ower a nd r e spon s ib i l i ty ) . T he p rac t ice o f a mu l t i s tage b u r ia l r i te h a s c l ea r i mp l ica t ion s f or p re sen t ing o ne v e r s ion o f t h e n a ture o f l i v ing s oc ie ty t h rough t he c ommun i ty o ft he d ead . T h ird ly , F r iedman ( 1975) s ugge s t s t ha t when t he r e i sc ompe t i t ion b e tween t he r i va l l i neage s i n h i s t r iba l mode o f p roduc t ion i n c rea sed e mpha s i s may b e p laced o n a nces t ra l r i gh t s t o l a nd . H e s ugge s t s t ha t r i va l l i neage s w i l l e ngage i n c ompe t i t ive f e a s t ing a nd g i f t g i v ing i n wh ich a l l iance s f o rmed o n t he b a s i s o ft he e xchange o f ma r r iage -pa r tne r sb e tween l i neage s w i l l b e c on t inua l ly s h if t ing . H e f u r the r p ropo se s t ha t a f te r ap er iod o fs uch c ompe t i t ion r ank ing may e merge b e tween l i neage g roup s b ecau se s ome a re a b le t o ma in ta in a 4 2

h i ghe r a g r icu l tu ra l s u rp lu s t han o ther s . T h i s r e su l t s i n ar anked s y s tem e n sh r ined b y t he e xchange o f ma r r iage -pa r tner s b e tween g roup s , o ne i n wh ich s pou se -g ive r s r ank h i ghe r t han s pou se taker s . Ar e la t ive ly p e rmanen t ly r anked s oc ie ty s uch a s t h i s may w e l l d i sgu i se t ha t r ank ing b y a n i d eo logy w h ich a t temp ts t o l e g i t ima te i n equa l i ty b y p o r t ray ing i ta s t he n a tu ra l s t a te o f s oc ie ty , as t a te m i r rored i n t he wo r ld o f t he d ead o r t he n a tu ra l w o r ld o f a n ima l s . F ina l ly , a nd mo s t i mpo r tan t ly , c hange o ve r t ime i sl i ke ly t o h ave t aken p l ace , b u t i su n l i ke ly t o b e i mmed ia te ly o bv iou s . T h i s i sb ecau se o f t he r o le i d eo logy i sl i ke ly t o p lay i n o b scur ing s uch c hange ( Pa rker -Pea r son 1 984 ) . B loch ( 1982 ) s ugge s t s t ha t ac yc l ica l v i ew o f t ime p l ays a n i mpor tan t p a r t i nd eny ing t he p ermanence o ft he i nd iv idua l ' s d ea th . T ha t d ea th i s at hrea t t o t he g roup , s o t ha t t he i nd iv idua l i sf i r s t r emoved f r om t he g roup , o n ly t o r e -en ter i ta f ter a pprop r ia te m ea su re s h ave b een t aken t o e n su re t ha t t he c o rp se i sf i t t o d o s o . T h i s p roce s s ( and t he d eg ree t o wh ich i tc an b e c on t ro l led ) h ave i mpor tan t i mp l i c a t ion s f o r t he l e g i t ima t ion o f t r ad i t iona l a u thor i ty . An i d eo logy wh ich a t temp t s t o d eny o r s uppre s s e v idence o f c hange i sl i ke ly t o b e mos t h igh ly e l abora ted a t at ime when c hange i st ak ing p l ace r ap id ly . A t t he s ame t ime a s i mp re s s ive c ommuna l wo rk s a r e b e ing c on s truc ted , s ugge s t ing ap owe rfu l a nd u n i ted s oc ie ty , t he re may b e ma s s ive h idden s oc ia l c onf l ic t s . T h i s w ou ld i mp ly t ha t t he i nve s tmen t i n monumen t b u i ld ing b eg inn ing i n t he l a t te r p a r t o f t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic n eed n o t d eno te i n c rea s ing s oc ia l c ohe s ion , a s e a r l ie r a na ly se s h ave a s sumed ( e .g . R enf rew 1 973 ;c ft h i sv o lume , C hap ter 5 ) . T he e x i s t ing l i te ra tu re o n mor tua ry p rac t ice s i n E a r l ier N eo l i th ic We s sex i sd i ve r se a nd o f ten c on trad ic tory . T h i s i st o s ome e x ten t t he r e su l t o f ap a r t icu la r i s t ic a pp roach t o t he d a ta . T here a re , h oweve r , an umbe r o f c on s tan t t heme s : t he a ppa ren t l a ck o f r e spec t f o r ( s ome o f ) t he d ead ; t he s oc ia l i mp l ica t ion s o f t he n umbe r o f b u r ia l s a t l ong b a r rows ; t he p hy s ica l s t ruc tu re o f l ong b ar row s ; a nd t he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween d i f f e ren t g roup s o f t he d ead . C h i lde ( 1940 ) c on t ra s ted c ommuna l b u r ia l s a t l ong b a r row s w i th t he a ppa ren t ly u nce remon iou s d ump ing o f o ther b u r ia l s i n c au sewayed e nc lo su re d i tche s . P i ggo t t ( 1954 ) , d raw ing o n t he e v idence f r om c au sewayed e nc lo su res a nd t he M a iden C a s t le b ank b ar row , w h ich s e emed t o c over ad i smembe red c orp se ( Whee le r 1 943) , s ugge s ted t ha t t h i s s howed al a ck o fr e spec t f or t he d ead t ha t h in ted a tc ann iba l i sm . Wh i le t h i s i n te rpre ta t ion h a s b een r e jec ted f or l ong b ar row s , f o l low ing B ro thwe l l ' s ( 1961) r e in te rp re ta t ion o f t he e v idence w h ich s how s t ha t c on s ide rab le c a re w a s b e ing t aken t o a r range t he d ead c o r rec t ly , i th a s r e cen t ly b een r ev ived b y M egaw a nd S imp son ( 1979 ) t o a ccoun t f o r t he b u r ia l s i n t he d i tche s o f c au sewayed e nc lo su re s . T he re a r e f l aw s i n t h i s a r gumen t : i fi ti sa s sumed t ha t l ong b ar row b u r ia l s a r e c a refu l a nd d e l ibe ra te , t hen why s hou ld t h i s n o t b e t he c a se f o r c au sewayed e nc lo sure b u r ia l s? T he d e sc r ip t ion o f b u r ia l s i n d i tche s a s c a sua l ( and b y i mp l ica t ion u n impor tan t ) i s u nfor tuna te : i f b od ie s a nd p a r t s o f b od ie s w e re p l aced i n d i tche s , t ha t i sa n e x t reme ly i mpor tan t s t a temen t a bou t t he c o r rec t t r ea tmen t f o r s ome o f t he d ead . T h i s v i ew o f t he e v idence w a s d e r ived f r om C h i lde ' s c l a s s -ba sed v i ew o fs oc ie ty , w h ich l e d h im t o e xpec t t he re t o b e c l ear s oc ia l d iv i s ion s b e tween ar u l ing c l a s s a nd t he d i spo s ses sed , a nd t o s uppo se t ha t t he se w ou ld b e r e f lec ted i nt he a r chaeo log ica l r e co rd . C h i lde ( 1940 ) s ugges ted t ha t t he l ong b a r row b u r ia l s r epre sen ted t he r ema in s o f as ma l l c h ief ly e l i te . P i ggo t t ( 1954 ) c ha l lenged t h i s v i ew when f u r the r e xcava t ion s s howed t ha t s ome b ar rows c on ta ined t he d ead o f a l l a ge s a nd b o th s exe s i nl a rge n umber s . H e s aw l ong b a r row b ur ia l s a s t ho se o f f am i ly g roup s , b ecau se a n e l i te w a s n o t e xpec ted t o c on ta in c h i ldren . A tk in son ( 1968 ) p ropo sed t ha t d ead member s o f af am i ly g roup w e re s t o red , u n t i l t he i rl e ader d i ed , when ab ar row w a s b u i l t t o c on ta in t he r ema in s o ft he e n t i re f am i ly . H e s uppor ted t h i s a rgumen t b y p o in t ing t o t he l ow a ve rage n umbe r o fb u r ia l s a tl ong b a r r ow s . B o th t he se p o s i t ion s ( f am i ly g roup s o r a du l t e l i te s ) a r e u n tenab le i ft hey p u rpo r t t o d ea l w i th t he f u l l r ange o f v a r ia t ion i n t he h uman r ema in s p re sen t a tl ong b a r row s . T o d o t ha t w e mus t a bandon t he i d ea t ha t l ong b a r row s r ep re sen t au n i ta ry p henomenon , u n c hang ing o ver t ime a nd s pace . S i nce t he 1 950 s i mp rov ed e xcava t ion t e chn ique s h ave l e d t o ag r ea ter c once rn w i th 4 3

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t he p hy s ica l c ha rac te r i s t ic s o f l ong b a r row s . A shbee ' s ( 1966 ; 1 970 ) c l a im s o f mo r tuary h ou se s e x i s t ing i n l a rge n umbe r s u nde r l ong b a r row s d eve loped f r om h i s e xcava t ion o f F u s se l l ' s L odge . T he n umbe r o f mo r tua ry h ou se s h a s b een q ue s t ioned b y S imp son ( 1968 ) a nd b y Wh i t t le ( 1977) , a nd i ndeed s o me o f A shbee ' s s ugge s ted c a se s r e s t o n n o more t han t he p re sence o f p i t s u nder t he mound . S ome , a t l e a s t , o f t he se a r e b e t te r s e en a s p i t s , r a ther t han t he r ema in s o f s t ruc tu re s . T ha t t hey d o e x i s t , h owever , i ss hown b y t he s i te o f N orman ton Down ( Va tche r 1 961) . T he r o le o f mo r tuary h ou se si su nc lea r , a nd t he s ugge s t ion t ha t t hey w e re p l ace s o f p r ima ry b u r ia l i ss o f a r n o t s uppor ted b y a ny f i rm e v idence . T he d eve lopmen t o f t h i s i n tere s t i n t he p hy s ica l s t ruc tu re o f l ong b a r row s h a s l e d t o s ome th ing o f as p l i t b e tween s t ud ie s o f l ong b a r row s p er s e a nd d i scu s s ion o f t he h uman r ema in s t ha t t hey c on ta in . P a r t o fR enf rew ' s ( 1973) a na ly s i s o f We s sex monumen t b u i ld ing w a s h i sv i ew o fl ong b ar row s a sr e l ig iou s f oc i o pe ra t ing l ong a f te r t he i re r ec t ion . T h i s l e d t o af ocu s s ing o fa t ten t ion o n mound s i ze a nd l o ca t ion a sa n e xpre s s ion o fs oc ia l a nd t e r r i to r ia l c ohe s ion . K inne s ( 1975) a r gued t ha t l ong b a r row s w e re p e rhap s o n ly p l ace s o ft empo ra ry s t o rage f o r b u r ia l s , a nd t ha t t he p rov i s ion o f a n i d en t if iab le ' c en tra l p lace ' t ook p r io r i ty o ve r t he h ou s ing o ft he d ead . T h i s a pproach h a s b een f u r ther d eve loped i nt he R oya l C om m i s s ion ' sr epor t o nH amp sh i re l ong b a r row s ( 1979 ) w h ich c l a imed t ha t t he b u i ld ing o fl ong b a r row mound s w a s as t udy wor thy o f c on s ide ra t ion i n i t s own r i gh t . T he r ecen t w ork o f D ar v i l l ( 1982 ) c on t inue s t h i s l i ne o f t hough t b y empha s i s ing wha t h e s e e s a s t he r o le o f c hambered l ong b a r row s a s amed ium o f i n fo rma t ion e xchange . T h i s s epa ra t ion o f b ur ia l a nd mound -bu i ld ing i sd i f f icu l t t o s u s ta in , b ecau se i ti sc l ea r t ha t e ven whe re l ong b ar row s w e r e b u i l t w i thou t a ny i n ten t ion o f h ou s ing t he r ema in s o f t he d ead , t hey w e re b u i l t t o l ook t he s ame a sl ong b a r row s wh ich d id c on ta in h uman r ema in s . F ina l ly , t he r e la t ion s b e tween d i f f e ren t b u r ia l d epo s i t s h ave b een d i scu s sed . F o l low ing t he s ugge s t ion t ha t s ku l l s a nd l a rger l imb b one s h ad b een a b s t rac ted f r om We s t K enne t c hambered t omb , P iggo t t ( 1962 ) a rgued t ha t p a r t s o ft he h uman b ody a c ted a sa n e mb lem f o r t he who le h uman b ody a nd w ere r emoved t o a c t a s af e t i sh . Sm i th ( 1965) s ugge s ted t ha t t he se b one s m igh t h av e b een moved t o W indm i l l H i l l ( on ly 3km f r om We s t K enne t ) . S he n o ted t he t wo c omp le te c h i ld s ke le ton s i n t he Ou ter D i tch a nd c ompa red t hem w i th t h e f r agmen tary r ema in s o fa no ther e i gh t a du l t s a nd t h ree c h i ldren , a l so f ound i nt he Ou ter D i tch . H er e xp lana t ion f o rt h i s d iv i s ion o ft he s ke le ta l ma ter ia l w a s t ha t t he c omp le te c h i ld s ke le ton s r epre sen ted d ea th s o ccur r ing a t t he e nc lo su re d u r ing t he s e a sona lg a the r ing s o fa d i sper sed p opu la t ion , w h i le t he f r agmen tary r ema in s r ep re sen ted b one s s e lec t ive ly r emoved f r om c hambe red t o mb s . T he r ecen t w ork o f S hank s a nd T i l ley ( 1982 ) o f f er s at an tal i s ing g l imp se o f an ew a pproach t o We s sex mor tuary r i tua l s t h rough t he a na ly s i s o f t he t r ea t m en t o f b ody p a r t s a t l ong b a r row s , b u t i ti sf l awed b y t he me thodo log ica l r equ i remen t s o f i t s r a the r n ar row a pp roach , wh ich r e su l t i n o n ly t h ree s i te s b e ing u sed a s t he b a s i s f o r g ene ra l c onc lu s ion s a bou t s ou thern B r i ta in mo r tuary r i tua l s . T he o vera l l i mp res s ion g i ven b y t h i s l i te ra tu re i st ha t t he l a ck o fa ny u n if ied v i ew o ft he p o s s ib le s i gn if icance o f N eo l i th ic b ur ia l p rac t ice s h a s l e d a r chaeo log i s t s t o p l ace u ndue e mpha s i s o n t he d e scr ip t ion o f v a r iab i l i ty i n t he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord a t t he e xpen se o f a t temp ts t o e xp la in i t . P roposed e xp lana t ion s h ave f r equen t ly b een b a sed o n t he l a te s t e xcava ted s i te s o t ha t a d h oc g ene ra l i sa t ion s h ave b een o ve r s t re tched t o c ove r a l l a va i lab le d a ta . A l terna t ive ly , as e r ie s o f i nd iv idua l s i te i n terpre ta t ion s h ave b een t a cked t oge ther t o p roduce s e lf -con trad ic to ry s yn the se s . T he c h ief c ha rac ter i s t ic o ft he d a ta se t u nde r c on s idera t ion i so ne o fq uan t i ty r a the r t han . q ua l i ty , much o f t he d a ta h av ing b een c o l lec ted i n t he l a s t c en tu ry . B y c oncen t ra t ing o n t h i s ma s s o f ma te r ia l , i ts hou ld b e p o s s ib le t o a vo id a pp ly ing t he i n fo rma t ion f r om as i ng le w e l l e xcava ted s i te more w ide ly t han i td e serve s . T he c on tex t s o fb u r ia l s f a l li n to f our c a tegor ie s : l ong b a r rows , r ound b a r row s , f l a t g rave s a nd c au sewayed e nc lo su re s . W i th in t he We s sex a r ea t he re a r e 2 07 s ugge s ted l ong b a r row s , o f w h ich 2 0 a r e d oub tfu l . T he se c on s i s t o f s t and ing s t one s a nd c hamber s , p o s s ib ly t he r e 4 5

T ab le 1 R ad ioca rbon d a te s f o r E a r l ie rN eo l i th ic b u r ia l s

L ong b ar row s

D a te B eckhamp ton R oad

2 517±90 b c

( BM 5 06b )

F u s se l l ' s L odge

3 23b±150 kbc

( BM 1 34 )

H or s l ip

3 240±150 b c

( BM 1 80 )

Nu tbane

2 730±150 b c

( BM 4 9 )

S ou th S t ree t

2 750±135 b c

( BM 3 57 )

2 670±140 b c

( BM 3 589 )

2 580±110 b c

( BM 3 58b )

2 890±150 b c

( HAR 1 886 )

2 870±80 b c

( HAR 2 378 )

2 790±90 b c

( NPL 7 6 )

2 610±90 b c

( HAR 1 802 )

Knap H i l l

2 760±115 b c

( BM 2 05)

W indm i l l H i l l

2 580±150 b c

( BM 7 4 )

C ausewayed e nc losure s H amb ledon H i l l

4 6

ma ins o fc hambe red l ong b a r row s ; mound s wh ich l a ck s i de d i tche s a nd t hu s may b e n a tu ra l ; p o s s ib le s i tes r e corded i nt he n ine teen th c en tury a nd s i nce d e s t royed ; a nd b ar row s wh ich may h ave o r ig ina l ly b een r ound b u t wh ich h ave s ubsequen t ly b een d i s tor ted b y p lough ing o r s o i l c r eep . T he se d oub tfu l e xamp le s a r e om i t ted f r om t h i s s t udy . O f t he 1 87 d ef in i te l ong b ar row s 7 1 h ave s ome i n forma t ion r e corded a bou t t h e i r c on ten t s . T he v a s t ma jo r i ty o f t h i s i n forma t ion w a s o b ta ined b efore 1 950 ( 60 o f t he s i te s ) , a nd o n ly H amb ledon H i l l ( Merce r 1 980 ) h a s s e en l a rge s c a le e xcava t ion s , a nd B ev i s ' G rave ( R .C .H .M . 1 979 ) a nd Amesbury 4 2 ( R icha rd s , t h i s v o lume p . 1 82 ) s ma l l s c a le e xcava t ion s s i nce 1 970 . A l so , w e s hou ld n o tf o rge tt ha tt he re h a sb een af a rh i ghe r l e ve l o fa c t iv i ty i nW i l t sh i re t han i nD or se t o r H amp sh i re ( f ig . 1 ) . N eo l i th ic r ound b a r row sa r e ap rob lem ( K inne s 1 979 ) . Al a ck o fi d en t if iab le g r ave g oods mean s t ha t ar ound b a r row c anno t b e a s s igned t o t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic a se a s i ly a s al ong b ar row wou ld b e . T he re a r e o n ly f ou r p robab le E a rl i e r N eol i th ic r ound b a r row s . P e rhaps t he c l eares te xamp le i sM e re 1 3d , whe re as ma l lr ound mound c on ta ined a n E a r l ie rN eo l i th ic c a r ina ted b ow l i n ve r ted o ve r ac r ema t ion ( Hoa re 1 812) . T h i ss ma l l an umbe r o fe xcava ted e xamp le s wou ld t end t o s ugge s t t ha t r ound b a r row s a r e r a re i nt he E a rl i e rN eol i th ic , w i th p erhap s l e s st han f i f ty i nW e s sex . A t p re sen t i ti sn o t p o s s ib le t os ay whe ther r ound b a r rows a r e ac on s i s ten tb u tm ino re l emen t o fE a rl i er N eo l i th ic b u r ia lp rac t ice o r an ew f o rm e me rg i n ga tt he e nd o ft he p e r iod . E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic ' f l a tg r ave s '( bu r ia l si np i t s ) a r e a no the rp rob lem . T he re a r e f i ve p o s s ib le E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic f l a t g r ave s i n We s sex ( t h ree i n D o r se t , a nd t wo i nW i l t sh i re ) . T he D or se t e xamp le s w ere a l l f ound b y P i t t -R ive r s i n t he 1 880 s a nd a r e o pen t o d oub t b ecau se t he b od ie s may h ave b een i n se r ted i n to t he p i t sa f te rt he d epo s i t ion o ft he N eo l i th ic a r tef ac t s . T he t wo c r ema t ion s i n p i t s u nde r t he B i shop s C ann ing s6 2a b a r row ( P roudfoo t 1 965) a r e , h owever , c l ea r ly a s soc ia ted w i th s e t t lemen t d eb r i s . O f t he e i gh t We s sex c au sewayed e nc lo su re s t h ree h ave b een e xcava ted o n al a rge s c a le a nd f ou r o n as ma l l s c a le . O f t he se s e ven , f ou r h ave p roduced E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s ke le ta l r ema in s , i nc lud ing a l l t h ree l a rge s c a le e xcava t ions . C au sewayed e nc lo su re s i n We s sex a r e a ppa ren t ly i nu se f r om c .2 900 b co nwa rd s ,a nd t herefore o v er lap w i th o n ly h a lf t he c h rono l o g ica lr ange o fl ong b a r row s . U s ing mos t ly n ine teen th c en tu ry d a ta p re sen t s d i f f icu l t ie s o n o ne ma jo r q ue s t ion : t he n umbe r o f s ke le ton s f ound a t l ong b ar row s . E xp re s s ion s s uch a s ' s evera l s ke le ton s w e re f ound ' , o r e ven s imp ly ' s ke le ton s ' a r e a l t oo c ommon . T he se e a r ly e xcava t ion s w e re o f c ou r se i n comp le te . I n t h i s r e spec t C o l t H oa re ' s r ema rk s o n why h e s t opped w ork a tS tock t on a f ter f i nd ing f i ve b od ie s a r e v e ry s i gn if ican t ( Mey r ick 1 948 ) : ' f ind ing s og r ea t ar e sem b l ance i n t he c on ten t so ft h i s t o mo s t o fo u r l ong b a r row s w e d i scon t inued o u rr e sea rche s ' . T h i ss ugges t st ha tw es hou ld t a ke v e ry s e r iou s ly s t a temen t s b y n ine teen th c en tu ry e xcava tor s c once rn ing t he c omp le te a b sence o fs ke le ta l r ema in s . Where d i spe r sed s ke le ta l m a te r ia l w a s r e covered ,i ti sl i ke ly t ha tt h en umbe ro fb od ie sr epre sen ted b y al a rge ma s s o fd i sa r t icu la ted b ones w a s u nde re s t ima ted : A shbee ' s ( 1966 ) p re l im ina ry e s t ima te o f t he F u s se l l ' s L odge r ema in sw a s l e s st han h a l ft h e n umbe re ven tua l ly r e vea led b y c a refu l a na ly s i s . T he mos t d i f f icu l t q ue s t ion t oa t tack i st ha t o fc hange o ve r t ime . T h i si sb ecau se t he re i s l i t t le i ndependen t d a t ing e v idence . T he r ad ioca rbon d a te s a r e f ew i nn umbe r , a nd c ome f r om e ven f ewer s i te s( s ee T ab le 1 ) . T o t u rn t o t he r e su l t so ft h e r e -ana ly s i s , t he re h ave b een s ugge s t ion s t ha t ' c a refu l ' b u r ia l s a t l ong b ar row s w ere r e s t r ic ted t o ac h ief ly e l i te wh i le t he l owe r o rde r s w e re d i spo sed o fi n t he d i tche s o f c au sewayed e nc lo su re s . T he a l te rna t ive v i ew w a s t ha t a l p a r t s o ft h e b ur ia l r ecord r epresen ted f am i ly g roup s . T he se t wo v i ew sh ad d i f f e ren t i mp l ica t ion s f o r t he p re s e nce o fc h i ldren .N eo l i th ic e l i te sw e re s uppo sed n o t t o c on ta in c h i ld ren , wh i le f am i ly g roups w ere e xpec ted t o c on ta in a h i gh p ropor t ion . I n s tead , i ti sa s sumed h e re t ha t aN eo l i th ic e l i te w ou ld b ea n a r i s toc ra t ic ' c lan ' c on ta in ing a l l a ge s ( excep t p e rhap s t he v e ry y oung ) a nd b o th s exe s ,w i th i n terna lr ank ing o n t he b a s i s o fa ge a nd s ex . T he t o ta l o fa du l t b u r ia l s f r om a l l E ar l ier N eo l i th ic c on tex t si s2 12 ,a nd t he t o ta lo fc h i ld b u r ia l si s1 32 . Wh i le t he se b ur ia l s 4 7

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4 8

c an n o t p o s s ib ly r epre sen t t h e r ema in s o f an o rma l p opu la t ion ( i n s t a t i s t ica l t e rms ) , t hey d o c on ta in as i zeab le p ropo r t ion o f c h i ld ren , e spec ia l ly b ea r ing i nm ind t he p rob lem s t ha t n ine teen th c en tury e xcav a to r s may h ave h ad i nr e cove r ing c h i ld b u r ia l s . T h i s c l ea r ly s how s t ha t b ur ia l w a s n o t r e s t r ic ted t o a du l t s . H oweve r , a n e xam ina t ion o ft h e c on tex t s o fa du l t a nd c h i ld b u r ia l ss how s t ha tt wo v e ry d i f f eren t p rocedu re sw e re o pe ra t ing ( f ig s .2 a nd 3 ) . O ne e xp lana t ion f o rt h i sw ou ld b e t ha ta du l t b u r ia l sr epr e sen t r e s t r ic ted a cce s s t o ap re s t i g iou s b u r ia l p l ace , wh i le c h i ld b u r ia l sr epre sen t a n o ppo s ing c ommuna l p r inc ip le . I ft he re w a s s t re s s o n t he c on t inu i ty o f t he c l an g roup , t hen c h i ld ren m igh t b e s e en a sr eborn c l an m ember s , who h ad n o t d eve loped a n i nd iv idua l s t a tu s b efore t hey d i ed a ga in ;t hey w ou ld b e r ep re sen ted i n t he b u r ia l r e co rd , b u t i n ad i f f e ren t m anner f r om a du l t s . A l l t he e i gh t i n s tance s o f c h i ldren b e ing b u r ied s epa ra te ly f r om a du l t s a r e i n c au sewayed e nc lo su re s , w h i le i n l ong b a r row s t hey a r e f ound w i th a du l t ma le s f i ve t imes , a nd w i th a du l t f ema le s o n ly o nce . T he p a t te rn f o r a du l t s i ss ubs tan t ia l ly d i f f e ren t ; o n ly t h ree b u r ia l sw i thou t t h e r ema in s o f c h i ldren o ccu r i nc au sewayed e nc lo su re s , wh i le 1 4 o ccu r i nl ong b ar row s a nd o the r s i n r ound b a r row s a nd f l a tg r ave s . T h i s s ugge s t ion o f as pec ia lr o le f o r c h i ld b ur ia l s i s s t r eng thened b y t he f a c t t h a t a tH amb ledon H i l l t he b u r ia l si nt he ma in e nc lo su re d i tch a r e d om ina ted b y c h i ldren , mo s t o f whom a r e u nde r s e ven y ear s o ld ( Kenwa rd p e r s . c omm . ) . T he se d a ta make o ne f i na lp o in t o n t he q ue s t ion o fc on t inu i ty . T he b u r ia l o fc h i ld ren w i th a du l t ma le s p e rhaps s ugge s t s t ha t a du l t ma le s h ad a pprop r ia ted t o t h emse lve s t he r o le o f e n su r ing t he s oc ia l r eproduc t ion o ft he g roup . T h i s p ropo s i t ion i ss t reng thened b y t he a ge s o f t he f our a du l t ma le sw h e re t he se w ere d e te rm ined : t hey w ere 2 5-35 , 3 0-40 , 3 5 , a nd 5 0 y ea r so ld , a nd i nN eo l i th ic t e rms c ou ld a l l b e d e sc r ibed a sm idd le -aged o ro ld . T he o bv iou s c oun ter t o t he se s ugge s t ion s i st ha t t he re i sn o ap r ior i r e a son t o a s sume t ha tp re sen td ay a du l t :ch i ld d i v i s ion sr ef lec t N eo l i th ic p ercep t ion s . I ti sp e rhap s mo re l i ke ly t h a tw i th in a na r i s toc ra t ic c l an t he re w ou ld b e d i f f e ren t ia lt r ea tmen t o fv e ry o ld : v e ry y oung , m a le :f ema le , o ld ma le : y oung ma le , a nd o ld f ema le :young f ema le . T he a du l t :ch i ld d i v i s ion h a sb een f o l lowed h ere b ecau se i ti st he o n ly o ne t ha t i sa va i lab le f o r mo s t o ft he d a ta . T he q ue s t ion whe the r more t han o ne s t age o f b ur ia l w a si n vo lved i nN eol i th ic f une ra ry p r ac t ice h a s a l ready b een b r ief ly men t ioned . T he re i st he e v idence o f t he d i f f e ren t b u r ia l c on tex t s . T he re i sa l so t h e e v idence o f mor tua ry h ou se s , wh ich u ndoub ted ly e x i s t i nW e s s ex .d e sp i te c on t rove r sy o ve r t he i r n umbe r s . Wh i le i th a sb een a s sumed g enera l ly t ha t t he se d i f f e ren t b ur ia l c on tex t s r e p re sen t v a r iou s s t age s i n as i ng le b u r ia l r i te , t he p o s s ib il i ty t ha t t h ey w e re a c tua l ly a l te rna t ive st o o ne a no the rs hou ld n o t b e i g nored . T he a na ly s i s h e re w i l l c oncen t ra te o n t he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween c au sewayed e nc lo su re s a nd l ong b a r row s , b ecau se o ft h e p auc i ty o fe v idence f r om r ound b a r row s a nd f l a tg r ave s . A n a na ly s i s o f t he b ody p ar t s f r om i n comp le te s ke le ton s p re sen t a tc au sewayed e nc lo s u r e s a nd l ong b a r row ss how st ha t s ku l l sa nd l ong b one s a r e p re sen t i nf a rh i ghe r n umbe r s a t c au sewayed e nc losure s t han t hey a r e a t l ong b ar row s ( f igs .4 a nd 5 ) . T h i sg enera l p a t tern i s m a tched b y t he e v idence f r om i nd iv idua ls i te s . T he e x i s tence o f al i nk b e tween c au sewayed e nc lo sures a nd l ong b a r row s h a s a l ready b een n o ted f o r W e s t K enne t ( P iggo t t 1 962 ) a nd W indm i l l H i l l ( Sm i th 1 965 ) , b u t i sa l so s ugge s ted a tH amb ledon H i l l ( Mercer 1 980 ) b y t he s im i la r i ty b e tween t he s equence o fr e cu t s i n t he d i tche s a tb o th t h e m a in c au sewayed e n c l o sure a nd t he n earby l ong b a r row . B od ie s w e re i n t roduced i n to s ome l ong b a r row s i na d ef le shed s t a te ( We l l s i n P i ggo t t 1 962 ) ; t he d i sa r t icu la t ion o f many l ong b ar row b u r ia l s c ou ld b e ar e su l t o f t h i s p rac t ice , b u t i no the r c a se s i tc ou ld b e d ue t os ub sequen t d i s tu rb a nce when f u r ther b od ie s w e re i n ter red . B e t te re v idence i sp rov ided b y t he w ea the red c on d i t ion o f many b one s , s ugge s t ing t ha t t he b od ie s h ad b een e xpo sed p r io r t o i n te rmen t i n t h e l ong b a r row . I n s ome c a se s f l e sh h ad b een b u rn t o f ft h e b one s b efore t he i r f i na l b ur ia l . F ina l ly , t here i ss ome e v idence t ha t s ma l l b one s h ad b een l o s t f r om b od ie s b efore t hey r e ached t he l ong b ar row . Al e s s c on s idered a spec t o f mu l t i s tage b ur ia l i st he s e quence o fe ven t s i nt he t r an s i t ion f r om d ead i nd iv idua l t o a nce s t ra l g roup member ( a s ub jec t o f ma jor i mpor tance i n t he g ene ra l t heore t ica l l i tera tu re ) . T he re a r e t h ree o bv iou s w ay s o f s t o r ing t he b ody u n t i l i t s 4 9

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f l e sh h a s r o t ted a nd i ti si n af i t s t a te t o j o in t he c ommun i ty o f t he a nce s to r s . T hese a r e : p l ac ing t he b ody o n ap l a tform ; p l ac ing t he b ody i n s ide ah ou se ;o rb u ry ing t h e b ody i na g r ave o rp i t .T he re i sn o f i rm e v idence f o rt he e xpo sure o fb od ie s o n p l a tfo rm s i nt he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic , b u t i tm ay h ave h appened o n s t ruc tu re s s uch a st ha t i nf r on t o fF u s se l l ' s L odge ( A shbee 1 966 ) . Mor tua ry h ou se s c l ea r ly c ou ld h ave s e rved s uch a f unc t ion ,b u t t hey may e qua l ly w e l l h av e b een t he f i na l r e s t ing p l ace o f s ome b od ie s , o r p a r t s o fb od ie s -t he re i s n o c onv inc ing e v idence e i the r w ay . T he re i sr a the r mo re e v idence f r om t he p i t s r e co rded u nder 2 2 l ong b ar row s wh ich c on ta in n on -dome s t ic d ebr i s . A shbee ( 1966 ; 1 970 ) h a si n te r p re ted t hem a s t he r ema in s o f mor tua ry h ou se s b u t t hey a r e r a re ly o ft he a pp ropr ia te s i ze , s hape o r n umbe r t oh ave b een t he p o s t -ho le s o fb u i ld ing s . T h i s r a the ru n sa t i sf ac to ry e xp la n a t ion c an b e c on t ra s ted w i th o ne t ha ts t re s se s t he l i ke l ihood o f ab u r ia lr i te i n vo lv ing p r i m a ry a nd s e condary b u r ia l s . I ts e ems p robab le t ha t a tl e a s t s ome o ft he se p i t sh e ld b od ie s wh i le t hey l o s t t he i rf l e sh . T he re a r et wo l i ne so fe v idence w h ich s uppor t t h i s t h eory . F i r s t , t he re a r e t he p i t s n o t u nde rb a r row s wh ich c on ta in E a rl i e r N eo l i th ic b u r ia l s -t hey s e em t o b ec a refu l ly p l aced i nt he se p i t sa nd a s soc ia ted w i th g r ave g oods . T hey a l so s e em n o t t oh ave b een c ove red b y mounds a nd f o r t h i s r e a son i ti sp os s ib le t ha t i tw a s i n tended t or emove t he b od ie s s ubsequen t ly . S econd ly , t he re a r e p i t s c on ta in ing b u r ia l si nt he i nne re nc lo su re a t M a iden C a s t le ( Whee le r 1 943 ) , a nd p i t s c on ta in ing n on -dome s t ic d ebr i s a nd s ma l l f r ag m en t s o f h uman b one i n t h e ma in e nc losu re a t H amb ledon H i l l ( Me rce r 1 980 ) . I f ab ody h ad b een r emov ed f r om ap i t a f te r t he f l e sh h ad d ecompo sed b u t b efo re t he mu sc le sh ave r o t ted a way , t he o n ly s ke le ta l r ema in s o ne w ou ld e xpec t t o s u rv ive w ou ld b e s ma l l f r ag m en t s wh ich c ou ld b e d e tached b yr ough h and l ing . O ne o u t s tand ing f e a tu re o f t he b ur ia l r e co rd i st he l a rge a moun t o fa n ima l b one sw i th , o r i n c l o se p rox im i ty t o ,h uman b one s . G r in se l l ( 1958 ) s ugge s ted t ha t t hey r epre sen ted t he r ema in s o f f une ra l f e a s t s . T h i ss t udy d oe sn o t c ha l lenge t ha t i n te rp re ta t ion i na l c a se s , b u t a r gue s f o r af r e sh l ook a t t h e e v idence i nt he b e l ief t ha t t he c ompo s i t ion o ff e a s t s i sl i ke ly t o c on ta in s i gn if ican t i n forma t ion , a nd t ha t s ome f auna l r ema in s a r e r i tua l d epo s i t sr a the r t han f e a s t ing d ebr i s . A ga in o ne c an u sefu l ly c ompa re t he i n forma t ion f r om c au sewayed e nc lo su re s w i th t ha t f r om l o ng b a r row s . T he a n ima lr ema in s f r om t he t wo t ype s o fs i te a r e s i gn if ican t ly d i f f e ren t : t he re i s aw ide r ange o f a n ima l s pec ie s a t c au sewayed e nc lo su re s , w i th c a t t le d om inan t , b u t c on s ide rab le a moun t s o f p i g a nd s heep o r g oa t a r e p resen t a s w e l l ; a t l ong b a r row s c a t t le a r e d om inan t a nd o ther a n ima l s a r e a lmo s t e n t i re ly a bsen t . D if f eren t ia l d epo s i t ion l i ke t h i s s ugge s t s t ha t w e a r e s e e ing a n a n ima l h i e ra rchy i n t h e a r chaeo log ica l r e co rd . S uch a n a n ima l h i e ra rchy i sl i ke ly t o b e at r an sfo rma t ion o f t he s oc ia l h i era rchy , l e g i t ima t ing t he s oc ia l h i e ra rchy b y p re sen t ing i ta sp re sen t i nt he a n ima l w o r ld a nd t hu s n a tu ra l a nd i mmu tab le . I nt h i s s en se c a t t le c ou ld b e i n te rp re ted a s ah omo l o gue t o t he a r i s toc ra t ic c l an . T he e v idence f r om B eckhamp ton R oad ( A shbee e ta l . 1 979 ) i sh i gh ly s ugge s t ive . T h i s c on ta ined n o h uman r ema in s , b u t h ad t h ree c a t t le s ku l l s a nd a l ong b one p l aced a l ong t h e a x i s o f t he mound w here n orma l ly h uman b u r ia l s w ou ld b e f ound . U nfor tuna te ly i ti so f ten n o t p o s s ib le t o d ec ide w he the r t hese c a t t le r ema in s a r e f r om w i ld o rd omes t ic a n ima l s . T he e a r ly a ccoun t s a r e q u i te p o s i t ive i nd e sc r ib ing t he c a t t le b one s t hey f ound a s d ome s t ic , b u t t h i s may b e t he r e su l t o fu nf am i l ia r i ty w i th w i ld c a t t le , a nd c e r ta in ly s ome c a t t le a r e n o ted a sb e ing o f e xcep t iona l ly l a rge s i ze . I ndeed , a sl a te a s t h e e xcava t ion a t M a iden C a s t le ( Whee le r 1 943) w i ld c a t t le w ere b e ing w rong ly i d en t if ied a s d ome s t ic ( G r ig son 1 981) . T h i su se o fc a t t le b one s may w e l l b e c onnec ted w i th t he v a lue o f c a t t le h erd sa sa n e conom ic r e sou rce ( Legge 1 981) . T he s ymbo l ic s i gn if icance o fa n ima l s t o N eo l i th ic c ommun i t ie s i sl i ke ly t oh ave b een c on s iderab le , a st he c omp lex e thnog raph ic s i tua t ion sr e co rded b y L each ( 1964 ) a nd T amb iah ( 1969 ) w ou ld s ugge s t . I tr ema in s t o c on s ide r t h e q ue s t ion o fc hange o ve r t ime . An e xam ina t ion o ft he s t a te o f t he s ke le ta l r ema in s a t l ong b ar row s ( f ig . 6 ) s hows t ha t a l l t h ree v a r ia t ion s o ccu ri nf a i r ly l a rge n umber s . T he d a ted e xamp le s s how t ha t t he e a r ly s i te o f F u s se l l ' s L odge c on ta in s d i sa r t icu la ted r ema in s o n ly . A s s ugge s ted e a r l ie r , a na ly s i s o f t he n umbe r o fb od ie s a tl ong b a r row s r a i se s p rob lem s . A l l l ong b ar row s s a id t o h ave c on ta ined ' s eve ra l ' s ke le ton s a r e 5 1

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4 . 10 H is tog ram s how ing t he n umbe r o fb ur ia l s a tl ong b ar row s h av ing b o th a r t icu la ted a nd d i sar t icu la ted b ur ia l s

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h e re p l aced i n t he 2 -4 b od ie s c a tego ry , wh i le t hose s a id t o h ave c on ta ined ' many ' b od ie s a r e p l aced i nt he 5 10 b od ies c a tego ry ( f ig . 7 ) . T he re i s ac ons ide rab le v a r ia t ion i nt he n um b e r o f b od ie s r epre sen ted ; h oweve r , i ti ss i gn if ican t t ha t t he l ong b ar row w i th t he mo s t b od ie s ( Fu s se l l ' s L odge ) i sa l so t he e a r l ie s t ; S ou th S t ree t a nd B eckhamp ton R oad , wh ich c on ta ined n o b od ie s , a r e a tt he e nd o ft he d a te r ange ;w h i le N u tbane , wh ich c on ta ined f ou r b od ie s , i si nt he m idd le o ft h i sr ange . Much c l eare rr e su l t se me rge i ft he l ong b a r row b ur ia l s a r e c ons ide red i n t h ree . g roup s : d i sar t icu la ted b u r ia l s o n ly ; a r t icu la ted b u r ia l s o n ly ; a nd d epo s i t s o fh uman r ema in s i n wh ich b o th t ype s a r er ep re sen ted ( f ig s . 8 10 ) . T he c l ea re s t o f t he se p a t te rn s i st ha t t he re a re mos t b od ie s a t l ong b ar row s whe re a l l t he r ema in s a r e d i sa r t icu la ted . B y c on tra s t a l l t he s i ng le b u r ia l s a tl ong b a r row sa re a r t icu la ted . T u rn ing t o ac on s idera t ion o fd i f f eren t ia lb u r ia lb y a ge a nd s ex , i ti sc l ea r t ha t t h e a r t icu l a ted b u r ia l s a r e p redom inan t ly t hose o fa du l t s ( f ig s . 1 a nd 1 2 ) . T he re i s ,h oweve r , a lmo s t a sc l ea r ad iv i s ion b e tween t he t r ea tmen t o f ma le a nd f ema le b u r ia l s ( f ig s . 1 3 a nd 1 4 ) : ma le s w ere c ho sen f o ra r t icu la ted b u r ia la tt he e xpen se o ff ema le sa nd c h i ldren . I na dd i t ion c e r ta in b ur ia l s w ere p icked o u t b y b e ing p rov ided w i th g r ave g ood s . T he re a r e an umbe r o f l ong b ar row s wh ich c on ta in p o t tery a nd f l in t s i n p i t s u nde r t he mound , i n t he ma ter ia l o ft he mound , o r n ea r t he b ur ia l s . T he re a r e , h oweve r , o n ly f i ve i n s tance s whe re p o t te ry o r f l in t s w ere p l aced w i th ap a r t icu lar b ur ia l : a l l w ere a r t icu la ted , a l l w ere a du l t s , a nd t he t h ree s exed • e xamp le s w e re ma le s . L ook ing a tt he p hy s ica l a t t r ibu te s o fl ong b a r row s i n vo lve s a n e xam ina t ion o fo r ien ta t ion a nd o f s i ze a nd s hape . T here i s at endency f o r l ong b a r row sw i th o n ly a r t icu la ted r ema in s t o d ev ia te f r om t he e a s t t o s ou th -ea s t n o rm . A l so , t he r ange o fd ev ia t ion s f r om t he n orm i s g r ea te r f o r l ong b a r row s w i th f ew b od ie s . T he re i s as l igh t t endency f o rl ong b a r row s w i th o n ly d i sa r t icu la ted r ema in s t o b e s ma l le r , a nd as l igh t t endency f o r l ong b a r row s w i th a l a rger n umbe r o f b u r ia l s t o b e s ma l ler a l so . T he o ne c l ea r p a t te rn wh ich d oe s e me rge i sa g r ea te r v ar ie ty o fs i ze s , s hape s , a nd o r ien ta t ion s . B ank b a r row s , o va l b a r row s , b a r row s w i th U shaped d i tche s , a nd s o me l a rge t r apezo ida l o ro b long b a r row s c on ta in f ew b u r ia l s , a r t icu l a ted b u r ia l s , o rn o b u r ia l sa ta l l . H av ing i d en t if ied t he se p a t te rn s ,i tr ema in s t o e xp la in t hem . I ti ss ugge s ted t ha t i nE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic We s sex t he d eg ree o fs oc ia l d i f f e ren t ia t ion i n c rea sed o ve r t ime a nd t ha t t h i si st he k ey f a c tor i nvo lved . T he c o -va r ia t ion o fd i sa r t icu la t ion /a r t icu la t ion a nd t he c hang ing n um b er o fb od ie so nt he se s i te s may r evea l t he g row ing e xc lu s ivene s s o fl ong b a r row b u r ia l . T h i s i sa ppa ren t n o t o n ly i nt he much l ower n umbe r o fi nd iv idua l s b e ing b u r ied i nl ong b a r row s , b u t a l so i n t he c hange f r om d i sa r t icu la ted t o a r t icu la ted b u r ia l s . I fd i sa r t icu la ted r ema in s a r e s e en a s empha s i s ing t he g roup a ga in s t t he i nd i v idu at ,t hen t he a ppearance o fa r t icu la ted r ema in s i n l ong b ar row s i s as i gn if ican t c ha l lenge t o t he p r imacy o ft he g roup -ac ha l lenge wh ich r eache s i t s f i na l d eve lopmen t w i th l ong b a r row s wh ich c on ta in o n ly o ne a r t icu la ted b ur ia l w i th g rave g oods . T h i s i nc rea s ing e xc lu s ivene s s a nd t he g row ing e xpre s s ion o f i nd i v i dua l s t a tu s i nb u r ia l s s e em t o b e ap redom inan t ly ma l e p henomenon . T h i s m ean s t ha t o ve r t ime t he re w a s aw iden ing g ap b e tween t he s u rf ace a ppea rance o f s ome l ong b a r row s ( wh ich w a s r e la t ive ly u nchang ing , a pa r t f r om t he eme rgence o f o va l b ar row s ) a nd t he i r a c tua l c on ten t s . T h i s i sb e s t e xp la ined b y t he e x i s tence o fa n i d eo logy wh ich p l aced empha s i s o n t he u nchang ing e s sence o fs oc ie ty a tt he s ame t ime a si mpor tan t s oc ia l c hange s w ere t ak ing p lace . T he o the r s i de o f t h i s c o in i st he e mpha s i so n c on t inu i ty i n t he b u r ia l d epo s i t s a tc ausewayed e nc lo su re s . T he re w ou ld , t he refo re , s e em t o h ave b een t wo b ur ia l p a t tern s o pe ra t ing i n o ppo s i t ion t o e ach o the r . S o f a r w e d o n o t p o s se s s t he c h rono log ica l r e so lu t ion w e n eed t o s e e h ow t h i s c onf l ic t d eve loped , b u t o ne p o s s ib le s equence wh ich c an b e e xam ined t h rough f u r ther r ad ioca rbon d a te s i sf r om t r apezo ida l b a r row s c on ta in ing l a rge n umber s o fd i sa r t icu la ted b u r ia l s t o s im i la r ly s haped l ong b a r row s c on ta in ing as ma l l n umber o fa r t icu la ted b u r ia l s . L a te rd eve lopmen t s may a l so i n c lude s im i l a r ly s haped l ong b a r row s c on ta in ing s i ng le a r t icu la ted b u r ia l s o r n o h uman b u r ia l s a t a l l ; o va l b ar row s c on ta in ing s i ng le a r t icu la ted b u r ia l s o r n o b u r ia l s ; o va l o r o b long b a r row s w i th U shaped d i tche s c on ta in ing s i ng le a r t icu la ted b u r ia l s o r n o b u r ia l s ;a nd b ank b ar row s 5 4

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4 . 14 H i s tog ram s how ing t he s t a te o ff ema le b u r ia l s a tl ong b a r row s

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c on ta in ing n o b ur ia l s . T hu s t he re i sa n e no rmou s d i ve r s if ica t ion o ff o rm w i th t h e l a te l ong b a r rows . T h i s s ugge s t ion a l so make s ap o in t a bou t t h e r e la t ive n umbe r s o f e a r ly a nd l a te l ong b ar row s -t he ma jor i ty o f t hem a r e l i ke ly t o b e l a te i nd a te , a nd t h i s may a ccoun t f o r t he d i spropo r t iona te ly l a rge n umber o fl ong b ar row s i n We s sex w hen c ompa red w i th o the r ma jor f oc i o fE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen t , s uch a sY ork sh i re . L ook ing a t t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f t he se l a te ( M idd le N eo l i th ic ) l ong b ar rows ( def ined h e re a s e xcava ted e xamp le s c on ta in ing s i ng le a r t icu la ted b u r ia l s o r n o b u r ia l d epo s i t , o va l b a r r ow s , b ank b a r row s , a nd b ar row s w i th U shaped d i tche s ) , t here i s as pread o fl ong b a r row s d own o n t o t he l ow land s , b u t more s i gn if ican t ly t hey t end t o c l u s te ri n an umbe r o fg roup s ( f ig . 1 5) : a nA vebu ry g roup , aD or se t C u r su sg roup , aS tonehenge g roup a nd aD o r s e t R idge w ay g roup . T he se s e em t o ma rk t he e s tab l i shmen t o f an umber o fr i tua l l a nd scape s , w h ich w e s hou ld a dd t o t he e v idence f o r ar i tua l l a nd scape a tH amb ledon H i l l ( Me rce r 1 980 ) w i th i t s l ong b ar row w i th as i ng le b u r ia l , a nd a tR ob in H ood ' s B a l l w i th i t sn ew ly d i scov e red o va l b ar row ( R icha rds p er s . c omm .) . T he re a r e s i gn if ican tv a r ia t ion s b e tween t he se v a r iou s f oc if or e xamp le t he D or se tR idgeway b ank b a r row s o r t he U -d i tched b a r row s n ear t ot h e Do r se t C u r su s f o rm d i s t inc t r e g iona lg roup s . I t may p erhap s b e h e re t ha t w e c an g l imp s e t he b reak u p o f ag ene ra l E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic We s sex c u l tu ra l a r ea , a nd t he e s tab l i shmen t o ft e r r i tor ia l d iv i s ion s wh ich b ecome o ve r t o n ly i n t he L a te r N eo l i th ic . T h i s e v idence o f c on t inu i ty s ugges t s t ha t i ti st ime t ha t w e e xam ined t he c u r ren t ly o r thodox v i ew t ha t t he p e r iod Ia m c a ll ing t he M idd le N eo l i th ic w a so ne o fc on t rac t ion , h i a tu s a nd i n ac t iv i ty . T o p u t t h i s ma te r ia l i n aw ide rr e g iona l c on tex t , i ti si mpo r tan t t o b e c l ea r t ha tu n iform p rac t ice s w ere n o t o pe ra t ing a c ros s t he who le o f s ou thern B r i ta in . I n t he n e ighbou r ing c oun t ie s t o t he e a s t a nd n o r th w e c an s e e s i gn if ican t d i f f erence s f r om Wes sex . T he r e la t i ve ly l a rge n umbe r o f o va l b ar row s i n S u s sex ( 6 o u t o f 1 2 l ong b ar row s -D r ewe t t 1 978 ) s ugge s t s ap a t te rn l i ke t ha t o f H amp sh ire . On t he b as i so ft he d a te o fA lf r i s ton ( 2360±110 b c -H a r 9 40 ) o va l b a r row s may l a s t l onger i n S u s sex t han t hey d o i n We s sex ( Drewe t t 1 978 ) , a nd t h i s may b e r e la ted t o t he l a ck o fh enge si nS u s sex . I ti sa l so p os s ib le t ha t S u s s ex l ong b a r row s s t a r t t o b e b u i l t r e la t ive ly l a te , a st he o n ly d a te f r om aS u s sex o b long l ong b a r row i st ha t f r om B ev i s ' T humb a t2 595±95 b c ( Se lk i rk 1 983 -l a b n umbe rn o tq uo ted ) . I t may b e t ha t t he re i s as im i la r s cheme o fd eve lopmen t t o t ha t o f Wes sex , b u t much c on t r ac ted . I n B e rk sh i re t he o b long l ong b a r row a t L ambou rn h a s ad a te o f3 415±180 b c ( GX 178 -Wymer 1 965-6 ) , s o l ong b a r row s p robab ly d o s t a r t q u i te e a r ly i nB erk sh i re , wh i le Way land ' s Sm i thy w i th i t s d a te o f 2 820±130 b c ( 12 328 - A tk in son 1 965) p o s t -da t ing a n o va l mound , s ugge s t s t ha t i n t he T hame s V a l ley , a si nY ork sh i re , o va l b ar row sa r e a n e a r ly d eve lopmen t . We d o n o t h ave t he e v idence t o s ay h ow t he b u r ia l p a t te rn d ev e lops . I n Oxfordsh ire w e h ave r a the r more i n forma t ion : A sco t t -unde r -Wychwood c hambe red t omb c on ta ined t he r ema in s o fa tl e a s t 5 0 i nd iv idua l s ( Ches te rman 1 977 ) , a nd i sb e s t d a ted f r om c ha rcoa l o n t he o ld l a nd s u rf ace t o 2 785±70 b c ( BM 4 92 - B u r le igh e ta l . 1 976 ) , wh ich s ugges t s ar e la t ive ly l a te d a te f o r t he b u r ia l o fl a rge n umber s o fb od ie s ;h oweve r , t h e h uman b one f r om i n s ide t he D orche s te r o n T hame s C ur su s d a ted t o 2 850±130 b c ( OxA 19 G i l le sp ie e ta l . 1 984 ) s how s at r ad i t ion o fs i ng le b u r ia l se me rg ing ; wh i le t he d a te o f2 722± 4 9 b c ( BM 1 405) f r om t he s ugge s ted b ank b a r row a tN or th S toke ( Ca se 1 982 ) s hows s o me wha t s im i la r p a t tern s a r e o pe ra t ing t o t ho se o f We s sex . F ina l ly , t he o v a l b a r row r ecen t ly e xcava ted a t B a r row H i l l s ( B rad ley , t h i s v o lume p .116 ) , wh ich c on ta ined a d oub le i nhu ma t ion w i th aj e t s l ide r , ap o l i shed -edge k n if e a nd al a rge leaf s haped a r rowhead , mu s t b e aM idd le N eo l i th ic a s semb lage . T h i s v ery b r ief s u rvey o f r ecen t ly e xcava ted s i te s s hou ld make t he p o in t t ha t w e c an n o l onge r g ene ra l i se w i th a ny c onf idence f r om o ne a rea t o a no the r , a nd t ha t as e r ie s o fr e g iona l s t ud ie s s uch a st hose r ep re sen ted i nt h i sv o lume o f f e r s t he b e s tc hance o f mak ing s i gn if ican t a dvance s i no u ru nde r s tand ing o ft he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic .

A cknow ledgement s Is hou ld l i k i ; t o t hank R icha rd B rad ley , M ike R ow land s , membe r s o ft he We l land V a l ley 5 8

P ro jec t ( now F en land A rchaeo log ica l A s soc ia te s ) , a nd I an K inne s f o rt he i r c ommen t s o n a n e ar l ier v er s ion o f t h i s p ape r . Is hou ld a l so l i ke t o t hank R oge r M e rce r , R ob in K enwa rd , J u l ian R icha rds a nd R icha rd B rad ley f o r a l low ing me a cces s t o u npub l i shed w ork .

B ib l iog raphy ASHBEE , P . 1 966 . T he F u s se l l ' s L odge l ong b a r row e xcava t ion s ,A rchaeo log ia 1 00 ,1-80 . ASHBEE , P . 1 970 . T he E ar then L ong B a r row i nB r i ta in ( London , D en t ) . ASHBEE , P . , SM ITH , I .F . a nd EVANS , J .G . 1 979 . T h ree l ong b a r row s n ea r A vebury , W i l t sh i re ,P roceed ing so ft h eP reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 5 ,207-300 . ATK INSON , R . J .C . 1 965 . W ay land ' s Sm i thy , Ant iqu i ty 3 9 ,126133 . ATK INSON , R . J .C . 1 968 . O ld mor ta l i ty : s ome a spec t s o f b u r ia l a nd p opu la t ion i nN eo l i th ic E ng land , i n C o le s , J .M . a nd S imp son , D . D . A . ( ed i to r s ) , S tud ie s i n Anc ient E urope ( Le ice s te r , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 8 3-93 . B INFORD , L . R . 1 972 . An A rchaeo log ica lP er spect ive ( London , S em ina r P re s s ) . BLOCH , M . 1 982 . D ea th , w omen a nd p ower , i n B loch , M . a nd P a r ry , J .( ed i to r s ) , D ea th a nd t he R egener a t ion o fL if e ( Cambr idge , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) , 2 11-230 . BLOCH , M . a nd PARRY ,J .1 982 . I n t roduc t ion , i nB loch , M . a nd P ar ry , J .( ed i to r s ) ,D ea th a nd t he R egenera t ion o fL if e ( Cambr idge , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) , 1 -44 . BROTHWELL , D . R . 1 961 . C ann iba l i sm i ne a r ly B r i ta in , Ant iqu i ty 3 5 ,304-307 . BURLE IGH , R . , HEWSON , A . a nd MEEKS , N . 1 976 . B r i t i sh Mu seum n a tu ra lr ad ioca rbon mea su remen ts V I I I ,R ad iocarbon 1 8 ,16-42 . CASE , H . J . 1 982 . T he l i nea r d i tche s a nd s ou the rn e nc lo su re , N o r th S toke , i n C a se , H . J . a nd Wh i t t le , A . W . R . ( ed i to r s ) , S e t t l ement P a t terns i nt he O xf ord R eg ion ( London , C oun c i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 6 0-75 . CHESTERMAN , J .T . 1 977 . B u r ia l r i te s i n aC o t swo ld l ong b a r row , Man 1 2 ,22-32 . CH ILDE , V . G . 1 940 . P reh i s tor ic C ommun i t ie so ft he B r i t i sh I s l e s ( London , C hambe r s ) . DARV ILL , T . C . 1 982 . T he Mega l i th ic C hambered T ombs o ft h e C ot swo ld -Seve rn R eg ion ( H ighwor th , Vo rda ) . DREWETT , P . 1 975 . T he e xcava t ion o f a n o va l b u r ia l mound o f t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c a tA lf r i s ton , E a s t S u s sex ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 1 ,119152 . DREWETT , P . 1 978 . N eo l i th ic S u s sex , i n D rewe t t , P . ( ed i to r ) , A rchaeo logy i nS u s sex t o AD 1 500 ( London , C ounc i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 2 3-29 . FR IEDMAN , J . 1 975 . T r ibe s , s t a te s a nd t r an sforma t ion s , i n B loch , M . ( ed i to r ) , Marx i s t Ana ly se sa nd S oc ia l Anthropo logy ( London , M a laby P re s s ) , 1 61-202 . G ILLESP IE , R . , GOWLETT , J .A . J . , HALL , E . T . a nd HEDGES , R . E . M . 1 984 . R ad io c arbon mea su remen t b y a cce le ra to r ma s ss pec t rome t ry : a n e a r ly s e lec t ion o fd a te s ,A rchae ome t ry 2 6 ,15-20 . GR IGSON ,C . 1 981. T he f auna , i nS immon s , I .G . a nd T oo ley , M . J .( ed i to r s ) , T he E nv i ron m ent i nB r i t i sh P reh i s tory ( London , Duckwor th ) , 1 25-209 . GR INSELL , L . V . 1 958 . T he A rchaeo logy o fW e s sex ( London , M e thuen ) . HERTZ , R . 1 960 ( 1909 ) .D ea th a nd t he R ight H and ( Aberdeen , C ohen a nd We s t ) . HOARE , R . C . 1 812 . T he Anc ient H i s tory o fS outh W i l t sh i re V o lume I( London , M i l le r ) . HODDER , I .1 982 . S ymbo l si nA c t ion ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . K INNES , I .1 975 . Monumen ta l f unc t ion i nB r i t i sh N eo l i th ic b u r ia l p rac t ice s , W or ld A rchae o logy 7 ,16-29 . L EACH , E . 1 961 . R e th ink ing Anthropo logy ( London , L ondon S choo l o fE conom ic s ) . L EACH , E . 1 964 . An th ropo log ica l a spec t s o fl a nguage : a n ima l c a tego r ie s a nd v e rba l a bu se , i n L enneberg , E . H . ( ed i to r ) , N ew D i rec t ions i nt he S tudy o fL anguag e ( Camb r idge , Ma s sa c hu se t t s , M .I .T . P re s s ) , 2 3-63 .

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L EGGE , A . J . 1 981 . A spec t s o f c a t t le h u sbandry , i nM e rce r , R . ( ed i tor ) , F a rm ing P rac t ice i nB r i t i sh P reh i s tory ( Ed inbu rgh , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) 1 69181 . MEGAW , J .V . S . a nd S IMPSON , D . D . A . 1 979 , I nt roduc t ion t o B r i t i sh P reh i s tory ( Le i c e s ter , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . MERCER , R . 1 980 . H amb l edon H i l l( Ed inburgh , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . MEYR ICK , 0 . 1 948 . S i r R icha rd C o l t H oare a nd W i l l iam C unn ing ton , W i l t sh i re A rchae o log ica l Magaz ine 5 2 , 2 13-218 . P ADER , E J . 1 982 . S ymbo l i sm , S oc ia l R e la t ions a nd t he I nte rpreta t ion o f Mor tua ry R ema ins ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) . P ARKER -PEARSON , M . 1 984 . S oc ia l c hange , i d eo logy a nd t he a r chaeo log ica l r e co rd , i n S p r igg s , M . ( ed i to r ) , Marx i s t P er spec t ive s i n A rchaeo logy ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) 5 9-71 . P IGGOTT , S .1 954 .N eo l i th ic C u l ture so ft he B r i t i sh I s l e s ( Camb r idge , Un iver s i ty P re s s ) . P IGGOTT , S .1 962 . T he W e s t K enne t L ong B a r row ( London , H .M .S .0 .) . P ROUDFOOT , E . 1 965 . B i shop ' s C ann ing s , R ough r idge H i l l , W i l t sh ir e A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 6 0 , 1 33 . RENFREW , C . 1 973 . Monumen t s , mob i l i sa t ion a nd s oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion i nN eo l i th ic We s sex , i nR enf rew ,C .( ed i tor ) , T he E xp lana t ion o fC u l ture C hange : Mode l s i nP reh i s tory ( London , D uckwo r th ) , 5 39-558 . ROYAL COMM ISS ION ON H ISTOR ICAL MONUMENTS 1 979 . L ong B a r row s i nH amp s h i r e a nd t he I s l eo fW ight ( London , H .M .S .0 . ) . S ELK IRK , A . 1 983 . S u s sex p reh i s tory , C ur rent A rchaeo logy 8 8 , 1 50152 . S IMPSON , D . D . A . 1 968 . T imbe r mo r tua ry h ou se s a nd e a r then l ong b ar row s , Ant iqu i ty 4 2 , 1 42144 . S HANKS , M . a nd T ILLEY , C . 1 982 . I deo logy , s ymbo l ic p ower a nd r i tua l c ommun ica t ion : ar e in terpre ta t ion o f N eo l i th ic mor tua ry p rac t ice s , i n H odder , I .( ed i to r ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 29154 . SM ITH , I .F . 1 965 . W indm i l lH i l la nd A vebury ( Oxfo rd , C la rendon P re s s ) . TA INTER , J .A . 1 975 . S oc ia l i n f e rence a nd mo r tuary p rac t ice s : a n e xper imen ti nn ume r i c a l c l a s s if ica t ion , W or ld A rchaeo logy 7 , 1 15 . TA INTER , J .A . 1 976 . S pa t ia l o rgan i sa t ion a nd s pa t ia lp a t te rn ing i nt he Ko loko c eme tery , N or th Kona , H awa i i ,A rchaeo logy a nd P hys ica l Anthropo logy i nO cean ia 1, 9 1105 . TAMB IAH , S .J . 1 969 . An ima l s a r e g ood t o t h ink a nd g ood t o p roh ib i t ,E thno logy 8 ,4 234 59 . THORPE , I .J . 1 983 . P reh i s tor ic B r i t i sh a s tronomy - t owa rds a s oc ia l c on tex t , S cot t i sh A r chaeo log ica lR ev iew 2 ,2 10 . VAN GENNEP , A . 1 960 ( 1908 ) . T he R i te so fP a s sage ( London , R ou t ledge a nd K egan P au l ) . VATCHER , F . d e M . 1 961 . T he e xcava t ion o ft he l ong mo r tua ry e nc lo sure o n N o rman ton D own , W i l t s . ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 7 , 1 60173 . WHEELER , R . E . M . 1 943 . Ma iden C a s t l e , Dor se t ( London , S oc ie ty o f An t iqua r ie s ) . WH ITTLE , A . W . R . 1 977 . T he E ar l ier N eo l i th ic o fS outhern E ng land a nd i t s C ont inenta l B ackg round ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) . WYMER , J .J .1 965-6 . E xcava t ion s a tt he L ambou rn l ong b a r row , 1 964 , B erk sh i re A rchae o log ica lJ ourna l6 2 , 1 16 .

6 0

5 .

S tudy ing Monumen ts R icha rd B rad ley

I ti so ne o ft he p rob lems o ft he N eo l i th ic p e r iod t ha t c on sp icuou s monumen t s d om ina te t he a r chaeo log ica l r eco rd a t t he e xpen se o f o rd ina ry s e t t lemen t s . T h i s h a s l e d s ome a u th o r i t ies t o s uppo se t ha t t he s i te s wh ich a r e s o o f ten i n terpre ted a sc e remon ia l c en t re s t hem s e lve s f u lf i l led ad omes t ic r o le ( f or i n s tance Wa inw r igh t 1 975) . O the r w r i te r sh ave a ccep ted t he p reva i l ing i n te rpre ta t ion o f t he l a rge r monumen t s a nd h ave u sed t he i rd i s t r ibu t ion a sa c l ue t o c on temporary g eog raphy ; t he d i s tr ibu t ion o fe nc lo su re sa nd b ur ia l si sv i ewed i nd ica t ion o f t he a r ea so fc on tempora ry s e t t lemen t ( c f R enf rew 1 973a ;G reen 1 974 ) . f ew a r chaeo log i s t s h ave f e l t t ha t t he mo s t o bv iou s c ha rac te r i s t ic s o ft he se s i te s -t he i r s c a le a nd p e rmanence - d e se rved a t ten t ion i n t he i r own r i gh t , a nd i t may b e b ecau se

a sa n V e ry s hee r t he se

a spec t s h ave b een t aken f o rg ran ted t ha t s uch monumen t s a r e i n teg ra ted s o p oor ly i n to o ur g enera l u nde r s tand ing o f N eo l i th ic s oc ie ty . S ince t he se e ar thwork s p rov ide s o much o ft he v i s ib le p a t te rn ing i n t he p reh i s tor ic l a ndscape , i ts e em s e s sen t ia l t o w o rk t owa rds ab e t ter u nder s tand ing o ft he i r d i s t inc t ive c ha rac te r a nd o ft he r e a son s f o r t he i r c on s truc t ion . I n mos t s t ud ie s o f N eo l i th ic B r i ta in , t he monumen t s t hem se lve s a r e t aken a s ' g iven ' . T hey p re sen t r e ady -made s equence s a nd d i s tr ibu t ion s wh ich p o s i t ive ly i nv i te e xpe r imen t s w i th d i f f eren t mode l s . T he re i sn o th ing w rong w i th u s ing s uch aw e l l -def ined d a ta b a se , o r w i th t r y ing o u t d i f f e ren t a na ly t ica l me thods o n t he s ame ma te r ia l . T he u nce r ta in t ie s a r e c au sed b ecau se s o many o f t he se a pproache s i n corpo ra te h idden a s sump t ion s wh ich o ve r s hadow t he mo s t i mpor tan t q ue s t ion s o f a l l : why w ere monumen t s b u i l t , a nd , o nce t hey h ad b een b u i l t , wha t d id t hey m ean i nt he i r own s oc ie ty a nd i nl a te rg ene ra t ion s? W i thou t d oub t t he mo s t i n f luen t ia l s t udy o f monumen t b u i ld ing i n B r i ta in w a s C o l in R enf rew ' sa na ly s i so ft he N eo l i th ic s equence i n Wes sex , p ub l i shed i n 1 973 ( Renf rew 1 973a ) . D e sp i te m ino r a mendmen t s ( f or i n s tance S ta r t in a nd B rad ley 1 981) , t h i s s t i l lr ema in s o ne o f t he f ew s t ud ie s t o c on s ide r t he se s i te s a s ap rob lem w or thy o fa na ly s i si nt hemse lve s . I t i sb ecau se R enf rew ' s p ape r i sk nown s o w ide ly t ha t t he p re sen t a r t ic le i sd evo ted t o t he s ame ma te r ia l . I t i s c onf ined t o t he p rob lems p osed b y t he l a rge s t monumen t s . Mo re e phemera l s i te s i n o the r p a r t s o f t he c oun t ry c ou ld h ave av e ry d i f f e ren t s i gn if icance . Th i s q ue s t ion h a s b een d i scu s sed r e cen t ly b y F ranc i s P ryo r ( i n p re s s ) . R enf rew ' s p ape r c on s ide r s t wo ma in t ype s o f p a t te rn ing i n t he a r chaeo log ica l r eco rd i n r e la t ion t o E lman S e rv ice ' s c oncep t ion o f ac h iefdom : t he d i s t r ibu t ion o fs ucce s s ive t ype s o f f i e ld monumen t ; a nd t he a moun t o f l a bou r n eeded i n o rde r t o b u i ld t hem . I tt r ace s a c ohe ren t s equence f r om l ong b a r row b u i ld ing t o c au sewayed e nc losu re s a nd f r om t he re t o t he c ons truc t ion o f e no rmou s h enge monumen t s . T he f i na l s t age o f t he s equence w a s t he e mergence o f e ven mor e ma s s ive s t ruc tu re s -S i lbury H i l l a nd S tonehenge . I n R enf rew ' s v i ew w e c an t r ace t he eme rgence a nd f i na l ly t he c oa le scence o f as e r ie s o f s epa ra te t e r r i t o r ie s d om ina ted b y t he se s ucce s s ive f o rm s o f monumen t . A t t he s ame t ime t he re w a s a r ough ly e xponen t ia l i n c rea se i n t he a moun t o f l a bou r n eeded t o b u i ld t he se e a r thwo rks . P o l i t ica l o rgan i sa t ion w a s r e con s t ruc ted f r om t he d i s t r ibu t ion o fc en t ra l p l ace s ,j u s t a si ti s i nt he E a r ly S ta te Modu le ( Renf rew 1 975) . R enf rew ' s s t udy work s f r om t h ree p rem i se s . F i r s t , i tp o s tu la te s t he e vo lu t ion o f' d i s t inc t i ve f o rm s o f monumen t f r om p recur sor s wh ich w ere v e ry d i f f e ren t f r om o ne a no the r . F or i n s tance , c au sewayed e nc lo sure s , s ome o f wh ich w ere d ef ended , e me rge f r om ap a t te rn o f p ure ly f une ra ry monumen t s a nd a r e r ep laced b y l a rge h enge monumen t s , wh ich c e r ta in ly c ou ld n o t b e d ef ended a nd s ome o f wh ich c ou ld h a rd ly h ave b een i nhab i ted . T he s e cond p rem i se i st ha t t here i sc on t inu i ty i n t he s pac ing o f s ucce s s ive monumen t s . T o ac e r ta in e x ten t t h i s i st r ue . S ome , b u t n o t a l l , o f t he h enge s a re c l o se t o c au sewayed e nc lo su re s , 6 1

j us t a s t he e nc losu re s a r e a round t he e dge s o f t he ma in g roup s o f l ong b a r row s . F ina l ly , t he mode l a s sume s t ha t e vo lu t ion c an b e mea su red b y t he a b i l i ty t o mob i l i se l a bour f o r monumen t b u i ld ing , s o t ha t t he s c a le o fs ucce s s ive monumen t si ss ome i ndex o ft he v i gou r o f t he s oc ia l f o rma t ion . T hu s l ong b a r row s t ake 5 ,000 t o 1 0 ,000 w orke r h ou r s t o b u i ld ; e nc losu re s t ake 1 00 ,000 w orker h our s , a nd t he h enge s wh ich r ep lace t hem t ake am i l l ion w orke r h ou r s o r mo re . S tonehenge a nd S i lbu ry H i l l c on sume e ven g rea te r a moun t s o f l a bou r . T h i s a pp roach t o s oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion i s ama jor e l emen t i nR enf rew ' s t h ink ing , a nd may b e o ne w ay o fl i nk ing t he e v idence f r om t he mo s t p rom inen t s i te s i nt he l a nd scape t o w ide r q ue s t ion s o f p ol i t ic ia l g eog raphy . I n t he EXTENT mode l R enf rew a nd L eve l ( 1979 )h ave d ev i sed ame thod o fr econ s truc t ing t e r r i to r ie s f r om t he s i ze a nd s pac ing o fs uch s i te s , wh i l s t s t ud ie s o ft he emergence o fe a r ly s t a te sh ave s ugge s ted t ha t t he re may h ave b een r e gu la r i t ie s i n t he s i ze s o f t he se t e r r i tor ie s a nd i nt he s pac ing o ft he i r c en tra l p l ace s ( Renf rew 1 975 ;c f F i she ri np re s s ) . As e cond e l emen t i nR enf rew ' si n te rp re ta t ion o f monumen t b u i ld ing i st he i d ea t ha tt he e vo lu t ion o f more c omp lex s oc ia l s t ruc tu re s s hou ld b e r e f lec ted b y t he g row ing c omp lex i ty o f t he p roce s s o f b u i ld ing t hem . I ti sn o c o inc idence t ha t h i s o r ig ina l p ape r s hou ld h ave f o l lowed S erv ice ' s c l a s s if ica t ion o fs oc ia l t ype s , wh ich w a s b a sed o n a n e xp l ic i t n o t ion o f s oc ia l e vo lu t ion . R enf rew h a s p ropo sed a mod if ica t ion t o t h i s s cheme wh ich b e t ter f i t s t he e v idence f r om We s sex ( 1973b ) . T he se l a ter s t ud ie s ,h oweve r , c on s ide red o n ly s ome o ft he a t t r ibu te s o fl a rge monumen t s . T he EXTENT mode l d oe s n o t s pec ify t he p rec i se r o le s o f t he c en t ra l p lace s a nd i ts e ems u n l ike ly t ha t a l l o f R enf rew ' s E a r ly S ta te Modu le s f unc t ioned i n t he s ame w ay a s o ne a no the r . T he l i nk w i th S erv ice ' s w ork i sj u s t a s i nd i rec t . I ft he re i s ap red ic tab le r e la t ion s h ip b e tween t he s c a le o f monumen t sa nd t he c omp lex i ty o fs oc ie ty , why w e re monumen t s b u i l t o n ly a tc e r ta in t ime s , a nd why s hou ld d i f f e ren t t ype s o f monumen t h ave r ep laced o ne a no ther a sn ea t ly a st h i s mode l s ugge s t s ? Wha t d o w e k now a bou t t he r o le o f monumen t si nt he i r own r i gh t? Why w ere t hey b u i l t i n t he f i r s t p l ace , a nd wha t r o le s d id t hey p l ay a f terwa rd s? I n l ook ing i n to t he se q ue s t ion s , i ti si mpor tan t t o s epara te t wo d i f f e ren t i s sue s : monumen t c on s t ruc t ion may f u lf i lp a r t icu l a r n eeds i n p a r t icu la r s oc ie t ie s , b u t r a the r d i f f e ren t m ean ing s may a t tach t o t ho se monu men t s a mong l a te r g ene ra t ion s . J ohn C he rry ( 1978 ) h a s a r gued t ha t monumen t b u i ld ing i s amore i mpo r tan tp roce s st han i sc ommon ly s uppo sed . I tc an c ha rac te r i se ap er iod o fd ra s t ic c hange a nd c an b e o ne w ay o fi n teg ra t ing t he d i f f e ren t p a r t s o fo ne s oc ie ty i nt he f a ce o fa s i ng le u nde r tak ing . S uch a n a ch ievemen t may l e g i t ima te t he p o s i t ion o ft ho se i n augu ra t ing t he work b u t a t t he s ame t ime , t he o rgan i sa t ion o f s uch ap ro jec t may b e s uppo r ted b y s upe rna tura l s anc t ion s a nd n eed n o t r equ i re a p o l i t ica l s t ruc tu re i n wh ich p owe rr e la t ion s a r e d ef ined e xp l ic i t ly . H e s ugge s t s t ha t t he l a rge s t monumen t s i n a ny r eg ion may b e b u i l t d ur ing a n i n i t ia l p e r iod o f c hange , a nd t ha t l a ter monumen t s may b e s i gn if ican t ly s ma l le r i n c oncep t ion . Mo re i mpre s s ive monumen t s a r e u n l ike ly t o b e b u i l t a ga in u n le s s t he s t ab i l i ty o f s oc ie ty i st h rea tened , i n wh ich c a se t he p roce s s may b e r epea ted . C he r ry i lu s t ra te s t h i s a r gumen t b y t wo e xamp le s : t he b u i ld ing o fM inoan p eak s anc tua r ie s a nd t he c on s truc t i on o fE gyp t ian p y ram ids . H e a l so s ugges t st ha t t he b u i ld ing o fs uch monumen t sc ou ld b e c onnec ted w i th t he e s tab l i shmen t o f ac ommon i d eo logy . T here may b e ag r ea te r i n ve s tmen t i ni d eo logy i np e r iods when t he re i sl e s se v idence o fc oe rc ion ( Webs ter 1 976 ) . I np rac t ice , t he e x i s tence o f as ha red i d eo logy -s t i l l more i t s a s ser t ion i ns pec tacu la r f o rm -m ay s e rve t o o b scure t he r e a l i t ie s o f p owe r b yt r ea t ing t hem a sn a tura l o ru nchang ing . I t may b e f o r t h i sr e a son t ha t l a rge monu m en ts a r e l e s s c ommon i n p er iods w i th c omp lex i nd iv idua l b u r ia l s when p owe r r e la t ion s w e re more e xp l ic i t ( Brad ley 1 984 , C hap ter 4 ) . T he s ame p o in t h a s b een made b y S hennan ( 1982 ) . Monumen t s a r e n o t c r ea ted a s a n e xe rc i se i n e r gonom ic s . T hey a r e l a s t ing f e a tu re s o f t he s oc ia l l a ndscape a nd , u n l ike n orma l s e t t lemen ts , t hey l e ave t he i r ma rk o n t ha t l a nd s c ape e ven i n t he p e r iods when t hey a r e n o t i n u se . I ti sf a i r t o e nqu i re whe the r t h e v e ry 6 2

p e rmanence o f l a rge monumen t s may n o t h e lp t o u pho ld t r ad i t iona l s t ruc ture s a nd p ro tec t t h em f r om c ha l lenge , f o r o nce t ho se monumen t s h ad b een b u i l t t hey m igh t c ome t o e p i t om i se t he a ch ievemen t s o f t he p a s t . T he l a s t ing c ha rac te r o fs pec if ica l ly r i tua l monumen t s i st h e i r mos t i mpo r tan t f e a tu re , f o r r i tua l e mbod ie s ad i f f e ren t c oncep t ion o f t ime f r om e ve ryday a f f a i r s , o ne wh ich i sr oo ted i n a n u nchang ing p a s t ( B loch 1 977 ) . F o r t h i s r e a son t he c on t inued u se o f t he se monumen t s , e ven a f te r a n i n te rva l o f d e ser t ion , may i n vo lve a r e f e rence t o t he p a s t a s as ource o f l e g i t ima te a u thor i ty . S im i la r ly , t he g r af t ing o f c om p l e te ly n ew e l emen t s o n to t he o r ig ina l d e s ign may b e aw ay i n wh ich l a te rg ene ra t ion s c an e xp re s s t he i r l i nk s w i th t r ad i t ion . A s S hennan h a s r ema rked , " Once i n e x i s tence ( monu m en t s ) h ave a n i ndependen tr ea l i ty o ft he i r own . T h i sg i ve s t hem a n i mpo r tan t l e g i t ima t ing r o le a nd make s t hem a n o b jec t o f i n ten t iona l man ipu la t ion d ur ing p e r iods o fc hange f r om o ne l ong term ' s t ruc ture ' t oa no the r" ( 1983 , 9 ) . T he v e ry f ac tt ha t monumen t sh ad as pec if ic s i gn if icance i nt he i d eo log ie s o ft he i r b u i lder s m ean s t ha t t he i r c r ea t ion w a s more t han a w ay o f b u i ld ing a p ower b a se . A l though i d eo l o g i e s c ou ld b e man ipu la ted , t hey w e re n o t d evo id o f c on ten t ( c f H ob sbawm 1 983) . l t f o l low s t ha t t he b u i ld ing o f c omp lex monumen t s n o t o n ly a s se r ted t he s t reng th o f an ew i d eo logy ; i tc ou ld a l so b e ar e spon se t o d eve lopmen t s t ha t t h rea tened t he c ommun i ty ' s e x i s t ing v i ew o f i t s w or ld . I n t he se t e rm s monumen t c on s t ruc t ion c an e ven b e ar e spon se t o o u t s ide p re s su re s a nd m ay l e ad t o e mu la t ion o r c ompe t i t ion b e tween o ppo s ing g roup s , e xp re s sed t h rough t he i r d i f f eren t i d eo log ie s . T hu s o ne monumen t c ou ld b e c once ived a sa r e spon se t o a no the r . T he se a r gumen t s s ugges t o ther w ay s o f l ook ing a t t he p a t te rn s d e sc r ibed b y R enf rew ( 1973 ) . F i r s t , t he re i sn o n eed f o r monumen t s t o h ave i n c rea sed i n s c a le a t as t eady r a te . L a r ge monumen t s m igh t a ppear s udden ly a nd a t i r regu la r i n terva l s , a nd s ome t ime s t he mo s t c on s ide rab le o f a l l c ou ld b e a mong t he e a r l ie s t . T h i s i ss u re ly t r ue i n We s sex whe re t he e nc lo su re s a t H amb ledon H i l l c on sumed a s much e ne rgy a st he g r ea t h enge s 5 00 y ea r s l a te r ( Me rcer 1 980 , 5 9-60 ) . T he s ame p r inc ip le m igh t e xp la in why t ho se h enge s w e re s o much l a rge r t han t he i r i mmed ia te p redeces so r s i n t h i s r e g ion ( S ta r t in a nd B rad ley 1 981) . S econd ly , t h i s a pp roach make sa l lowance f o r s pa t ia l c on t inu i ty i nt he l a nd scape e ven when t he s equence o f a c t iv i ty w a s i n te r rup ted . P eop le c ou ld r e tu rn t o much e a r l ie r monumen t s a f te r as i gn if ican t h i a tu s a nd c ou ld r eu se t hem , o r c ou ld a dd n ew f e a ture s o ft he i ro wn . F o r t h i s r e a son , w e c an e nv i sage t he d epo s i t ion o f c omp lex a r tef ac t s a t s i te s wh ich h ad b een d e se r ted f or h undreds o fy ea r s . T he re i sc ons ide rab le e v idence t ha t t h i s h appened i n We s sex ( B rad ley 1 984 ,t ab le 4 .2 ) .W e d o n o t n eed t o l ook f o r c on t inuou s a c t iv i ty i nt he s oc ia l l a nd s c ape .R a the r , w e s hou ld i n ve s t iga te t hose c on tex ts i n wh ich r eu se o fo lde r monumen t s w a s t hough t n ece s sa ry . L a s t ly , i fw e c an a ccep t t ha t d i f f eren t t ypes o fs i te e xp re s s q u i te d i f f e r e n t b e l ief s , w e s hou ld f i nd n o p rob lem i n t he s t r ik ing j ux tapo s i t ion s b e tween c on t ra s t ing monumen t s i n N eo l i th ic We s sex , o r i n o ther p a r t s o f t he c oun t ry . Monumen t s o f v e ry d i f f eren t k inds c ou ld e x i s t i n o ppo s i t ion , a nd t he b u i ld ing o fo ne t ype m igh t e ven i n vo lve t he p u rpo sefu l r emova l o f a no ther ( Brad ley a nd C hapman i n p re s s ) . A l te rna t ive ly , n ew d ev e lopmen ts m igh t t ake p l ace a round t he e dge o f a n e s tab l i shed s y s tem a nd i s sue t he i r c ha l lenge f r om t he re . T hu s c au sewayed e nc lo su re s a r e d i sp laced f r om t he ma in d i s tr ibu t i on s o f l ong b a r row s , a nd l a rge h enges a r e s im i la r ly o f f se t f r om t he a r ea s w i th e x i s t ing monumen t s .A tt imes t hey o ccupy n ew ly c o lon i sed a r ea s —t ha t may b e why s o many c au se w ayed e nc losure s p roduce w ood land s na i l s ( Thoma s 1 982 ) . D i scu s s ion o f t he e n t i re s equence i n Wes sex w ou ld a n t ic ipa te t oo much t ha t i ss a id b y o ther c on tr ibu tor s t o t h i s v o lume . F or t h i s r e a son , i ts e em s mo re s en s ib le t o a pp ly t he se i d ea s t o o ne s pec i f ic p rob lem . T h i s c a se s tudy w i l l c on s ide r o n ly o ne t ype o f monumen t a nd w i l l s ugges t h ow i tf i t s i n to t he w ide r p a t tern o fd eve lopmen t . T he D or se t C u r su s h a s b een c ho sen a s o u r e xamp le b ecau se i tw a s t he s ub jec t o fs pecu la t ion i nR enf rew ' s o r ig ina l p aper . T he D or se t C u r su s i sa n e no rmou s e nc lo sure , a lmo s t 1 00 m w ide a nd 1 0 km l ong r unn ing s t ra igh t a c ros s o ne o f t he N eo l i th ic t e r r i to r ie s s ugge s ted i nh i s s t udy . I t s c on s t ruc t i on t ook a bou t 4 50 ,000 w orker h ou r s ( B i l l S ta r t in p e r s . c omm . ) , b u t i n 1 973 i t s d a te w a s 6 3

f a r f r om c e r ta in . R enf rew h im se lf c onc luded t ha t i th ad b een b u i l t o n as im i la r s c a le t o L a te N eo l i th ic monumen t s i n We s sex a nd t ha t i fa n e a r l ie r d a te w e re t o b e e s tab l i shed i t w ou ld r a i se p rob lem s f o r h i s i n te rp re ta t ion . A s ar e su l t o f e xcava t ion a nd f i e ldwo rk , a n e a r ly d a te h a s b een e s tab l i shed ( Bowden , B rad ley , G af fney a nd M epham 1 983 ) . W e mu s t t ake u p t he c ha l lenge o fa ccoun t ing f o rt h i ss t range monumen t . T he D or se t C u r su s i so n ly 1 2 km f r om H amb ledon H i l l a nd , l i ke s im i la r monumen t s o f i t s t ype , i tr un s s t ra igh t a c ro s s c oun try . I tl i nk s u p as e r ie s o fl a te l ong b a r row sa nd s e ems t o h ave a c ted a s af ocu s f o r t he c on s t ruc t ion o f o the r mounds . T he s ou the rn e nd o f t he C ur su s may h ave b een b u i l t t o l ook l i ke a l ong b ar row i t se lf , wh i l s t a mo re e l onga ted mound -as o -ca l led b ank b a r row -i sa l igned o n i t s o the r t e rm ina l ( Brad ley 1 983) . F u l le r d e ta i l so ft h i s monumen t w i l l b e f ound i nC hap te r 7 .E i ther t he C u r su s w a s b u i l t d ur ing t he p er iod when t he H amb ledon H i l l c omp lex a ch ieved i t s f i na l f o rm , o r i tw a s c on s truc ted s hor t ly a f te r t he l a t te rs i te w en to u to fu se . I t s c l o se i n teg ra t ion w i th l ong b a r row ss ugge s t s s ome a s soc ia t ion w i th t he d ead . T he re i sl i t t le s i gn o fc on tempo ra ry s e t t lemen t a r ound t he D or se t C ur su sa nd i t may h ave b een b u i l t i n ap oo r ly s e t t led a r ea . We n eed t o c on s ider i t s r e la t ion sh ip t o t he e x i s t ing r o le s o f monumen t s i nW e s sex . T o t ake t he l ong b a r row s f i r s t : S hanks a nd T i l ley ( 1982 ) h ave s t re s sed h ow t he i r f o rm a nd b ur ia l d epo s i t s e xpre s s a n i d ea l o f e qua l i ty . T he r ema in s o f d i f f e ren t i nd iv idua l s - men , w omen a nd c h i ldren -w ere a l m ixed t oge ther ; t he b one s w ere d i sa r t icu la ted a nd a ny g rave g ood s w ere e xc luded f r om t he b u r ia l s . F or S hank s a nd T i l ley , t h i s i s' a n a s se r t ion o f t he c o l lec t ive , ad en ia l o f t he i nd iv idua l a nd o f d i f f e rence s b e tween i nd iv idua l s ' ( i b id . 1 50 ) . T h i s may b e c or rec t , b u t i to ve r look s t he q ue s t ion o f c h rono log ica l d eve lopmen t , f o r i t s e em s t ha t d u r ing t he E ar l ier N eo l i th ic p e r iod t h i si d eo logy b egan t o b e c ha l lenged . Unde r t he t r ad i t iona l l ong b a r row w e b eg in t o f i nd t he b ur ia l s o f amo re r e s t r ic ted g r oup . Adu l t ma le s p redom ina te , b ur ied f u l ly a r t icu la ted a nd w i th t he b one su nm ixed . S ome t ime s t he re i so n ly o ne b u r ia l , a nd n ow t he re a r e i nd iv idua l g r ave g ood s . D e sp i te t he b u i ld ing o f t he t r ad i t iona l f une rary monumen t , o r thodox p rac t ice w a s b e ing s ubver ted ( Brad ley 1 984 , 3 2-3 ;c ft h i sv o lume ,p . 5 4 ) . C au sewayed e nc lo sure s may w i tne s s ar a the r s im i la r s equence . A t f i r s t s ome o f t he se s i te s may h av e h ad as pec ia l i sed , n on -u t i l i ta r ian r o le , a nd c ou ld h ave p l ayed s ome p a r t i n f unera ry r i tua l . T o t h i s e x ten t , t hey c ou ld h ave c omp lemen ted o r thodox l o ng b a r row s . H owever , s ome o f t he l a te r s i te s s e em t o a s sume amo re e xp l ic i t ly d ome s t ic f unc t ion a nd may h ave d eve loped i n to h i gh s t a tu ss e t t lemen t s . T hey c on ta in c oncen t ra t ion s o fc omp lex a r tef ac t s , s ome o f t hem o b ta ined f r om ac on s ide rab le d i s tance ; t h ere i se v idence o fl a rge s c a le f e a s t ing , a nd s ome o f t he s i te s c ame t o a s sume a n e xp l ic i t ly d ef en s ive r o le . A l though t hey s t i l l o ccup ied t he s ame l o ca t ion s , s ome o ft he se e nc lo su re s may h ave d eve loped f r om r i tua ls i te si n to h i l lfor t s( Brad ley 1 984 , 3 4-5) . I ne ach c a se w ec an r e cogn i se c hange s o fp rac t ice , p a r t ly ma sked b y t he c on t inued u se o f t r ad i t iona l l o ca t ion s . T here i sg row ing e v idence t ha t s uch c hange s d id n o tg o u ncha l lenged , a nd when t ha t c ha l lenge c ame i n to t he o pen t he b a r row s a nd e nc lo sure s b o th w en t o u t o f u se . We f i nd e v idence o f o ver t c onf l ic t a nd s ome o f t h e f o r t if ied s i te s c ou ld h ave b een a t tacked a nd d e s t royed . F o l low ing o u r e a r l ie rd i scu s s ion w e mu s t a sk h ow f a r t h i s c onf l ic t w a s e xpre s sed i nt he s oc ia l l a ndscape . I n s ome p a r t s o f B r i ta in , f o r i n s tance i n Y o rk sh i re , t hese c hange s w e re a cc ep ted , a nd t here i se v idence t ha t i nd iv idua l s w e re n ow b e ing b u r ied w i th g r ave g ood s u nde r ad i s t inc t i ve f o rm o f monumen t , s ome t ime s o f c on s ide rab le p ropor t ion s ( t h i s v o lume , p .7 3) , b u t i n We s sex t h i s d eve lopmen t d id n o t h appen . I n s tead i ts e ems t ha t c ur su s monumen t s a nd b ank b ar row s w ere b u i l t . A s m en t ioned e a r l ie r , t he l a rge s t c u r su se s w e re c l o se ly l i nked t o t he l a te l ong b a r row s a nd i n teg ra ted awho le s e r ie s o fs epa ra te mounds . T o s ome e x ten t t he b ank b a r row s f u lf i l led as im i la r r o le b u t s e em t o b e ma s s ive e l abo ra t ion s o fi n d iv idua l l ong mounds ( Brad ley 1 983) . I n c omp le te c on t ra s t t o d eve lopmen t s i n Y o rksh i re , m igh t t h e se c on s truc t ion s ma rk a rs se r t ion o f t he t r ad i t iona l i d eo logy d e sc r ibed b y S hank s a nd T i l ley a nd b y o the r s? S uch 6 4

av i ew o fr ea l i ty ,h oweve rw ide ly s ha red , h ad f a ced ac ha l lenge a nd a tt h i s p o in t w e may s e e a n a t temp t t o r e -e s tab l i sh t he u n i ty o f s oc ie ty t h rough a n e xp l ic i t l i nk w i th t he t r ad i t ion s o f t he p a s t . T he D or se t C u r su s i t se lf w a sb u i l t i n al i t t le u sed a r ea a nd may e ven h ave o ccu p i ed t he e dge o f a n e x i s t ing t e r r i tory d om ina ted b y H amb ledon H i l l . T he e no rmou s s c a le o n w h ich i tw a s b u i l t i sp e rhap s ar e spon se t o t he amoun t o f l a bou ri n ve s ted i nt he l a t ter s i te : o therw i se i ti s ac ur iou s c o inc idence t ha t t he t wo l a rge s t monumen t s o f t h i s p e r iod a nywhere i n B r i ta in s hou ld b e f ound i n t he s ame s ma l l a r ea . F ur ther s ou th i nD o r se t , t he s ame r e sponse t ook p lace b u t w i thou t a ny s h if t o fl o ca t ion , a nd t he c au sewayed e nc lo su re a t M a iden C a s t le w a s s l igh ted b y t he l a rge s t o f t he b ank b ar row s ( Whee le r 1 943 , 8 6 f . ) . T he se n ew t ype s o fe a r thwo rk t hen f ormed t he f ocu s f o r an umbe r o f much s ma l le r monu men t s . T ha t s equence o fe ven t si se xac t ly wha t C he r ry ' s mode l w ou ld p red ic t . T h i sc a se s t udy h as b een c oncerned w i th ap a r t icu la r ly e n igma t ic monumen t wh ich c ou ld n ot b e u sed i n R enf rew ' s o r ig ina l a ccoun t . I nc on t ra s t t o h i s empha s i s o n g radua l d eve lop men t , t h i s b r ief d i scu s s ion s t re s se s t he t a c t ica l e l emen t i nt he b u s ine s s o f monumen t b u i ld i ng , f o r t he s ca le o f o ne monumen t c ou ld e a s i ly b e ad i rec t r e spon se t o t he e x i s tence o f a no the r . N ew monumen t s c ou ld e xp lo i t t he a s soc ia t ion s o f o lde r s i te s , o r c ou ld r ep re sen t a n a n tagon i s t ic d eve lopmen t , p erhap s i n n ew ly c o lon i sed a r ea s . I fi d eo logy d id p l ay a n i m p or tan t p a r t i n p o l i t ica l c hange , a s M i l le r a nd T i l ley ( 1984 ) c on tend , t he b u i ld ing o fl a rge monumen t s mu s t b e o ne p roce s s f o r wh ich a mp le e v idence s u rv ive s . P reh i s to r ian s s hou ld a ccep t t ha t d i scon t inu i ty i n monumen t b u i ld ing i sj u s t a si n tere s t ing a sc on t inu i ty , a nd t ha t wha t w a s r epre sen ted a s c on t inu i ty a t t he t ime m igh t a c tua l ly h ave b een an ew d eve lop m en t . I ft ha t i st r ue , N eo l i th ic c ommun i t ie s c ou ld h ave e xper ienced al e s s o rde r ly s equence o fc hange s t han t he c ur ren t l i t e ra ture s ugge s t s .

A cknow ledgement s P ar t s o ft h i s p aper w e re f i r s t p re sen ted a tt he c onf e rence o ft he T heo re t ica l A rchaeo logy G roup i n 1 983 a nd a t ag r adua te s em ina ri nC ambr idge i n 1 984 . Iam g r a tefu l t o t he p a r t i c i pan t s f or a l i ve ly d i scu s s ion . Imu s t a l so t hank C ohn R enf rew f o r h i s c ommen t s o n a n e ar l ie r d raf ta nd J i l l F i she rf o r i mprovemen t t o t he E ng l i sh . T he t ex t w a s t yped b y L or ra ine M epham f r om af o rb idd ing o r ig ina l .

B ib l iog raphy BLOCH , M . 1 977 . T he p a s t a nd t he p re sen t i nt he p re sen t , Man 1 2 , 2 78-92 . BOWDEN , M . , BRADLEY , R . , GAFFNEY , V . a nd MEPHAM , L . 1 983 . T he d a te o f t he D or se t C ur sus ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 9 , 3 76-9 . BRADLEY , R . 1 983 . T he b ank b a r row s a nd r e la ted monumen t s o f D o r se t i n t he l i gh t o f r e cen t f i e ldwork , P roceed ing s o f t he Dor se t N a tura l H i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty 1 05 , 1 5-20 . BRADLEY , R . 1 984 . T he S oc ia lF ounda t ions o fP reh i s tor ic B r i ta in ( Ha r low , L ongman ) . BRADLEY , R . a nd CHAPMAN , R . i n p re s s . T he n a ture a nd d eve lopmen t o fl ong -d i s tance r e la t ions i n L a ter N eo l i th ic B r i ta in a nd I r e land , i n R enf rew , C . a nd C he r ry , J .( ed i to r s ) , P eer P o l i ty I nterac t ion ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . CHERRY , J . 1 978 . G ene ra l i sa t ion a nd t he a r chaeo logy o f t he s t a te , i n G reen , D . , H a se lg rove , C . a nd S pr igg s , M . ( ed i to r s ) , S oc ia l O rgan i sa t ion a nd S et t l ement ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 4 11-37 . F ISHER , A . R . i n p re s s . T he E a r ly S ta te Modu le -ac r i t ica l a s se s smen t , O xf ord J ourna lo f A rchaeo logy . GREEN ,H . S .1 974 . E a r ly B ronze A ge t e r r i tory a nd p opu la t ion i nM i l ton K eyne s , B uck ing h am sh ire , a nd t he G rea t O u se V a l ley ,A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l 1 31, 7 5139 . 6 5

HOBSBAWM , E . 1 983 . I nven t ing t r ad i t ion s , i n H obsbawm , E . a nd R ange r , T . ( ed i to r s ) , T he I nvent ion o fT rad i t ion ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 14 . MERCER ,R . 1 980 .H amb ledon H i l l -A N eo l i th ic L and scape ( Ed inbu rgh , Un ive r s i ty P re s s ) . M ILLER , D . a nd T ILLEY , C . 1 984 . I deo logy , p owe r a nd l ong te rm s oc ia l c hange , i nM i l le r , D . a nd T i l ley , C . ( ed i tor s ) , I deo logy , P ower a nd P reh i s tory ( Camb r idge , Un iver s i ty P re s s ) , 1 47-5/ . P RYOR , F . i np re s s .A rchaeo logy a nd E nv i ronment o ft h e L ower W e l land V a l ley . RENFREW , C . 1 973a . Monumen t s , mob i l i sa t ion a nd s oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion i nN eo l i th ic We s s ex , i n R enf rew , C . ( ed i tor ) , T he E xp lana t ion o fC u l ture C hange ( London , D uckwo r th ) , 5 39-58 . RENFREW , C . 1 973b . We s sex a s as oc ia lq ue s t ion , Ant iqu i ty 4 7 , 2 21-5 . RENFREW , C . 1 975 . T rade a sa c t ion a t ad i s tance : q ue s t ion s o fi n teg ra t ion a nd c ommun i c a t ion , i n S ab lof f , J .a nd L amberg -Ka r low sk i , C . ( ed i to r s ) , Anc ient C iv i l i sat ion a nd T rade ( A lbuque rque , U n ive r s i ty o fN ew M ex ico P re s s ) , 3 -59 . RENFREW , C .a nd L EVEL ,E . 1 979 .E xp lo r ing d om inance :p red ic t ing p o l i t ies f r om c en t re s , i n R enf rew , C . a nd C ooke , K . ( ed i to r s ) , T ransf orma t ion s : Mathemat ica l Approache s t o C u l ture C hange ( London , A cadem ic P re s s ) , 1 45-67 . S HANKS , M . a nd T ILLEY , C . 1 982 . I deo logy , s ymbo l ic p ower a nd r i tua l c ommun ica t ion : ar e in terpre ta t ion o f N eo l i th ic mor tua ry p rac t ices , i n H odder , I .( ed i tor ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 29-54 . S HENNAN , S . 1 982 .I deo logy ,c hange a nd t he E u ropean B ronze A ge , i n Hodde r , I .( ed i to r ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S truc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 55-61 . S HENNAN , S . 1 983 . Monumen t s : a n e xamp le o fa r chaeo log i s t s ' a pproach t o t he ma s s ive ly ma ter ia l , Roya l Anthropo log ica lI ns t i tu te N ew s l e t ter 5 9 , 9 11 . S TART IN , W . a nd BRADLEY , R . 1 981 . S ome n o tes o n w ork o rgan i sa t ion a nd s oc ie ty i n p reh i s tor ic We s sex , i nR ugg le s , C .a nd Wh i t t le , A . ( ed i tor s ) ,A st ronomy a nd S oc iety Dur ing t he P e r iod 4 000-1500 BC ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 89-96 . THOMAS , K . 1 982 . N eo l i th ic e nc lo su re s a nd w ood land h ab i ta t s o n t he S ou th D own s i n S u s sex , E ng land , i n B e l l , M . a nd L imb rey , S .( ed i to r s ) , A rchaeo log ica l A spec t s o f Wood l a nd E co logy ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) , 1 47-70 . WA INWR IGHT , G . 1 975 . R e l ig ion a nd s e t t lemen t i n W e s sex c .3 0001700 b c , i nF ow le r , P . ( ed i tor ) , R ecent Work i n Rura l A rchaeo logy ( B radfo rd -on -Avon , Moon rake r P re s s ) , 5 7-71 . WEBSTER , D . 1 976 . On t heoc rac ie s , Amer ican Anthropo log i s t 7 8 , 8 18-28 . WHEELER , R . E . M . 1 943 . Ma iden C a s t l e , Dor se t ( London , S oc ie ty o f An t iqua r ie s ) .

6 6

6 .

T he D ec l ine o fR i tua lA u thor i ty a nd t he I n t roduc t ion o fB eake r si n to B r i ta in I .J .T horpe a nd C o l in C . R icha rds

I nt roduc t ion I n te rpre ta t ion s o f t he i n t roduc t ion o fB eaker s i n to B r i ta in h ave t r ad i t iona l ly b een b a sed o n t he h ypo the s i so fi mm ig ra t ion o ri n va s ion f r om t he C on t inen t b y aB eake r -u s ing c u l tu ra l g roup . T h i s w a s s e t o u t b y A be rc romby ( 1912 ) a nd f o l lowed b y l a te r w r i ter s w i th s uch u nan im i ty t ha t i tw a s t he s o le s urv ivor o f C la rk ' s ( 1966 ) a s sau l t o n t he u se o f i n va s ion h ypo the ses i n B r i t i sh p reh i s tory . C la rke ' s t r ea tmen t ( 1970 ) ma rk s t he c u lm ina t ion o ft h i s d eve lopmen t w i th i t s i d en t if ica t ion o f s ucce s s ive w ave s o f i mm ig ra t ion , e ach a s soc ia ted w i th a p a r t icu la r B eake r s ub -g roup . L an t ing a nd v an d e r Waa l s ( 1972 ) a l so f a voured a n i mm ig ra t ion h ypo the s i s ,w h i le l im i t ing t h i st oa n i n i t ia l p ha se . I tw a s n o tu n t i l 1 976 t ha tt h i s I nva s ion i se h ypo the s i sw a s c ha l lenged e f f ec t ive ly . C la rke ( 1976 ) p ropo sed a d i s t inc t ion b e tween f i ne w a re , e veryday w a re , a nd h eavy d u ty w a re B eake r s , a nd s ugge s ted t ha t f i ne w are B eake r s h ad ap re s t ige a nd d i sp lay v a lue a nd wou ld b e s em i spec ia l i s t p roduc t s . B u rge s s a nd S hennan ( 1976 ) p u t f o rward t wo a l te rna t ive s : f i r s t , t ha t B eake r s c ou ld b e ap re s t ig iou s f a sh ion s im i la r t o G a l lo -Be lg ic B u t t B eake r s a nd t he i ra s soc ia t ion so nt he b a rba r ian p e r iphe ry o ft he R oman w or ld ;a nd , s e cond , t ha t B eake r s c ou ld b ep a r to f ab ee r -d r ink ing c u l t s im i la rt ot he m id n ine teen th c en tu ry N or th Ame r ican p eyo te d rug c u l t . T he se a l terna t ive i n te rp re ta t ion s h ave y e t t o d i sp lace c omp le te ly t he I nva s ion i se h ypo t he s i s . C a se ( 1977 ) w ou ld s e e a n i n i t ia l p e r iod o f w ide spread B eake r d i f fu s ion b y f a sh ion f o l lowed b y t he i mm ig ra t ion o f aB eaker c u l tu ra l g roup . K inne s ( 1979 ) i su nc lea ra st oi t s e xac t c h rono log ica lr e so lu t ion ,b u t s t i l lf e e l s t ha t t he re mu s t h ave b een a n e l emen t o fi mm i g r a t ion o n a n u nknown s c a le . Mo s tr ecen t ly , Wh i t t le ( 1981) h a s d i scoun ted t he p hy s ica l a n th ropo log ica l a nd s e t t lemen t e v idence f o r B eake r i mm ig ran t s b ecau se o f i t s u n sa t i sf ac to ry n a tu re ; h e d id n o t , h oweve r , s pecu la te o n t he m er i t so ft h e a l te rna t ive i n te rpre ta t ion s . S hennan ( 1982 ) s ugge s t s t ha t t he B r i t i sh e v idence i sb e s ts e en a sp a r t o f ag ene ra l C en t ra la nd We s te rn E u ropean p henomenon o f t he a ppearance o fr i ch i n d iv idua lb u r ia l s , wh ich h e i n terpre t s a st he r e su l t o fa n i d eo logy wh ich s ough t t o l e g i t ima te s oc ia ld i f f e ren t ia t ion , n o t b y h id ing i t ,b u t b y r epre sen t ing i ta s n a tura l a nd u nchangeab le t h rough t he u se o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re i nt h e f o rm o fp re s t ige i t ems a nd r i tua l s ymbo l s w h ich c on s tan t ly r e i te ra te t he m e s sage . H e s e e s t h i s c hange a st h e r e so l u t ion o fa ne ar l ier c r i s i si nt h e r e la t ion sh ip b e tween p ower a nd i d eo logy . T he se v a r iou s i n te rpre ta t ion s d i sp lay c on s ide rab le v a r ia t ion a nd i n genu i ty . H oweve r , t hey s ha re o ne o r a l o f t h e f o l low ing f au l t s : f i r s t , t hey l a ck at h eo re t ica l b a s i s a dequa te t o d ea l w i th t he c hange s p e rce ived i n t he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord ; s e cond , t hey f a i l t o d ea l a dequa te ly w i th t he L a ter N eo l i th ic s oc ia l c on tex t o fB eaker i n t roduc t ion ;a nd , t h ird , t hey h ave w orked a ta n i n app rop r ia te s c a le o fa na ly s i s , o ve r look ing r e g iona lv a r ia t ion i n as e a rch f o rg enera lp a t te rn s . T h i s p aper s e ek s t o e xam ine t wo a l te rna t ive t r a jec tor ie s f o r a g r icu l tu ra l s oc ie t ie s , wh ich w e t e rm h ere t he ' r i tua l a u thor i ty s t ruc tu re ' a nd t he ' p re s t ige g oods e conomy ' , a nd t he i r a na ly t ica l v a lue i ne xam in ing t he s equence si nY ork sh i re a nd We s sex . T he se t wo t r a jec tor ie s d o n o t r epre sen t t he o n ly p o s s ib le s oc ia l f o rma t ion s , a nd Y ork sh ire a nd W e s sex a r e n o t p re sen ted h ere a st yp ica l ,b u t s imp ly a st wo c a se s t ud ie s . T he c oncep t o f t he r i tua l a u thor i ty s t ruc tu re i so ne w e l l k nown i n t he a n th ropo log ica l l i te ra tu re ( Fr iedman 1 975 ; F r iedman a nd R ow land s 1 977 ; Gode l ie r 1 977a a nd b ) . T he e s sen t ia l f e a ture s o f t h i s s y s tem a r e : c l o se r e la t ion s b e tween t he w or ld o f t he l i v ing a nd t ha t o f t he a nce s tor s a nd s upe rna tu ra l b e ing s ; ar i g id ly r anked s t ruc tu re , l i nk ing member s 6 7

i n t e rm s o f r e la t ive a ge o r s en ior i ty o f d e scen t f r om af ound ing a nce s tor ; a nd as t ruc tu r e o fa f f ina la nd i nd i rec te xchange .T he se v a r iou s s t rand sr e inforce e ach o ther , s o t ha t s en io r i ty i n a f f ina l a l l iance i si d en t ica l w i th a u tho r i ty d ef ined b y p a t r i l inea l d e scen t , a nd b o th a r e i d en t ica l w i th p re sumed g enea log ica l d i s tance f r om a c ommon f ound ing a nce s tor . T h i s f o rm o fs y s tem i sr e la t ive ly c l o sed a nd r i g id . T he s t ruc tu re a s awho le med ia te s i nt he p ro d uc t iol o fs u rp lu sd ome s t ic p roduc ta nd i t sc onve r s ion i n to p re s t ige , r ank s t a tu s a nd t r ibu te . H ere , r ank s t a tu s i s ag roup a ch ievemen t , m ed ia ted b y d e scen t a nd a l l iance s , a nd n o t a n i nd iv idua l a c t iv i ty o r ac on sequence o f o ve r t ' e conom ic ' c on t ro l s o f a ny k ind . I n s uch a s y s tem r i tua l p rac t ice i sd i rec ted t owa rd s e mpha s i s ing t he g roup o ve r t he i nd iv idua l a nd o ver t a r gumen t s a bou t h i e ra rchy a r e a vo ided . T he h i gh ly f o rma l i sed n a tu re o fr i tua l a c t iv i t i es e n su re s t ha t b y c hanne l l ing d i scu s s ion i n to a pp roved n eu t ra l f o rms t he re c an b e n o e f f ec t ive c ha l lenge t ot he s y s tem ( B loch 1 975 ; 1 977 ) . F r iedman ( 1975 ) h a s o u t l ined t he w ay i n wh ich t h i s s y s tem e me rge s f r om t he i n te rna l p roper t ie s o f as y s tem o f a syme tr ica l a l l iance o n t he o ne h and , a nd a nce s to r w o r sh ip o n t he o the r . H e a l so d ea l sw i th t he p o s s ib i l i ty o fd evo lu t ion i n to a' b ig man ' s y s tem i n wh ich h i erarch ie s c o l lap se a nd c ompe t i t ion c en tre s o n f e a s t ing b y mean s o f wh ich a t temp t s a r e made t o ma in ta in o rr a i se r e la t ive r ank -t he l i nk b e tween l i neage h i era rchy , a nces tor s , a nd t e r r i tor ia l s p i r i t s i sd e s t royed . A l te rna t ive ly , t h i s s y s tem may d eve lop i n to a n ' A s ia t ic s t a te ' ( Fr iedman a nd R ow lands 1 977 ; G ode l ie r 1 977a ) . I n t he A s ia t ic s t a te r ank b ecome s a b so l u te ly d e term ined , s o t ha t mar r iage p a r tner s move f r om l owe r t oh i ghe rr ank s a s af o rm o f t r ibu te , t oge the r w i th g oods a nd s e rv ice s . I nc rea s ing s u rp lu s g a ined b y t r iba l a r i s toc ra t s a ccen tua te s t he ` v e r t ica l i sa t ion ' p roce s s w hereby w ea l th a ppea r s a st he r e su l t o ft he s upe r n a tura l p owe r s o f t he c h ief ly a nce s tor s a nd t he i r d e scendan t s . N ece s sary r i tua l f unc t ion s l o g ica l ly e n t i t le a r i s toc ra t s t o as ha re o f t he s u rp lu s p roduc t . S uch ar i g id r ank ing i sl i ke ly t o c au se r e sen tmen t a mong t ho se a tt he t op o f ac ommoner c l a s s w ho o rgan i se t he a g r icu l t u ra l p roduc t ion o n wh ich t he s y s tem i sb a sed , b u t a r e u nab le t o c onve r t b i g -man s t a tu s i n to a r i s toc ra t ic r ank . F ina l ly , w e m ay s e e t he d eve lopmen t o f ap re s t ige g oods e conomy e i ther f r om t he r i tua l a u thor i ty s y s tem o r f r om t he A s ia t ic s t a te . T he l i nk b e tween t he w or ld o f t h e l i v ing a nd t he w o r ld o f t he a nce s tor s i sb roken a nd r ep laced b y a more d i rec t p o l i t ica l /econom ic mean s o f d e term in ing r ank i n as t a tu s h i era rchy , s o t ha t t he re i sn o l onge r ad i rec t e qu iv a l ence b e tween s t a tu s c a tego r ie s a nd c on t ro l o ver g ood s a nd s e rv ice s . T he p re s t ige g ood s e conomy ( Ekho lm 1 977 ;F r iedbe rg 1 977 ;F r iedman 1 982 aa nd b ;F r iedman a nd R ow land s 1 977 ; M e i l la s soux 1 981) h a s t he f o l low ing c ha rac te r i s t ic s : a cce s s t o r i tua l a nd e so te r ic k now ledge b ecome s a n o b jec t o f c ompe t i t ion , r a the r t han t he o rder ing p r inc ip le wh ich e l im ina te s c ompe t i t ion ; c r ea t ion o f a l l iance s i so ppo r tun i s t ic , r a the r t h an d e te rm ined b y g enea log ica l p rox im i ty ; d ef in ing s t a tu s a nd a cce s s t o s t a tu s i s af unc t ion o fd i rec t p o l i t ica l c on tro l ; p o l i t ica l /econom ic b a se s d epend o n d i rec t c on t ro l s o ve r r e source s a nd t he p ro d uc t ion a nd c i rcu la t ion o f w ea l th i t em s , i n c lud ing i n s ign ia who se a loca t ion d ef ines s t a tu s p os i t ion s , a nd t he p re s t ige g ood so n w h ich t he r eproduc t ion o fs oc ia l l i f e d epends . P re s t ige g oods e conom ie s a r e r e la t ive ly o pen a nd f l u id . T he d eve lopmen t o f t he p re s t ige g ood s e conomy p roduce s ad ua l i s t ic s y s tem wh ich may e ven tua l ly t u rn i n to ar e l ig iou s / secu la r d i v i s ion .T he p re -em inence o ft he s e cu la ra rm h a s t ob e l e g i t ima ted b y r e so lv ing t he p rob lem o f t r ad i t iona l a u thor i ty ( A i jmer 1 979 ;B loch 1 977 ) . M a in ta in ing t h e p re s t ige g oods s y s tem d epends o n c on t ro l l ing a cce s s t o i mpo r ted g ood s o r r aw m a ter ia l s , a nd i ft he s upp ly i sc u t o f fo rs udden ly e xpand st here may b e ac o l lap se t o ab i g -man s y s tem . T he se t wo s y s tem s a r e mu tua l ly c on t rad ic tory , a sr i tua l a u tho r i ty s t ruc tu re s a r e e s sen t i a l ly s t a t ic a nd p re s t ige g ood se conom ie s a r e e s sen t ia l ly a c t ive . T h i s a l so i mp l ie s t ha t whe re t he t wo s y s tem s c ome i n to c on tac t i ti st he p re s t ige g oods e conomy wh ich w i l l d om ina te . H av ing s e t o u t t he se t heore t ica l a l te rna t ive s , w e t u rn t o ac on s ide ra t ion o ft h e L a te r N eo l i th ic i nY ork sh i re a nd Wes sex , c oncen t ra t ing o n t he i n t roduc t ion o fB eaker s i n to e ach a r ea . T he p re sen ta t ion o f t he e v idence i sd i f f e ren t f o r t he t wo r e g ion s , w i th af i rme r c h rono log i c a l f r amewo rk f o r We s sex where w e h ave af a rg r ea te r n umbe r o fr ad ioca rbon d a te s . 6 8

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Y orksh i re T he f i r s t s t udy a r ea c on s i s t s o f t he o ld Nor th a nd E a s t R id ing s o f Y ork sh i re . W i th in t h i s a r ea t he Wo ld s h ave s e en a c oncen t ra t ion o f w ork s i nce t he m id n ine teen th c en tury , w i th t he e xcava t ion s o f G reenwe l l ( 1877 ; 1 890 ) a nd Mo r t ime r ( 1905) l im i ted a lmo s t e xc lu s ive ly t o b a r row s -a n e mpha s i s wh ich h a s b een ma in ta ined u n t i l t he p r e sen t d ay . T h i s t r ad i t iona l e mpha s i s o n b ar row e xcava t ion s h a s m ean t t ha t i n Yo rksh i re w e l a ck t he s or t o f i n fo rma t ion o n r i tua l monumen t s wh ich as e r ie s o f e xcava t ion s i n We s sex h a s p ro v i ded . I n s tead w e h ave s ome r ound b a r row s wh ich c ove r L a te r N eol i th ic o ccupa t ion a r ea s ( e .g . S awdon Moo r I[ Brew s te r p e r s . c omm . ]) , an umber o f L a ter N eo l i th ic b u r ia l s , s ome s ma l l sca le e xcava t ion s o f r i tua l s i te s , s ca t te r s o f L a te r N eo l i th ic p i t s o n t h e Wo ld s t op s e xcava ted b y t he G ran tham s ( Manby 1 974 ; 1 975) , an umber o f s u rf ace a r tef ac t s c a t ter s a nd av e ry l a rge n umbe r o f s t ray f i nd s o f f l in two rk a nd s t onewo rk ( Manby 1 974 ; 1 979 ; P i e rpo in t 1 980 ) . B y t he b eg inn ing o f t he L a te r N eo l i th ic i n Y o rk sh i re w e c an s e e t ha t a n e mpha s i s o n l i th ic r e sou rce s h a s a l ready d eve loped . T he d eve lopmen t o f p owe r s t ruc tu re s b a sed o n a d eg ree o f c on tro l o ve r t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f p o l i shed s t one a nd f l in t a xe s i ss ugge s ted b y H odde r a nd L ane ' s ( 1982 ) a na ly s i s o fs i ze r educ t ion , w h ich s e em s t os uppor t t he v i ew t ha t a xe s w ere p a s sed o n f r om g roup t o g roup i n aw ay d e sc r ibed b y R enf rew ( 1969 ) a sd ownt he l ine e xchange . T h i s may w e l l t ake p l ace i n t he c on tex t o f r anked s phe re s o fe xchange o f t he s o r t d i scu s sed b y B rad ley ( 1982 ) . I n s uch as y s tem t here a r e o n ly c e r ta in s oc ia l ly a ccep tab le w ay s o fg a in ing a cce s s t o t he p re s t ige g ood s a b so lu te ly e s sen t ia l f o rs oc ia l r epro d uc t ion . I n t h i s c on tex t i ti ss i gn if ican t t o n o te t ha t G roup V I a nd u ng rouped t uf f a xe s ( p robab ly a l so f r om t he L ake D i s t r ic t ) a r e much mo re f r equen t ly p ol i shed t han u ng rouped d o le r i te a xe s wh ich c ou ld b e p roduced t o s ome d eg ree f r om b ou lde r si nt he Y o rk sh i re c oa s t g l ac ia l d epo s i t s ( Manby 1 979 ) . T here i sa l so a d i f f er ence b e tween C orn i sh ( G roup Ia nd G roup I I ) a xe s , wh ich a r e a l so f r equen t ly p o l i shed , a nd L ake D i s t r ic t a xe s : C o rn i sh a xe s a r e p redom inan t ly o f B r id l ing ton f o rm , o va l s ec t ioned a nd p o in ted b u t ted ; L ake D i s tr ic t a xe s a r e o f t he l a rge a nd b road -bu t ted C umb r ian f o rm , o r t he b u t t -f ace ted f o rm . T he c oncen tra t ion o f C orn i sh a xe s i n t he B r id l ing ton a r ea ( t o s uch ad eg ree t ha t t he E lgee s [ 1933 ] t hough t t ha t t hey mu s t h ave b een made f r om l o ca l b each b ou lde r s ) i sa l so i mpo r t a n t , a nd s uppor t s t he i d ea t ha t e xchange i t em s w er e b e ing c on t ro l led b y g eog raph ica l ly d ef ined b u t c ompe t ing e l i te s . T he s i tua t ion o f f l in t a xe s i sr a the r d i f f eren t . F l in t i sc l ea r ly al o ca l ma ter ia l r a the r t han a n i mpor ted o ne , b u t t he r e a r e s i gn if ican t v a r ia t ion si nq ua l i ty b e tween d i f f e ren t f l in t s ou rce s . F l in t f r om t he L owe r C ha lk o f t he Wo ld s i sb r i t t le when i ti sf ound i nb ed s a nd f r equen t ly f r o s t -f rac tured when i to ccu r si nn odu le s c l o se t o t he s u r f a ce ; f l in t b lock s a nd n odu le s f r om t he c oa s ta l b eache s ( e spec ia l ly a tF i ley a nd B r id l ing ton B ay s ) a r e l a rger a nd i n f r e she r c ond i t ion , a nd t herefo r e much mo re s u i tab le f o ra xe manu f a c tu re . T he e no rmou s q uan t i t ie s o ff l in t -wo rk ing d ebr i s o n F lambo rough H ead a nd a round F i ley B ay , a t c l if f top p o s i t ion s where g u l l ie s p rov ide a cce s s t o t he b each ( Moo r e 1 964 ) , s how t he i n ten s i ty o f e xp lo i ta t ion . T he u se o f f l in t f o r a xe manuf ac tu re i sl e s s c ommon t han t ha t o f s t one , r ough ly 2 0% o f t he a xe s f r om Y o rk sh i re ( i nc lud ing t he W e s t R id ing ) b e ing o f f l in t ( Manby 1 979 ) , a l though 9 5% o f t ho se f l in t a xes a r e p roduced f r om c oa s ta l b ou lder s ( Manby 1 979 ) . T h i s r e la t ive n eg lec t o fl o ca l f l in t i nf a vou ro fi mpo r ted s t one h a s l e d t o s ugge s t ion s t ha t t he s t one mu s t a l so b e o fl o ca lo r ig in ( Br igg s 1 976 ; 1 982 ) , b u t t h i s s e em s i mprobab le o n c u r ren t g eo log ica l e v idence . I n s tead t he i n te rpre ta t ion f a vou red h ere i st ha t al a ck o f c on t ro l o ver f l in t a xe manuf ac tu re a nd d i s t r ibu t ion r e su l t si nt h e r e la t ive i n s ign if icance o ft he se a r tef ac t s . I n as y s tem u s ing f l in t a nd s t one a xe s a sp res t ige i t em s t o b u i ld a l iance s a nd a t t rac t f o l l ower s , o ne w ou ld e xpec t i n s tab i l i ty t o d eve lop b ecau se o ft he p rob lem s o fe n su r ing c om p l e te c on tro l . I t em s w ou ld a lmo s t c e r ta in ly b e o b ta ined b y t he w rong p eop le i nt he w rong w ay , a nd t h i s t endency m igh t i n crea se o ve r t ime . T h i s c ou ld l e ad t oi n f la t ion a nd /o r d iver s i f ica t ion : e i ther t he n umbe r o f ap a r t icu la r i t em r equ i red f o r c e r ta in s oc ia l t r an sac t ion s w ou ld i n crea se ,o ra ni n c rea s ing r ange o fi t em s w ou ld b e r equ i red . T he a rchaeo log ica lr ecord 7 0

i sa tp re sen t t oo c oar se -g ra ined t o s e e h ow t he f o rme rp roce s s may h ave o pe ra ted i nY o rk s h i r e , b u t t here i sc l ea re v idence f o r t he l a t ter p roce s s . T ha t t he e mpha s i sr e a l ly w a s o n t he l a t te r i ss ugges ted b y ad ec r ea se i nt he l a bour i n ve s ted i ni nd iv idua l i mp lemen ts o nce e dge p o l i shed a xes t ook o ver f r om t he c omp le te ly p o l i shed f o rms . E v idence f o rt he i n t roduc t ion o f s pec ia l i sed f l in t a nd s t one i mp lemen t s i sw ide sp read . T he L a te r N eo l i th ic u se o f t r an s v er s e a r rowhead s( C la rk 1 934 ) i sw e l l k nown , b u t i nY ork sh i re w e a l so f i nd ac oncen t ra t ion o fr i pp le -f laked o b l ique a r rowhead s ( G reen 1 980 ) wh ich c oncen t ra te a round R ud s ton ( P ie r p o in t ( 1980 ) . T he re a r e a l so t he p o l i shed i mp lemen t s ( Manby 1 974 ) : e dge -po l i shed a nd c omp le te ly p o l i shed f l in t k n ive s a nd s c rape r s , i n c lud ing t he w e l l -known d i sco ida lp o l i shed k n ive s ( C la rk 1 928 ) , wh ich c l u s te r i n t he R uds ton a r ea ( P ie rpo in t 1 980 ) , a nd e a r ly p l ano c onvex f orms , s uch a s t ha t a tS eame r Moo r( Conyngham 1 848 ) . S tone ( mo s t ly c omp le te ly p o l i shed ) a nd f l in t ( mos t ly e dge -po l i shed ) c h i se l s ( Manby 1 974 ) a l so c l u s te ri nt he R ud s ton a r ea ,i nc lud ing o ne a tt he M a iden ' sG rave h enge ( Mc Inne s 1 964 ;M anby 1 974 ) . E dge -po l i shed f l in t a xe s a re b road ly L a te r N eo l i th ic , a nd t he se c l u s te r a round R ud s ton t o amuch g rea te r e x ten t t han t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic c omp le te ly p o l i shed a xe s ( Manby 1 979 ) . F ina l ly , t he w a i s ted e dge -po l i shed S eame r a xe s a nd D ugg leby a dze s ( Manby 1 974 ) , wh ich a r e made o f f l in t , a r e a l so c ommon i nt he R ud s ton a r ea . M anby ( 1979 ) p o in t s o u t t ha t t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f a xe f i nds c oncen t ra te s o n p r ime a g r icu l tu ra l l a nd ; a nd P i e rpo in t ( 1980 ) s ugge s t s t ha t C o rn i sh a xes w e re ' work -a -day ' a g r icu l tu ra li mp lemen t s f o r d ea l ing w i th b ou lder c l ay s o i l s , wh i l s t o the r a xe s w ere o fg r ea te rv a lue a nd s oc ia l i mpor tance . T he d i f f e ren t ia t ion b e tween a xe s f o r a g r icu l tu ra l a nd s oc ia lu se s e em su n l ike ly t o r ef l ec t N eo l i th ic p rac t ice , f o r p re s t ige g oods a r e f r equen t ly u sed i np roduc t ive a c t iv i t ie s . T he q ue s t ion o fa g r icu l tu ra lu se d oe s n o t a pp ly t o r i pp le -f laked o b l ique a r rowhead s , o rp o l i shed k n ive s a nd s c rape r s , h oweve r , wh i le S eamer a xe sa nd Dugg leby a dze sa r e c a refu l ly f l aked t o p roduce ar egu la r f o rm ;i np a r t icu la r t he c u rved p rof i le o f D ugg leby a dze s w ou ld b e d i f f icu l t t o a ccomp l i sh . E ven s o , t here i s c e r ta in ly a r e la t ion sh ip b e tween a g r icu l tu ra l l a nd a nd p re s t ige g ood s : t he a b il i ty t o a cqu i re p re s t ige g oods mu s t o r ig ina l ly h ave b een b a sed o n mob i l i s ing a g r icu l tu ra lp roduc t ion . T he l i ke l ihood i st ha t t he se v a r iou s p re s t ige g oods w i l l h ave b een i n t roduced s equen t ia l ly , b u t a ga in o ur e v idence i st oo i l -def ined f o r u s t o e xam ine t h i s q ue s t ion i ng r ea te r d ep th . T h i s w ou ld s ugge s t t ha t t he l a rge h oards f r om S eamer Moo r ( Conyngham 1 848 ) a nd Y ork ( Rad l e y 1 968 ) l i e r e la t ive ly l a te i nt h i s s equence , f o r t hey b o th c on ta in aw ide v a r ie ty o fi mp le men t s : t he re w ere e dge -po l i shed f l in t a xe s , ap o l i shed s t one a dze , aS eame r a xe , l a rge l e af s haped a r rowhead s ,l a u re l leaf p o in t s ,a nd ab a rbed a nd t anged a r rowhead i nt he Y o rk h oa rd ( a l l t he f l in t b e ing o fc oa s ta l o r ig in ) . S im i la r ly , t here w ere b oa r s ' t u sk b l ade s , e dge -po l i shed a xe s , a n a n t le r macehead ,k i te shaped a r rowhead s , ap o l i shed b l ade k n if e , aS eamer a xe , a n e dge -po l i shed f l in t c h i se l , a nd ap l ano -convex k n if e i n t he S eamer Moo r h oa rd . T he e x i s t e nce o f h oa rds i n t hem se lve s s ugge s t s ad eg ree o f i n s tab i l i ty i n t he p re s t ige g ood s s y s tem . T he o the r p o in t wh ich t h i s s ugge s t s i st ha t t he se v a r iou s i mp lemen t t ype s c anno t b e s e en a s as equence o f s ucce s s ive p re s t ige g ood s , b u t r a ther a se l emen t s o fa n e xchange n e twork wh ich w a sd ive r s ify ing o ve rt ime .T he mode l wh ich s ugge s t s i t se lf i se mu la t ion ( M i l ler 1 982 ) , w he re p e r iod ic c hanges i n t he r equ i red p re s t ige g oods a r e n eeded t o c oun ter t he e f f ec t o f g oods f i l ter ing d own t o l owe r r ank ing member s o fs oc ie ty . W e s hou ld n o t f o rge t t ha t t he S eame r Moor h oa rd w a s a ccompan ied b y af ew h uman b one s , a nd i ndeed t he L a te r N eo l i th ic b u r ia l r ecord i sn o t s o b l eak i nY o rk sh ire a si ti si n mo s t o f t he r e s t o f B r i ta in . T he ' Dorche s ter C u l tu re ' b u r ia l s o f P i ggo t t ( 1954 ) a nd t he ` Macehead C omp lex ' b ur ia l s o f R oe ( 1968 ) a r e w e l l k nown . T he se o ve r lap t o s uch a n e x t en t t ha t t hey a r e b e s t c on s ide red a s ag roup . T hey i n c lude a s g rave g oods : a n t le r mace h ead s , b oar s ' t u sk b lade s , b one s kewer p in s , j e t b e l t s l ide r s ( Mc Inne s 1 968 ) , a r rowheads , e dg e -po l i shed a xe s , a dze s a nd k n ive s , among t hem t he w e l l k nown s e conda ry b u r ia l s a t D ugg leby Howe ( Mor t imer 1 905 ; K inne s e t a l . 1 983 ) , a nd t he c h i ld b u r ia l w i th a b one s kewe r p in a nd t he t h r ee c ha lk d rums a t F o lk ton 2 45 ( Greenwe l l 1 890 ) . O ne p a r t icu la r ly s i gn if ican t b ur ia l i n t h i s c omp lex i st he s e conda ry b u r ia l a t Wh i teg round s , B u ry tho rpe ( Br ew s ter n .d . ) , d a ted t o 2 570±90 b c ( Har 5 587 ) , wh ich w a s o f a2 5-30 y ear o ld ma le w i th 7 1

ap o l i shed j e t s l ider a nd a S eame r a xe d epo s i ted i n as haf t g rave d ug i n to t he t op o f a n E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic o va l c a i rn . T h i s r e -u se o f a n e a r l ie r l ong b a r row i si n tere s t ing b ecau se i t s ugge s ts t ha t t he re w ere a t temp t s t o l a y c l a im t o t he l e g i t ima te a u thor i ty o ft he a nce s to r s . T he se b u r ia l ss e em t o r epre sen t t he f i na l d eve lopmen t o f as e r ie s o fi nd iv idua lb u r ia l s , s ome t imes a s soc ia ted w i th T ow thorpe Wa re , s t a r t ing i n t he e a r ly t h i rd m i l lenn ium a ts i te s s uch a sC a l l i s Wo ld 2 75 ( Coomb s 1 976 ) . T h i s s e r ie s e x tend s i n to t he L a te r N eol i th ic a ts i te s s uch a s A ld ro 9 4 ( Mor t imer 1 905) , whe re t wo i nhuma t ion sw e re a ccompan ied b y aT ow tho rpe Wa re b ow l a nd ap o l i shed k n if e o fc oa s ta l f l in t , a nd t he w e l l k nown s i te o f Dugg leby Howe ( Mor t ime r 1 905 ; K inne s e ta l . 1 983 ) . T he b u r ia l s i n t he c en t ra l g r ave a t D ugg leby H owe w e re : a t t he b o t tom , a4 0-50 y ea r o ld ma le w i th aT ow thorpe Wa re b ow l a nd c o re s a nd f l ake s o f c oa s ta l f l in t ; a bove t h i s , a6 0 y ea ro ld ( p robab ly ma le ) w i th t he s ku l l o f a2 0 y ea r o ld a t t he f e e t ; a bove t h i s , a2 -3 y ea r o ld ; a nd , a t t he t op , a6 0 y ea r o ld w i th a n a n t le r macehead , al ozenge a r rowhead o f c oa s ta l f l in t , a nd aD ugg leby a dze o f Wo ld s f l in t . T he re i s ac h rono log ica l g ap b e tween t he se a nd t he o u te r g r ave s a nd mound d epo s i t s a s soc ia ted w i th b one s kewer p in s , c h i se l a nd o b l ique a r rowhead s , b u t t h i s i n terva l i sl i ke ly t o b e s l igh t , a nd t he ma in g ap i ss u re ly as oc ia l o ne . A sy e t Wh i teg round si st he o n ly d a ted L a te r N eo l i th ic b ur ia l , s o t ha t w e l a ck a c l ear p i c tu re o f h ow l ong t h i s p ha se o f s i ng le b u r ia l s l a s ted , a nd h ow i tc hanged o ve r t ime . T ha t i tl a s t s u n t i l c .2 000 b e i ss ugge s ted b y t h ree l i ne s o f e v idence : t he Yo rk a nd S eamer Moo r h oa rd s c on ta in r e spec t ive ly ab a rbed a nd t anged a r rowhead a nd ap lano -convex k n if e , t oge the rw i th t yp ica l L a te r N eo l i th ic f l in twork a nd a n t le r i mp lemen t s ; c h i se l a r rowhead s a l so o ccur w i th P e terborough Wa re a nd G rooved Wa re ; a nd ap o l i shed k n if e o ccur s a tC a rnaby T op S i te 1 2 i na s soc ia t ion w i th G rooved Wa r e ( Manby 1 974 ) . T he se L a te r N eo l i th ic b ur ia l s may n o t c on ta in t he ma in c eram ic t ype s o fP e te rbo rough Wa re a nd G rooved Wa re .T he G rooved Wa re v e s se l c l a imed f r om ' 8m i les Nor th o fP i cker ing ' ( Ba teman 1 861; Manby 1 974 ) i su nconv inc ing , a nd may b e aF ood V e s se l ( K inne s 1 979 ) , wh i le t he P e terbo rough Wa re s herd c l a imed f r om E lf H owe ( Manby 1 956 ) i s mo re l i ke ly t o b e f r om a C o l la red U rn ( Longwor th 1 984 ) . We t he refore h ave i n Yo rk sh i re a b u r ia l t r ad i t ion l a rge ly s epa ra te f r om t he ma in s t ream o f L a te rN eol i th ic ma ter ia l c u l tu re . B u t w ha to ft he t ypes o fL a ter N eo l i th ic s i te s t ha t w e w ou ld e xpec t t o o ccur o n t he b a s i s o f c on temporary a c t iv i ty e l sewhere? G rooved Wa re a nd P e terbo rough Wa re s i te s d o o ccu r i nq uan t i ty ,b u tt he Y ork sh i re r i tua l s i te s a r e mo s t ly o n as ma l le rs c a le t han t ho se e l sewhe re . T he re a r e an umbe ro fh enge s i nY ork sh i re ( f ig . 1 ) , b u t t hey a r e l e s s e x ten s ive t h an t ho se i n We s sex , f o r e xamp le . I ts e em s a s t hough t he r i tua la c t iv i t ie s a s soc ia ted w i th G rooved Wa re a r e l a rge ly l a ck ing i n Y ork sh i re . T he re a r e c l ea rr i tua la r ea s , s uch a st he R ud s ton c omp lex , wh ich c ons i s t so fa n e normou s mono l i th , f ou r i n ter sec t ing c u r su se s , a nd t he M a iden ' sG rave h enge ( Dymond 1 966 ) , o rt he T hornborough c omp lex , w i th ac u r su s , f i ve h enge s a nd p o s s i b ly ar e la ted p i t a l ignmen t . U n l ike s i te s i n We s sex , h oweve r , t he se h enge s d o n o t p roduce e v idence f o r l a rge s c a le f e a s t ing , o r t he d epos i t ion o f l a rge q uan t i t ie s o fp o t te ry a nd f l in t w ork . F our Y o rk sh i re h enge s h ave b een e xcava ted , a l be i t o n as ma l l s ca le : T ho rnborough C en t re C i rc le ( Thoma s 1 955) p roduced n o f i nd s a pa r t f r om a p o l i shed f l in t a xe i n t he p lough so i l ( Thoma s 1 963) ; Nunw ick ( Dymond 1 963 ) h a s p roduced n o f i nd s o r i n terna l f e a ture s ; M a iden ' s G rave ( Mc Inne s 1 964 ) h a s P e te rbo rough Wa re a nd B eaker s h e rd s i nt he s e condary s i l t s a nd B eaker s herds i ni n ter ior p o s tho le s ;a nd T hw ing ( Manby 1 982 ) h a s p ro d uced B eaker s herds f r om t he p r imary d i tch s i l t s a nd af ew s he rds o fP e te rbo rough Wa re , G rooved Wa re a nd B eake r f r om t he p re -bank o ld l a nd s u rf ace . T he p i c tu re i so fs ma l l s c a le a c t iv i ty , r a ther t han a ma jor G rooved Wa re p re sence . I n Y ork sh i re , i ts e em s a s t hough G rooved Ware d id n o t p lay t he s ame s oc ia l r o le a s i td id e l sewhere i n B r i ta in . A l so , w e s hou ld n o te t he f i nd s o f f l in t a nd s t one i mp lemen t s a t T hornbo rough C en t r e , Ma iden ' s G rave , a nd T hw ing . A l though t he se w e re n o t p re sen t i n l a rge n umber s , t hey w e re a sc om mon a s p o t tery . A l l i n a l l , t h i s e v idence s ugge s t s t he l a ck o f ad eve loped s e cu la r / r i tua l d i v i s ion i n L a ter N eol i th ic Y ork sh i re . 7 2

I n s tead t he e mpha s i s i so n b u r ia l a nd b u r ia l s i te s . T he c ompa ra t ive mode s ty o f t he se b ur ia l si nt e rm so fg rave g ood si si nc l ea r c on tra s t t o t he r i ch B eake r b u r ia l s wh ich f o l lowed . R a the r , t he e mpha s i s o n s ome N eo l i th ic b u r ia l s i te s w a s o n t he i r p o s i t ion i n l a rge r ound b a r row s , d om ina t ing t he r i ch a g r icu l tu ra l l a nd a l ong t he G rea t Wo ld V a l ley . I tw a s n o t y e t a cc ep tab le t oi ndu lge i nr i ch i nd iv idua lg rave s ; t he re w a s s t i l l an eed t o r e f e r t o t he t r ad i t ion o f c ommuna l b u r ia l s . T h i s i st aken f u r ther i nt he u se o fe a r l ie r b ar row s f o r r i tua l d epo s i t s , s uch a s t he ' h oa rd ' o f f l in twork w i th a t oken d epo s i t o f c r ema ted h uman b one s i n ac i s t d ug i n to t he t op o f t he S eame r Moo r l ong b a r row ( Conyngham 1 848 ) o r t he d epo s i t o fa G rooved Ware v e s se l i n t he n o r th -we s t e nd o f t he S t ree t H ou se F a rm l ong c a i rn ( Vyne r p er s . c omm .) . T he e v idence f r om Y o rk sh ire s ugge s t s t he o pe ra t ion o f ap re s t ige e conomy i nvo lved i n w ide rang ing e xchange n e twork s . C onve r se ly , t he l a ck o f as t rong G rooved Wa re e l emen t m ay h ave mean t t ha t t he e x treme s oc ia l r i g id i ty a s soc ia ted w i th r i tua l a u tho r i ty d id n o t g a in ah o ld .I n t he se c i rcum s tances t he re w a s an a tu ra l t endency t o l i nk i n to t he c on t inen ta l B eake r e xchange n e two rk w i th i t s a cce s s t o e xo t ic ma te r ia l s . I n p a r t icu la rb ronze w a s e m i n en t ly s u i tab le a s ap re s t ige g ood , n o t o n ly b ecau se i tw a sr a re a nd l a bou ri n ten s ive t o work b u t a l so b ecau se t he p roduc t ion p roce s se si tr equ i red w e re s uf f ic ien t ly c omp lex t o b e c on t r o l led q u i te e a s i ly . T he r e la t ive i n s ign if icance o f G rooved Wa re i nY ork sh i re mean t t ha t t he p roce s s o fi n te g r a t ion i n to t he B eaker n e twork w a s f a i r ly s w if t a nd u noppo sed . L a te r N eo l i th ic c e ram ic a s soc ia t ion s ( f ig . 1 )s how t ha t c on tac t t ook p l ace t h rough s oc ia lg roup su s ing P e te rborough Wa r e more o f ten t han t hos e u s ing G rooved Wa re , a l though f i nds w i th G rooved Wa re a r e a l so c ommon i nY ork sh i re . A ga in t h i s p o in t s t o ac on s ide rab le d eg ree o fs oc ia l f l u id i ty . T he re i sg ood e v idence f o r e ar ly B eaker b u r ia l s i nt he Y ork sh i re c o re a r ea s , f o r e xamp le a t R uds ton 6 7 ( Greenwe l l 1 877 ) . T he b u r ia l a t We twang S l ack A rea 8( Den t 1 983) , d a ted t o 1 950±100 b c ( Har 4 426 ) , i sn ea rt o L a te r N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen t c oncen t ra t ion s . T he g rave g oods a s soc ia ted w i th B eaker s , s uch a sb a t t le -axes , a l so a ppea ra ta n e a r ly s t age i nt he Y ork s h i re Wo lds , f o r i n s tance a t We twang S l ack A rea 1 2 , w i th ad a te o f 1 830±70 b c ( Ha r4 427 ; D en t 1 983) . We c an t he refo re s ugge s t t ha t i n Y ork sh i re t he re i s ar e la t ive ly c on t inuou s t r end o fs i ng le b ur ia l s f r om t he L a te r N eo l i th ic i n to t he E ar ly B ronze A ge . T ha t t h i s p roce s s i sn o ta ss moo th a sm igh tb e a s sumed i ss ugge s ted b y e v idence o fB eaker p e r iod r e -u se o f e a r l ier monumen t s . T h i s r e -u se i n c lude s ma ter ia l i n t he d i tch o fR ud s ton C ur su s ' A ' ( Dymond 1 966 ) , wh ich w e f e e l t o b e t he r e su l t o f ar e cu t t ing o ft he u pper p a r t o f t he d i tch , r a the r t han p r ima ry a c t iv i ty . T h i s r e f e rence b ack t o e a r l ie r s i te s f o r p u rpo se s o f l e g i t ima t ion mo s t c ommon ly t ake s t he f o rm o f mo r tua ry a c t iv i t ie s : B eake r b u r ia l s w e re i n se r ted i n to t he s ou the rn t e rm ina lo fR ud s ton C u r su s ' A ' ( Greenwe l l 1 877 ;D ymond 1 966 ) , a nd w ere a l so i n se r ted i n to l ong b a r row s s uch a s G a r ton S l ack 3 7 ( Mor t ime r 1 905 ; B rew s t e r 1 981) . Mo s t i n tr igu ing ly , i ta l so t ake s t he f orm o f as pread o fB eaker p o t te ry a nd f l in t w ork w i th f r agmen t s o f h uman b one b u t n o a n ima l b one s o n t he mound o f C a l l i s Wo ld 2 75 r ound b ar row ( Coombs 1 976 aa nd b ;C oombs p e r s . c omm . ) . T h i s i sc l ea r ly n o t s e t t le men t d ebr i s , a s s ugge s ted b y G ibson ( 1982 ) a nd K inne s ( 1979 ) , b u t r a the r ar i tua l d epo s i t w i th t oken b ur ia l s s im i la r t o t he S eamer Moo r ma ter ia l ; a t t h i s s i te i th a s d a te s o f 1 844± 7 0 b c , 1 727±68 b ca nd 1 530±80 b c ( BM 168 a nd 169 ; H a r 1 448 ) . R ound b a r row c eme te r ie s s e em t o h ave g rown u p a round much e a r l ie r l ong b a r row s a nd i n g enera l t o h ave a vo ided s i tes w i th L a ter N eo l i th ic b u r ia l s . T h i s may a l so p o in t t o an eed t o l e g i t ima te t he s h if t t o i nd iv idua l d i sp lay b y f o rg ing l i nk s w i th t he d i s tan t p a s t a nd t hu s w i th i d ea s o f s t ab i l i ty a nd c on t inu i ty . T he se v a r iou s b a r row c eme te r ie s may r e la te t o t he e x i s tence o fc ompe t ing l i neage g roup s a st he i n corpo ra t ion o fY o rk sh i re i n to af u l ly -f ledged p re s t ige g oods e conomy l e d t ot he f r agmen ted a nd c ompe t i t ive s y s tems o ft he E a r ly B ronze A ge . W e s sex T he s e cond s t udy a r ea i ss ou the rn Wes sex , c on s i s t ing o f e a s t D o r se t , w e s t H amp sh i re , 7 3

a nd s ou th W i l t sh i re . I n t h i s r eg ion t he n ine teen th c en tury e mpha s i s w a s a ga in o n t h e e xca v a t ion o f b a r row s ( e .g . H oa re 1 812 ; T hu rnam 1 872 ) b u t a t ten t ion s oon t u rned t o r i tua l s i te s a sw e l l ( A tk in son 1 956 ; B rad ley 1 975) . Ac ampa ign o f i n ve s t iga t ion o fh enge monu men t s i n t h e 1 960 s ( Wa inw r igh t 1 971; 1 979 ; Wa inwr igh t a nd L ongwo r th 1 971) h a s b een f o l lowed b y t he S tonehenge E nv i ron s P ro jec t ( R icha rd s , t h i s v o lume ) . T here a r e a l so a v ery s ma l l n umbe r o f L a te r N eo l i th ic b u r ia l s , o cca s iona l s c a t te r s o f L a ter N eo l i th ic p i t s ( s ome u nder r ound b ar row s ) , s u rf ace a r tef ac t s c a t te r s , a nd s ome s t ray f i nd s o f f l in t a nd s t onewo rk . Am a jor c on t ra s t b e tween o u r t wo s t udy a r ea si st he r e la t ive l a ck i ns ou thern W e s sex o f s pec ia l i sed f l in two rk a nd s t onewo rk o f t he s o r t d i scu s sed a bove . I n W e s sex n o tab le c on c en tra t ion s o fs t one a xe sd o o ccu rt o t he n o r th o fo u ra r ea , a round A vebu ry , a nd f l in t a xe s may h ave b een p roduced a t t he E a s ton D own m ine s d u r ing t he L a te r N eo l i th ic p er iod ( S tone 1 931) , b u t a ppa ren t ly t h i s d id n o t e x tend t o t he p roduc t ion o f t he f i ne f l in two rk i ns uch l a rge q uan t i t ie s a si nY o rk sh i re . T he f i r s t i nd ica t ion o f t he e mergence o f as oc ia l h i e ra rchy r oo ted i n c on tro l o f r i tua l may b ep rcv ided b y as e r ie so fs ma l lh enge s . T he f i r s t p ha se o f S tonehenge ( A tk in son 1 956 ) i sd a ted t o c . 2 400 b c ( Tab le 1 ;c f P i t t s 1 982 ) ; i t s c on s truc t ion r e semb le s t he g ang -dug c au sewayed e nc lo sure s ( S tar t in a nd B rad ley 1 981) , b u t mo rpho log ica l ly t he h enge i sa n e n t i re ly d i f f e ren t c oncep t ion , c on s i s t ing o f ac omp le te b oundary d ef in ing a c en t ra l a r ea . T h i s l im i ted d i sp lay o f monumen ta l i ty p erhap s b e t ray s t h e u nce r ta in n a tu re o ft h e p owe r s t ruc tu re a t t h i s t ime a nd c ou ld h ave f u lf i l led an eed t o a s ser t a nd d i sp lay a u thor i ty i na c ommuna l f a sh ion ( Che r ry 1 978 ) . T he re i sl i t t le v a r ie ty a mong s t t he ma ter ia l c u l tu re o f t h i s p er iod , a nd t he l im i ted n umbe r o f f i nd s o n s ma l l h enge s i te s s ugge s t s t ha t t he s oc ia l r o le s o ft he se monumen t sw ere n o t y e t empha s i sed b y t he u se o fd i s t inc t ive a r tef ac t s . S uch e a r ly a c t iv i t ie s a r e p erhap s a ppa ren t i na d jacen t a r ea s o f s ou thern We s sex ( f ig s . 2 a nd 3 ) . I n c en t ra l W i l t sh i re , i n t he V a le o f P ew sey , as ma l lh enge monumen t n ea r M a rden ( Ha rd ing a nd L ee p er s . c omm . ) may b e long t o t he s ame p ha se a s S tonehenge 1 ,a s may t ho se a t Wyke D own ( t h i sv o lume ,p . 1 00 ) , L anceborough ( t h i sv o lume , p . 1 68 ) , M aumbu ry R ing s ( Brad ley 1 975) , a nd t he K now l ton C en t re C i rc le ( P iggo t t a nd P i ggo t t 1 939 )i nD o r s e t . T he d eve lopmen t s s ugge s ted f o r t he S tonehenge a r ea n eed n o t h ave h appened i na v acuum . G iven t he p rob lema t ic n a ture o f r i tua l a u tho r i ty , a l l iance s b e tween e l i te s w ou ld h ave b een n ece s sary t o s u s ta in t h i st ype o fs y s tem d u r ing i t s f o rma t ive p ha se . T he f ew L a te r N eo l i th ic r ound b a r row b u r ia l s , s uch a s H and ley 2 6 a nd 2 7 , a te ach e nd o f Wor B a r row , a r e p erhap s b e s t p l aced i n t h i s e a r ly p e r iod ( Brad ley e ta l . , t h i s v o lume ) . S i gn if ican t ly , t hey s ome t ime s c on ta in P e terbo rough Wa r e , a nd may t he refore b e long t o a s epa ra te n e twork f r om t he r i tua l s i te sw i th t he i rd i s t inc t a s soc ia t ion s . E a r ly r ound b a r row s a r e s ome t ime s f ound i n s epa ra te a r ea s f r om t he l a t ter monumen t s a nd t he i rs ma l l n umbe r s s ugge s t t ha t t h ey c ou ld n o t h ave r epre sen ted ama jo r c oun te r -a t t rac t ion . B e tween a bou t 2 400 a nd 2 000 b c , i nt he v i c in i ty o fS tonehenge , w e may s e e e v idence o f g r ea te r r i tua l p owe r , f i nd ing e xp re s s ion ma ter ia l ly , s pa t ia l ly a nd s ymbo l ica l ly . T he g r adua l e xpan s ion o f ar i tua l l a nd scape s e t a s ide f r om s e cu la r a c t iv i ty c ou ld h ave d eve loped a nd ma in ta ined a n i d eo logy t ha t s t re s sed t he i mpo r tance o fs pec ia l i sed a c t iv i t ie s c ar r ied o u t b y a n e l i te o n b eha lf o f t he who le p opu la t ion . S uch aw or ld v i ew w ou ld r equ i re c on t inua lr e a s se r t ion i nt he f o rm o fi n s t i tu t iona l i sed r i tua la c t iv i ty ( T i l ley 1 982 ) . T he s pec if ic n a tu re o ft he S tonehenge r i tua ll a nd scape w i l lb ed i scu s sed b y J u l ian R icha rd s ( t h i s v o lume , C hap te r 1) , b u t c e r ta in g ene ra l p o in t s c an b e o b served . T he s c a le a nd f ocu s o f t h i s r i tua l ly d ef ined a r ea w i l l a lmo s t c e r ta in ly h ave f l uc tua ted t h rough t ime , w i th t h e r e su l t t ha t i t s s i ze a nd e mpha s i s a r e d i f f icu l t t o d e term ine f r om t he p re sen t p a l imp se s t . H owever , t he l a ck o f o bv iou s s pa t ia lb oundar ie s a tt he b eg inn ing o ft h i s p er iod m igh t i nd i c a te t ha t ac omp le te r i tua l / secu la r d i v i s ion h ad y e t t oe me rge . T he a r chaeo log ica l ly v i s ib le a spec t s o f t h i s e a r ly r i tua l l a nd scape a r e s ma l l h enge monumen t s , f r ee s tand ing t imbe r a r rangemen t s( bo th e nc lo sed a nd u nenc lo sed ) , a nd s pec ia l i sed p i t d epo s i t s . T he s ma l l h enge monumen t s a r e C oneybu ry H i l l ( R icha rd s , t h i s v o lume , p . 1 82 ) , S tonehenge I( A tk in son 7 5

T ab le 1 R ad ioca rbon d a te s f o r L a ter N eo l i th ic We s sex F l int M ine

D a te E a s ton D own

2 530±150 b c

( BM 1 90 )

C h r i s tchu rch Du r r ing ton Wa l l s

2 220±80 1 950±90 2 000±90 1 900±90 1 977±90 2 015±90 2 050±90 1 988±48 1 784±4 1 1 778±59 1 961±89 1 991 ± 72 2 038±84 1 941±66 2 108±71 2 098±54 1 867±74 1 805±54

( HAR 2 907 ) ( BM 3 95) ( BM 3 96 ) ( BM 3 97 ) ( BM 3 98 ) ( BM 3 99 ) ( BM 4 00 ) ( BM 5 57 ) ( BM 6 45) ( BM 6 46 ) ( BM 6 63) ( BM 6 66 ) ( BM 6 67 ) ( BM 7 91) ( BM 7 92 ) ( BM 7 93) ( BM 6 77 )

G rooved W ar e

M arden Moun t P l ea san t

Woodhenge

b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c b c

( BM 6 78 )

H enge S tonehenge

2 460±60 b e 2 440±60 b e 2 180±105 b e 1 848±275 b e

( BM 1 583) ( BM 1 617 ) ( 12 328 ) ( C 6 02 )

Ame sbu ry 5 1

1 788±90 b e 1 610±120 b e 1 680±110 b e 1 840±130 b e 1 687±63 b e 1 695±43 b e 1 680±60 b e 1 669±55 b e 1 765±70 b e

( BM 2 87 )

B eaker Du r r ing ton Wa l l s Knap H i l l Moun t P l ea san t

S tonehenge

7 6

( BM ( BM ( BM ( BM ( BM ( BM ( BM ( BM

2 85) 2 86 ) 2 08 ) 6 62 ) 6 65) 6 68 ) 7 90 ) 1 582 )

1 956 ) , a nd p o s s ib ly F a rgo P l an ta t ion ( S tone 1 938) . F ree s tand ing t imbe r a r rangemen t s h av e b een f ound a t C oneybu ry H i l l ( R icha rd s , t h i s v o lume , p . 1 82 ) , S tonehenge ( Haw ley 1 925 ; 1 928 ; A tk in son 1 956 ;B e r r idge p er s . c omm .) a nd p reda t ing t he e nc lo su re a tD ur r ing t on W a l l s ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwo r th 1 971; R icha rd s a nd T homa s , t h i s v o lume , p . 1 95) . U nenc lo sed t imbe r a r rangemen t s p erhap s o ccu r o u t s ide D u r r ing ton Wa l l s ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971) a nd o n K ing B a r row R idge ( R .C .H .M . 1 979 ) . T he s pec ia l i sed p i t d epo s i t s i n c lude R a tfyn ( S tone 1 935 ) , Wood land s ( S tone a nd Y oung 1 948 ) a nd t he C ha lk P l aque P i t ( Va tche r , F . 1 969 ) , wh i le s ome o ft he p i t s d i scovered o n K ing B a r row R idge may b e long i nt h i sg roup ( Va tcher , L . 1 960 ;c fR icha rds , t h i sv o lume , p . 1 83) . B e tween 2 200 a nd 2 000 b cs oc ia ld i f f e ren t ia t ion s e em st ob e e xpre s sed o ve r t ly i nm a te r ia l c u l tu re , w i th t he a dop t ion b y ar i tua l ly b a sed e l i te o f ar epe r to i re o fd i s t inc t ive i t ems , i n c l ud ing G rooved Ware . T he e a r l ie s t d a ted G rooved Wa re i nW e s sex o ccur s a tC h r i s tchurch ( J ar v i s 1 983) . A ccord ing t o o u r mode l , t he d eve lop ing d i v i s ion i nt he s oc ia l s y s tem w ou ld h ave r e s tr ic ted t he u se o fv a r iou s f o rm s o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re t o p a r t icu la r l e ve l s i ns oc ie ty . V a r ia t ion si n L a ter N eo l i th ic ma te r ia l c u l tu re h ave l ong b een o b served i nt he a r chaeo log ica l r e co rd a nd s e em t ob er e la ted t op a r t icu la rc e ram ic t ype s . P i ggo t t ( 1954 ) n o ted t he v a r ia t ion b e tween t he P e te rborough W ar e a nd G rooved Wa re a s semb lage s , b u t a t t r ibu ted t h i s d i v i s ion t o t h e e x i s tence o ft wo s epa ra te c u l tu re s . I ti ss ugge s ted h e re t ha t s uch v a r ia t ion i n ma ter ia l c u l tu re i se xp la ined b y t he o pera t ion o f r anked s phe re s o f e xchange ; i n p a r t icu la r , t he ma te r ia l i t em s a s soc ia ted w i th r i tua l a u thor i ty a r e n o t a va i lab le t o l owe r r ank ing g roup s ( Brad ley 1 982 ) . T h i s c on tra s t b e tween t h e P e te rborough Wa re a nd G rooved Wa re a s semb lage si n We s sex may r e inforce t he i d ea o f as e cu la r / r i tua l d i v i s ion . P e te rbo rough -a s soc ia ted ma ter ia li n c ludes f l in t a xe s , G roup V I s t one a xe s a nd c h i se l e nded t r an sve r se a r rowhead s a nd c an b e f ound w i th e a r ly r ound b ar row s i nt h i s a r ea . T he G rooved Wa re -a s soc ia ted ma te r ia li n c lude s C o r n i sh ( Group Ia nd I I ) s t one a xe s , c ha lk a xe s a nd p l aque s ,o b l ique e nded t r an sve r se a r row h eads , macehead s , a nd b one p in s . I ti s mo s t f r equen t i n t he W es sex h enge s . P i g , ap r ime m ea t p roduce r a nd e m inen t ly s u i tab le f e a s t ing a n ima l ,i sa l so r ep re sen ted i nG rooved Wa re c on tex t s( Gr ig son 1 982 ) . T he r i tua l e l emen t e xp re s sed i nG rooved Wa re a s soc ia t ion si ss e en i n d epos i t s wh ich i n c lude o bv iou s ly n on -u t i l i ta r ian i t ems . F or e xamp le , t he Wood land s p i t s ( S tone 1 949 ) c on ta ined s ome p a r t icu la r ly e l abo ra te a r tef ac t s , t oge the r w i th a n u nu sua l f auna l a s semb lage . T he f o rma l n a tu re o f t h i s d epo s i t i ss hown b y t he f a c t t ha t t wo o ft he p i t s h ad b een c overed b y ac app ing o f f l in t n odu le s . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o f G rooved Wa re i n s ide t he ma jor h enge ss how sa n e qu iva len t f o rma l i ty ( R icha rds a nd T homa s , t h i sv o lume , C hap ter 1 2 ) . T he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord s ugges t s t ha t d i f f eren t s oc ia l r anks s l ow ly d rew a pa r t , p e rhap s u s ing d i f f eren t a r tefac t s a nd d i f f e ren t p a r t s o ft he l a ndscape . S uch e x treme d i f f e ren t ia t ion m igh t b e t he r e su l t o f t he g row ing s epa ra t ion o fa n a r i s toc racy c once rned w i th r i tua l f r om ac ommone r g roup . T he l ower r ank ing l i neage s m igh t b e l o ca ted i np e r iphe ra l a r ea s c om p a r ed w i th t he c en t re so fr i tua la u thor i ty a nd m igh t h ave ma in ta ined ac on s ide rab le d eg ree o fe conom ic a u tonomy ,p rov ided t he a r i s toc racy r e ce ived i t s s ha re o fs u rp lu s p roduce . T h i s d eg ree o f e conom ic a u tonomy a l low s ' b ig men ' t o a ccrue p re s t ige a nd l im i ted p owe r b y c onve r t ing s ucce s si na g r icu l tu ra l p roduc t ion i n to f e a s t ing , g i f tg i v ing a nd ma r r iage a l iance s . S uch s pa t ia l a nd f unc t iona lc on tra s t sa r e p erhap s t o b e s e en i nt he S tonehenge a r ea w i th i t s m ix tu re o fs e t t lemen t s , monumen t sa nd i ndu s t r ia l s i te s ( R icha rds t h i sv o lume , C hap ter 1) . B y 2 000 b ct he p re sence o fB eaker c e ram ic s ma rk s ap er iod o fc on tac t b e tween s ou the rn We s sex a nd E urope . I ti sv e ry i mpor tan t t o c on s ider t he i d en t i ty o ft he g roup s p a r t ic ipa t ing i nt h e B eaker p re s t ige g ood s n e twork . A n e xam ina t ion o fc e ram ic a s soc iat ion s i ns ou the rn W e s sex ( f ig s . 2a nd 3 ) s how s t ha t e a r l ier B eake r s a r e p redom inan t ly a s soc ia ted w i th P e te r b o rough Ware . T h i sr e la t ion sh ip i sa l so a ppa ren t i ns t y l i s t ic t e rm s . Sm i th ( 1956 ) a nd C la rke ( 1970 ) n o ted t he s t rong B eaker i nf luence o n t he d eve lopmen t o f t h e F enga te s ub s ty le . C on tac t b e tween t he t wo s y s tems i se v idenced a t ad i s tance f r om t he ma in c en tre s o fr i tua l p ower - t he l a rge h enge monumen t s ( Wh i t t le 1 981) . I ti sp roposed t ha t t he B eake r /Pe te r 7 7

LARGE H ENGE

S TONEHENGE .

S TONEHENGE

•

4 4

7 8 GROOVED WARE / BEAKER

P ETERBOROUGH / BEAKER - LOOSE

ASSOC IAT ION

DURR INGTON WALLS .

0

b orough a s soc ia t ion r ep re sen t s t he p ene tra t ion o ft he r i tua l a u thor i ty s y s tem b y ap re s t ige g oods e conomy o pera ted b yh i gh r ank ing c on t inen ta lg roup s w ork ing t h rough l owe r s t a tu s ' b ig m en ' i n Wes sex a nd l owe rr ank ing e l i te l i neage s . C on tac t b e tween t he se d i f f e ren t s oc ia l s y s tem s w i l l h ave c au sed c onf l ic ts w i th in t he r i tua l a u thor i ty s t ruc tu re , a s t he i nd iv idua l i s ing p re s t ige g oods e conomy u nde rm ined t he c ommuna l b a s i se s sen t ia lt ot h e e x i s tence o ft ha t s y s tem ( Shennan 1 982 ) . I n ma te r ia l t e rm s t h i s i d eo log ica l c onf l ic t m ay h ave b een d en ied t h rough ama s s ive i n ve s tmen t o f l a bou r i n r i tua la c t iv i ty ,a nd i np a r t icu la rt he c on s truc t ion o ft he l a rge h enge monumen t so fs ou the rn W es sex , a t Du r r ing ton Wa l l s( Wa inw r igh ta nd L ongwor th 1 971) , M a rden ( Wa inw r igh t 1 971) , Moun t P l easan t( Wa inw r igh t 1 979 )a nd p o s s ib ly K now l ton ( R .C .H .M . 1 975) . T he h uge s c a le o fs uch s i te s may m ark a n a t temp t t o d eny c onf l ic t w i th in t he s oc ia l o rde r a nd t or ep roduce ac on so l ida ted w o r ld v i ew t h rough t he med ium o fr i tua l ( R icha rd s a nd T homa s t h i sv o lume , C hap ter 1 2 ) . I nd o ing s o t he e l i te o n ly s ucceeded i nr e info rc ing s oc ia l d i v i s ion s . I nt he p e r iod 2 0001800 b et he l i nk w i th t he c on t inen ta l e xchange n e two rk w a s s t reng th e ned . I n p er iphe ra l a r ea s b i g men a nd l ower r ank ing l i neages a cc rued w ea l th a nd p owe rb y c on tro l l ing p re s t ige g ood s , e spec ia l ly m e ta lwork , t h rough e xchange n e twork s t ha t w e re h i gh ly c ompe t i t ive b u t a l so u n s tab le . I t mu s t b e s t re s sed , h owever , t ha t a tt h i s p e r iod v e ry l i t t le me ta lwork f ound i t s w ay i n to t he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord b ecau se i tw a s s o e a s i ly r e c yc led . T owards t he e nd o f t h i s p er iod w e may b e a b le t o r e cogn i se af u r the r d i sp lay o fr i tua l a u tho r i ty wh ich s ugges t s a n i n c rea s ing d eg ree o f t en s ion w i th in t h e s oc ia l s t ruc tu re . T he b u i ld ing o f Woodhenge ( Cunn ing ton 1 929 ) i se spec ia l ly s i gn if ican t , f o r a l though i tw a s more e l abora te t han e i the r t h e n o r thern o rs ou thern c i rc le s a tD ur r ing ton Wa l l si tw a s c on s t ruc ted o n af a r s ma l le r s c a le , p e rhap s b e tray ing ad im in i sh ing a b i l i ty t o c ommand c o rve 'e l a bour . M arden ( Wa inw r igh t 1 971) s e em s t o h ave b een a bandoned r e la t ive ly s oon a f te r i t w a sb u i l t , a nd t h i sp e rhap sp o in t st o ar e t rea t t oo lder c o re a r ea s . P ene tra t ion b y t he p re s t ige g oods e conomy s e em s t oh ave o ccu r red s l ow ly , a nd a sw ou ld b e e xpec ted , t he r e so lu t ion o ft he c onf l ic t b e tween s e cu la rp ower a nd r i tua l a u tho r i ty w a s n eve r c omp le te . T he f i r s t r i ch B eaker b ur ia l s o ccu r i n p er iphe ra l a r ea s , a vo id ing t he ma jo r r i tua l e nc losu re s . E xamp le si n c lude W imborne S tG i le s 9( Hoa re 1 812 ) , R oundway 8( Cun n ing ton 1 857 ) , W in ter s low 3( S teven sa nd S tone 1 938 ) , a nd M e re 6 a ( Hoa re 1 812 ; s e e a l so Wh i t t le 1 981) . T h i s ma rk s as i gn if ican t d eve lopmen t i n t he p ower s t rugg le s ugge s ted h ere ; f o rt he f i r s t t ime w e s e ea n o ve r t d i sp lay o fw ea l th a nd p ower i nb u r ia l s . S oon a f ter 1 800 b e t he p owe r o f t he r i tua l a u thor i ty s t ruc tu re s e em s t oh ave c o l lap sed i n t he S tonehenge a r ea . T h i s i sd emon s t ra ted b y t he a bandonmen t o f t he l a rge e nc lo sed r i tua l a r eas . T he re i sr e la t ive ly l i t t le G rooved Wa re i n t he d i tch s e quence s a t D ur r ing ton Wa l l s , Woodhenge , C oneybu ry H i l l a nd S tonehenge a f te r t h i s d a te . P erhap s p ower n ow r e s ted i n amore f r agmen ted s oc ia l s y s tem b a sed o n t he c on t ro l a nd c on sump t ion o fp re s t i ge g oods b yl i neage g roup si n vo lved i nd i rec t c ompe t i t ion . W i th in t h i s n ew s oc ia l s t ruc tu re , h owever , i d eo logy w a s s oon e mp loyed t o d eny t he c l eavage wh ich h ad o ccu r red b e tween r i tua l a nd s ecu la ra u thor i ty . T h i s n ew p roce s s s e em s t o h ave i n vo lved t he a cknow ledgemen t a nd r e -u se o f e a r l ie r c en tre s o f p ower . T he r e -u se o f D ur r ing ton Wa l l s , Woodhenge a nd C oneybu ry H i l l i s d emon s t ra ted b y t he p re sence o f B eaker s , b u rn t b one a nd f l in twork i n t he d i tche s a t r ough ly t he s ame p er iod . T he s ame may h ave h appened a t Moun t P l ea san t . A t S tonehenge n o t o n ly i sB eake r a c t iv i ty r ep re sen ted i n t he d i tch , b u t t he f i r s t s t one p ha se b egan w i th t he e r ec t ion o ft he b lue s tone s ,a nd t he i n i t ia l c on s t ruc t ion o ft he A venue . T he r e -u se o f e a r l ier monumen t s f r equen t ly o pe ra ted w i th in t he f une ra ry s phere . T he re a r e b ur ia l s a t M arden ( Wa inw r igh t 1 971) , i n t he b ank a t D ur r ing ton Wa l l s ( Fa r ra r 1 918 ) , a t t he c en t re s o f b o th Woodhenge ( Cunn ing ton 1 929 ) a nd F a rgo P l an ta t ion h eng iform e nc losure ( S tone 1 938 ) , a nd i n t he d i tch a t S tonehenge ( A tk in son a nd E van s 1 978 ) , t h e l a t ter d a ted t o c . 1 750 b e . T hey a l so o ccur a s i n t ru s ive d epo s i t s i nl ong b a r row s , s uch a s F ighe ldean 3 1 ( Thurnam 1 869 ) a nd W i l sford c um L ake 3 4 ( Thurnam 1 869) ;i n te re s t ing ly , 7 9

t he se a r e b o th l a te l ong b ar row s ( Thorpe t h i s v o lume , C hap te r 4 ) . A ccompany ing t h i s s e conda ry a c t iv i ty w e s e e t he i n i t ia t ion o f d i sc re te b ar row c eme te r ie s a round t r ad i t iona l c en t re s o f r i tua l p owe r . Ame sbury 3 9 ( A shbee 1 979 /80 ) a nd Ame sbury 5 1 ( A shbee 1 975/76 ) b e long t o t he s ame p e r iod a s t he r e -u se o f e a r l ie r s i te s . E ach b ar row c eme te ry may h ave b een u sed b y o ne l i neage g roup , l e g i t im i s ing i t sa cce s s t op owe r t h rough b a r row c e remony , a nd b y t ha t mean s c l a im ing ar e la t ion sh ip w i th p a s t r i tua l a c t iv i t ie s . T he r e -u se o f p a s t r i tua l f oc i w a sn o t l im i ted t o h enge monumen t s ; t he H amb ledon H i l l ( Me rc e r 1 980 ) a nd Knap H i l l ( Connah 1 965) c au sewayed e nc lo su re s s how e v idence o fB eaker a c t iv i ty , a s d o t he d i tche s o f an umbe ro fl ong b a r row s , s uch a sF u s se l l ' s L odge ( A shbee 1 966 ) . T h i s l a te rp er iod s e e s ag rea t d ive r s i ty i nc e ram ic s t y le s . T he n ume rou s s t ep s i d en t i f ied i n t he d eve lopmen t o f B eaker s ( Ca se 1 977 ; C larke 1 970 ; L an t ing a nd v an d e r Waa l s 1 972 ) may r e su l t f r om t he c ompe t i t ive n a tu re o f s oc ia l r e la t ion s , whe re emu la t ion l e d t o c on s t an t r edef in i t ion o fs oc ia l p o s i t ion t h rough d i s t inc t ive s t a tu s ma rker s . B y t he E a r ly B ronze A ge , ac l ea ri nd ica t ion o ft he o r ig in o ft he d om inan t g roup s i sp rov ided b y t he d eve lopmen t o f F ood V e s se l s a nd C o l la red U rn s ( Longwor th 1 961) wh ich a r e r e la ted t o P e te rbo rough a nd B eaker s t y le s . C onc lus ion I n c onc lus ion , w e wou ld s ugges t t ha t t he a dvan tage s o f t he c ompa ra t ive a pp roach a r e c on s ide rab le . I n Y ork sh i re t he e x i s t ing d eve lopmen t o f ar ud imen ta ry p re s t ige g oods e conomy made i t s p ene tra t ion b y t he c on t inen ta l B eaker p re s t ige g oods n e two rk much more r ap id t han i n We s sex , whe re t he e x ten t o f r i tua l a u thor i ty made t h i s p roce s s mo re d i f f icu l t . Wes sex i sa typ ica l , a nd a c ompa ra t ive a pproach i sn ece s sa ry t o d emon s t ra te t h i s p o in t . I ti sm i s lead ing t o s e e t h i s a r ea a s amode l f o r t he r e s t o fB r i ta in , a sh a s b een d one s o f r equen t ly i n t he p a s t . We h ave p u t f o rwa rd a n e xp lana t ion wh ich a ccoun t s f o r t h e p a ra d ox ica l e v idence f or b o th c on t inu i ty a nd d i scon t inu i ty b e tween t he L a ter N eo l i th ic a nd B eake r p e r iods . T he s t reng th o ft h i st heory l i e si nt he f a c t t ha t i te ncompa s se s much i nt he ma ter ia l r e co rd wh ich h a sp rev iou s ly b een s e en a su n re la ted a nd w i thou t p a t te rn . O bv iou s ly w e h ave p a in ted ab road c anva s i nb o th s t udy a r ea s . Af u r ther d eve lopmen t o f t h i s r e sea rch w i l l b e i n t e rm s o fs i gn if ican t v a r ia t ion w i th in t he t wo s t udy a r ea s . T h i sw ork may o f f er c on t ra s t s t o t he g enera l p a t te rn s a nd p roce s se s i d en t if ied h e re ( c fT homa s , t h i s v o lume , C hap te r 1 0 ) . N eve r the le s s , w e f e e l t ha t t h i s a pp roach p rov ide s a n o ppo r tun i ty f or s i gn if ican t a dvance s i no ur u nde r s tand ing o fa n i mpor tan t p er iod i nB r i t i sh p reh i s tory .

Acknow ledgement s We s hou ld l i ke t o t hank t he e d i tor s , B ob C hapman , T er ry M anby , J ean ie P ou l sen , a nd M ike R ow land s f or t he i r c ommen t s o n a n e a r l ie rd raf t o ft h i s p ape r . We s hou ld a l so l i ke t o t hank P e te B er r idge , T ony B rew s ter , D ave C oomb s , A n thony H a rd ing , I an K inne s , G raham L ee , T er ry M anby , D om in ic P ow le s land , J u l ian R icha rds , B la i se V yner a nd P e te Woodward f or p rov id ing u npub l i shed i n forma t ion .

B ib l iog raphy ABERCROMBY , J . 1 912 . AS tudy o ft he B ronze Age P ot tery i nG rea tB r i t ian a nd I r e l and a nd i t sA s soc ia ted G rave -good s V o lume I( Oxford , C la rendon P re s s ) . A 1JMER , G . 1 979 . R econc i l ing p ower w i th a u thor i ty : a n a spec t o fs t a tec raf t i nt r ad i t iona l L ao s , Man ( N .S . ) 1 4 ,734-749 . ASHBEE , P . 1 966 . T he F u s se l l ' s L odge l ong b a r row e xcava t ion s , 1 957 , A rchaeo log ia 1 00 , 1 -80 .

8 0

A SHBEE , P . 1 975/76 . Ame sbu ry b a r row 5 1: e xcava t ion s 1 960 , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 7 0 /71 , 1 -60 . A SHBEE , P . 1 979 /80 . Ame sbu ry b a r row 3 9 : e xcava t ion s 1 960 , W i l t sh i r e A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 7 4 /75 , 3 -34 . ATK INSON , R . J .C . 1 956 . S tonehenge ( London , H am i sh H am i l ton ) . ATKINSON , R . J .C . a nd EVANS , J . 1 978 . R ecen t e xcava t ion s a t S tonehenge , Ant iqu i ty 5 2 , 2 35-236 . BATEMAN , T . 1 861 . T en Y ea r sD igg ing s i nC e l t ic a nd S axon G rave H i l l s ( London , A l len ) . B LOCH , M . 1 975 . P rope r ty a nd t he e nd o fa f f in i ty , i nB loch , M . ( ed i to r ) , Ma rx i s tA na lyse s a nd S oc ia l Anthropo logy ( London , M a laby P re s s ) , 2 03-228 . BLOCH , M . 1 977 . T he d i sconnec t ion b e tween p ower a nd r ank a s ap roce s s : a n o u tl ine o f t he d eve lopmen t o f k ingdom s i n C en t ra l M adaga sca r , i nF r iedman , J .a nd R ow land s , M . J . ( ed i to r s ) , T he E vo lut ion o fS oc ia lS ys tem s ( London , D uckwor th ) , 3 03-340 . BRADLEY , R . 1 975 .M aumbury R ing s ,D o rche s te r : t he e xcava t ion s o f 1 9081913 ,A rchae o log ia 1 05 , 1 -98 . BRADLEY , R . 1 982 .P o s i t ion a nd p o s se s s ion : a s semb lage v a r ia t ion i nt he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchaeo logy 1 ,2 7-38 . BREWSTER , T . C . M . 1 981 . T he E xcava t ion o f G a r ton a nd W etwang S lack s ( London , R oya l C omm i s s ion o n H i s to r ica l Monumen t sm ic rof iche ) . BREWSTER , T . C . M . n .d . T he E xcava t ion o f W h i teg round s B a r row , B urythorpe ( Unpub l i shed manu sc r ip t ) . BR IGGS , S . 1 982 . No te s o n t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f s ome r aw ma te r ia l i n l a te r p reh i s tor ic B r i ta in , i n B u rge s s , C . a nd M ike t , R . ( ed i to r s ) , S et t l ement a nd E conomy i nt he T h i rd a nd S econd M i l lenn i a BC ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) , 2 67-282 . BR IGGS , S . 1 982 . R ev iew o f C lough , T . H . McK . a nd C umm in s , W . A . ( ed i to r s ) , S tone A xe S tud ie s ( London , C ounc i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , A rchaeo log ia C ambrens i s 1 31 , 1 50-3 . BURGESS , C . a nd S HENNAN , S . 1 976 . T he B eaker p henomenon : s ome s ugge s t ion s , i n B u rge s s , C . a nd M ike t , R . ( ed i to r s ) , S et t l ement a nd E conomy i n t he T h i rd a nd S econd M i l l enn ia BC ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 3 09-331 . CASE , H . 1 977 . T he B eake r c u l tu re i n B r i ta in a nd I r e land , i nM e rce r , R . ( ed i tor ) , B eaker s i nB r i ta in a nd E urope ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) , 7 1101 . CHERRY , J .F . 1 978 . G ene ra l iza t ion a nd t he a r chaeo logy o ft he s t a te , i nG reen , D . , H a se lg rove , C . a nd S pr igg s , M . ( ed i tor s ) , S oc ia l O rgan i sa t ion a nd S e t t l ement ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 4 11-437 . CLARK , J .G . D . 1 928 . D i sco ida l p o l i shed f l in t k n ive s -t he i r t ypo logy a nd d i s t r ibu t ion , P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty o fE a s t Ang l ia 6 ,4 1-54 . C LARK , J .G . D . 1 934 . D e r iva t ive f o rm s o f t he p e t i t t r anche t i n B r i ta in , A rchaeo log ica l J ourna l 9 1, 2 -58 . C LARK , J .G . D . 1 966 . T he i nva s ion h ypo the s i s i nB r i t i sh a r chaeo logy , Ant iqu i ty 4 0 , 1 721 89 . C LARKE ,D . L .1 970 .B eaker P ot tery o fG reat B r i ta in a nd I r e l and ( 2 V o lume s ) ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . CLARKE , D . L . 1 976 . T he B eake r n e twork -s oc ia l a nd e conom ic mode l s , i nL an t ing , J .N . a nd v an d e r Waa l s , J .D . ( ed i to r s ) , G lockenbecker S ympos ion ( Haa r lem , F ibu la -van -D i s h oek ) , 4 59-76 . CONNAH , G . 1 965 . E xcava t ion s a tK nap H i l l , A l ton P r ior s , 1 961 , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 6 0 , 1 -23 . CONYNGHAM ,A . 1 848 .O nd i scove r ie si nb a r row s n ea r S ca rbo rough ,J ourna lo ft he B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica lA s soc iat ion 4 , 1 01106 . COOMBS , D . G . 1 976a . C a l l i s Wo ld r ound b ar row , H umbe r s ide , Ant iqu i ty 5 0 , 1 30-131 .

8 1

COOMBS , D . G . 1 976b . B eake r s f r om C a l l i s Wo ld b a r row 2 75 , H umbe r s ide , i nB u rge s s , C . a nd M ike t , R . ( ed i to r s ) , S e t t lement a nd E conomy i n t h e T h i rd M i l l enn ia BC ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor ts ) , 1 43-150 . CUNN INGTON , M . E . 1 929 . W oodhenge ( Dev ize s , S imp son ) . CUNN INGTON , W . 1 857 . A ccoun t o f ab a r row o n R oundway H i l l n ea r D ev ize s , o pened i n Ap r i l , 1 855 , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 3 , 1 85188 . DENT . J .S . 1 983 . As ummary o ft he e xcava t ion s c a r r ied o u t i nG a r ton S l ack a nd W e twang S l ack 1 9641980 ,E a s tR id ing A rchaeo log i s t 7 , 1 14 . DYMOND , D . P . 1 963 . T he ` h enge ' monumen t a t Nunw ick , n ea r R ipon , 1 961 e xcava t ion , Y ork sh i re A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l4 1 , 9 8107 . DYMOND , D . P . 1 966 . R i tua l monumen t s a t R ud s ton i n t he l i gh t o fr ecen t r e sea rch ,P ro c eed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc iety 3 2 , 8 6-95 . ELGEE , F . a nd ELGEE , H . W . 1 933 . T he A rchaeo logy o fY ork sh i re ( London , M e thuen ) . EKHOLM , K . 1 977 . E x te rna l e xchange a nd t he t r an sfo rma t ion o f c en t ra l A f r ican s oc ia l s y s tem s , i n F r iedman , J .a nd R ow land s , M . J .( ed i tor s ) , T he E vo lu t ion o fS oc ia lS ys tems ( London , D uckwor th ) , 15-136 . FARRAR , P . 1 918 . D ur r ing ton Wa l l s o r L ong Wa l l s , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 4 0 , 9 5103 . FR IEDBERG , C . 1 977 . T he d eve lopmen t o f t r ad i t iona l p rac t ice s i n Wes te rn T imo r : f r om t he r i tua l c on t ro l o f c on sumer g ood s p roduc t ion t o t he p o l i t ica l c on t ro l o fp re s t ige g ood s , i n F r iedman , J .a nd R ow land s , M . J .( ed i to r s ) , T he E vo lu t ion o fS oc ia lS ys tems ( London , D uckwor th ) , 1 37171 . FR IEDMAN , J . 1 975 . T r ibe s , s t a te s a nd t r an sforma t ion s , i n B loch , M . ( ed i tor ) , M arx i s t Ana ly se sa nd S oc ia l Anthropo logy ( London , M a laby P re s s ) , 1 61-202 . FR IEDMAN ,J .1 982a . No te s o n s t ruc tu re a nd h i s tory i nO cean ia ,F o lk 2 3 , 2 75-295 . FR IEDMAN , J . 1 982b . C a ta s t rophe a nd c on t inu i ty i n s oc ia l e vo lu t ion , i n R enf rew , C . , R ow land s , M . J . a nd S eg rave s , B . A . ( ed i to r s ) , T heory a nd E xp lana t ion i n A rchaeo logy ( London , A cadem ic P re s s ) , 1 75196 . FR IEDMAN , J .a nd ROWLANDS , M . J . 1 977 . N o te s t owa rds a n e p igene t ic mode l o f t he e vo lu t ion o f ' c iv i l i sa t ion ' , i n F r iedman , J .a nd R ow land s , M . J .( ed i tor s ) , T he E vo lut ion o f S oc ia lS ys tem s ( London , D uckwo r th ) , 2 0 1-276 . G IBSON , A . M . 1 982 . B eaker Dome s t ic S i te s ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) . GODEL IER , M . 1 977a . E conomy a nd r e l ig ion : a n e vo lu t ionary o p t ica l i lu s ion , i n F r ied man , J . a nd R ow lands , M . J .( ed i to r s ) , T he E vo lut ion o fS oc ia l S ys tems ( London , Duck w or th ) , 3 11 . GODEL IER ,M . 1 977b . Marx i s tP er spec t ives i nA nthropo logy ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . GREEN , H . S . 1 980 . T he F l int A r rowhead s o ft he B r i t i sh I s l e s ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchae o log ica l R epo r t s ) . GREENWELL ,W . 1 877 . B r i t i sh B ar row s ( Oxford , C lar endon P re s s ) . GREENWELL , W . 1 890 . R ecen t r e sea rche s i n b a r row s i n Y o rk sh i re , W i l t sh i re , B e rk sh i re , e t c . ,A rchaeo log ia 5 2 , 1 -72 . GR IGSON , C . 1 982 . P or r idge a nd p annage : p i g h u sbandry i nN eo l i th ic B r i ta in , i nL imb rey , S . a nd B e l l , M . ( ed i tor s ) , A rchaeo log ica l A spec t s o f W ood land E co log y ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) , 2 97-314 . HAWLEY , W . 1 925 . R epo r t o n t he e xcava t ion s a t S tonehenge d u r ing t he s e a son o f 1 923 , Ant iquar ie sJ ourna l 5 ,2 1-50 . HAWLEY , W . 1 928 . R epor t o n t he e xcava t ion s a t S tonehenge d u r ing 1 925 a nd 1 926 , Ant iquar ie sJ ourna l 8 , 1 49-176 . HOARE , R . C . 1 812 . T he H i s tory o f Anc ient W i l t sh i re . P a r t I( London , M i l le r ) . HODDER , I .a nd LANE , P . 1 982 . Ac on tex tua l e xam ina t ion o fN eo l i th ic a xe d i s t r ibu t ion , i n E r ic son , J . E . a nd E a r le , T . K . ( ed i to r s ) , C ontext sf or P reh i s tor ic E xchange ( London , A cadem ic P re s s ) , 2 13-235 .

8 2

J ARV IS , K . 1 983 . E xcava t ions i n C hr i s tchurch 1 969-1980 ( Do rche s ter , D o r se t N a tu ra l H i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty ) . K INNES , I . 1 979 . Round B ar rows a nd R ing -d i tche s i n t he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic ( London , B r i t i sh Mu seum ) . K INNES , I . , S CHADLA -HALL , T . , CHADW ICK , P . a nd DEAN , P . 1 983 . D ugg leby H owe r e con s ide red ,A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l 1 40 , 8 3108 . LANT ING , J .N . a nd v an d e r WAALS , J .D . 1 972 . B r i t i sh B eake r s a s s e en f r om t he c on t i nen t ,H e l in ium 1 2 , 2 0-46 . LONGWORTH , I .H . 1 961 . T he o r ig in s a nd d eve lopmen t o f t he p r ima ry s e r ie s i nt he c o l l a red u rn t r ad i t ion i n E ng land a nd Wa le s , P roceed ing s o f t he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 7 , 2 633 06 LONGWORTH , I .H . 1 984 . C o l lared U rns o ft he B ronze A ge i n G reat B r i ta in a nd I r e land ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . MANBY , T . G . 1 956 . N eo l i th ic ' B ' p o t te ry f r om E a s t Y o rk sh i re , Y ork sh i re A rchaeo log ica l J ourna l3 9 , 1 -8 . MANBY , T . G . 1 974 . G rooved W are S i te s i nt he Nor th o fE ng land ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchae o log ica l R epor t s ) . MANBY , T . G . 1 979 . T ypo logy , ma ter ia l s a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o ff l in t a nd s t one a xe s i nY o rk s h i re , i n C lough , T . H . M cK . a nd C umm in s , W . A . ( ed i to r s ) , S tone Axe S tud ie s ( London , C ounc i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 2 3-48 . MANBY , T .G . 1 982 . T hw ing : E xcava t ion a nd F ie ld A rchaeo logy i nE a s t Y ork sh i re ( Leeds , Y o rk sh i re A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty P reh i s tory R esea rch S ec t ion ) . M c INNES , I .J . 1 964 . A c l a s s Ih enge i nt he E a s t R id ing o fY ork sh i re , Ant iqu i ty 3 8 , 2 182 19 M c INNES , I .J . 1 968 . J e t s l ide r s i n L a te N eo l i th ic B r i ta in , i nC o le s , J .M . a nd S imp son , D . D . A( ed i tor s ) ,S tud ie s i nA nc ient E urope ( Le ice s te r , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 37144 . ME ILLASSOUX , C . 1 981. Ma idens , Mea l , a nd Money ( Cambr idge , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) . MERCER , R . 1 980 . H amb l edon H i l l : aN eo l i th ic L and scape ( Ed inburgh , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . M ILLER , D . 1 982 . S t ruc tu re s a nd s t ra teg ie s : a n a spec t o f t he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween s oc ia l h i e ra rchy a nd c u l tura l c hange , i nH odde r , I .( ed i tor ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 8 9-98 . MOORE , J .W . 1 964 . E xcava t ion s a t B eacon H i l l , F lambo rough H ead , E a s t Y o rk sh i re , Y ork sh i re A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l4 1 , 1 91-202 . MORT IMER , J .R . 1 905 . F or ty Y ear s 'R e searche s i n to B r i t i sh a nd S axon B ur ia l Mound so f E a s t Y ork sh i re ( London , B rown ) . P IERPO INT , S .1 980 . S oc ia lP a t terns i n Y orksh i r eP reh i s tory ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log i c a l R epo r t s ) . P IGGOTT , S . 1 954 . T he N eo l i th ic C u l ture s o f t he B r i t i sh I s l e s ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . P IGGOTT , S . a nd P IGGOTT , C . M . 1 939 . S tone a nd e a r th c i rc le s i nD or se t , Ant iqu i ty 1 3 , 1 38158 . P ITTS , M . W . 1 982 . On t h e r oad t o S tonehenge : r epo r t o n t he i n ve s t iga t ion s b e s ide t he A 344 i n 1 968 , 1 979 a nd 1 980 ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 8 , 7 5132 . RADLEY , J . 1 968 . T he Y o rk h oa rd o ff l in t t oo l s , 1 868 , Y ork sh i re A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l 4 2 , 3 14-327 . RENFREW , A .C . 1 969 .T rade a nd c u l tu re p roce s s i nE u ropean p reh i s to ry , C ur rent A nthro p o logy 1 0 , 1 51169 . ROE , F . 1 968 . S tone mace -heads a nd t he l a te s t N eo l i th ic c u l tu re s o f t he B r i t i sh I s les , i n C o le s , J .M . a n s ! S imp son , D . D . A . ( ed i to r s ) , S tud ie s i n Anc ient E urope ( Le ice s te r , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 45172 . ROYAL COMM ISS ION ON H ISTOR ICAL MONUMENTS 1 975 . H i s tor ica l Monument s i n t he c ounty o f Do ,s e t , V o lume V ( London , H .M .S .0 .) .

8 3

ROYAL COMM ISS ION ON H ISTOR ICAL MONUMENTS 1 979 . S tonehenge a nd i t sE nv i r ons ( Ed inburgh , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . S HENNAN , S .1 982 .I deo logy ,c hange a nd t he E u ropean B ronze A ge , i nH odde r , I .( ed i to r ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 55-161 . SM ITH , 1 .F . 1 956 . T he D ecora t ive A r t o fN eo l i th ic C e ram ic s i nS outh -Ea s t ern E ng land a nd i t sR e la t ions ( Unpubl i shed P hD t he s i s , U n ive r s i ty o f L ondon ) . S TART IN , B . a nd BRADLEY , R . 1 981 . S ome n o tes o n w ork o rgan i sa t ion s i np reh i s tor ic We s sex , i n R ugg le s , C . L .N . a nd Wh i t t le , A . W . R . ( ed i to r s ) , A s t ronomy a nd S oc ie ty i n B r i ta in Dur ing t he P er iod 4 000-1500 B .C . ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 89-296 . S TEVENS , F . a nd S TONE , J .F . S . 1 938 . T he b a r row s o f W in te r s low , W i l t sh i r e A rchae o log ica l Magaz ine 4 8 , 1 74182 . S TONE , J .F . S . 1 931 . E a s ton D own , W in ter s low , S .W i l t s . , f l in t m ine e xcava t ion s , W i l t s h i r eA rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 4 5 , 3 50-365 . S TONE , J .F . S . 1 935 . S ome d i scover ie s a t R a tfyn , Ame sbury a nd t he i r b ea r ing o n t h e d a te o f Woodhenge , W i l t sh i r eA rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 4 7 , 5 5-67 . S TONE , J .F . S . 1 938 . A n E a r ly B ronze A ge g rave i n F a rgo P l an ta t ion n ea r S tonehenge , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 4 8 , 3 57-370 . S TONE , J .F . S . 1 949 . S ome G rooved Wa re p o t te ry f r om t he Woodhenge a r ea , P roceed i n g so ft he P r eh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 1 5 , 1 22127 . S TONE , J .F . S .a nd YOUNG , W . E . V . 1 948 . Two p i t s o fG rooved Wa re d a te n ear Wood h enge , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 5 2 , 2 87-306 . THOMAS , N . 1 955 . T he T ho rnbo rough C i rc le s , n ea r R ipon , N or th R id ing , Y ork sh i r e A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l3 8 , 4 25-455 . THOMAS , N . 1 963 . A p o l i shed f l in t a xe -head f r om t he T ho rnborough C i rc le s , ( N .R . ) , Y ork sh i re A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l4 1 , 1 415 . THURNAM , J . 1 869 . On a nc ien t B r i t i sh b ar row s , e spec ia l ly t ho se o f W i l t sh i re a nd t he a d jo in ing c oun t ie s ( Pa r t I-l ong b a r row s ) ,A rchaeo log ia 4 2 , 1 61-244 . T ILLEY , C . 1 982 . S oc ia l f orma t ion , s oc ia l s t ruc tu r e s a nd s oc ia l c hange , i n H odder , 1 . ( ed i to r ) ,S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tur a lA rchaeo logy ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 2 6-38 . VATCHER , F . d e M . 1 969 . Two i n c i sed c ha lk p laque s n ear S tonehenge b o t tom , Ant iqu i ty 4 3 , 3 10-311 . VATCHER , L . 1 960 . B ar row s e a s t o f t he S tonehenge A venue , W i l t sh ire A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 5 7 , 3 94 . WA INWR IGHT , G . J . 1 971. T he e xcava t ion o f aL a te N eo l i th ic e nc lo su re a tM a rden , W i l t s h i re ,A nt iqua r ie sJ ourna l 5 1, 1 77-239 . WA INWR IGHT , G . J . 1 979 . Mount P lea sant , Dor se t : E xcava t ions 1 970-197 1 ( London , S oc ie ty o f An t iqua r ie s ) . WA INWR IGHT , G . J . a nd LONGWORTH , I .H .

1 971 . Dur r ing ton W a l l s : E xcava t ion s

1 966-1968 ( London , S oc ie ty o fA n t iqua r ie s ) . WH ITTLE , A . W . R . 1 981 . L a ter N eo l i th ic s oc ie ty i n B r i ta in : ar e a l ignmen t , i n R ugg le s , C . L .N . a nd Wh i t t le , A . W . R . ( ed i to r s ) , A s t ronomy a nd S oc ie ty i n B r i ta in D ur ing t he P er iod 4 000-1500 B .C . ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 97-342 .

8 4

PART TWO

THREE REGIONAL S TUDIES

' Un ique e ven t s t ha t o nce t ook p l ace W i th in au n ique t ime a nd s pace , I nt he n ew f i e ld t hey o ccupy , T he u n ique s e rve s t o t yp ify , B ecome s ,t hough s t i l l p a r t icu la r , A na l gebra ic f o rmu la , A n a bs t rac t mode l o fe ven t s D e r ived f r om d ead e xper ience ' . W . H . A uden , N ew Y ea r L e t ter

7 .

T he N eo l i th ic s equence i nC ranborne C ha se

R ichard B rad ley , R o samund C lea l ,J u l ie G a rd ine r , M a r t in G reen a nd M a rk B owden I nt roduc t ion T h i s p aper d i scu s se s t he c hang ing r e la t ion sh ip b e tween s e t t lemen t a r ea s , c e remon ia l monumen t s a nd b ur ia l r i te si no ne i n ten s ive ly s t ud ied p a r t o fs ou the rn We s sex . I ta t temp t s t o a pp ly i d ea s p u t f o rwa rd e l sewhe re i n t h i s v o lume t o al a rge b ody o fa r chaeo log ica le v i d ence , s ome o fi tr e corded o n ly r e cen t ly . T h i s s t udy a ugmen t s a n e a r l ie rp ape r d e sc r ib ing t h i s ma ter ia l a nd o f f e r s ar a ther d i f f e ren t i n terpre ta t ion . E ven s o , i ti st o s ome e x ten t a p rog re s s r epor t o n w ork w h ich i ss t i l l t ak ing p l ace . T he d ef in i t ive a ccoun t o ft h i s ma te r ia l w i l la ppear i n amonog raph c once rned w i th t he e n t i re p reh i s tor ic s equence i nt h i sr e g ion . T he s t udy a r ea ( f ig . 1 )i n c lude s o n ly p a r t o f C ranbo rne C ha se a nd h a s b een d e te rm ined l a rge ly b y t he e x ten t o f e x i s t ing f i e ldwork , f r om t he e xcava t ion s o fG ene ra l P i t t R ive r s t o t h e p resen t d ay . I t s p rec i se l im i t s r ef l ec t t he a r ea wh ich h a s s e en e x ten s ive f i e ld s urvey , u nder taken b y M a r t in G reen o ve r t he l a s t f i f teen y ea r s , a nd i n c lude t he who le a r ea a round t h e D or se t C u r su s , at o ta l o f a bou t 1 50 km' ( Ba r re t t , B rad ley , G reen a nd L ew i s 1 981) . T he re h a s b een s im i la r w o rk c l o se t o H amb ledon H i l l , 1 0 km t ot he s ou th w e s t ( R . P a lme r p e r s . c omm .) , b u t l e s s i sk nown a bou t t he a r ea a round t he K now l ton h enge monumen t s o n ly 4 .5 km s ou th e a s t o f t he C ur su s ( R .C .H .M . 1 975 , 13-5) . T he s t udy a r ea o ccup ie s s ome o f t he l ower g round o n t he c ha lk land o fs ou thern E ng land . S t ream s a nd r i ve r sr i s ing i n t h i s a r ea f l ow s ou thward i n to t he H amp sh i re B a s in , a n a r ea o fc on s ide rab le i mpo r tance d ur ing t he N eo l i th ic p er iod . T o t he n or th o ft he s t udy a r ea t he V a le o f Wa rdou re f f ec t ive ly d i v ide s C ranborne C ha se f r om t he ma in p a r t o f We s sex . A t al o ca l s c a le t h i s a r ea i n c lude s d epos i t s o f c l ay -w i th -f l in t s . T he se s e em t o h ave b een o fp a r t icu la ri mpor tance t o t he N eo l i th ic p a t tern o fs e t t lemen t i n s ou the rn E ng land . I nC ranborne C ha se t he se c l ay -w i th -f l in t s d epo s i t s f o l low t he h i ghe rg round a sf a rw e s t a st he e nc lo su re c omp lex a tH amb ledon H i l l . T h i s s t udy u se s aw ide r r ange o f i n forma t ion t han t he r ema in ing p ape r s i nt h i sv o lume , b u t a t t he s ame t ime t he f l in t s c a t te r s h ave n o t b een r e co rded i n t he s ame d e ta i l a st ho se f ound i n t he o the rs u rvey s . T he refore t he b road t endenc ie si nt he e v idence c on s ide red h e re m ay n eed t o b e c hecked b y more i n ten s ive a na ly s i s . T h i s a ccoun to ft he N eo l i th ic s equence d i f f e r si ns e ve ra l r e spec t s f r om t he i n te r im r epo r t p ub l ished f ou r y ea r s a go ( Ba r re t t , B rad ley , G reen a nd L ew i s 1 981) , a nd i t may b e h e lpfu l t o s ay p rec i se ly w he re t he d i f f erence s a r i se , f o r o u r c hange s o f i n te rpre ta t ion may h ave l e s son sf o rt ho se w ork ing w i th s im i la r ma ter ia l . F i r s t , r e sea rch b y D rP e te r F i she r h a s s hown t ha t t he p rev iou s r e con s truc t ion o f t he N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen t p a t te rn d id n o t make e nough a lowance f o r c hange s i n t he q ua l i ty a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o f c on tempo ra ry s o i l s . T he o r ig ina l c ha rac te r o f s o i l s o n t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s may h ave b een s e r iou s ly u ndere s t ima ted , a nd a t temp ts t o r e con s truc t t he p a t tern o f N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty w ere i nf luenced b y t h e m a rg ina l n a tu re o f t ha t e nv i ronmen t t oday . Mo re r e cen t a na ly s i sa l so i n c lude s M a rk B owden ' s w o rk o n t he l a nd s na i l s . S econd ly ,J u l ie G ard iner ' s c ur ren t r e sea rch make si tp o s s ib le t ov i ew t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f f l in twork i nt he s t udy a r ea a ga in s t amuch w ide r b ackg round t han s e emed p o s s ib le i n 1 981 . I ti sn ow a ppa ren t t ha t s ome o f t he p a t tern s i n C ranborne C ha se wh ich s e emed mo s t d i s t inc t ive i nf a c to ccu r much more w ide ly . A t t he s ame t ime h er a na ly s i sh a s h i gh l igh ted t he r a the rd i s t inc t ive c ha rac ter o ft he a r tef ac t s f ound b e s ide t he D o r se t C u r su s . Mo re d e ta i led w ork h a s a l so s hed l i gh t o n t he c ha rac te ra nd c h rono logy o ft he f l in t i mp le m en t s wh ich w ere m en t ioned o n ly b r ief ly i nt he f i r s t p ape r . T h i rd ly , c on t inu ing r e sea rch o n t he P i t tR iver sC o l lec t ion a tS a l i sbury Museum ,c o -ord ina ted b yM a rk B owden ,a l low s amuch c l o ser s t udy o f t he f i nd s f r om t he f i r s t e xcava t ion s i n t h i s a r ea . I n p a r t icu la r , R o samund C lea l ' s d e ta i led a na ly s i s o f t he p o t tery f r om t he s t udy a r ea p rov ide su s w i th ac h rono logy 8 7

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T he d i s t r ibu t ion o f E a r l ier N eol i th ic l ong b ar row s a nd l e af shaped a r rowhead s i n r e la t ion t ot he D o r se t C ur su s

w h ich h ad p rev iou s ly b een l a ck ing . T h i s c h rono logy a l so a l low s u s t o i d en t ify a w ider r ange o f N eo l i th ic monumen t s t han o r ig ina l ly e nv i saged . L a s t ly , s i nce t he f i r s t p ape r w a s p ub l i shed , c on s ide rab ly mo r e w ork h a s b een u nde r taken o n t he c ha rac ter o f t he monu m en t s , i n c lud ing t he e xcava t ion o f t wo N eo l i th ic r i ng d i tche s , t he d i scovery o f as ma l l h enge monumen t a nd w o rk o n t he D o r se t C u r su s i t se lf . R icha rd B rad ley i sr e spon s ib le f o r d i scu s s ion o ft he se monumen t s .T he o ther a u thor s a r e p a r t icu la r ly i ndeb ted t o M a r t in G reen who h a sd one s o much o ft he f i e ldwork i nt h i sa r ea . A se a r l ie ra ccoun t sh ave s t re s sed ,o ne o ft he mo s t d i s t inc t ive f e a tu re s o ft h i s r e g ion i st he e normou sc oncen t ra t ion o fM e so l i th ic a nd N eo l i th ic ma ter ia l o n t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s ( f ig . 1 ) . U n t i lr e cen t ly i th ad s e emed t ha tt he ma in d e term inan t o fa c t iv i ty i nt h i sa r ea w a s t he a va i l a b i l i ty o f g ood q ua l i ty f l in t , a nd d i scu s s ion o f b o th M e sol i th ic a nd N eo l i th ic f i nd s h ave s t re s sed t he i mpo r tance o fC ranborne C ha se a s as ou rce o fr aw ma te r ia l . F o re xamp le , V e rna C ar e( 1979 )s ugge s ted t ha tt r anche t a xe sp roduced i nt h i sa r ea w e re d i s t r ibu ted o ve r aw ide r r e g ion , a nd R icha rd B rad ley a r gued t ha t N eo l i th ic a xe s p repa red o n t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s m igh t h ave b een f i n i shed i ns e t t lemen t s l o ca ted a l ong t he D o r se t C u r su s ( Ba r re t t , B rad ley , G reen a nd L ew i s 1 981, 2 14 ) . More r e cen tw ork h a ss hown t he i mpor tance o ft he c l ay -w i th f l in t si no ther a r ea s ,a nd s oC ranborne C ha se c an n ol onge rb ec on s idered i ni s o la t ion . E qua l ly i mpo r tan t i st he v i ew o f P e ter F i she r t ha t t he a r ea s wh ich a r e s o ma rg ina lt oday c ou ld o r i g i na l ly h ave b een w e l l s u i ted f o re a r ly a g r icu l tu re . F o r s ome t ime i th a s b een a ccep ted t ha t much o f t he We s sex d own land w a s c overed b y l o e s s , mo s t o f wh ich h a s b een d i spe r sed b y s ub sequen t e ros ion . F i she r c on s ide r s t ha t l o e s s d epo s i t s o ve r ly ing c l ay -w i th -f l in t s w ou ld h ave b een v e ry s u i tab le f o rc u l t iva t ion , wh i l s t a tt he s ame t ime t hey w ou ld s t il h ave o f f ered au sefu l s ource o fg ood q ua l i ty r aw ma te r ia l . T he s i tua t ion w ou ld c hange o n ly when t h i s f r ag i le l o e s s c ove r w a s e roded , mak ing t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s i n c rea s ing ly i n t rac tab le c om p a red w i th o ther a r ea s . T he b a s ic d i s tr ibu t ion o f a r chaeo log ica l ma ter ia l i n C ranborne C ha se s ugge s t s t ha t t h i s C hange h ad h appened b y t he D evere l R imbu ry c e ram ic p ha se ( Bar re t t , B rad ley , G reen a nd L ew i s 1 981, 2 19 ) . T he i mp l ica t ion s o ft h i sa r gumen t a r e v e ry i mpor tan t , f o ri tm ean st ha tt he M e sol i th ic a nd N eo l i th ic f l in t s c a t ter s d id n o t o ccupy ma r g i na l l a nd wh i l s t t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f N eo l i th ic monumen t s n ow s e em s t o h ave b een mo re p er iphera l . T h i s h a s i mp l ica t ion s f o r t he i n te rpre ta t ion o f t he l i th ic s c a t te r s wh ich a ccom p any t he se e a r thwork s . T he E ar l ier N eo l i th ic ( f ig . 1 ) A c on s iderab le a moun t o f w ork h a s t aken p l ace o n t he f l in t i ndu s t r ie s f r om t he s t udy a r ea , b u t a t p re sen t mos t o ft he more d i agno s t ic i t em s s e em t ob e M e sol i th ic o r L a te r N eo l i th ic i n d a te . D e sp i te ap ro longed p e r iod o f f i e ldwork , f ewer t han 5 0 l e af shaped a r row h ead s h ave b een d i scove red , t oge the r w i th o ne s i te p roduc ing an a r row f l ake i ndu s t ry . T he l a t te r w a s f ound d ur ing t he e xcava t ion o f t he T h ick thorn D own l ong b a r row ( Drew a nd P i ggo t t 1 936 ) .T he l e af shaped a r rowhead sc ome ma in ly f r om t wo a r ea s , t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s a nd t h e U ppe r C ha lk c l ose t o t he D or se t C ur su s , b u t t hey d o n o t c l u s te ra round t h e l ong b ar row s i n t he w ay t ha t t hey d o i no ther p a r t s o fs ou the rn E ng land . S u rf ace c o l lec t ion h a s n o t r e vea led o ther s i gn so fl i th ic ma ter ia lo bv iou s ly b e long ing t ot h i s p e r iod . T he s par se d i s t r ibu t ion o fE a r l ier N eo l i th ic f l in twork c on t ra s t s w i th t he n umber o fe a r th w ork monumen t s a t t r ibu ted t o t h i s p e r iod . T h i s o b serva t ion m igh t b e e xp la ined i ns e ve ra l w ay s . I ti sl i ke ly t ha t t he l e af shaped a r rowhead s w ere w ide ly , i ft h in ly , d i s tr ibu ted a nd t he n umbe r o f f i nds f r om d i f f e ren t l o ca t ions a ppear s t ob e af unc t ion o ft h e i n ten s i ty o ff i e ld w ork i n t hose a r ea s _ T he f r equency o f e a r ly a r rowheads i sr e la ted f a i r ly c l o se ly t o t he n umbe r o f i mp lemen t sc o l lec ted t he re d ur ing f i e ldwork , e ven t hough t he m a jor i ty o ft hose f i nd s w ere o f l a ter d a te . P erh ap s E a r l ie r N eo l it h ic n uc le i w ere s ma l le r a nd l e s s p ro l if ic w i th t he r e su l t t ha t t hey a r e ma sked b y t he s hee r q uan t i ty o fl a te r a r tef ac t s . We s hou ld a l so c on s i de r whe ther t he p re sence o f g roup s o f L a te M e so l i th ic ma te r ia l m igh t b e r e la ted t o t h i s p rob lem , f o r M e so l i th ic b l ade s a r e h a rd t o d i s t ingu i sh f r om N eo l i th ic ' n a r row f l ake s ' . O n t he o the rh and t he re i ss ome r e a son t ob e l ieve t ha t ah i a tu s o ccu r red d u r ing t he o ccupa t ion 8 9

o f t h i s a r ea ( A rno ld , L ew i s a nd B rad ley f o r thcom ing ) . E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic ma te r ia li se qua l ly r a re n ea r t o t he H amb ledon H i l l c omp lex ( A . S av i l le p e r s . c omm .) , b u t t he m eag re i n fo r m a t ion f r om t he se t wo a r ea s c on tra s t s w i th t he h i gh e r q uan t i t ie s o fE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic f l in t w ork f r om t he E a s t S u s sex d own sa nd e ven t he H amp sh i re B a s in t o t he s ou th o ft he s t udy a r ea ( t h i sv o lume ,p p . 1 9a nd 2 4 ) . S im i la r p rob lem s a r i se w hen w e c on s ide r t he f i nd so fp o t te ry . D e sp i te al a rge n umbe r o f e xcava t ions , p l a in b ow l sh ave b een r e cove red f r om o n ly f ou rs i te s , Wo r B a r row ( P i t t R iv e r s 1 898 , 5 8 f ) , T h ick thorn D own l ong b ar row ( D rew a nd P i ggo t t 1 936 ) , t he D o r se t C u r su s ( Bowden , B rad ley ,G af fney a nd M epham 1 983) , a nd H and ley H i l l ( P i t t R ive r s 1 898 , 4 6 f ) . I n t he f i r s t t h ree c a se s , t h i s p o t te ry i sc onnec ted w i th t h e p r imary u se o ft h e monumen t s , b u t t he e v idence f r om H and ley H i l l i sr a the r mo re c omp lex . T h i s s i te i so n ly 8 00 m f r om Wo r B a r row a nd i ss epa ra ted f r om i tb y as l igh t s add le . T he s he rd s w ere f ound e i the ri np i t s o r i n t he t op so i l d ur ing t he e xcava t ion o f amed ieva l e nc lo su re . S eve ra l p i t s s e em t o h ave b een f ound a tH and ley H i l l ,a l though t he s i te r e cords a r e d i f f icu l t t ou nder s tand . T he l a rge s t o ft he p i t sa l so i n c luded as e t t ing o fc a t t le b one s a nd p a r t o f ad i sa r t icu la ted h uman s ke le ton , p erhap s ma rked b y a n u pr igh t p o s t . T h i s f e a tu re r e semb le s s ome o f t he p i t s f ound i n s ide t he m a in e nc lo su re a t H amb ledon H i l l ( Merce r 1 980 , 2 3 f ) . T he r ema in ing f i nds f r om H and ley H i l l may p rov ide o ne i nd ica t ion o ft he c ha rac te r o fE a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen ti n t he s t udy a r ea , a nd t he i rp rox im i ty t o Wo r B ar row m ay e ven i nd ica te ad i rec t l i nk b e tween t he t wo s i te s . A t t he s ame t ime t he a moun t o f N eo l i th ic p o t te ry i n C ranbo rne C ha se i s e x t reme ly s ma l l , c on s ide r ing t he ma s s ive s c a le o f t he monumen t s a t tr ibu ted t o t he s ame p er iod . T h i s a l so a pp l ie s t o t he a r ea a round t he H amb ledon H i l l c omp lex , w he re f i e ld s u r v ey h a s f ound f ew c on temporary a r tefac t s ( A . S av i l le p e r s . c omm . ) . T he monumen t s i n t he s t udy a r ea p o se o ther p rob lem s . A l though i t may b e p o s s ib le t o i mp rove o u r u nde r s tand ing o f t he s equence o f monumen t s t h rough r ad ioca rbon d a t ing , t he s imp le s t s o lu t ion may b e t o c onduc t a na ly s i s o ft he e a r thwo rk s t hemse lv e s . Two t ype s o f e a r thwo rk h ave b een i d en t if ied i n t he s t udy a r ea , t he D or se t C u r su s a nd as e r ie s o fl o ng b ar row s . T he C u r su s c ros se s t he e n t i re s t udy a r ea , a nd f o rm s t he f ocu s f o r as i gn if ican t p ropo r t ion o f t he b a r row s ( f ig . 1 ;R .C .H .M . 1 975 , 2 4-5) . I ns p i te o fi nd ica t ion s t ha t i tw a s b u i l t i n t wo o r t h ree s t age s , i t may b e h e lpfu l t o t r ea t t he c on s t ruc t ion o f t h e C ur su s a s ma rk ing ab road c h rono log ica l h or izon a nd t o c on s ide ri t sr e la t ion sh ip t o t he o the r monu m en t s . S i nce mo l lu scan a na ly s i s s how s t ha t t he C u r su s c ou ld h ave b een b u i l ti n ar e la t ive ly o pen e nv i ronmen t , q ue s t ion so fa l ignmen t may b e o fp a r t icu la ri mpor tance . T h ree p o s s ib le r e la t ion sh ip s c an b e o b served b e tween t he C u r su s a nd t he b a r row s : i n co rpo ra t ion , a l ign m en t a nd i m i ta t ion . T he re i so n ly o ne c a se o fi n corpora t ion . A t o ne p o in t t he b ank o ft he C ur su s t ake s i na n e x i s t ing mound , i n t he s ame w ay a s t he D o rche s te r o n T hame s C ur su s i n corpora ted a n e a r l ier e nc losu re ( R .C .H .M . 1 975 , 2 5 ;A tk in son , P i ggo t t a nd S anda r s 1 951, 6 0 ) . T here m ay b e ad i rec t l i nk b e tween t he t wo t ype s o f monumen t s i nce t he l ong b ar row h ad b een b u i l t o n a n u nu sua l a l ignmen t , a s i ft o a n t ic ipa te c on s t ruc t ion o f t he l a te r C u r su s . A t a no the r p o in t ap rom inen t l ong b a r row w a s b u i l t a c ro s s t he a x i s o f t h e C ur su s , p o s s ib ly ma rk ing t he p o s i t ion o f at e rm ina l wh ich w a sl a te r s upe rceded . T he q ue s t ion o fa l ignmen ti s mo re c omp l ica ted . L ong b a r row s may e i the r s h a re t he s ame a x i s a st he t wo e nd s o f t he C u r su s o r t hey may b e a l igned u pon t hem , a nd i ne i the r c a se t he C u r su s c ou ld h ave b een b u i l t f i r s t . L ong b ar row s w ere b u i l t o n t he s ame a x is a sb o th e nd s o ft he D or se t C u r su s . O ne o ft hese b ar row s , o n T h ick tho rn D own , h a s b een e xcava ted a nd c on ta ined E a r l ier N eo l i th ic p l a in w a re , b u t t he c h rono log ica l r e la t ion sh ip o f t he t wo monumen t s i su nknown ( Drew a nd P i ggo t t 1 936 ) . A t t he o ppo s i te e nd o ft h i s monumen t i tc an b es hown t ha t al ong b a r row c o -ax ia l w i th t he P en t r idge t e rm ina l h ad b een l e ng thened t o f o rm ab ank b a r row a f te r t he C ur su s i t se lf w a s c omp le ted ( Brad ley 1 983 ) . O the r l o ng b ar row s a r e a l igned o n e i the r e nd o f t he C u r su s , s ugge s t ing t ha t s uch mound s w ere s t i l l b e ing c on s truc ted a f ter t he e n t i re monumen t h ad b een b u i l t . U n le s s l ong b a r row s i nC ran b orne C ha se h ad ag r ea ter l i f e span t han t ho se i n o the ra r ea s , t h i s p rov ide s at e rm inus a nte 9 0

9 0 +

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4

6

8

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1 2

1 4

1 6

1 8

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NUMBER O F L ONG B ARRO WS

7 . 2a T he l e ng th s o f l ong b a r row s i n C ranborne C ha se . U -d i tched a nd c omp le te ly d i tched l ong b ar row s a r e s haded . T he l e ng th s o f t he b ar row s d i rec t ly r e la ted t o t he D o r se t C u r su s a r e r ep re sen ted i nt h e c o lumn o n t he r i gh t h and s i de

1 5

2 5

5e D ISTANCE

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F ROM CURSUS ( KM)

7 . 2b T he f r equency o f l ong b a r row s i nC ranbo rne C ha se i nr e la t ion t o t he i rd i s tance f r om t he D or se t C u r su s . U -d i tched a nd c omp le te ly d i tched l ong b a r row s a r e s haded

9 1

q ue rn f o rt he C ur su si nt he m id th i rd m i l lenn ium b c . T he l a s t r e la t ion sh ip i si m i ta t ion . T h i s i ss ugge s ted b y wo rk o n t he S tonehenge C u r su s ( Ch r i s t ie 1 963) . T he e a s tern e nd o ft h i s monumen t i sr e inforced b y ama s s ive l ong b ar row , Amesbu ry 4 2 ( bu t s e e R icha rd s , t h i s v o lume p . 182 ) . When t he o ppo s i te t e rm ina l o f t he S tonehenge C ur su s w a s i n ve s t iga ted , t he d i tch p roved t o b e s o d eep t ha t f o r at ime i t s e emed a s i f ac o r re spond ing l ong b ar row m igh t h ave e x i s ted i nt ha t p o s i t ion . N o t r ace o f amound c ou ld b e f ound a nd t he e xcava tor c onc luded t ha t t h i s e nd o ft he C u r su sm igh t h ave b een b u i l t o n al a rge r s c a le i n o rder t o l ook l i ke t he l ong b a r row a ti t so ppo s i te e nd . T he s ame may a pp ly a t R uds ton , w he re G reenwe l lm i s took t he e nd o f ac ur su s monumen t f o r ab ur ia l mound ( 1877 , 2 53) . I nD o r se t , t h i s p o s s ib i l i ty may e xp la in w hy t he T h ick thorn t e rm ina l o f t he C u r su s w a s b u i l t o n al a rge rs c a le t han t he r e s t o ft he monumen t . I ts ha re s t he s ame a x i s a s t wo n ea rby l ong b a r row s a nd may h ave b een b u i l t t oi m i ta te t he ir c ha rac t e r i s t ic a ppea rance . A ga in t h i s a r gumen t r e inforce s t h e c h rono log ica l l i nk b e tween t he se t wo c l a s ses o f monumen t . T he l ong b ar row s t hem se lve s h ave s e ve ra l d i s t inc t ive c ha rac te r i s t ic s . A l l t h ree e xcava ted l ong b a r row s i n C ranborne C ha se p rov ide e v idence o f u nu sua l b u r ia l r i te s . A l l t he b one s f r om t he e xcava ted l ong b ar row a t H amb ledon H i l l c ou ld h ave c ome f r om as i ng le ma le , a l though t hey w ere n o t f ound i n p o s i t ion ( Merce r 1 980 , 4 0 f ) . Wo r B ar row p rov ide se v i d ence o f am ix tu re o f a r t icu la ted a nd d i sa r t icu la ted b od ie s , a l l o f t hem ma le ( P i t t R ive r s 1 898 , 6 6 f ) , wh i l s t t he T h ick thorn D own l ong b a r row c ove red at u rf mo r tua ry h ou se b u t w a sw i thou ta ny b u r ia l sa ta l l( Drew a nd P i ggo t t 1 936 ) . A s an umbe r o fw r i te r s h ave p o in ted o u t , t he se a r e f e a ture s o f l a te l ong b ar row s ( c fB rad ley 1 984 , 3 2-3) . T he e mpha s i s o n a r t i c u la ted ma le b u r ia l s i s mo s t c ommon o n s i te s y i e ld ing r ad ioca rbon d a te s w i th t he i r means b e tween a bou t 2 750 a nd 2 500 b c , wh i l s t t he e v idence f r om T h ick thorn D own r e ca l l s t wo l a te l ong b a r row s a t A vebury , n e i ther o f wh ich c on ta ined p r ima ry b ur ia l s . T he l a t te r s i te s h ave d a te sw i th mean s b e tween a bou t 2 800 a nd 2 500 b c ( A shbee , Sm i th a nd E van s 1 979 ) . We c an a l so c on s ider t he d i s t inc t ive f o rm o ft he l ong b a r row s a s soc ia ted w i th t he D o r se t C u r su s( f ig . 2 ) . T he re s e em t o b e t wo g roup s i nC ranbo rne C ha se , o ne c on s i s t ing o f mound s b e tween 3 0 a nd 6 5 m i nl e ng th a nd t he o the r o f b a r row s o ve r 9 0 m l ong . A l l b u t o ne o f t he b a r row s a s soc ia ted w i th t he C u r su sa r e o ft he s ma l le r t ype ;t he o ne e xcep t ion i sa l igned o n i t s n o r the rn t e rm ina l . F ou r mo re b ar row s a r e o ve r 9 0 mi nl e ng th . One i sq u i te c l o se t o t he s ou the rn e nd o f t he C u r su s , b u t t he o the r s a r e s ome d i s tance a way . I n a dd i t ion , a n o rd ina ry l ong b ar row a t t he n or the rn e nd o f t he C u r su s w a se x tended t of o rm ab ank b a r r ow a f te r t ha t monumen t h ad b een b u i l t ( Brad ley 1 983 ) . T he p re sence o f u nu sua l ly l ong mounds t owa rds e i the r e nd o f t he C u r su s ( f ig . 1 )r e ca l l s t he a r rangemen t o n t he D o r se t R idgeway w here t he e n t i re b a r row c eme te ry i sb racke ted b y t wo b ank b a r rows ( R .C .H .M . 1 970 , 4 26 ) . I ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t many o f t he s hor te r l ong b a r row s w e re a mong t he l a s t t o b e b u i l t . T h i s a pp l ie s b o th t o d a ted monumen t sa nd t o o the r s i te s whe re t he b u r ia l s t hem se lve s h ave t he d i s t inc t ive f e a tu re s c on s ide red e a r l ie r . T he re i sa n e qua l ly h i gh p ropo r t ion o f s ho r te r b a r row s i n s ou th D or se t a nd o n t he e a s te rn p a r t o fS a l i sbury P l a in , a r ea s w i th ac on t inuou s s equence o f monumen t s t h roughou t t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium , b u t t h i s d oe s n o t h appen i n H amp sh i re o r o n t he r ema in ing p a r t o f S a l i sbu ry P l a in where f ew ma jo r monumen t sw e re b u i l t d ur ing t he L a te r N eo l i th ic . A ga in t he p re sence o f s ho r ter l ong b a r row s c ou ld i mp ly t ha t t he monumen t si nt he s t udy a r ea w e re af a i r ly l a te d eve lopmen t . L a s t ly , i ti sw or th r e ca l l ing t ha t C ranborne C ha se i so f ten s a id t o h ave i t s o wn t ype o f l ong b a r row , i n wh ich t he q ua r ry d i tch e x tend s a round o ne o r b o th e nd s o f t he mound ( A shbee 1 970 , 1 5) . T h i s t ype i sn o t c onf ined t o t he s t udy a r ea , b u t a ga in i tt end s t o c l u s te r t owards t he C ur su s , w here f i ve e xamp le s a r e f ound ' ( f ig . 2 ) . T h ree o f t he se a r e a l igned o n i t s s ou the rn t e rm ina l w he re a tl e a s t o ne o f t he se mounds may b e l a te r i n d a te t han t ha t monumen t . Af ou r th e xamp le i sf ound i n s ide t he C u r su s i t se lf . I na dd i t ion t ot he se s i te s , a f u l ly d i tched ' l ong mor tua ry e nc losu re ' h a s b een r e cogn i sed f r om t he a i rn o t f a r f r om Wor B ar row . 9 2

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KN OWLTON

Ma jo r f l in t s ca t te r • M ino r f l in t s ca t te r

7 . 3

• P e te rbo rough wa re

o

R ing d i tch/round b a r row

• G rooved wa re

0

H enge

3. 4

T he d i s t r ibu t ion s o f L a te r N eo l i th ic monumen t s , f l in t s ca t ter s a nd f i nd s o fp o t tery i n r e la t ion t o t he D o r se t C u r su s

I n f a c t U -d i tched o r c omp le te ly e nc lo sed l ong b a r row s a r e n o t p ecu l iar t o C ranborne C ha se . Mound s a nd e nc lo sure s o f s t r ik ing ly s im i la rf o rm c an b e i d en t if ied i no the rp a r t s o f t he c oun t ry , a l though n o t a l l o f t ho se e a ra iwork s w e re b u i l t o n a sl a rge as c a le . T he a va i l a b le d a t ing e v idence s ugge s t st ha t t he se d i s t inc t ive monumen t s may b e a mong t he l a s t l ong b ar row s t o b e b u i l t . A r tefac t a s soc ia t ion s i n c lude al o zenge shaped a r rowhead f r om aUd i tched l ong b ar row a tV erwood j u s t o u t s ide C ranbo rne C ha se ( G r in se l l 1 982 , 3 0 ) , ab e l t s l ider f r om as ma l le r mound a tB a r row H i l l s , R ad ley , i nt he U ppe rT hame s V a l ley ( Brad ley i n p rep . ) , E bb sf lee t w a re f r om Wh i te leaf B a r row o n t h e C h i l tern s ( Ch i lde a nd Sm i th 1 954 ) a nd a n i mpor ted S cand inav ian a xe f r om J u ll ibe r r ie s G rave i n K en t ( J es sup 1 939 ) . A l l o f t he se t ype s may b e long t o t he e a r ly t o m id th ird m i l lenn ium b c , a nd s ome c ou ld b e e ven l a te r . S ome t imes t he d i tche s may h ave b een e x tended a round t he e nd s o f t he mound s d ur ing al a ter p ha se o fr ebu i ld ing . T h i s w a s a lmo s t c e r ta in ly t he c a se a tB a r row H i l l s , R adl e y , a nd as im i la r s equence c an b e s ugge s ted f r om t he s i te mode l o f Wor B a r row , a nd f r om t he p l an o f G ian t ' s H i l l , S kend leby , whe re t he e nd d i tch c on ta ined a no the r b e l t s l ide r ( Ph i l l ips 1 935) . I ndeed , t he l a te ' d a te s f r om G ian t ' s H i l l m igh t b e r e la ted t o t h i s r e con s t ruc t ion o f t he s i te r a the r t han t he p r ima ry b ur ia l s . L a s t ly , t he re a r e an umbe ro f mound s o r e nc lo sur es w i th d i tche s a round o ne o r b o th e nd s , w h ich h ave r ad ioca rbon d a te s w i th t he i r mean sb e tween a bou t 2 800 a nd 2 500 b e . E xamp le si n c lude N o r th S toke ( Ca se 1 982 ) , N orman ton D own ( Va tche r1 961) a nd a n e a r ly p ha se a tA ldw inc le ( K inne s 1 979 , f i g . 1 .1) . I n We s sex , ap a r t icu la r ly u sefu le xamp le i st he r e cen t ly p ubl i shed s i te a tW inna lD own w i th t h ree r ad ioca rbon d a te sw i th t he i r mean sb e tween 2 850 a nd 2 700 b e ( Fa sham 1 982 , 1 9-24 ) . T he se o b se rva t ion s s ugge s t t ha t t he C ur su s a nd many o f t he l ong b ar row s w e re b u i l t d u r ing ar e la t ive ly, deve loped s t age i n t he N eo l i th ic s equence a nd p robab ly b e tween 2 800 a nd 2 500 b e . O n t he g round t he se t wo t ype s o f monumen t a r e r e la ted s o c l o se ly t ha t t hey c an b e t r ea ted t oge the ra s as i ng le c omp lex ( f ig s . 1a nd 2 ) . O ne r o le o ft he C u r su s may h ave b een t o i n teg ra te t h i s d i s t inc t ive g roup o f mound s i n much t he s ame w ay a ss ome f une rary monumen t si n teg ra ted as e r ie so fs epa ra te c a i rn s o rb u r ia l c hambe r s . I ti sn o t e nough t os ay t ha t t he C u r su s mu s t h ave b een c on tempo ra ry w i th s ome o ft he se l a te l ong b a r row s ;b o th monumen t s s e em t ob e p a r t so f amuch more a mb i t iou s c oncep t ion . I tr ema in s t o r e la te t he se i n i t ia ld eve lopmen t s t o t he b roade rp a t tern s c on s ide red i nt h i s v o lume . T he E a r l ie r N eol i th ic p e r iod i n t h i s r e g ion s how s s ome v ery d i s t inc t ive f e a tu re s , w h ich a r e s ha red w i th t he a r ea c l o se t o H amb ledon H i l l . T he re i sn o e v idence f o ri n ten s ive N eo l i th ic s e t t lemen t p r ior t o t he c on s t ruc t ion o f c omp l ica ted monumen t s . E v en i fw e s ugges ted c on t inuou su se o ft he c ha lk land f r om t he L a te r M e so l i th ic p e r iod , t he n umbe r o f d i agno s t ic f i nds i sv e ry l ow , a nd t he e v idence f r om H and ley H i l l s ugge s t s t ha t e a r ly o ccu p a t ion c ou ld h ave b een e x treme ly l i gh t . A l te rna t ive ly , s ome o f t hese monumen t s m igh t h ave b een b u i l t b y p eop le who w e re l i v ing a t ad i s tance f o r mo s t o ft he y ear , a nd t he c on s t ruc t ion o ft he se e a r thwork s c ou ld h ave b een o ne o ft he i rf i r s t a c t si n an ew ly s e t t led a r ea . T h i s r ema ins u ncer ta in ,b u t a l ready i ti sc l ea r t ha t t he b u i ld ing o ft he se monumen t s w a s b y n o mean s ag r adua l d eve lopmen t . I ndeed , t he H amb ledon H i l l e nc lo sure s a nd t he Do r se t C u r su s may b e t he t wo l a rge s t monumen t s o ft he i rp er iod i nE ng land . Whe the r o rn o t mo re s e t t lemen t e v idence i sd i scove red , t he i r s heer s c a le w i l l s u re ly c on t inue t o d om ina te t he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord . T he L a ter N eo l i th ic ( f ig . 3 ) I fE ar l ier N eo l i th ic u se o f t h i s l a nd scape w a s d om ina ted b y l a rge monumen t s , t he L a ter N eo l i th ic p e r iod i s ma rked b y a n a bundance o f s u rf ace f i nd s . T he se a r e s o n ume rou s t ha t i ti st emp t ing t o s ugge s t t ha t t he ma in p er iod o f c o lon i sa t ion o ccur red when t h e b i gge s t monumen t s w er e n ew ly b u i l t . T ran sve r se a r rowheads o u tnumbe r l e af shaped a r rowheads b y af a c tor o f2 .4 a nd f i nd spo t so fP e terborough Wa re o rG rooved Wa re d om ina te t hose o f p l a in b ow l sb yp rec i se ly t he s ame p ropor t ion . T he l i th ic ma ter ia lh a s an umber o fd i s t inc t ive c ha rac ter i s t ic s , n o t a l l o f wh ich w ere a ppa ren t i n 1 981 . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o f s u rf ace f i nd s c an b e d i v ided i n to t wo z one s ,r ough ly 4km a pa r t . T he g r ea t ma jo r i ty o ft he se f i nd s c ome 9 4

2

4

6

A

A

8

1 0

1 2

D ISTANCE F ROM C URSUS ( KM )

7 . 4a T he m in imum n umbe r o f p ol i shed i mp lemen t s i n f l in t s c a t te r s i n t he s t udy a r ea , p lo t ted a ga in s t t he i rd i s tance f r om t he D or se t C u r su s

A

•A

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Ap

A A

2

4

6

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1 0

1 2

D ISTANCE F ROM CURSUS ( K W

7 . 4b T he n umbe r o f i mp lemen t s i n f l in t s c a t ter s i n t h e s t udy a r ea , p lo t ted a ga in s t t he i r d i s tance f r om t he D o r se t C u r su s . T he o pen s ymbo l s r epre sen t ma ter ia l c o l lec ted b y G enera lP i t t R iver s

9 5

f r om t he h i ghe rg round o ft he s t udy a r ea w he re i ti sc apped b y t he c l ay -w i th f l in t s . A l though t he se i ndu s tr ie s made c on s iderab le u se o f i n s i tu r aw ma ter ia l s , t he re i sn o l onge r much r e a son f o r s e e ing t he a cce s s ib i l i ty o f f l in t a s t he ma jo r f a c tor f o r d e term in ing t h e s e t t le m en t o f t h i s r e g ion . T he ma te r ia l f ound o n t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s i sc ha rac ter i sed b y av e ry l a rge n umber o fa r tef ac t s a nd b y aw ide r ange o fd i f f e ren ti mp lemen t t ype s . I nc on t ra s t t o M e so l i th ic u se o f t he s ame l o ca t ion s , t he s p read o f w orked f l in t i sv e ry e x ten s ive a nd s ep a r a te ' s i tes ' h ave b een d ef ined l a rge ly b y modern b oundar ie s wh ich r e s t r ic t t he a r ea s a va i l a b le f o r f i e ldwo rk . T he se b oundar ie si mpose q u i te a rb i t rary b reak si n wha t may b e aw ide r s p read o f ma ter ia l , n one the le s s c onf ined t o t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s . T he se s c a t te r s h ave b een e xam ined b y c hance when s i te s o fl a te r d a te h ave b een e xcava ted , b u t a tp re sen t t h e o n ly f e a tu re wh ich c ou ld b e long t o t h i s p e r iod i sp a r t o f as e gmen ted r i ng d i tch c l ose t oS ou th L odge C amp . T he s e cond g roup o f f i nd s c ome s f r om t he v i c in i ty o ft he C u r su s a nd s e em s t ob e f ound i n s ma l le r s c a t te r s c on ta in ing al owe r n umber o fa r tef ac t s . An umbe r o ft he se a r e o n s ma l l p a tche s o f c l ayey s o i l . Wo rk i n t h i sa r ea h a s r e vea led s ome p i t sw i th p o t tery a nd f l in t a r te f a c t s , b u t n o t a l o f t he se c o r re spond t o t he p o s i t ion s o f w e l l d ef ined f l in t s c a t te r so n t he s u rf ace . T he s ame p a r t o f t he s t udy a r ea h a s p roduced f i nds o f P e terborough Wa re a nd G rooved Wa re ,a sw e l la se a r thwork monumen t s . T h i s c on t ra s tw a sr e cogn i sed i na n e a r l ier p aper ( Ba r re t t , B rad ley , G reen a nd L ew i s 1 981, 2 13 ) , b u t s e em s t o h ave b een m i s in terp re ted . T ha t d i scu s s ion w a s i n f luenced t oo s t rong ly b y t he marg ina l p o s i t ion o f t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s i n t he mode rn p a t tern o f s e t t lemen t , p a r t i cu la r ly c ompa red w i th p re sen t d ay u se o f t he U ppe r C ha lk . A s men t ioned e a r l ie r , t ha t c on t ra s t w ou ld n o t h ave t aken t he s ame f o rm w h i l s t t h i s a r ea r e ta ined ac app ing o fl o e s s . F or t h i s r e a son , i ti sn o l onger a ccep tab le t o s e e t h e ma in r o le o f t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s a s s imp ly ar aw m a te r ia l s ou rce . S im i la r ly , t he p r e sence o fs ome h i gh q ua l i ty a r tefac t sn ear t o t he C u r su s n eed n o t mean t ha t t he l a t te r a r ea w a s t he ma in f ocu s o f L a ter N eo l i th ic s e t t le m en t . T he re a r ec e r ta in c on t ra s t sb e tween t he e v idence f o ra c t iv i ty i nt he se t wo z one s . A l though i ndu s t r ie s i n b o th a r ea s s hou ld b e o f t he s ame d a te , t ho se f r om t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s a r e more e x ten s ive t han t he o the r sa nd c on ta in as i gn if ican t ly w ide rr ange o ft ype s , i n c lud ing a c on s iderab le v ar ie ty o f e xped ien t t oo l s( f ig . 4 ) . B y c on t ra s t , t he p ropor t ion o fh i gh q ua l i ty a r tef ac t s ,p a r t icu la r ly p o l i shed t oo l s , i sr a the r h i ghe r a r ound t he C u r su s ( f ig . 4 ) . T he ma ter ia l f r om t h e c l ay -w i th -f l in t s i sc ha rac te r i sed b y an umber o f e spec ia l ly l a rge a r tef ac t s a nd i ti st he se t ha tu nderp inned e a r l ie r i n te rp re ta t ion s o fN eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty i nt h i s a r ea . S uch i mp lemen t si n c lude a xe r oughou t s , p i ck s , T shaped t oo l s ' , a nd h amme r s , a sw e l l a s o the r c o re t oo l s a ppa ren t ly made a nd u sed o n t he s po t . T he b e s t p a ra l le l s f o rt h e l a t ter f i nd sa r ef r om s i te se ngaged i nt he e x trac t ion a nd p repa ra t ion o ff l in t n odu le s . On t h e o the r h and , t he l a rger t oo l s a r e o n ly p a r t o f amuch mo re v a r ied i ndu s try a nd h ave b een o ve r e mpha s i sed i n e a r l ier a ccoun t s o f t h i s a r ea . P i ck s , a dze s , a xes a nd o the r h eavy d u ty t oo l s c ompr i se u nde r 1 0% o f t he ma ter ia l f r om t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s , a nd l e s s t han 2 % o f t he se a r tef ac t s c an b e c l a s s if ied a s f l aked o rr oughou t a xe s . Wh i l s t s ome u se w a s o bv iou s ly b e ing m ade o ft he r aw ma te r ia l sf ound i nt h i s a r ea , i ndu s t r ia l a c t iv i ty n eed n o t h ave b een ama jo r f e a ture o f t h i s z one . Af a r h i gher p ropor t ion o f t he f i nds c ons i s t o f s ma l l t oo l s b a sed o n f l akes , i n c lud ing c onvex s c rape r s ,o b l ique a nd c h i se la r rowheads , b orer s , f abr ica to r s , m in ia t u re a xe s a nd s ma l le r ` t ranche t ' t oo l s . Norma l ly t he se w ere made f r om t he l o ca l ma ter ia l . F ur thermore , t he p re sence o f d i sco ida l c ore s s ugge s t st ha t t r an sve r se a r rowhead s w e re a l so b e ing made i nt h i sa r ea . T he re s e em s l i t t le r e a son t o d oub t t ha t a l l t hese i mp lemen t t ype sh ad b een u sed , w he the r o r n o t c e r ta in t oo l s w e re t aken t o o ther a r ea s . T he a s semb lage s f r om t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s i n c lude a s ub s tan t ia l n umbe r o f p o l i shed f l in t a xe s , m any o f wh ich s e em t o h ave b een b roken o r d amaged . Mo s t o f t he f r agmen t s h ad b een r e ch ipped o rh ad b een w o rked d own t o make o the r t ypes o f i mp lemen t . A n umber o f t h e se a xe s may h ave b een made f r om m ined f l int a nd i mpo r ted t o t he a r ea i n t he f i r s t p l ace . C o rn i sh a xe s a r e a l so f ound . Th i s 9 6

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e v idence o fi n ten s ive u se a nd r e -u se e x tend s t o o the r t ype s f r om t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s . T he b o rer sa nd f abr ica tor sa r e h eav i ly a braded a nd t he s c rape r s f r equen t ly h ave w orn o rc ru shed w ork ing e dge s .T he s ma l l Y shaped p i ece sh ave d amaged e dge s a nd a b raded t ang s . T he s ame s i te s i n c lude u t il i sed p ebb le s o f s a r sen a nd q ua r tz i te . I ti sh a rd t o e s cape t he c onc lu s ion t ha t t he se w ere ma jor s e t t lemen t a r ea s . T h i si ss uppor ted b y t he l o ca t ion o fs o much o ft he ma ter ia lo ns ou th f a c ing s l ope s . T he p o s i t ion ing o ft he a c t iv i ty a r ea s w ou ld h ave b een al e s s i mpor tan t c on s idera t ion h ad t he se s i te sb een q ua r r ie s . T he i ndu s t r ie s f r om t he a r ea a round t he C ur su s s how c e r ta in c on t ra s t s t ot ho se f r om t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s , a l though t he se s hou ld n o t b e e xagge ra ted . I n g ene ra l t he se i ndu s t r ie s a r e much s ma l ler t han t he o the rg roup s ,e ven t hough f i nds f r om b o th z ones h ave b een c olec ted b y t he s ame i nd iv idua l s . I nt he s t udy a r ea t here i sa n i n ve r se r e la t ion sh ip b e tween t he n um b e r o fa r tef ac t sa nd t he p rox im i ty o ft he C u r su s ( f ig . 4 ) . O n t he o the rh and t he q ual i ty a nd s t anda rd o f p roduc t ion o f l i th ic a r tef ac t s c an b e n o t iceab ly b e t te r a mong t he f l in two rk f ound n ea r t o t he C ur su s . A l though s c raper s a r e t he mo s t c ommon a r tef ac t s , t he re i sa r a ther h i ghe r p ropor t ion o f p o l i shed i mp lemen t s , i n c lud ing a xe s , p o l i shed e dge k n ive s , m in ia tur e a xe f o rm sa nd s ome more e l abora te t ype s wh ich a r e f ound l e s s f r equen t ly o n t he c l ay -w i th f l in t s i n t he C ha se ( f ig . 4 ) . I n a dd i t ion , an umbe r o f f a i r ly e l abo ra te l i th ic a r te f a c t sh ave b een f ound i nt he v i c in i ty o ft he C u r su s , i n c lud ing p i ano -convex k n ive s ,i mpor ted s t one a xes a nd macehead s ,o ne o f wh ich w a s made o fp ol i shed f l in t . Apa r t f r om maceheads t he se d o o ccu r o n t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s , b u t mo s t o f t he s c a t te r s a round t he C u r su si n c lude o ne o r more o f t he se t ype s . One o f t he r i che s t o f a l t he se s i te s o ve r lap s t he C u r su si t se lf . S evera l o ft he s t one a xe s f ound c l o se t o t h i s monumen t b e long t ot he s ou th -we s te rn g roup s I ,I I ,I Ia a nd I Va .T he re i sa l so aG roup V I I a xe f r om N o r th Wa le s . O the r i mpo r ted ma ter ia l i n c ludes g r een s tone ,r hyo l i te a nd l ime s tone . One r e cen t f i nd o f aL a ter N eol i th ic a xe c ome s f r om t he s u rf ace o ft he l ong b a r row a d jo in ing t he T h ick tho rn t e rm ina l o ft he C u r su s ( La ing 1 983) . A s w e s ha l l s e e , t he re i ss ome r e a son t o s u spec t t ha t an umber o ft he se i t ems w ere d epo s i ted d el ibe ra te ly . P i t t R ive r s ' w ork a nd l a te r e xcava t ion s b y M a r t in G reen a low u s t o t r ace t he s equence o f b ur ia l s a nd monumen t sd ur ing t he L a ter N eo l i th ic . A ga in t he ma in e v idence c ome s f r om t he a r ea c l o se t o t he C u r su s . T he k ey s equence i sr epre sen ted i nt h e i mmed ia te a r ea a round Wo rB ar row , where a na ly s i s o ft he G ene ra l ' s c o l lec t ion a low su s t or e con s truc t t he p o s s ib le s equence o f e ven t s ( f ig . 5 ;c f P i t t R ive r s 1 898 , 1 36 f ) . A sw e h ave s e en , Wo r B a r row i t se lf may b e ar e la t ive ly l a te d eve lopmen t ,a nd i t s d e ta i led p ha s ing r ema in s i nd oub t . I np a r t icu l a r , i ti su nce r ta in whe the r t he t imbe r s t ruc tu re f ound b enea th t he b ar row n eed h ave b een af r ee s tand ing e nc lo su re , r a ther t han t he r e ve tmen t o f a mound . Wha teve r t h e c or rec t a nswe r , t he r a ther a noma lou s p r ima ry b ur ia l s f ound b y P i t t R ive r s s hou ld b e long t o t h i s i n i t ia lp ha se . I ft he p r ima ry d epo s i tw a su nu sua l , t he s ame a pp l ie s t ot h e s e conda ry b ur ia l si nt he s ou th t e rm ina l d i tch , wh ich c on s i s t o f t wo a r t icu la ted ma le s ke le ton s , o ne a s soc ia ted w i th ar e la t i ve ly l a rge l o zenge shaped a r rowhead . T he b ur ia lr i te i sv e ry s im i la rt o t ha t a tB a r row H i l l s , R ad ley , i n t he T hame s V a l ley , where o ne o ft he s ke le ton sw a s a s soc ia ted w i th ab e l t s l ide r ( Brad ley i n p rep . ) . T he s e condary b ur ia l s a t Wo r B ar row a r e c ommon ly s uppo sed t o b e a ' c a sua l ' d epo s i t , b u t t h i s s e em s v e ry d oub tfu l . T he b u r ia l o f t wo ma le s t oge ther i sa l so k nown a t A ldw inc le ( J ack son 1 976 ) , B a r row H i l l s ( B rad ley i n p rep . ) a nd R amsga te ( Dun n ing 1 966 , 8 -11) . Mo reove r t h i s t ype o f a r rowhead i sp e rhap s b e t ter p a ra l le led i ng r ave s t han i nd ome s t ic a s semb lages ( Green 1 980 , 8 7 ) . T he se s e conda ry b u r ia l s c on t inue t he t r end t owa rds t he d epos i t ion o f a r t icu la ted ma le s a l ready s e en i n t he ma in d epo s i t . L ozenge s haped a r rowheads m ay b e d a ted t o t he m id th i rd m ilenn ium ( K innes 1 979 , f i g . 6 . 3a ) a nd a t Wo rB ar row t he se b u r ia l s p reda te t he a ppea rance o fP e te rbo rough Wa re o n t he s i te . T he d i tche s o f Wor B a r row c on ta in a n i mpor tan t p o t te ry s equence , wh ich h a s o n ly r e cen t ly b een r e -con s truc ted . I tb egan w i th s herds o f p l a in N eo l i th ic b ow l s b u t i n t he h i gher l e ve l s o f t he d i tch t hese w e re s ucceeded b y E bb sf lee t /Mo r t lake Wa re . H ighe r s t i l l w e re p i ece s o f Mor t lake Ware . B eaker p o t te ry w a s a l so f ound i nt he h i ghe rl e ve l s , b u t s ome 9 8

m ay b e i n t rus ive s i nce p a r t o f t h i s ma te r ia l w a sr e cove red f r om l a ye r sk nown t oh ave b een d i s turbed b y t he c u t t ing o fR oman g r aves . T h i sg enera ls equence i si mpo r tan t , b ecau se i ta l low su s t or e la te t he s equence i nt he l ong b ar row d i tch t o t he p o t tery f ound i nt wo a d jacen t r ound b a r row s , H and ley 2 6 a nd 2 7 ( P i t t R ive r s 1 898 , 1 36 f ) . H and ley 2 6 , w h ich p roduced ab ur ia l w i th ab e l t s l ide r , h a s l ong b een a ccep ted a s aN eo l i th ic monumen t , b u t B ar row 2 7 h a s h i ther to b een a s sumed t o b e o f B ronze A ge o r ig in . T he t wo mounds a r e l o ca ted t owa rds e i the r e nd o f t he l ong b ar row . O ne i sa l igned o n t he e a r l ie r monumen t , wh i l s t t he o the rs ha re s t he s ame a x i s( f ig . 5 ) . B ar row 2 7 h a s av e ry c u r iou s l a you t wh ich c an b e r e con s truc ted w i th t he a i d o f P i t t R iv er s ' t h ree -d imen s iona l mode l o ft he s i te a f ter i t se xcava t ion . E xam ina t ion o ft h i s mode l s how s t ha t t he p ub l i shed p l an c onf la te s f e a tu re s b e long ing t o s e ve ra l s t ruc tu ra l p ha se s , i n c lud ing ap a r t ia l r i ng o f e l onga ted p i t s , ac au sewayed d i tch w i th n ine s epa ra te s e gmen t s , a nd a s ha l low r i ng d i tch w i th o ne e n trance t o t he s ou th -ea s t , w h ich w a s l a te r b locked . D e sp i te i t s r e semb lance t o t he p l an o f ah eng iform e nc lo su re , a tt he t ime o f e xcava t ion t he s i te c ons i s ted o f ab a r row a bou t ame t re h i gh . T here s e ems n o r e a son t os uppo se t ha t i th ad e ve r b een a ny th ing b u t a mound . C o l t H oa re h ad f ound h uman b one s i n al a te r d i s turbance a t i t s c en t re . T he d i tch o f t h i s monumen t h ad a l so b een d i s tu rbed , b u t t he o ne s herd f ound b e low t h e l e ve l a t wh ich m ix ing s e em s t o h ave t aken p l ace w a s ap i ece o f Mor t lake Wa re . T h i s i si mpor tan t s i nce t he p o t te ry f r om t he b o t tom o f t he d i tch o f H and ley B a r row 2 6 a l so c on s i s ted o f Mo r t lake Wa re . N o p l an o f H and ley 2 6 h a s e ve r b een p ubl i shed a nd f i gu re 5 i sb a sed o n a no the rt h ree d imen s iona l mode l made a f te rt he e xcava t ion . I t sd i tch h ad b een r e cu t , b u t w a s much mo re r e gu la r t han t ha t o f H and ley 2 7 , a nd h ad as i ng le e n t rance o n t he s ou th -we s t . Two i nhu ma t ion b ur ia l s w ere f ound o n t he l a nd s u rf ace u nde r t he mound , o ne a tt he c en t re a nd t he o the r 2 . 5 m t o t he w e s t . T he l a t ter b u r ia l w a s ma le a nd w a s a s soc ia ted w i th ab e l t s l ide r . T ak ing t hese o b serva t ion s t oge the r , w e m igh t s ugge s t t ha t t he u nu sua l p r ima ry b ur ia l s b enea th Wor B a r row w ere f o l lowed b y t h ree e qua l ly d i s t inc t ive d epo s i t s , t wo o f t h em i n an ew t ype o f monumen t . T he f i r s t o f t he se d epo s i t s c on s i s ted o f t wo a r t icu la ted ma le s a ccompan ied b ya n a r rowhead ;t hese b u r ia l s s t i l l made u se o ft he e x i s t ing l ong b a r row . T he n ex t d epos i ts w ere i n t wo c on t ra s t ing r ound b a r row s . T ho se f r om H and ley 2 7 c on s i s ted o f o ne o r more i nhuma t ion sb ur ied b enea th ad i s t inc t ive mound a s soc ia ted w i th Mo r t lake Wa re . T ha t b a r row h a s f e a tu re s i nc ommon w i th p loughed o u t monumen t s o f ten i n te rpre ted a s h enge s . On t he o the r h and , i t s c oun terpa r t w a s a more o r thodox r ound b ar row , a ga in a s soc ia ted w i th Mor t lake Wa re . I t s p o s i t ion w a s s t il i nf luenced b y t h e l o ca t ion o ft he l ong b ar row , b u t t h i s t ime t he mound c e r ta in ly c ove red a f u rn i shed b u r ia l . P e rhap s t he Wo r B ar row s equence a l low s u s t o t r ace t he t r an s i t ion f r om c ommuna l t o s i ng le b ur ia l i n t h i s a r ea ,a nd t o r e cogn i se t he e a r l ie s t s t age si nt he p rov i s ion o fi nd iv idua lg r ave g ood s . S uch f i nds a r e v ery r a re i n Wes sex c ompa red w i th o the r r e g ion s , b u t i tmay b e p o s s ib le t o r e cogn i se t wo o the r N eo l i th ic r i ng d i tche s , o ne a tD own F a rm , Woodcu t t s , o n ly 1 20 m f r om t he C ur sus , a nd t he o the ro n t he e dge o ft he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s a tS ou th L odge C amp . T he r i ng d i tch a tD own F a rm i sp oor ly d a ted , a l though s he rd s o fP e te rborough Wa re a r e k nown f r om t he p lough so i l o ve r t h i s monumen t . I t s d i tch may h ave b een f i l led f r om b o th s i de s a nd i t s o r ig ina l s t ruc tu re i su ncer ta in . H oweve r , i t s s l igh t ly p o lygona l p l an s ugge s t s t ha t t he d i tch h ad o r ig ina l ly b een d ug i n s e gmen t s 3m o r more i nl e ng th . T he re w e re f ew f i nd s f r om t he o r ig ina l d i tch b u t t he se i n c lude f l in t t ype s k nown f r om t he L a te r N eol i th ic s u rf ace s c a t ter s . F u r the rmore , w e may b e a b le t o r e la te t he mo l lu scan f auna f r om t h i s s i te t o as equence f r om t he C u r su sd i tch 1 90 m a way . T h i s s ugge s t s t ha t t he r i ng d i tch w a s d ug wh i l s t t he m idd le s i l t s o f t h el a t ter e a r thwo rk w e re f o rm ing . B o th d i tche sw e re f i l led i nb y t he B eaker p er iod . Among t h ef i nds f r om al a ter r e cu t o ft h i sr i ng d i tch w a sa no the r l o zenge s haped a r rowhead . T he s e cond e xamp le c on s i s t s o f a n i r regu la r c ausewayed d i tch a t S ou th L odge C amp w h ich s u r rounded a b a r row k nown t o h ave b een l e ve l led d ur ing t he 1 9 th c en tu ry . T h i s d i tch w a sd i scovered i nt he m ids t o f af l in t s c a t ter c on ta in ing N eo l i th ic a nd B eaker ma ter ia l 9 9

a nd w a sa lmos tc e r ta in ly e a r l ier t han an e ighbou r ing mound wh ich p reda ted t he B ronze A ge f i e ld s y s tem o n t he s i te ( Ba r re t t , B rad ley , B owden a nd M ead 1 983 , 1 98-200 ) . T he d i tch c on ta ined al a rge q uan t i ty o f f l in twork a nd h ad b een u sed a s aq ua r ry f o rn odu le s , wh i l s t t wo s herd s o f G rooved Wa re w ere f ound i n al a ter d epo s i t n ea rby . T h i s r i ng d i tch w ou ld h ave b een a bou t 2 2mi nd i ame ter ,a nd c an b e c ompa r ed w i th t he e qua l ly i r regu la r H and ley B a r row 2 7 wh ich h ad a d i ame te r o f 2 0 m . T he mo r e r e gu la r d i tche s a t D own F a rm a nd H and ley B a r row 2 6 h ad d i ame te r s o f 1 5 m a nd 1 5 .75 m r e spec t ive ly . H av ing s ugge s ted t ha t t he se f our s i te s m igh t b e o f t h i rd m i l lenn ium d a te , i ti sw or th s t re s s ing t h e r a r i ty o f s uch f i nd s , g i ven t h e l a rge n umbe r o fb ar row e xcava t ion s r e corded i n t h i s p a r t o f We s sex . I n We s sex a s a who le o n ly 7 % o f t he e xcava ted r ound b a r row s o r r i ng d i tche s may h ave b een o fp re -Beaker d a te , e ven t hough t h i s a r ea c on ta in ss uch ah i gh p ropo r t ion o fe a r then l ong b ar row s ( K inne s 1 979 ) . T he re i so ne more monumen t t oc on s ide r . T h i s i s an ew ly d i scove red s i te a t Wyke D own o n ly as hor t d i s tance f r om t he D or se t C u r su s . E xcava t ion i ss t i l li np rog re s s a nd o n ly af ew o bserva t ion s c an b e made a t t h i s s t age . L ike t he ma s s ive s i te o fM aumbu ry R ing si ns ou th D o r se t ( Brad ley 1 975 ) ,t h i s c on s i s t so f ac i rc le o fc l o se spaced p i t sb roken b yo ne e n trance , wh ich i n t h i s c a se i sa l igned o n ama jo rf l in t s c a t te r o ve r lapp ing t he C u r su s . I ti sc l ear t ha t t he se f e a ture s n eve r h e ld p o s t s a nd s i l ted u p n a tu ra l ly o ver av e ry s hor t p er iod . When t h i s p roce s sw a sc omp le te , s ma l lh o le sh ad b een d ug i n to t h e u pper s i l t sa nd f i l led w i th av a r ie ty o f d epos i t s i n c lud ing a n ima l b one s a nd G rooved Wa re . T he re i sn o e v idence t ha t t he se s e conda ry f e a tu re sh ad b een p o s th o le s . D e sp i te t he f a c t t ha t w ork i si n comp le te , e nough i sk nown a l ready f o ru s t o make s ome g enera l c ommen t so nt he s i te . T h i s e nc losure h a sl i t t le i nc ommon w i th t he N eo l i th ic r ound b a r row s o r r i ng d i tche s d e sc r ibed e a r l ie r a nd i ti se n t i re ly u nhe lpfu l t o g roup a l l o f t he se e a r thwork s i n to t he s ame c a tegory , ap o in t e mpha s i sed b y t he G rooved Wa re a s soc ia t ion s o f b o th Wyke D own a nd M aumbury R ing s ( c f B rad ley 1 975 , 2 4 ) . T h i s h a s b een t he f i r s t o ppor tun i ty t o e xam ine ap i t c i rc le i n Wes sex f o r s ome t ime , a nd t h i s w ork a dds w e igh t t o t he a r gumen t t ha t t he Aubrey H o le s a t S tonehenge m igh t a l so h ave b een p i t s r a ther t han p o s t h o le s ( A tk inson , P i ggo t t a nd S tone 1 952 ) . T he f e a tu re s a t Wyke D own a r e r a ther l e s s t han 2 m d eep ; t hey s how n o s i gn s o f r amp s , a nd s o t h ey c on t ra s t w i th p o s t h o le s o ft he s ame d ep th a t D ur r ing ton Wa l l s . A l though mo re t han h a lf o f t he s i te h a s b een e xcava ted , v ery l i t t le b u rn t b one h a sb een d i scove red . D e sp i te t h e s im i la r i ty o ft h i s e nc lo su re t o t ho se i n t he T hame s V a l ley a nd e l sewhe re , i tw ou ld b e i n approp r ia te t od e sc r ibe i ta s ap i t c i rc le c r ema t ion c eme tery . I ndeed , when h uman b one s d id o ccur h i gh i nt he s haf t s a t Maumbu ry R ing s , t hey w e re c omp le te ly u nbu rn t . T h i s l a s t p o in t h a s w ide r i mp l ica t ion s , f o r t he s e q uence a t Wyke D own s how s t ha t n ea r ly a l l t he d i s t inc t ive f i nd s o n t h i s s i te c ome f r om f e a ture sd ug i n to t he t op s o ft he o r ig ina lp i t s . I nt h i s c a se t he f i nd s c on s i s t ma in ly o fa n ima l b one , b u t mo s t o ft he h uman c r ema t ion s o n s im i la r s i te s h ave b een d i scove red i nc ompa r a b le p o s i t ion s . I ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t s uch ma ter ia l w a s e n t i re ly s ub s id iary t o t he o r ig ina l f unc t ion s o f t he se s i te s a nd t ha t s uch c r ema t ion s m ay h ave b een e qu iva len t t o o the r s pec ia l i sed d epo s i t s , i n c lud ing f auna l r ema in s a nd c omp lex a r tef ac t s . T o t ake j u s t o ne e xamp le , i ti si n s t ruc t ive t o c ompa re t he d i scove ry o f ah uman c r ema t ion i nt h e t op o fo ne o f t he p o s t p ipe s a t Woodhenge ( Cunn ing ton 1 929 , p l . 1 0 ) w i th t he f i nd ing o fe l abora te ly d ecora ted p o t te ry i n t he s ame c on tex t a t D ur r ing ton Wa l l s ( Wa inwr igh t a nd L ongwo r th 1 971, 2 18 ) . A t a more g ene ra l l e ve l , t h i s a pproach w ou ld i nd ica te t ha t a r gumen t s f o r a c on t inued r i te o f c o l lec t ive b u r ia l i n s ou thern E ng land may b e m i sconce ived . T h i s p o in t w i l l b e c on s ider ed a ga in i n d i scu s s ing t he monumen t s o f t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley ( t h i s v o lume ,C hap te r 8 ) . T he d i s t inc t ive d epo s i t s i n t he s e conda ry l e ve l s o f t h e Wyke D own e nc lo sure may a l so b e c ompa red w i th as e r ie s o f f i nds e x tend ing a l ong t h e l e ng th o ft he D or se t C u r su s . T he se c ome f r om t wo ma in c on tex t s : t he l a ter l e ve l s o f monumen t s c on s truc ted d ur ing t he E ar l ie rN eo l i th ic p e r iod a nd t he d epo s i t s o fo ther ma te r ia l i np i t s c l ose t o t he se s i te s . A t f i r s t , t he a bundance o f L a te r N eo l i th ic f l in two rk a nd p o t te ry n ea r t o t he C u r su s 1 00

s ugge s ted t ha t t h i s z one h ad f o rmed t he ma in a r ea o f c on tempo ra ry s e t t lemen t ( f ig . 3 ) . T h i s v i ew h a s a l ready b een q ue s t ioned a s ar e su l t o fa na ly s i s o ft he f l in t a r tef ac t s . I t mee t s w i th f ur the r d i f f icu l t ie s n ow t ha t w ork o n t he l a nd s na i l s f r om t he D or se t C u r su s s how s t h a t a t l e a s t o ne a r ea a round t h i s monumen t b ecame w ooded b y t he L a te r N eo l i th ic . A s e r ie s o f G rooved Wa re p i t s a t D own F arm , h oweve r , s e em s t oh ave o ccup ied : 1mo re o pen e nv i ronmen t . F ind so fL a te rN eo l i th ic p o t te ry a r ek nown f r om a l t he e xcava ted monumen t s a t t r ibu ted t o t he E a r l ier N eo l i th ic p e r iod , b u t i n n o c a se w ere t he e a r thwo rk s mod if ied a tt h i s t ime . T he C ur su s c on ta in s f r agmen t s o f P e te rbo rough Wa re a nd a ppear s t o b e o ve r lapped b y a f l in t s c a t ter wh ich h a s a l ready p roduced ar im s he rd o f F enga te Wa re . T h ick tho rn D own l ong b a r row i n c luded as e r ie s o fP e te rborough s he rd si n c lud ing b o th Mo r t lake a nd F enga te Wa r es , w h i l s t t he d i tch o f Wor B ar row s how s ac omp lex s equence c on ta in ing E bb sf lee t a nd Mo r t lake War es . T he re i s more P e te rborough Wa re i nt he d i tch s i l t so fH and ley B a r row s 2 6 a nd 2 7 . Ou t s ide t he s t udy a r ea , t he e roded d i tch o ft he ma in e nc lo su re a tH amb ledon H i l l w a s r e cu t a f te r as ub s tan t ia l i n te rva l a nd a s ha l low s l o t w a s p acked w i th a n ima l b one s ( Me rcer 1 980 ,3 5-7) .T h i sr e ca l l st he s e conda ry d epo s i t s a t Wyke D own . N one o ft he se s i te s i n c lude s e conda ry d epo s i t s o f G rooved Wa re , a nd t he ma jo r i ty o f t he f i nd s o f N eo l i th ic p o t tery f r om P i t tR ive r s 'e xcava t ion sn ea rt ot he C ur su s a ga in c on s i s t o fP e te rbo rough Wa re . Mo s t o f t he d i scover ie sc l ose t o t he C u r su s p o s se s s a n e n igma t ic c ha rac te r . D e sp i te p rob l em si nu nder s tand ing t he s i te r e cords , i ts e em sl i ke ly t ha t a tl e a s t s ome o ft he P e te rborough Wa r e f r om H and ley H i l l w a s f ound i n ap i to rp i ts , a nd t ha t o ther s he rd s w e re i nt he u ppe r l e ve l s o f t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic p i t c on ta in ing h uman r ema in s . A t D own F arm t wo c l u s ter s o f L a ter N eo l i th ic p i t sh ave b een e xcava ted ,o n ly 1 30 m f r om t he C u r su s . S i x teen p i t s h ave b een e xam ined i na l l ,o n ly t h ree o f wh ich c on ta ined P e te rborough Wa re . One p i t c on ta ined F enga te Wa re o n i t s own ,b u t t he o the rt wo c on ta ined Mor t lake a nd F enga te Wa re r e spec t i v e ly ,i ne ach c a se a s soc ia ted w i th G rooved Wa re . Twe lve o the r p i t s c on ta ined o n ly G rooved Wa r e . A na ly s i s o f t he c on ten t s o ft he se p i t si ss t i l l i np rog re s s b u t i ti sa l ready p o s s ib le t oh i gh l i gh t t he d i s t inc t ive f e a tu re s o f t he se d epo s i t s . U ndoub ted ly t he mo s t o bv iou si st he s hee r r ange o f ma ter ia l d i scove red h ere , i n c lud ing i mpo r ted a xes , b oa r s ' t u sk s , ma r ine s he l l s , p o l i shed f l in t a r tef ac t s , f o r e ign s t one s a nd d epo s i t s o f a n t le r . A t t he s ame t ime t he re i s f o rma l p a t tern ing i nt he p l ac ing o fc e r ta in o b jec t s i nt he g round , i n c lud ing t he a n t le rp i ck s , g roup so fu nu sed a n t le r ,l a rge s l abs o fd eco ra ted p o t te ry a nd ac a t t le s ku l l s e t o n t he b o t tom o f o ne p i t . S ome o f t he p i t s s e em t o h ave b een f i l led w i th as e r ie s o fd i s t inc t ive d epo s i t s , p e rhap s h e ld i n o rgan ic c on ta iner s , a nd i n t h i s r e spec t t hey r e ca l l much e a rl ie rd epo s i t si n t he d i tche s o f c au sewayed e nc lo su re s . T he t h i rd a noma lou s f e a tu re o f t he se p i t s c once rn s t he l i th ic i ndu s try , wh ich i n c luded s ome i mp lemen t s t ha t w e re h a rd ly u sed . T he r ange o f i mp lemen t t ype s i n t he se p i t s i so u t o f a l l p ropor t ion t o t he n umbe r o f f l ake s a nd c ore s , e spec ia l ly c ompa red w i th t he c on ten t s o f s e t t lemen t s d a t ing f r om t h i s p e r iod . T he s ame p a t tern i ss e en w i th t he p i t sn ear t o t he s ou th e n trance o fA vebu ry ( Sm i th 1 965 , 2 1016) . H owever t hey a r e e xp la ined , s uch a noma l ie s s ugge s t t ha t w e s hou ld b e r e luc tan t t o t r ea t a l l N eo l i th ic p i t s a s c l ue s t o t he l o ca t ion o f o rd ina ry s e t t lemen t s . T h is i se spec ia l ly t r ue i n t he Woodhenge a r ea w he r e t he Wood lands p i t s h ad b een c overed b y f l in t c a i rn s ( S tone a nd Y oung 1 948 ) . I n c e r ta in c a ses , t he c on ten t s o fs uch p i t s a r e s ou nu sua l t ha t t h ey may r ep r e sen t more f o rma l d epo s i t s ,p a r t icu la r ly when t hey a r e f ound c l o se t o c e remon ia l s i te s . T h i s n eed n o t i mp ly t ha t s e t t lemen t i n o u r s t udy a r ea h ad b een c onf ined t o t he c l ay w i th -f l in t s , f o r t he d epos i t s c l o se t o t he C u r su s o ccupy r e s t r ic ted a r ea s o f r a ther s im i la r s o i l . T he re i sn o n eed t o r e jec t ad omes t ic f unc t ion f o rt he se g roup s e n t i re ly . A t t he s ame t ime , w e mus t a sk h ow much o f t he ma ter ia lw i th in t he se s i te sm igh t h ave b een d epo s i ted d e l ibe ra te ly . L a te rd eve lopment s A l though s uch f i nds i nd ica te t he c on t inu ing i mpo r tance o f t he C u r su s , t he re a r e s i gn s 1 0 1

t ha t u se o f t he s t udy a r ea w a s a l ready s l acken ing b y t h e e nd o f t he t h ird m i l lenn ium b c . C h i se l a r rowheads , s o o f ten a s soc ia ted w i th P e te rborough Wa re , o u tnumber o b l ique a r row h eads wh ich a r e u sua l ly f ound w i th G rooved Wa re , a l though t h i s r e la t ion sh ip m ay n o t e x t end t ot he p i t sa tD own F a rm . T he re h ave b een more f i nd so f Mo r t lake Wa re t han F enga te Wa re , a nd P e terbo rough War es a s awho le o u tnumbe r d i scover ie s o fG rooved W a re , wh ich o ccur s i n v ery s ma l l q uan t i t ie s e xcep t o n t he t wo s i te s d e sc r ibed e a rl i er . E v en t he h enge monumen t b e long s t o ar e la t ive ly e a r ly s t age i n t he d eve lopmen t o f s uch s i te s , a nd t he l a rger h enge s o f t h i s r e g ion a r e s ome w ay o u t s ide t he s t udy a r ea , a t Know l ton i nt he A l len V a l ley ( R .C .H .M . 1 975 , 13-15) a nd a t T i sbu ry i n t h e V a le o f Wa rdour ( Bu r l 1 969 , 2 7 ) . L a ter N eo l i th ic f l in two rk i sb e ing r e cogn i sed i n b o th o f t he se a r ea s . A l though t h ese s i te s h ave n ever b een e xcava ted , w ork e l sewhe re i n Wes sex s ugge s t s t ha t mo s t p robab ly t hey w e re a s soc ia ted w i th G rooved Wa re . I f s o , a l te rna t ive c e remon ia l f oc i m ay h ave b een d eve lop ing o n t he l ower g round w e l l a way f r om t he C u r su s . As im i la r s h if t o f l o ca t ion i s s e en i n s ou th D or se t a tt h i s t ime ( t h i sv o lume , p . 168 ) . E ven i nt he s t udy a r ea , t h e G rooved Wa re h enge r ep resen t s ar ad ica l ly n ew d epa r tu re a nd s t and s c omp le te ly o u t s ide t h e o rde r ly d eve lopmen t s hown b y t he o the r monumen t s . A pa r t f r om av e ry f ew s he rd si nt he p i t s a t D own F a rm , t he re a r e n o a s soc ia t ion s b e tween P e terborough Wa re a nd G rooved Wa re . T h i s c anno t b e a t t r ibu ted e n t i re ly t o c h rono log ica l f a c tor s s i nce P e terborough Wa re w a s s t i l l i n u se a l ong s ide B eake rp o t tery a tH and ley H i l l . Wh i l s t t h e ma jor f oc i may h ave b een c hang ing , w en eed n o t s ugge s t a bandonmen t o ft h i sa r ea . S uch c hange sa r es t i l l more e v iden t d ur ing t he B eake rp er iod . A s i no ther p a r t s o f We ssex , B eake r p o t tery t ends t o b e f ound o n s i te s whe re P e te rborough Wa re r a the rt han G rooved Wa re h ad b een u sed , b u t i n t he s t udy a r ea t here i sl i t t le s i gn o fE ar ly B eake ra c t iv i ty a nd t he o n ly A l l O ver C o rded s he rd c ome s f r om al a te r b ur ia l mound o n H and ley H i l l . I tw a s o n ly d ur ing t he M idd le B eake r p ha se t ha t n ew b a r row s w e re e s tabl i shed i n C ranborne C ha se ( Ba r re t t , B rad ley , G reen a nd L ew i s 1 981, 2 17 ) . A s o ne m igh t e xpec t , t h e ma jor i ty o f t he se w ere l o ca ted t owa rd s t he l i ne o f t he C u r su s , w i th t he ma in c oncen t ra t ion n o t f a r f r om t he Wor B ar row c omp lex , whe re af l a tg r ave a s soc ia ted w i th aS tep 3 B eaker h a s a l so b een d i scovered ( P i t t R iver s 1 898 , 14 ) . T he b u r ia l s f a l l o u t s ide t he s cope o f t h i s p ape r , b u tt he i rc h rono logy d oe sh ave w ide ri mp l ica t ion s . A n e a r l ier p aper d rew a t ten t ion t o t he r e s t r ic ted t ime r ange r ep re sen ted b y t he B eake r b ur ia l s f r om C ranborne C ha se , e spec ia l ly c ompa red w i th t hose i n C en tra l W es sex o r t he H amp sh i re B a s in ( Ba r re t t , B rad ley , G reen a nd L ew i s 1 981 , 2 17 ) . I n C ranbo rne C ha se t he d a ted g r aves b e long t o C a se ' s M idd le B eake r p er iod , w h i l s t L a te B eake r b ur ia l s a r e l im i ted t o n e ighbour ing a r ea s . T h i s o b serva t ion s e emed t o b e c on s i s ten t w i th t he e x treme ly l ow n umber o f b a rbed -and tanged a r rowhead s f ound i n t h e s t udy a r ea a nd s ugge s ted t ha t o ccupa t ion o f t he r e g ion may h ave b een i n terrup ted . T he s ame c onc lu s ion w a s s uppor ted b y t he a bsence o f c ha rac ter i s t ic B eake r l i th ic i ndu s tr ie s . A s s o o f ten , f u r the r r e sea rch h a s s hown t ha t t he a c tua ls i tua t ion w a s mo re c omp l ica ted . I n t he f i r s t p l ace , w ork o n t he l a nd mo l lu sca f r om t he D o r se t C ur su s r e vea l s ap ha se o f l a nd c l ea rance d ur ing t he B eaker p e r iod , a l though i t s e x ten t i su nknown . A t t h e s ame t ime , a na ly s i s o f p o t te ry i n t he P i t t R ive r s c o l lec t ion h a s s hown t ha t as i gn if ican t p ropo r t ion o f t he s herds b e long s t o t he L a te B eake r p er iod . T hey d o n o t c ome f r om b u r ia l s a nd t h i s s ugge s ts t ha t i n C ranbo rne C ha se , a s i n s o many a r ea s , B eaker s w ere u sed i nb u r ia l s b efo re t hey w ere a dop ted much mo re w ide ly . I n a dd i t ion , i th a s b ecome c l ea r t ha t t h e r a r i ty o f b a rbed -and tanged a r rowhead s -o r o f c l a s s ic ' B eaker ' f l in t i ndu s t r ie s -e x tend s o ver mo s t o f t he Wes sex c ha lk land , d e sp i te t he f a c t t ha t o ther s u rvey s a r e f i nd ing q uan t i t ie s o f L a te B eake r p o t tery ( c f t h i s v o lume , p .1 8 5 ) . B y c on tra s t , i ta ppea r s t ha t t he mo s t d i agnos t ic f l in twork c ome s f r om l ow land a r ea s a round t he e dge s o f We s sex , i np a r t icu la r t he H amp s h i re B a s in a nd t he T hames V a l ley . L oca l ly , t he o ne c ha rac ter i s t ic B eaker i ndu s t ry i sk nown i nt he V a le o f Wardour . I ti sd i f f icu l t t oi n terp re t t he se p a t tern s , b u t t hey o ccu r s uf f ic ien t ly w ide ly t or a i se p rob l em s o fg enera li n te re s t .A l though w ec an c on s ider t he r o le o fc ompe t i t ion b e tween d i f f eren t 1 02

r i tua l c en t res , s uch a g ene ra l r e trea t f r om t he c ha lk land may a l so r e su l t f r om i n c rea s ing p r e s su res o n t he l o e s s s o i l s m en t ioned e a r l ie r . A t a l l e ven t s , t he c l ay -w i th -f l in t s w a sh a rd ly u sed a ga in u n t i l t he L a te I r on A ge , wh i l s t t he U pper C ha lk s aw i n ten s ive a c t iv i ty f r om t he D evere l -R imbury p er iod . F rom t h i st ime o nwa rds , t he i rr o le s w e re r e ver sed . I ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t l a nd u se i nt he s t udy a r ea b ecame l e s s i n ten s ive a nd p erhap s mo re s pec ia l i sed . D e sp i te t he w ide sp read d i s tr ibu t ion o f B eake r p o t tery , i tr a re ly c l u s ter s i n to d i sc re te ' s i tes ' , t he o ne e xcep t ion b e ing ag roup o f p i t s a tM a r t in D own ( P i t t R ive r s 1 898 , 1 85 f ) . Wher e d a tab le s he rds a r e f ound w i th f l in two rk t he re i se v idence f o ra n e xped ien t t e chno logy w i th f ew r e gu la r i mp lemen t t ype s . Wh i l s t t h i s a n t ic ipa te s t he l i th ic i ndu s t r ie s o fl a ter p er iod s( Fo rd , B rad ley , H awke sa nd F i she r 1 984 ) , B eaker s e t t lemen t si no the r p a r t s o ft he c oun try c an h ave amore s ha rp ly d ef ined l i th ic c omponen t . F or t h i sr e a son , w e m igh t s ugge s tt ha tt he ma ter ia lf r om t he c ha lk land r ef l ec t s at e chno logy a dap ted t o amo re l im i ted r ange o f t a sk s o r t o ah i ghe r d eg ree o f mob i l i ty . T he o ve ra l l p a t te rn o fs e t t lemen t r equ i re s much more i n ve s t iga t ion , b u t i ts e em s r a the r i mp robab le t ha t t h p e n t i re s t udy a r ea w a s r e served f o r t he b u r ia lo ft h e d ead . A t a le ven t sb y t he e a r ly s e cond m ilenn ium , t he re w a s ar enewed c on tra s t b e tween t he e nergy p u t i n to monumen t b u i ld ing a nd t he a r chaeo log ica l e v idence f o r o the r t ype s o f a c t iv i ty . Wh i l s t i tw ou ld b e am i s take t ot ake t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f r ound b ar row s a s a ny i n d ica t ion o f t he w ider p a t te rn o f s e t t lemen t , b y t h i s s t age i t s e em s a s i ft he ma in r e sou rce o f f e red b y C ranborne C ha se w a s i t s l e ng thy h i s tory i n t he f o rm o fc on sp icuou s monumen t s . S ummary F rom t he o u t se t t h i s e s say h a s e mpha s i sed t heme s w h ich a r e a l so t r ea ted b y o the r c on tr ibu tor s . W i th s o much d e ta i l b efore u s , i t may b e h e lpfu l t o s umma r i se t he ma jor c onf igu ra t ion s i n t he a r chaeo log ica l e v idence f r om t h i s a r ea , i fo n ly s o t ha t t he i r s t ud ie s c an p u r sue p a t te rn s o f s im i la r i ty a nd c on tra s t . F ur the r d i scu s s ion o ft h i s e v idence a ppea r s o n p . 1 31 . O ne o f t he n o tab le c ha rac ter i s t ic s o f t h i s r e g ion i st he r a the r l im i ted i n teg ra t ion o f a r ea s w i th s pec ia l p urpose monumen t s a nd t ho se w i th s i gn s o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty . T h i s a pp l ie s t o a lmo s t t he e n t i re t h i rd m i l lenn ium s equence a nd c on t inued i n to t he s e cond m i l lenn ium w hen t he m a in a r ea s o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty may h ave b een s ome d i s tance a way . A tt he s ame t ime t here s e em st ob el i t t le e qu iva lence b e tween t he s c a le o fs pec ia l i sed monu m en ts a nd t he e x ten t o f d ome s t ic s e t t lemen t . T h i s i sp a r t icu la r ly o bv iou s i n t he E a r l ier N eo l i th ic when e no rmou s monumen t sw ere c on s truc ted i n al a nd scape w i th r a the rr e s tr ic ted e v idence o f o the r a c t iv i t ie s . I n f a c t t he b u i ld ing o f t he D o r se t C u r su s s e ems t o h ave h ap p ened d ur ing af a i r ly e a r ly s t age i nt he s e t t lemen t o ft h i s r e g ion . T he re c an b e n o q ue s t ion o fg r adua l d eve lopmen th er e ( c ft h i sv o lume , p .6 3) . A t t he s ame t ime , t he s h ee rs c a le o ft he e a r ly monumen t s w a sr ef l ec ted i no ther s phe re s . T he s i ze o f t he C ur su s a nd i t s r e la ted monumen t s o ve r shadow s t he f une ra ry s i te s o f t he L a ter N eo l i th ic a nd , i n c on tra s t t o o the r a r ea s , t he d eve lopmen t o f s i ng le b ur ia l i n C ran b orne C ha se c ame l a te a nd r ema ined r a ther i n con sp icuou s . S im i la r ly , t he u nu sua l c ha rac te r o f t he a r ea a round t he C u r su s w a se mpha s i sed n o t o n ly t h rough t he b u i ld ing o fn ew monu m en t s b u t a l so b y m ean s o f r a the r more s pec ia l i sed a c t iv i t ie s wh ich g ave r i se t o an umbe r o f e xcep t iona l a r chaeo log ica l a s semb lage s . T o s ome e x ten t , t he se c on t ra s t w i th f i nds f r om t h e c l ay -w i th f l in t s . V e ry s im i la r c on t ra s t s c an b e r e cogn i sed a mong t he f l in t i ndu s t r ie s o f t h e S tonehenge a r ea ( t h i s v o lume , p . 1 82 ) . L a s t ly , c ommun i t ie s c on t inued t od epo s i t a r te f a c t s a nd t o b u i ld monumen t s a round e a r thwork s wh ich w e re a l ready c en tu r ie s o ld . T he l a t ter p rac t ice c on t inued i n to t he E ar l ier B ronze A ge , when t he t r ace s o fs e t t lemen t a r e s o m eagre t ha t i ti ss u re ly c or r ec t t od e sc r ibe p a r t s o ft h i s a r ea a s a' r i tua l l a ndscape ' . C ranborne C ha se ,t hen ,i sn o tab le f o rs how ing as t rong r e la t ion sh ip b e tween f our e l emen t s o fN eo l i th ic a r chaeo logy w h ich a r e d i scu s sed s epa ra te ly e l sewhere : t he p a r t ia l s epa ra t ion o f r i tua l a nd d ome s t ic a r ea si nt he l a nd scape ;t he e x i s tence o f ma s s ive c ommuna l monumen t s ; t he d epo s i t ion o fN eo l i th ic a r tef ac t si n ah i gh ly s t ruc tu red manner ;a nd aw eak ly d eve loped 1 03

t r ad i t ion o fs i ng le b u r ia l . Wh i l s t t he s t reng th o ft h i sa s soc ia t ion h ad b egun t o f a i l b efo re t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium w a s o ver , t he se e l emen t s f o rm a c ha in o f c onnec t ion s wh ich s how l i nk s a nd a l so c on t ra s t s w i th o the r a r ea s o f t he c oun t ry . B o th w i l l b e p ur sued i nf u r the r p ape r s i nt h i sv o lume .

A cknow ledgement s T h i s p ape r s umma r i se s o n ly p a r t o f al a rge r e sea rch p ro jec t a nd w e r ealy n eed t o t hank mo re p eop le t han s pace a l low s . B u t a bove a l l , w e a r e g r a tefu l t o P e ter S aunde r s a nd C la re C oneybeare f o ra cces st ot he P i t tR ive r s C o l lec t ion a nd t o M ichae l P i t t R ive r s f o rp e rm i s s ion t o e xcava te o n t he R u shmore E s ta te . T h i sp ape r c an o n ly h ave b een i mp roved a s ar e su l t o f d i scu s s ion w i th R icha rd A tk in son ,J ohn B a r re t t , C o l l in B owen , J i l l F i she r , P e te rF i she r , I an K inne s , T ony L egge , R oge r M e rce r , R og P a lmer , A lan S av i l le a nd t he c on t r ibu to r s t o t h i s v o lume . I th a s b een t yped b y L or ra ine M epham .

B ib l iog raphy ARNOLD , J . , L EW IS , B . a nd BRADLEY , R . f o r thcom ing . T he M e so l i th ic o f C ranborne C ha se , i nB ar re t t , J . , B rad ley , R . a nd G reen , M . , T he P reh i s tory o fC ranborne C ha se . ASHBEE , P . 1 970 . T he E ar then L ong B ar row i nB r i ta in ( London , D en t ) . ASHBEE , P . , SM ITH , I .F . a nd EVANS , J .G . 1 979 . E xcava t ion o ft h ree l ong b a r row sn ea r A vebury ,W i l t sh i re ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 5 , 2 07-300 . ATK INSON , R . J .C . , P IGGOTT , C . M . a nd S ANDARS , N . K . 1 951 . E xcava t ion sa t Dor c he s ter , O xf ord sh i re ( Oxfo rd , A shmo lean Museum ) . ATK INSON , R . J . C . , P IGGOTT , S . a nd S TONE , J .F . S . 1 952 . T he e xcava t ion o f t wo a dd i t iona l h o le s a t S tonehenge , 1 950 , a nd n ew e v idence f o r t he d a te o f t he monumen t , Ant iqua r ies J ourna l 3 2 , 1 4-20 . BARRETT , J . , BRADLEY , R . , GREEN , M . a nd L EW IS , B . 1 981 . T he e a rl i e r p reh i s to r ic s e t t lemen t o f C ranborne C ha se : t he f i r s t r e su l t s o f c u r ren t f i e ldwork , Ant iqua r i e sJ ourna l 6 1, 2 03-37 . BARRETT , J . , BRADLEY , R . , BOWDEN , M . a nd MEAD , B . 1 983 . S ou th L odge a f ter P i t t R iver s , Ant iqu i ty 5 7 , 1 93-204 . BOWDEN , M . , BRADLEY , R . , GAFFNEY , V . a nd MEPHAM , L . 1 983 . T he d a te o f t he D or se t C ur su s ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 9 , 3 76-9 . BRADLEY , R . 1 975 . M aumbury R ing s , D orche s ter : t he e xcava t ion s o f 1 908-1913 ,A rch a eo log ia 1 05 , 1 -97 . BRADLEY , R . 1 983 . T he b ank b a r row s a nd r e la ted monumen t s o f Do r se t i n t he l i gh t o f r ecen t f i e ldwork , P roceed ing s o f t he Dor se t N a tura l H i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty 1 05 , 1 5-20 . BRADLEY , R . 1 984 . T he S oc ia lF oundat ions o fP reh i s tor ic B r i ta in ( Ha r low , L ongman ) . BURL , A . 1 969 .H enge s : i n te rna l f e a tu re s a nd r e g iona lg roup s ,A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l 1 26 , 1 -28 CARE , V . 1 979 . T he p roduc t ion a nd d i s tr ibu t ion o f M e so l i th ic a xes i ns ou thern E ng land , P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 5 , 9 3102 . CASE , H . 1 982 . T he l i nea r d i tche s a nd s ou the rn e nc lo sure , N o r th S toke , i n C a se , H . a nd Wh i t t le , A . ( ed i tor s ) , S et t l ement P a t te rn s i nt he O xf ord R eg ion : E xcava t ions a t t he Ab ing d on C ausewayed E nc losure a nd O the r S i te s ( London , C ounc i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 6 0-75 . CH ILDE , V .F . a nd SM ITH , I .F . 1 954 . E xcava t ion o f aN eo l i th ic b ar row o n Wh i te leaf H i l l , B ucks . ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 0 , 2 12-30 .

1 04

CHR IST IE , P . 1 963 . T he S tonehenge C u r su s , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 5 8 , 3 708 2 . CUNN INGTON , M . E . 1 929 . W oodhenge ( Dev ize s ,G eo rge S imp son ) . DREW , C . P . a nd P IGGOTT , S . 1 936 . T he e xcava t ion o fl ong b ar row 1 63a o n T h ick tho rn D own , D or se t ,P roceed ing so ft he P r eh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 ,7 7-96 . DUNN ING , G . C . 1 966 . N eo l i th ic o ccupa t ion s i te s i n E a s t K en t , Ant iquar ie s J ourna l4 6 , 1 -25 FASHAM , P . 1 982 . T he e xcava t ion o ff our r i ng d i tches i nC en t ra l H amp sh i re ,P roceed ing s o ft he H ampsh i re F ie ld C lub 3 8 , 1 9-56 . FORD , S . , BRADLEY , R . , HAWKES ,J .a nd F ISHER , P . 1 984 . F l in t w ork ing i nt he M e ta l A ge , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchaeo logy 3 ,1 57173 . GREEN , H . S . 1 980 . T he F l int A r rowhead s o ft he B r i t i sh I s l es ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchae o log ica l R epor t s ) . GREENWELL ,W . 1 877 .B r i t i sh B ar row s ( Oxfo rd , C la rendon P re s s ) . GR INSELL , L .V . 1 982 . Dor se t B ar row s S upp lement ( Dorche s te r , D o r se t N a tu ra l H i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty ) . J ACKSON , D . 1 976 . T he e xcava t ion o f N eo l i th ic a nd B ronze A ge s i te s a t A ldw inc le , N o r than t s . , 1 967-71, Nor thamptonsh i r eA rchaeo logy 1, 1 2-70 . J ESSUP , R . 1 939 . F ur the r e xcava t ion s a t J u l l iber r ie ' s G rave , C h i lham , K en t , Ant iquar ie s J ourna l 1 9 , 2 60-81 . K INNES , I . 1 979 . Round B ar row s a nd R ing D i tche s i n t he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic ( London , B r i t i sh Mu seum ) . LA ING , K . 1 983 . A N eo l i th ic f l in t a xe f r om T h ick thorn D own ,P roceed ing so ft he Dor set N a tura lH i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica lS oc ie ty 1 05 , 1 39-40 . MERCER , R . 1 980 .H amb l edon H i l l -aN eo l i th ic L and scape ( Ed inbu rgh , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . P H ILL IPS , C . W . 1 935 . T he e xcava t ion o f G ian t s ' H i l l l ong b a r row , S kende lby , L inco ln s h i re ,A rchaeo log ia 8 5 , 3 7106 . P ITT R IVERS ,A . 1 898 .E xcava t ions i nC ranborne C ha se ,v o l . 4( London , p r iva te ly p r in ted ) . R .C .H .M . 1 970 . C ounty o f Dor se t , v o l2 ,p a r t 3( London , H .M .S .0 .) . R .C .H .M . 1 975 . Dor set , v o l . 5( London , H .M .S .0 .) . SM ITH , I .F . 1 965 . W indm i l lH i l la nd A vebury ( Oxfo rd , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . S TONE , J .F . S . a nd Y oung , W . E . V . 1 948 . Two p i t s o f G rooved Wa re d a te n ea r Wood h enge , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 5 2 , 2 87-306 . VATCHER , F . d e M . 1 961 . T he e xcava t ion o ft he l ong mo r tua ry e nc lo sure o n N orman ton D own , W i l tsh i re ,P roceed ing so ft he P r eh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 7 , 1 60-73 . WA INWR IGHT , G . a nd LONGWORTH , I . 1 971 . Dur r ing ton W a l l s : E xcava t ions 1 9661 968 ( London , S oc ie ty o fA n t iqua r ie s ) .

1 05

8 .

T he N eo l i th ic S equence i nt he U ppe rT hame sV aley

R icha rd B rad ley a nd R ob in H o lga te , w i th ac on t r ibu t ion b y S t ephen F o rd I n t roduc t ion T h i s p aper i sp resen ted a s ac ompan ion p i ece t o t he d i scu s s ion o fC ranbo rne C ha se . We s ha l l b e c ons ide r ing s im i la r i s sue s a nd d e sc r ib ing s im i la r monumen t s , b u t i n t h i s c a se t he d e ta i led e v idence t ake s ar a the r d i f f e ren t f o rm . T he c on tra s t s b e tween t he t wo a r ea sp ro v i de t he b a s i s f o r af u l le rd i scu s s ion . T he Uppe rT hames V a l ley i s ar e g ion i n wh ich a c t iv i ty s e ems t oh ave f ocu s sed o n as e r ie s o f r i ve r t e r race s , i nc on t ra s tt ot he p redom inan t ly u p land p a t te rn s d e sc r ibed f r om t he We s s ex c ha lk . S o much o f t he a va i lab le e v idence c ome s f r om t he v a l ley g r ave l s t ha t l i t t le c an b e s a id a bou t t he h i ghe rg round -t he C o t swo ld s , t he C h i l tern s , t he C o ra l l ian l ime s tone a nd t he B erk sh i re D own s -wh ich f l ank st h i s s t udy a r ea . As e cond r e a son f o r t r ea t ing t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley i nd e ta i l i st ha t i ts e em s t os how ac on t inuou ss e t t lemen th i s tory , w i thou t t he a ppa ren t b reak f ound o n t he c ha lk d u r ing t he B eaker p ha se . H av ing s ugge s ted t ha t l ow land s e t t lemen t i n ten s if ied a t t ha t t ime , t he a r ea p rov ide sa n o ppo r tun i ty t oe xp lo re t he i d ea i nd e ta i l . L a s t ly , t he re a r e c l ea r c on tra s t s b e tween t he T hame s V a l ley a nd C ranbo rne C ha se , b o th i n t he i n teg ra t ion o f monumen t s i n to t he s e t t lemen t p a t tern a nd i n t he c ha rac te r o f t he monumen t s t hem se lve s . T he i r c h rono log ica l d eve lopmen t a l so s how s s i gn if ican t c on t ra s t s a nd t he se a r e t r ea ted i nd e ta i li nt he f i na ls e c t ion o ft h i s p aper . Wh i l s t work i nC ranbo rne C ha se h a s b een u nde r taken b y as ma l lr e sea rch t e am , t h i s p aper p re sen t s s ome p re l im ina ry r e su l t s o f t wo s epa ra te p ro jec t s , who se r e la t ion sh ip n ow s e ems i n c rea s ing ly s i gn if ican t . T he f i r s t p a r t o f t h i s p ape r i sb y R ob in H o lga te a nd e mp loy s t he e v idence o f l i th ic a r tef ac t s t o t r ace t he c hang ing p a t te rn o fd ome s t ic a c t iv i ty i nt he Upper T hame s V a l ley . T he s e cond p ar t , b y R icha rd B rad ley , c on s ider s t he s equence a nd c ha rac ter o f t he monumen t s . T he i n teg ra t ion o ft he t wo p a t tern si st r ea ted i nt he f i na l s e c t ion . E ach p ar t o f t h i s p ape rc on s ide r s ar e la t ive s equence b u t i ti sh a rd t o c o r re la te t he t wo p rec i se ly . F o rt ha tr e a son a r tef ac t sa nd monumen t sw i l l b e s t ud ied s epara te ly b efo re t he i rr e la t ionsh ip i sd i scu s sed . P ar tIT he e v idence o fd ome s t ic a c t iv i ty b y R ob in H o lga te T he n ature o ft he e v id ence T he p re sence o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty c an b e d educed f r om l i th ic a r tef ac t s c a t te r s o n t he s u rf ace o f d i s tu rbed g round a nd p i t s d ug i n to t he s ub so i l . T here a r e , h oweve r , p rob lems o f i n te rpre ta t ion : wh ich a r tef ac t s c a t te r s a nd p i t s r e su l t f r om d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty ;a nd h ow c an t he se b e d a ted? L and e xp lo i ted t h roughou t e a r l ie rp reh i s tory i sc ove red b y a n a lmo s t c on t inuou s s c a t ter o fl i th ic a r tef ac t s .I na r ea sw here t he g round h a s b een d i s turbed , f o r e xamp le b y t he p lough , i ti sp os s ib le t o r e co rd t he l i th ic a r tef ac t d i s t r ibu t ion . T h i s d i s tr ibu t ion i sf r equen t ly d i s t o r ted b yp os t -depos i t iona lt r an sfo rma t ion sa nd r e cove ry p rocedu re s , b u t t he g r ave l t e r race s a d jacen t t o t he R iver T hame s p rov ide al a nd scape where t he se v a r iab le s c an b e q uan t if ied a nd p rob lems o f b i a s k ep t t o am in imum . R ecen t ly , c on t ro l led s u rf ace c o l lec t ion s u rvey s h av e b een c onduc ted a round A b ingdon a nd N or th S toke ( f ig . 1 ) . T he se s how t ha t a r ea s o f h i ghe r a nd l owe r d en s i ty , a sw e l la s b l ank a r ea s , c an b e d i scerned w i th in t he s u rf ace l i th ic a r tef ac t s c a t te r wh ich c anno t b e e xp la ined b y p os t -depos i t iona l o r r e cove ry p roce s se s . A round A b ingdon ,t he h i gh d en s i ty c l u s ter sc on ta in b o th ag r ea te r p ropo r t ion o fi mp lemen ts t od eb i tage a nd ar ange o fd i f f e ren t t ype so fi mp lemen t . C an t he se c l u s ter s b e e qua ted w i th s i te s o fd omes t ic a c t iv i ty? 1 07

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T he re a r e f ew r e f erence si ne thnog raph ic l i te ra tu re t os t ud ies o fs t one t oo l m anufac tu re , u se a nd d i sca rd . A f ew e thnoa rchaeo log ica l s u rvey s h ave b een c onduc ted ( e .g . B inford 1 978 ; G ou ld 1 980 ; C la rk a nd Ku ra sk ina 1 981) , b u t t h e se h ave l a rge ly f ocu s sed o nh un te r g a the rer s . N eve r the le s s , t wo g ene ra l p o in t s o fr e levance t ot h i s d i scu s s ion d o e me rge . F i r s t , s i te s whe re a r ange o f a c t iv i t ie s a r e p erformed p roduce a w ide v a r ie ty o f a r tef ac t t ype s w i th in t he t o ta l l i th ic a s semb lage ( Gou ld 1 980 , 1 32 ) . S econd , u se l o ca t ion r a re ly e qua l s d i scard l o ca t ion w i th in l i v ing a r ea s ( Mu r ray 1 980 ) , b u t d i sca rd l o ca t ion i su sua l ly d i sc re te a nd s i tua ted w i th in c l o se p rox im i ty t oa c t iv i ty a r ea s ( e .g . C la rk a nd K ura s ldna 1 98 1; D av id 1 971) . I ti ss ugge s ted t ha t d i sc re te c l u s te r s o f l i th ic a r tef ac t s c on ta in ing ah igh p ropor t ion a nd w ide r ange o f d i f f e ren t i mp lemen t s c an b e i n terp re ted a s s i te s wh ich o nce w i tne s sed d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty . L i th ic s u rf ace s c a t te r s a r e n o tor iou s ly d i f f icu l t t o d a te . U n t i l ad e ta i led s t udy i s made o f c hange s i n l i th ic t e chno logy t h roughou t t he N eo l i th ic a nd B ronze A ge , t h e d a t ing o f l i th ic a s semb lage s r el i e s l a rge ly o n t ypo logy . As t udy o f t h i s k ind w ou ld i nc lude r e f i t t ing d eb i tage a nd i mp lemen t s f ound i n s e a led c on tex t s a nd i na s soc ia t ion w i th i ndependen t ly d a tab le ma te r ia l . A s y e t , a n i n suf f ic ien t n umbe r o fs u i tab le c on tex t sh ave b een e xcava ted . T ab le 1 s umma r i se s c u r ren t k now ledge o f t he ma in c h rono log ica l ly d i agno s t ic t r a i t s o f L a te M esol i th ic , E a r l ie ra nd L a te rN eol i th ic f l in twork i nt he U pper T hame s V a l ley . F inds f r om N eo l i th ic p i t s p rov ide a dd i t iona l e v idence o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty ,b u t i ns ome c a se s t he e x i s tence o f more f o rma l d epo s i t s r a i se s p rob lem s o f i n terpre ta t ion . F or t h i s r e a son , t he p i t si nt he s t udy a r ea w i l lb e t r ea ted i nP a r t Io ft h i s p ape r . A rchaeo log ica l r e conna i s sance a nd f i e ldwork i nt he s t udy a r ea i ss po rad ic i ni t sd i s tr ibu t i on a nd l a rge ly c onf ined t o t he g r ave l t e r race s ( f ig . 1 ) . T here a r e , h oweve r , f ou rl o ca l i t ie s wh ich p rov ide f a ir ly d e ta i led i n fo rma t ion a bou t t he N eo l i th ic l a nd scape ( f ig s . 1a nd 8 ) . E x ten s ive r e scue e xcava t ion s h ave t aken p l ace i na dvance o fg r ave le x t rac t ion a tL ech lade , S tan ton H a rcour ta nd C a s s ing ton ,b r ing ing t ol i gh t an umbe ro fb u r ia l sa nd p i t s w i th p o t tery a nd l i th ic a r tef ac t s . I n a dd i t ion , t he a r ea a round A b ingdon h a s u nde rgone i n ten s ive s u r v e ilance , r ang ing f r om c a sua l f i e ldwa lk ing t ol a rge s c a le e xcava t ion a nd s y stema t ic s u rf ace c o l lec t ion ;t h i si sr e f lec ted i nt he g r ea te rd en s i ty o fk nown N eo l i th ic s i te s . Dome s t ic a c t iv i ty L a te Meso l i th ic : T h ree p o s s ib le d ome s t ic s i te s c an b e i d en t if ied ( f ig . 2 ) , a l l l o ca ted o n t he e dge o f t he f i r s t t e r race a d jacen t t o t he R iv er T hame s . A t A sco t t -under -Wychwood , t he re w a s ap ha se o f wood land r e gene ra t ion b e tween t he M e so l i th ic a nd E a r l ie r N eol i th ic o ccu p a t ion ( Ma rk R ob in son p e r s . c omm . ) a nd i ti sp o s s ib le t ha t a l l t he M e so l i th ic s i tes i n t he U pper T hame s V a l ley w ere a bandoned b efore t he s t a r to ft he N eo l i th ic . E ar l ier N eo l i th ic : T he n umber o f k nown d ome s t ic s i te s d a tab le t o t h i s p e r iod i ss l igh t ly h i gher t han t ha t f o r t he L a te M e so l i th ic ( f ig . 3 ) . A s r e ga rd s l o ca t ion a nd s i ze , t he se s i te s a ppea r t o b e s im i la r t o t ho se o f L a te M e so l i th ic d a te ; e i the r s ma l l f l in t s ca t te r so r , i no ne c a se , al a ye r c on ta in ing Ab ingdon Wa re a nd f l in twork ( J one s e ta l . 1 979 ) , r e s t r ic ted t o a f ew f oc io nt he e dge o ft he g r ave l t e r race so ve r look ing t he T hame s . T he ma in c oncen tra t ion o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty i sa round t he A b ingdon c au sewayed e nc lo su re , a nd f i e ldwo rk a round o the re nc lo su re sm igh tp roduce as im i la rp a t te rn .E xcav a t ion sa ts e ve ra lC o t swo ld c hambered c a i rn s , f o r e xamp le A sco t t -under -Wychwood ( Se lk i rk 1 971, 1 0 ) , h ave r evea led t r ace s o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty , i n c lud ing s t ruc tu ra l r ema in s , h ea r th s a nd m idden s . I ft he se s i te s a r e r ep r e sen ta t ive , t hen ap a t te rn o fs hor t l ived o rs h if t ing s e t t lemen t f oc ii ss ugges ted . T he re a r e c e r ta in ly s t re tche sa l ong t he T hame s wh ich r ema ined u noccup ied i nt he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic , f o r e xamp le a round L ech lade , S t an ton H a rcou r t a nd C a s s ing ton . E xcava t ion s a t M ing ie sD i tch ,n ea rS tan ton H arcou r t ,s howed t ha tp ea tw a s d eve lop ing i ne xten s iv e s ha l low s wh ich o nce e x i s ted a l ong s ide t he R ive r W ind ru sh w e l l b efore t he i r on A ge ( Rob inson a nd W i l son , f o r thcom ing ) . I ti sp os s ib le t ha t c e r ta in a r ea sc l o se t o t he T hame s w e re c on s idered t o b eu n su i tab le f o rs e t t lemen t d u r ing t he L a te M e so l i th ic a nd E a r l ie r N eo l ith ic p er iods . L a ter N eo l i th ic : T he re i s ad rama t ic i n c rea se i nt he e x ten t o fd ome s t ic a c t iv i ty i nt he L a te r 12

C l )

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od

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d ) o va l b ar row s ;

N eo l i th ic ( f ig . 4 ) . D ome s t ic s i te s man if e s t t hem se lve s a s e x ten s ive f l in t s c a t te r s a nd p i t s c on ta in ing d ome s t ic r e fu se . A n ima lb one sa nd c e rea lr ema in sr e cove red f r om p i t sa tB a r ton , C ou r t F a rm ( M i le s 1 978 , 1 06 ; R ob in son a nd W i l son , f o r thcom ing ) s ugge s t am ixed f a rm ing s t ra tegy a nd s e t t lemen t sw e re p robab ly p ermanen t ly o ccup ied . Ac on tempo ra ry f l in t s c a t te r w a s i n co rpora ted w i th in t he t op so i l o ve r ly ing t he p i t -g roup a tB a r ton C ou r t F a rm . I n c on t r a s t , o n ly as ma l l q uan t i ty o f f l in two rk w a sr e cove red f r om t he t opso i l o ve r ly ing t he c on t empo rary p i t -g roup a t C a s s ing ton . T h i s c an p a r t ly b e a t t r ibu ted t o t he n a tu r e o f a r chae o log ica l i n ve s t iga t ion s a t t he l a t te r s i te ; l e s s a t ten t ion w a sp a id t ot he r e tr ieva lo fa r tef ac t s i n t he t op so i l . Ano the r p os s ib le e xp lana t ion l i e s i n t h e d i f f e rence i n l i th ic r aw ma te r ia l : l o ca l g r ave l f l in t a nd i mpo r ted c ha lk f l in t a tB a r ton C ou r t F a rm , b u t e xc lu s iv e ly i mpo r ted c ha lk f l in t a t C a s s ing ton . T he more a bundan t s upp ly a t B a r ton C our t F a rm mu s t p a r t ly a ccoun t f o r t he g r ea ter a moun t o ff l in twork a tt h i ss i te . I n a dd i t ion t o t he i n c rea sed n umber o fo ccupa t ion s i te s ,t he L a ter N eol i th ic a l so s aw a n e xpan s ion o f s e t t lemen t i n to a r ea s p rev iou s ly u noccup ied . A s w i th t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic , s e t t lemen t sw ere l o ca ted o n t he e dge o fg r ave lt e r races ; t h e r e cove ry o f L a te N eo l i th ic f l in t w o rk s e a led u nde r p o s t Iron A ge a l luv ium a t M ing ie sD i tch s ugge s t s t ha t r i ve r s ide e nv i ron m en t s w ere a l so e xp lo i ted . T h i s c hange i nt he s e t t lemen t p a t tern i sp a r t icu la r ly a ppa ren t a t L ech lade , S t an ton H a rcou r t , C a s s ing ton a nd a round A b ingdon ( f ig s . 4 , 5a nd 8 ) . C o inc id ing w i th t h i s c o lon i sa t ion o fp rev iou s ly u n se t t led l a nd , a nd l o ca ted i nt h e s ame n e ighbou rhood , i st he c on s truc t ion o f an ew r ange o f monumen t s . T he se a r e c on s idered i n P a r t Io f t h i s p aper . T he B eaker P ha se : T he c l ea re s te v idence f o rd ome s t ic a c t iv i ty i nt he B eake rp e r iod i n c lude s p i t -g roup s c on ta in ing r u s t ica ted a nd c ord impre s sed p o t te ry a tC a s s ing ton ( Ca se e ta l . 1 965 , 5 9-63 ) a nd a t t he H ame l , Oxford ( Pa lme r 1 980 ) . F l in t d eb i tage o f B eake r d a te i n t h e U ppe r T hame s V a l ley i si nd i s t ingu i shab le f r om o ther L a te r N eo l i th ic d eb i tage , b u t c e r ta in a r tefac t s c an b e d a ted t o t h i s p ha se ( s ee T ab le 1 ) . T he ma jor i ty o f L a ter N eo l i th ic f l in t s c a t te r s ( f ig s . 5 , 6a nd 8 ) c on ta in b a rbed a nd t anged a r rowhead s a nd i ti ss u gge s ted t ha t o ccupa t ion a tt he se s i te s c on t inued a tl e a s t u n t i l t he E a r l ie r B ronze A ge . T he d i s tr ibu t ion o f t he se s i te s ma tche s t he ma jo r c oncen t ra t ion s o f L a te rN eo l i th ic a nd E a r l ie rB ronze A ge r i ng d i tche si nt he r e g ion . P ar tI T he e v idence o f monumen t sb y R ichard B rad ley A l though i ti si mpos s ib le t o make a c l ea rcu t d i v i s ion , i t may b e h e lpfu l t oc on s ider t h e monumen t e v idence i n t he s ame b road p ha se s a s t h e p a t tern sj u s t d e scr ibed . N o t a l l t h e e v idence c an b e l o ca ted p rec i se ly , h owever , a nd a t t h i s s t age w e a r e r e luc tan t t o d a te t h e d eve lopmen t o f t he monumen t s t oo c l o se ly . On ly f r e sh e xcava t ion c an c onf i rm t he l i nk s b e tween t he s equence sp re sen ted h e re . T he E ar l ier N eo l i th ic F ou r b a s ic f o rm s o f E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic monumen t c an b e i d en t if ied i nt he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley . T he se a r e : c au sewayed e nc lo su re s ; l ong b a r row so rl ong mo r tuary e nc lo su re s ;r ound b a r row s o r r i ng d i tche s ; a nd c ur su s monumen t s o r b ank b a r row s . I n c on s ide r ing e ach o f t he se t ype sw e c an u se t he r e su l t so fr e cen t ly p ub l i shed w ork . C ausewayed e nc losur e s ( f ig . 3 ) : T he re a r e e i gh t c au sewayed e nc lo su re s i n t h e s t udy a r ea , s i xl o ca ted w i th in al e ng th o fo n ly 2 5 km o ft he r i ve r c or r idor . F u r the r e xamp le s a r e k nown f r om t he C o t swo ld s , s ugge s t ing a p a t tern o f f a i r ly c l o se s paced s i te s s im i la r t o t ha t n ea r A vebu ry t o t he s ou th . A t p re sen t i ti sn o t p o s s ib le t ot e l l whe the r t he se e a r thworks o ccu p i ed a c en t ra l p o s i t ion i n t he s e t t lemen t p a t te rn , b u t i ti sc l ea r t ha t t he i r b ha rac te r i s t ic s i t ing o n t he r i ver g r ave l si ss im i la rt ot ha t o fc on tempo ra ry f l in t s c a t ter s . T he o n ly e xcava ted s i te i sa t A b ingdon , t owa rds t h e e a s tern l im i t o ft he s t udy a r ea ( f ig . 8 ; A very 1 982 ) . T h i s r e cen t ly p ub l i shed s i te h a s as e r ie s o f r ad iocarbon d a te s b e tween a bou t 3 100 a nd 2 500 b c , b u t t he f a c t t ha t t he o rde r o f t he se d a te s d oe s n o t a g ree w i th t he s t ra t ig raphy s ugge s t s t ha t t he e a r thwork s h ad ac omp lex s equence . E xcava t ion i nt h e 14

0 g rave

0

p hase

I

P hase 2

B ar row H i l ls

N o r th S toke

Do rches te r X I d i tch 2

0

me t res

2 0

E ynsham

8 . 5

O u tl ine p l an s o fs e l ec ted E a rl i e rN eo l i th ic c ia l b ar row s a nd /or o va le nc lo su re s

15

i n ter io r w a s e x t reme ly l im i ted , b u t d id s e em t o s how t he p re sence o f i n te rna l s t ruc tu re s . T he e xcava to r s c onc luded t ha t t he s i te h ad b een a ne nc lo sed s e t t lemen t a nd h ad s e en t wo p ha se s o f c on s truc t ion . I n t he f i r s ta ni n te r rup ted d i tch c u t o f f ap romon tory b e tween t wo w a tercou r se sa nd e nc losed a na r ea o fc .1 . 5 h ec ta r e s . L a te rt he i nne re ar thwork w a sl e ve l led u s ing a l a rge q uan t i ty o f o ccupa t ion d ebr i s a nd a n ew o u ter d i tch a nd b ank w e re b u i l t e nc lo s ing a n a r ea o fu p t o 3h ec ta re s .T he n ew d i tch w a s much d eeper t han i t sp redece s so r a nd may n o t h ave b een b roken b y c au seway s . I th ad p robab ly b een b acked b y at u rf r e v e t ted r ampa r t . T he re i sa na l terna t ive t o t h i ss equence ,h owever , f o rt he c on t ra s t b e tween t h ei nne ra nd o u ter e nc losu re s a t Ab ingdon h a s s t r ik ing p a ra l le l s a tH amb ledon H i l l ( Me rce r 1 980 ) . A t H amb ledon , i tw i l lb er e ca l led ,t he ma in e nc lo su re c on ta ined ac omp lex s e r ie so fr e cu t sa nd d e l ibe ra te d epos i t s , wh i l s t amore ma s s ive o u twork i n corpo ra ted at imber r e ve t ted r ampa r t . A n i n te re s t ing p o in t o f s im i la r i ty w i th A b ingdon i st ha t a no the r o f t he se o u two rk s h ad b een r e cu t w i thou t a ny c au seway s . T h i s c ompar i son m igh t s ugge s t t ha t t he t wo d i tche sa t A b ingdon h ad c omp le te ly d i f f e ren t f unc t ion s a nd i nf a c t w ere u sed t oge ther . T he d epo s i t s i n t he i nner d i tch i n c luded h uman c r an i a l f r agmen t s ( Leed s 1 928 , 4 76 ) a nd a r t icu la ted a n ima l b one s a nd may n o t h ave b een s e t t lemen t r e fu se a ta l l , w h i l s t t he o u te r d i tch c on t a ined v e ry f ew a r tef ac t s . U n l ike t he i nne r e nc lo su re ,t he a r ea b e tween t he t wo e a r thwo rk s h ad av e ry l ow d en s i ty o fw o rked f l in t ,b u t d id i n c lude ah uman b u r ia l . Ab ingdon i si s o la ted f r om t he ma in d i s t r ibu t ion o f e nc lo su re s i n t he s t udy a r ea ( f ig . 3 ) a nd w a st he o n ly e xamp le wh ich r ema ined t he f ocu s f o r monumen t b u i ld ing i nl a te r p e r iod s . T h i s s ugge s t s t ha t i t may h ave h ad s pec ia l s i gn if icance a nd t ha tt he o ther e nc lo su re s c ou ld h av e b een u sed i n ad i f f e ren tw ay . L ong b ar rows a nd mor tua ry e nc losur e s( f ig s . 4a nd 5 ) : T he ma jo re nc lo su re si n We s sex w e re i n a r ea s w i th n umerou s l ong b ar row s . C on t rary t o t h e b e l ief t ha t t he r i ver g r ave l s l a cked s im i la r s i te s , s i xe xcava ted monumen t si nt he s t udy a r ea c an b e i n terpre ted a sl ong b a r row s o rl ong mor tuary e nc losure s . O ne o ft he se s i te s ,a tE yn sham , c on ta in s ap o s s ib le mo r tua ry s t ruc tu re b racke ted b y t wo e l onga ted p i t s , wh ich p erhap s h e ld s pl i t t imbe r s ( Kenwa rd 1 982 ) . T he who le w a s b ounded b y a no va le nc lo su re ( f ig . 5 ) . I ti sn o tk nown whe the rt he re h ad o nce b een amound a nd n o t r ace o f ap r ima ry b ur ia l w a s d i scovered . T he o n ly p o t tery f r om p r ima ry c on tex t ss e emed t o b e Ab ingdon Wa re . A l though t h i s s i te w a s c ompa red w i th a n e ar ly h enge , i t s f o rm i s f a r c l o ser t o t ha t o f e xcava ted monumen t s o n t he c ha lk . T he mo r tuary s t ruc tu re w i th i t s o pposed o va l p i t s r e semb le s t ha t a t Nu tbane ( Morgan 1 959 ) , w h i l s t t he o ve ra l l l a you t o f t he s i te may h ave more i n c ommon w i th Way land s S m i thy 1o n t he e dge o ft h e B e rk sh i re D own s ( A tk in son 1 965) . B o th t he se s i te sb e long t o t h e l a ter y ea r so fl ong b ar row b u i ld ing . S im i la r e v idence c omes f r om ar e cen t ly e xcava ted c rop ma rk s i te a bou t 7 5 mf r om t h e A b ingdon c au sewayed e nc lo su re a t B a r row H i l l s , R ad ley ( f ie ldwork b y t he w r i ter , 1 983 ) . T h i s h ad ac omp l ica ted h i s tory b u t s e em s t o h ave d eve loped f r om af enced e nc lo su re i n to aU -d i tched l ong b ar row a nd f i na l ly i n to a n o va l mound , wh ich w a sl a te re n la rged ( f ig . 5 ) . I ti sn o t c l ea r w he the r t he f enced e nc lo su re h ad r e v e t ted amound , b u t e nough e v idence s u rv ived t o s how t ha t amound h ad e x i s ted i n mo s to ra l l o ft he l a te rp ha se s . T he p r ima ry b ur ia l s c on s i s ted o ft wo c rouched i nhuma t ion s , b o th m a le , o ne a ccompan ied b y ab i fac ia l ly p o l i shed b l ade a nd t he o the rb y as ma l lb e l t s l ider , a nd p e rhap s b y al a rge l e af shaped a r row h ead , p a r t o f wh ich w a s f ound i n aS axon f e a tu re c u t t ing t h rough t he e nd o f t h e g r ave . A ga in t he a r tefac t s i nd ica te al a te p er iod o fl ong b a r row b u i ld ing . A l l t he p o t tery f r om t he d i tch c on s i s ted o f Ab ingdon Wa re , a nd t aken t oge the r t he f i nd s s ugge s t t ha t t h i s b a r row b e longed t o at r an s i t iona lp er iod a round t he m idd le o ft he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c , o ve r lapp ing t he l a tes t u se o ft he n ea rby e nc lo su re . I t may b e s i gn if ican t t ha t t he d i tche s o fb o th monu m en t si n c luded h uman c r an ia lf r agmen t s . A ga in i ti sp o s s ib le t o make b roader c ompa r i son s . I ta l ready s e em s l i ke ly t ha t U -d i tched a nd c omp le te ly e nc lo sed l ong b ar row s w e re a mong t he l a te s t t ypes t o b e b u i l t ( t h i s v o lume , p . 9 2 ) . I np a r t icu la r , t he l a you t o ft he e xcava ted s i te a tT h ick tho rn D own i n Dor se t ( Drew a nd P i ggo t t 1 936 ) c l o se ly r e semb le s t he s e cond 16

Dorches te r I V

N Wa l l ingford Dorches ter I p hase I

S tanton H arcour t •

L ynch H i l l Corner

p os tho le

Corpora t ion F arm, Ab ingdon 0

me tres

2 0 i

8 . 6

Ou t l ine p l an s o fs e lec ted N eo l i th ic r i ng d i tche s a nd r e la ted e a r thwo rk s

17

p ha se a tB a r row H i l l s . T he U -d i tched p l an i sf ound o na no ther s i te i nt he U ppe rT hame s V a l ley , ac u r iou se a r th w o rk j o ined t o t he s ou thern e nd o f t he N o r th S toke b ank b ar row ( Ca se 1 982a ) . T he o r i g i na lf o rm o f t h i ss i te i sf a r f r om c l ea r ,b u t c ou ld h ave b een e i the r amound o ra n e nc lo su re ( f ig . 5 ) . N o b ur ia l w a s f ound i n t he e xcava ted a r ea , b u t p o t te ry f r om t he u ppe r f i l l ing o f t he d i tch a ga in r e semb le s t he f i nd s f r om t he A b ingdon c au sewayed e nc lo su re . A n t le r f r om t he b a sa l s i l t s o f t he b ank b a r row p rov ide s at e rm inus a nte q uem f o r t h i ss i te o f2 722±49 b c ( BM 1 405) . T he se e xcava ted s i te s h ave f e a tu re si nc ommon w i th t wo o the re nc lo su re s , t ho se a tD or c he s te r o n T hame s S i te s V I I Ia nd X I , b o th o f wh ich p reda te ac u r su s monumen t ( A tk inson e ta l . 1 951, 6 0 f . ) . S i te V I I Ii sp e rhap st he t ype s i te f o rl ong mo r tuary e nc lo su re sa nd c on s i s ted o f ab ank a nd d i tch r a the rt han amound ( R icha rd A tk in son p e r s . c omm . ) . A ga in i ti s e nc lo sed o n a l l f ou r s i de s . Af r agmen t o f h uman j aw w a s f ound i n s ide t h i s e a r thwo rk , b u t w a su n s t ra t if ied ( R icha rd A tk in son p er s . c omm . ) . A n a pp rox ima te d a te i si nd ica ted b y s ub s t an t ia l s he rd s o f E bb sf l ee t Wa re f r om t he u ppe r d i tch f i l l ing , a nd b y t he r e la t ion sh ip o f t h i se nc lo su re t o t he c u r su s , wh ich h ad al o zenge shaped a r rowhead o n i t sb a se . S i te V I I I a t D orche s te r a ppear s t o b e a l igned u pon S i te X I . T he l a t ter a l so p reda te s t he c ur su s a nd c on s i s ted o f t h ree o ve r lapp ing b u t a pprox ima te ly c oncen tr ic e nc lo su r e s wh ich a r e u sua l ly d e sc r ibed a sr i ng d i tche s . I n f a c t o ne o f t he e nc lo su re s ( d i tch I ) i so va l r a the r t han c i rcu la ra nd h a st he s ame a x i sa sS i te V I I I . I ti se xac t ly t he s ame s i ze a st he l o ng b a r row a t R ad ley ( f ig . 5 ) . T he s i te c ou ld h ave b een e n la rged b y t he e xcava t ion o f amo r e c on s ide r a b le d i tch ( d i tch I I ) , a sh appened a tB a r row H i l l s . D i tch I I c on ta ined s he rd s o fE bb sf l ee t Wa re , wh i l s t at h i rd f e a tu re ( d i tch I)c u t t h rough t he o va le nc lo sure a nd c on ta ined at r an s v er se a r rowhead o f t he t ype c ommon ly f ound w i th P e te rborough Wa re . A l though n o p r i ma ry b u r ia l w a s d i scove red , i ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t t h i s w a sa no the ro va l mound o re nc lo su re b e long ing t o t he m id th i rd m i l lenn ium b c . B y c on t ra s t , a i rp ho tog raphy s ugge s t s o n ly o ne o r thodox l ong b a r row o n t he g rave l s , a t S u t ton C ou r tenay , 7 50 m f r om a no the r c ur su s ( Ben son a nd M i le s 1 974 , map 3 3) . A pa r t f r om D o rche s te rs i te V I I I , a l l t he e xamp le s q uo ted h ere w ere s ma l la nd u n impre s s ive , e ven c ompa red w i th c on tempo ra ry s i te so n t h e c ha lk . T he l i nk b e tween t he B ar row H i l l sl ong b a r row a nd t h e A b ingdon c au sewayed e nc lo su re r e ca l l s s im i la r r e la t ion sh ip si n Wes sex ,b o th a tH amb ledon H i l l ( Me rcer 1 980 , 4 0 f . ) a nd a t W indm i l l H i l l w he re t he s i te w a sa ccompan ied b y as ma l ls qua re e a r thwork s ome t ime s c on s i de red a s amor tua ry e nc lo su re ( Sm i th 1 965 , 3 0 f . ) . T he l a t te r h a s as t r ik ing p a ra l le l a t D o rche s ter o n T hame s S i te I( A tk in son e ta l . 1 951, 5f . ) T h i s w a s amo re e x ten s ive e a r th w ork b u t w a s a s soc ia ted w i th s he rd s o f A b ingdon Wa re a nd e nc lo sed amu l t i -pe r iod r i ng d i tch , t he f i r s t p ha se o f wh ich c on ta ined t he s ame t ype o fp o t tery ( t he G rooved Wa re s up p o sed ly a s soc ia ted w i th t he p r ima ry u se o ft h i s monumen t i nf a c t c ome s f r om t h e p lough s o i l -R icha rd A tk in son p er s . c omm . ) . A nu naccompan ied c rouched b u r ia ll a y t owa rds t he c en t re o ft he s qua re e nc losu re ,b u t t h i sr ema in su nda ted . As im i la re nc lo su re e x i s ted n earby b u tt h i sn ol onger s u rv ive s( R icha rd A tk in son p er s . c omm . ) . R ound b ar row sa nd r i ng d i tche s ( f ig s . 4a nd 6 ) : T he d i scove ry o fA b ingdon Wa r e i nt he r i ng d i tch o n D orche s ter S i te Ii si mpo r tan t b ecau se i t may h ave i mpl i ca t ion s f o r o ther monu men t s i n t ha t c omp lex . F or e xamp le , i ft he d eve lopmen t o f S i te X I h a s b een u nde r s tood c o r rec t ly , a n o va l b ar row o re nc lo su re w a s e n la rged a nd c onver ted t o ac i rcu la rg r ound p l an , wh i l s t E bb sf lee t Wa re w a s i nu se a nd b efore t he D orche s te r C u r su sh ad b een b u i l t . A t t he s ame t ime t he l ong mor tua ry e nc lo su re , S i te V I I I , i sa l i gned n o t o n ly o n S i te X I , b u t a l so o n ac au sewayed r i ng d i tch , S i te I ( f ig . 6 ;A tk in son e ta l . 1 951, 1 9 f .) . T h i sr i ng d i tch w a s e n la rged o n t wo o cca s ion s . T he u ppe r f i l l ing o ft he l a te s t d i tch c on ta ined as he rd o fP e te r b orough Wa re a nd t wo l e af shaped a r rowhead s p robab ly o f t he l a te l o zenge t ype . At r an s v er se a r rowhead p ubl i shed a sc om ing f r om t he ' o ld t u rf l i ne ' i nf a c t w a su n s t ra t if ied ( R ich a rd A tk in son p e r s . c omm .) . T h i s e v idence s ugge s t s a n e a r ly d a te f o r s ome o f t h e r i ng d i tche si nt he T hame s V a l ley . I ti sn o tp ecu l ia r t ot he Do rche s ter c omp lex , a nd t he re a r e a dd i t iona lr ea son s f o r e x tend ing 18

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8 . 7a Ou t l ine p l an o f t he D orche s ter o n T hame s c u r su s , s how ing t he p o s s ib le D shaped e nc lo sure a tt he e a s te rn e nd ( s haded ) 8 . 7b -d T he p o s s ib le s equence o f monumen t s t owa rds t he w e s t e nd o ft he C u r su s 119

t h i s c h rono logy t o o the r s i te s i n t he a r ea . A t l e a s t t h ree r i ng d i tche s w i th E a r l ie r N eol i th ic p o t te ry h ave b een e xcava ted a tT h rupp ( Dav id M i le s p e r s . c omm . ) , Wa l l ingfo rd ( Mooney 1 982 ) a nd C orpora t ion F arm , A b ingdon ( E . a nd R . H ender son p e r s . c omm . ; f i g . 6 ) . T he f i r s t t wo s i tes w e re a s soc ia ted w i th A b ingdon Wa re a nd t h e l a t te r w i th s he rd s o fp l a in b ow l . T he e a r thwork s a t T hrupp a nd A b ingdon e ach i n c luded L a ter N eo l i th ic p o t te ry i n t he i r u pper l e ve l s . T he s i te a t Wa l l ingford c on s i s ted o f t wo c oncen t r ic d i tche s , t he o u ter much w ide r t han t he i nne r( f ig . 6 ) . A l though t h i sa r rangemen tr e ca l l s D o rche s te r S i te X I , ac l o ser c ompa r i son i sw i th a n e qua l ly l a rge r i ng d i tch a tL ynch H i l l C orne r( f ig . 6 ;G r ime s 1 960 , 1 54 f . ) . B o th e a r thwo rk s c on ta ined ac en t ra lg r ave w i th ac rouched f ema le i nhuma t ion , b u t t he d i scove ry o f ab e l ts l ider a nd ap ol i shed k n if e o n t he l a t te r s i te h a su sua l ly s ugge s ted aL a te r N eo l i th ic d a te . T h i s n o l onge r s e em s o b l iga to ry , s i nce t he B a r row H i l l s l ong b a r row , wh ich a l so p ro d uced A b ingdon Wa re , c on ta ined s im i la r a r tef ac t s t oge the r w i th al e af shaped a r rowhead ( f ie ldwo rk b y t he w r i te r , 1 983 ) . S uch f i nd s o n ly e mpha s i se t he d i f f icu l ty o f d i v id ing u p t he N eo l i th ic s equence i n t h i sa r ea : t he re i sf a r mo re o ve r lap b e tween t he p e r iod s o fu se o f d i f f eren t monumen t s t han t he re i si n C ranborne C ha se . T he s ame p o in t i si lu s t ra ted b y a no the r r i ng d i tch a t N or th S toke , s im i la ri ns i ze a nd l a you t t ot ho se a tL ynch H i l l C o rne r a nd Wa l l ingfo rd . T h i s e a r thwork s e em s t o b e r e spec ted b y t he b ank b a r row o n t he s ame s i te a nd mus t b e o f e ven e a r l ie r d a te ( Ca se 1 982a , 6 0-2 ) . Af our th e xamp le may b e p ro v i ded b y ar i ng d i tch o f s im i la r p ropo r t ion s a t C a s s ing ton ( A tk in son 1 946/47 ) . T h i s r i ng d i tch , wh ich w a s a ppa ren t ly r ebu i l t d u r ing t he E a r l ie r B ronze A ge , e nc lo sed a c en t ra l c r ema t ion , c on s i s t ing o f t he p a r t ia l r ema in s o f a n a du l t a s soc ia ted w i th ab u rn t a xe f r ag men ta nd al e af shaped a r rowhead .A l though t he e xac t c ha rac ter a nd d a te o ft h i ss i te r ema in u ncer ta in , i tr a i ses t he p o s s ib i l i ty o f ad ua l b u r ia l r i te a tt h i s t ime ,j u s t a sw e f i nd i nE a s t Ang l ia a nd N or the rn E ng land . Af u r the r a r gumen t f o r t he r e la t ive ly e a r ly d eve lopmen t o f at r ad i t ion o fr i ng d i tche s o r r ound b a r row s i sp rov ided b y t he s t ruc tu ra l s equence a t B a r row H il s a nd p erhap s D o r c he s te r S i te X I , where i n e ach c a se a ne l onga ted mound o re nc lo su re w a sr ebu i l t t o amo re r ounded p l an ,s ugges t ing a na lmo s ti mpe rcep t ib le me rg ing o ft wo t r ad i t ion s wh i l s t A b ingdon a nd E bbsf lee t Wa re w e re b o th i nu se . T he f i na l monumen t a tD orche s ter S i te X I w ou ld h ave b een t he s ame s i ze a s t he r i ng d i tch a t L ynch H i l l C o rne r . A dd i t iona l e v idence i sp rov ided b y t he g r ave l s i te a t A ldw inc le i n N o r thamp ton sh i re , w h ich s how s as im i la r d eve lopmen t f r om a n o va l p l an t o aN eo l i th ic r ound b a r row ( J ack son 1 976 ) . T he t h i rd p ha se o fa c t iv i ty o n t ha t s i te , p reced ing t he b u i ld ing o f t he r ound b a r row ,h a s ar ad ioca rbon d a te o f2 61O± 7 0b c( Ha r 1 4 11) . T h i s l i ne o f r e a son ing s t re s se s t he p os s ib le c onnec t ion s b e tween t he l a te o va l l ong b a r r ow s a nd mor tua ry e nc lo sure s a nd s ome o f t he e a r ly r i ng d i tche s o f t he T hame s V a l ley , wh ich s e em t o b e c once rned e xp l ic i t ly w i th ar i te o fi n d iv idua l b u r ia l . T h i s r un s c oun te r t o t he u sua l i n te rp re ta t ion o f t he l a t te r s i te s a se nc lo su re s a nd p e rhap s a s t he p recur sor s o f L a ter N eo l i th ic h enge monumen t s . I n f a c t t he a va i lab le i n fo rma t ion i sa lmo s t e n t i re ly a mb iguou s . Whe re e v idence f r om t he d i tch s i l t s i sa va i lab le , i ts how s t ha t t hese f e a tu re s h ad f i l led f r om t he i n s ide -a sd i s t inc t f r om s ome o ft h e s i ng le e n t ranced monumen t s wh ich b e long t o t he f o l low ing p ha se . O therw i se t he o n ly i n fo rma t ion c ome s f r om as e gmen ted r i ng d i tch o f s im i la r t ype t o t hose a t D orche s te r o n T hame s , c l o se t o t he l ong mound a t B a r row H i l l s . A l though t he e xac td a te o ft h i s e a r thwo rk i su nknown a tp re sen t , a na ly s i s o f t he s u rv iv ing s o i l ma rk s howed c l ear ly t ha t t h i s h ad b een amound a nd n o t a n e nc lo su re ( Brad ley a nd F i she ri np re s s ) . C ur sus monument s ( f ig s . 4 , 7a nd 8 ) : T he f ou r th t ype o f monumen t t o a ppea r d u r ing t he E a r l ier N eo l i th ic i st he c u r su s , o f wh ich t he re a r e s e ven k nown o rp o s s ib le e xamp le s i nt he s t udy a r ea , i n a dd i t ion t o as i te a t N o r th S toke wh ich h a s b een r e in terp re ted a s ab ank b a r row . Two o ft he se s i te s , a tD o rche s ter o n T hame sa nd a tD ray ton , h ave b een e xcava ted . T he D orche s ter C u r su si sp a r t icu la r ly i mpor tan t s i nce i tc an b e f i t ted i n to af a i r ly e l abo r a t e s equence o f e a r thwork s a nd s how s e v idence o f ac omp lex d eve lopmen t o fi t s o wn ( f ig . 1 20

7 ;A tk in son e ta l . 1 951, 6 2 ) .T he c u r su s , wh ich r un s f o ra tl e a s t 1 640 m , may h ave a bu t ted a n e a r l ie r D shaped e nc lo su r e , b ounded b y as ha l low d i tch a nd r ough ly 1 50 m i n l e ng th ( R icha rd A tk in son p er s . c omm . ; R icha rd C hambe r s p e r s . c omm . ) . T h i s e a r ly e nc lo su re c an b e c ompared w i th t he f i r s t p ha se o f t he L e s se r C u r su s a t S tonehenge ( c f . R icha rd s , t h i s v o lume , p . 180 ) . A ga in s t i t s w e s tern e nd w a s ap i t c on ta in ing f r agmen ta ry h uman r ema in s wh ich h ave p rov ided ar ad ioca rbon d a te o f2 850±130 b c ( OxA . 19 ) . T he ma in p a r t o ft he c ur su s w as much more s ub s tan t ia l a nd i sa pprox ima te ly d a ted b y al o zenge shaped a r row h ead o n t he b o t tom o f t h e d i tch a nd b y s he rd s o f E bb s f lee t Wa re i ni t s u ppe r f i l ing . I t s e em s t o h ave a bu t ted S i te X I , wh ich w a s a l so a s soc ia ted w i th E bb s f lee t Wa re , a nd c u t t h rough t he l ong mor tuary e nc lo su re wh ich h a s s im i la r d a t ing e v idence . T he c u r su s r an a t as l igh ta ng le t ot h el ong a x i so ft h i se nc lo su re ,r e ca l l ing t he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween t he D or se t C ur su s a nd af r ee s tand ing l ong b ar row , P en t r idge 1 9 ( c ft h i sv o lume p .9 0 ) , b u t a tt h e s ame t ime i tc u ta cro s st he a l ignmen to fe x i s t ing monumen t sr epre sen ted b y S i te s I , V I I I a nd X I . A s w e s ha l l s e e , i t s c on s truc t ion i sv i ta l i np rov id ing ah or izon t ow h ich o the r monumen t s c an b e r e la ted . T he s e cond e xcava ted c u r su s , a t D ray ton ( f ig . 8 ) , h a sa l so p roduced d i agno s t ic a r tef ac t s ( Thoma s a nd Wa l l i s 1 982 ) . R ecen t w ork h a s r e vea led p i ece s o f Mo r t lake Wa re d i rec t ly a s soc ia ted w i th t he monumen t , i n c lud ing ar im s he rd f ound o n t he s u rface o f t he b ur ied s o i l b e low t he b ank . T h i s s ugge s t s t ha t t he D ray ton C u r su s c ou ld h ave b een b u i l t a f ter t he D orche s te r C u r su s . I nt he l i gh t o fe a r l ie rd i scu s s ion ,i ti si n tere s t ing t ha t t he d i tche s a tD o r c he s te r w e re much l a rger t han t ho se a t D ray ton . T he l a t te r monumen t r un s t owa rds t he E ar l ie r N eo l i th ic r i ng d i tch a tC o rpora t ion F a rm ,A b ingdon , b u t i t s f u l le x ten t i sn o t k nown . I n o ther r e spec t s t he se t wo monumen t s a r e r a the rs im i la r . T he D o rche s ter C u r su si n co r p ora ted o ne a nd p o s s ib ly t wo o va l e nc lo su re s , a sw e l l a s t he much l a rge r D shaped e a r th w ork a t i t s e a s tern e nd . T he D ray ton C u r su s i so n ly 7 50 m f r om t he o ne o r thodox l ong b ar row i n t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley . S im i la r ly , t he D o rche s ter C u r su s i sa s soc ia ted w i th t wo d epos i t s o f h uman r ema in s , a n u n s t ra t if ied j aw f r om t he s i te o f t he l ong mo r tua ry e nc lo sure a nd t he b one f r agmen t s f r om t he p i t i n s ide t he e a r ly D shaped e nc lo sure . T he D ray ton C ur su s c on ta ined t wo p i t s w i th h uman b u r ia l s ( Leeds 1 923 , 1 52 a nd 1 934 , 2 66-7 ) . One i n c luded a c r ouched f ema le a nd t he r ema in s o f t wo c h i ld ren , a nd t he o the r c on ta ined a s e r ie s o f c r an ia l f r agmen t s a nd a f ew o the rb one s ,r epre sen t ing t he r ema in s o f a tl e a s t n ine ma le sa nd o ne f ema le . A t b o th s i te s , t he p re sence o fs ku l lf r agmen t sr e ca l l s t he d epos i t sf r om t he i nne rd i tch a tA b ingdon , a nd f r om t he n ea rby l ong b ar row . O ne f u r the r s i te s hou ld b e m en t ioned a t t h i s s t age . U n t i l r e cen t ly t he w e l l k nown c rop ma rk s a t N or th S toke ( f ig . 1 0 ) w e re i n te rp re ted a st he s i te o f a no ther c u r su s , b u t r e cen t w ork s ugge s t s t ha t t he monumen t w a s t oo n a r row t o h ave a ccommoda ted mo re t han o ne b ank o f s po i l , a nd f o r t h i s r e a son i th a sb een r e in terpre ted a s ab ank b ar row ( Ca se 1 982a ) , ac l a s s o f e a r thwo rk wh ich i n s ou the rn Wes sex i sp a r t icu la r ly c l o se ly r e l a ted t o c ur su s monumen t s ( Brad ley 1 983 ) . T he re i s ad a te o f2 722±49 b c f o r a n t le r f ound i nt he b o t tom o f o ne o f t he d i tche s a t N or th S toke ( BM 1 405) . T h i s i sc on s i s ten t w i th t he e s t ima ted a ge o f t he D orche s te r C u r su s . O ne f u r the rc onnec t ion i so fi n te re s th ere . We h ave s e en h ow t he l a t te r monumen t i n corpora ted t wo e x i s t ing e nc lo su re s , S i te s V I I I a nd X I . I ts e em s c l ea r t ha t t he l ong mound a tN or th S toke b ehave s i n as im i la r f a sh ion , l i nk ing o ne a nd p robab ly t wo p re ex i s t ing e nc lo su re s o r mound s . T he e a r thwo rk a tt he s ou th e nd o ft he b ank b ar row w a so ne o ft he U -d i tched monumen ts d i scu s sed e a r l ie r , w h i l s t i t s c oun te rpa r t a tt he n o r the rn e nd h a s n o t b een e xcava ted , b u t c an b e i n terpre ted o n c rop ma rk e v idence a s as im i la r monumen t , r e con s truc ted a s ar ound b a r row a f ter t he b ank b a r row i t se lf h ad b een b u i l t . A t t he s ame t ime , t he e a s t d i tch o ft he b ank b a r row b end s t oa vo id a n e x i s t ing r i ng d i tch . C rop ma rk e v idence a l so e mpha s i se st he l i nk sb e tween t he se l i nea r monumen t s a nd o the r o va le nc losu re s .S evera lo vo id c r op ma rk sh ave b een r e cogn i sed i nt he N o r th S toke c omp lex , a l though n one h ave b een e xcava ted ( Ca se 1 982a , f i g . 6 1) , wh i l s t t wo more c an b e s e en a l ong s ide t he B en son C u r su s ( Ben son a nd M i le s 1 974 , map 4 1) . E ven c l o ser t o D o rche s te r o n T hames t here s e em s t o b e as hor t c u r su s a t Wa rborough , l o ca ted w i th in 2 20 m o f a n 1 21

o va l e nc lo su re wh ich a ppea r s t o c on ta in a t imber r e v e t ted mound ( i b id . f i g . 1 7 ; W i l son 1 982 , p l . 4 7d ) . S ummary B efore t u rn ing t o t he L a te rN eo l i th ic monumen t s o ft h e s t udy a r ea ,i t may b e h e lpfu l t o s ummar i se t he ma in p o in t s t o e merge s o f a r . U nl ike p a r t s o f W e s sex , t he U pper T hame s V a l ley s how s l i t t le c on t ra s t b e tween a r ea s w i th E ar l ie r N eo l i th ic monumen t s a nd t ho se w i th e v idence o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty . T he s ame i mpr es s ion o fs ma l l sca le l o ca l a r rangemen t s i sg i ven b y t he s equence o f monumen t s . A l though a l l t h e se t ype s o fe a r thwork h ave t he i r c oun te rpar t s i n o ther a r ea so ft h e c oun try , n o o vera l l c h rono logy h a s b een e s tab l i shed , a nd i n s p i te o f t h e s equence s r e cogn i sed o n i nd iv idua l s i te s , t he e n t i re r ange o f monumen t s s e em s t o h ave b een u sed d ur ing t h e s ame g enera l p er iod . C on tempo ra ry b u r ia l s a ppea rt o s how a n e qu iva len tr ange o fv a r ia t ion . A l though t here i sn o l a ck o fe xcava ted d a ta , w e f i nd l i t t le o rder i nt he a r chaeo log ica lr e co rd b efore t he l a te t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c . T he L a ter N eo l i th ic A ny c hrono log ica l d i v i s ion i n t he s equence o f monumen t s i st o s ome e x ten t a r t if ic ia l , n o t o n ly b ecau se t he i r r e la t ive p o s i t ion s a r e e s tab l i shed mo re c l ea r ly t han t he i r a b so lu te c h rono logy , b u t a l so b ecau se t he d eve lopmen t o ft he se s i te s may h ave moved a t ad i f f e ren t p ace f r om t he s equence o fl o ca lf l in ti ndu s t r ie s . O ur p r inc ipa ls ou rce s o fi n forma t ion r ema in t he e s tab l i shed p o t tery s equence i n s ou the rn E ng land a nd t he r e la t ion sh ip s wh ich c an b e o b served b e tween d i f f e ren t monumen t s i nt he l a nd scape . A si nC ranbo rne C ha se , t he ma in t endenc ie s t o d eve lop d ur ing t h i s p er iod a r e t he r e -u se o f o lder monumen t s , s ome t ime s a f te r a n i n terva l , a nd t he c on s truc t ion o f f r e sh t ype s o f e a r thwo rk , s ome o f w h ich w e re a dded t o e x i s t ing s i te s . I n c on t ra s t t o p a r t s o f We s sex , h oweve r , t h e re i sl e s s e v idence f o r t he s t ruc tur ing o f ma ter ia l c u l ture , o rt he d epo s i t ion o fs pec ia l i t em s . C on t inu i ty i n t he u se o f e x i s t ing monumen t s c an b e s e en w i th b o th c ur su se s a nd r i ng d i tche s . We h ave a l ready s ugge s ted t ha t t he D ray ton C u r su s c ou ld b e l a ter i nd a te t han t ha t a tD orche s ter .O nb o th s i te st he re a r ei nd ica t ion so fc on t inued a c t iv i ty . A t D ray ton t he ma in e v idence c on s i s t so fa r tef ac t sf r om L a te rN eo l i th ic p i t s f ound i n s ide t h e monumen t ( Thoma s a nd Wa ll i s 1 982 ) a nd r i ng d i tche sb e long ing t o t he s e cond m i l lenn ium b e ( Leed s 1 934 ) . A t D o rche s ter t h ere a r e L a te r N eo l i th ic a r tef ac t s , b u t mo s t o ft he se a r e a s soc ia ted e i the rw i th t h e b u i ld ing o fn ew t ype s o f monumen t o r w i th t he r e -u se o fe x i s t ing s i tes , a nd i np a r t icu la r t h ed epo s i t ion o fc r ema t ion s( A tk in son e ta l . 1 951) . T he re i se v idence f o rc on t inuou su se o f t he D orche s te r c omp lex i n to t he s e cond m i l lenn ium b e , w i th t he c on s t ruc t ion o f ama s s ive h enge monumen t , a nd t he b u i ld ing o fr i ng d i tche s o rr ound b a r row s( i b id .) . A t R ad ley t h e e v idence i sv e ry s im i la r , w i th as c a t ter o fN eo l i th ic p i t s ( C la i re H a lp in p e r s . c omm .) a nd t he d eve lopmen t o f ac on s ide rab le c eme tery a l igned o n t h e A b ingdon c au sewayed e nc lo su re ( Ben son a nd M i le s 1 974 ) . T h i s c eme tery w a s i nu se f r om a tl e a s t t h e B eaker p e r iod t o t h e D evere l R imbury p ha se ( B rad ley i n p re s s ) b u t , p e rhap s u nexpec ted ly , t here i sv ery l i t t le s i gn o fl a te ra c t iv i ty o n t he s i te o ft he e nc lo su re i t se lf ( Av ery 1 982 ) . R ound b ar row s a nd r i ng d i tche s ( f ig s . 4a nd 6 ) : R ound b a r row sa nd r i ng d i tche sc on t inued t o b e b u i l t d u r ing t he L a ter N eo l i th ic , b u t t hey a l so s how c on s ide rab le e v idence f o r t he r e u se o fo lde r monumen t s . A par t f r om t he s e condary c r ema t ion s m en t ioned e a r l ie r , t he re a r e f i nd s o fl a te rp o t tery f r om s e ve ra le x i s t ing s i te s . T he re i sP e terbo rough Wa re f r om t he u pper l e ve l s o f ar i ng d i tch a t T hrupp ( Dav id M i le s p er s . c omm . ) a nd f r om C o rpora t ion F arm , A b ingdon ,w here t here a r ea l so s herd s o fG rooved Wa re . T he o va l b a r row a tR ad ley i n c lude s ap i ece o f Mo r t lake Wa re i n t he u pper d i tch s i l t s ( Ro s C l ea l p er s . c omm .) , wh i l s t as im i la r s i te a tE yn sham w a sr e -u sed a ta bou t t he s ame t ime ( Kenwa rd 1 982 ) . S ome e x i s t ing r i ng d i tche s u nderwen t s t ruc tu ra l mod if ica t ion d u r ing t h i s p e r iod . T h i si s mo s t e v iden t a t Do rche s te r S i te I , where t he c au sewayed r i ng d i tch w a s r e cu t wh i l s t Mo r t l a ke Ware w a s i n u se , a nd a t S i te X I where o ne o ft he l a ter e nc lo su re s w a s a s soc ia ted w i th at r an sve r se a r rowhead ( A tk in son e ta l . 1 951, 5 f . a nd 6 0 f .) . E l sewhere i ts e em s l i ke ly 1 22

t ha t n ew monumen t s o f t h i s k ind w ere b e ing b u i l t . An umbe r o fe xcava ted e xamp le sh ave p roduced s ma l l amoun t s o f P e te rbo rough Wa re , i n p ar t icu la r r i ng d i tche s a t R ad ley a nd C a s s ing ton ( Ca se 1 963 , 4 1 f . ) . D own s t ream f r om t he s t udy a r ea , a round R ead ing , t he re a r e more e xcava ted r i ng d i tche s w i th P e te rbo rough Wa re , a l though n o b u r ia l s h ave b een f ound ( Brad ley a nd R icha rd s 1 980 , 6 ) . O n ly o ne s i te h a s aw e l l d a ted s equence ( f ig . 7 ) . We h ave s e en t ha t t h e c on s truc t ion o f t he D orche s te r C u r su s c u t t h rough a n e x i s t ing a l ignmen t o fN eo l i th ic monumen t s . O nce i t h ad b een b u i l t i ts e em s t o h ave e s tab l i shed an ew a l ignmen t f o r t h i s c omp lex wh ich may h av e r ema ined s i gn if ican t t h roughou t t h i s p e r iod . T h i s i si mpor tan t s i nce t he a x i s o ft h ree o f t he s i te s e xcava ted d u r ing t he 1 940 sa nd 5 0 s f o l low s t he l i ne o ft he C u r su s e xac t ly ( A t k in son e ta l . 1 951, f i g . 2 ) . T he s ame a pp l ie s t ot wo f u r ther monumen t se xcava ted r e cen t ly ( R icha rd C hambe r s p e r s . c omm .) . T h ree o f t he se f i ve monumen t s a r e l o ca ted i n s ide t he C ur su si t se lf ,t wo o ft hem i nt he m idd le o fi t sl ong a x i s . T he o the r s a r e s i tua ted j u s t o u t s ide t he c u r su s b u t s ha re t he s ame a l ignmen t . One o f t he monumen t s w a s a n e gg shaped p o s t ' c i rc le ' w i th i t sm a in a x i sa l i gned a l ong t he c en t re o ft he c u r su s . T he o the r monumen t s w e re e nc losure s w i th o n ly o ne e n t rance . T here a r e f our d a te s f r om t he p r ima ry l e ve l s o f t he se s i te s . T he t imbe r s o f t he p o s t c i rc le h ave d a te s o f 1 890±40 b c , 1 920±60 b e a nd 1 940±60 b c ( BM 2 161, 2 162 a nd 2 164 ) , wh i l s t a n a n t le r p i ck f r om t he b a se o f as i ng le e n t ranced e nc losure i n s ide t he c ur su si sd a ted t o 2 000±70 b e ( BM 2 168 ) . A r tef ac t e v idence i sl im i ted b u t i sc on s i s ten t w i th t h i s p a t te rn . T he o n ly p r ima ry d epo s i t f r om t he se s i te sw a s as he rd p erhap s o fP e te rborough Wa r e f r om S i te V ( A tk in son e ta l . 1 951 , 4 3 f . ) , wh i l s t t he s e cond a ry d epo s i t s i n S i te V I p rov ide a t e rm inus a nte q uer n i n t he L a te r N eo l i th ic ( i b id . 5 1 f . ) . T he p os t c i rc le i t se lf c on ta ined as e conda ry c r ema t ion a s soc ia ted w i th p l a in G rooved Wa re ( Ro s C lea l p er s . c omm . ) . C on tempo ra ry c on tex t s o n t h i s s i te h ave p rov ided d a te s o f 1 830± 5 0 b ea nd 1 780±45 b e( BM 2 163 a nd 2 166 ) . R ing d i tche s a nd h eng if orm e nc losure s ( f ig s . 4 , 6a nd 8 ) : T he se s i te s a tD o rche s te r r a i se p rob lem s o f d ef in i t ion , s ome o f wh ich h ave b een men t ioned i n d i scu s s ing s im i la r monu m en t s i n C ranborne C ha se ( t h i s v o lume , p . 100 ) . N orma l ly t he s ma l le r e nc lo su re s a t D o r c he s te r a r e t r ea ted t oge the r a sa n e a r ly t ype o fh enge monumen tu sed f o rc o l lec t ive b ur ia l ( A tk in son e ta l . 1 951, 7 3 f . ) . T h i s may o ve r s imp l ify t he s i tua t ion . We n eed t od i s t ingu i sh b e tween t he t ypo logy o f t h e monumen t sa nd t he i rp r inc ipa l f unc t ion s . I ts e ems l i ke ly t ha t mos t o f t he r i ng d i tche s a s soc ia ted w i th t he e a r l ie s t p o t te ry w e re w i thou t ac l ea r ly i d en t i f i ed e n t rance , e ven when t h e d i tche s t hem se lve s w ere i n ter rup ted . I n c e r ta in c a se s t hey may h ave b een u sed f o r b ur ia l , w i th t he p r ima ry d epo s i t t owa rds t he c en t re o ft he c i rc le . T he a va i lab le e v idence s how st ha tt he d i tche s f i l led u p f r om t he i n s ide , s ugge s t ing t ha t s ome o ft he se e ar thwork s may h av eb een b a r row s . T he l a te rs i ng le -en tranced s i te s d i f f e ri ns e vera l r e spec t s . T hey h ave o ne c l ea ra l ignmen t ,a nd where t he re i sp ub l i shed i n forma t ion , t he ma in a ccumu la t ion o f ma te r ia l i nt he f i l l ing c ou ld h ave c ome f r om o u t s ide ( c fG ray 1 977 , 9 ) . I n s ome c a se s t he e nc lo su re st h em se lve sw e re f o rmed b y s t eep s ided p i t s o rp o s t h o le s ( f ig . 6 ) . S uch e v idence i so f ten a mb iguou s , b u t t he p o s t c i rc le e xcava ted i n t he c en t re o ft he D o r c he s te r C ur su s h ad c e r ta in ly b een b u rn t i ns i tu ( R icha rd C hambe r s p e r s . c omm . ) . S i nce p i t c i rc le s a nd p o s t c i rc le si nW e s sex h ave b road ly s im i la rd a t ing e v idence , i t may b e t ha t t he se t ype s o f monumen t w ere c on tempo rary a nd i n terchangeab le . T he i rr e la t ive ly l a te d a te may b e c onf irmed b y t he s equence a tt h ree e xcava ted s i te s . A t D o rche s te r S i te X I ar i ng o fp i t s s ucceeded t he d i tched e nc lo su re s c on s ide red e a r l ie r ( A tk in son e ta l . 1 951, 6 0 f . ) . S im i la r ly , as ma l l s i te a t S t an ton H a rcou r t may h ave s t a r ted l i f e a s as e gmen ted r i ng d i tch o r as ma l l b ar row , b u t a f te r t he d i tch h ad s i l ted u p i tw a sr ep laced b y as e t t ing o fp o s t s ( f ig . 6 ;J ohn T ay lor p er s . c omm .) . N o d a t ing e v idence i sa va i lab le i nt h i s c a se , b u t t he i nne rr i ng o fp i t s a t D o rche s ter S i te Imay b e long t o t he L a ter N eo l i th ic a s o ne o ft hem c on ta ined ac h i se l e nded a r rowhead ( A tk in son e ta l . 1 951, 5f . ) . T he ma in p rob lem s o f i n te rpre ta t ion h ave a l ready b een d e sc r ibed i n t he a ccoun t o f C ranborne C ha se . A l though s o many e a r thwork s h ave b een i n te rpre ted a s c r ema t ion c eme ter ies , mos t o f t he b u r ia l s c ou ld h ave b een s e conda ry d epo s i t s , s im i la rt o t h e c omp lex 1 23

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a r tef ac t s o r g roup s o f a n ima l b one s k nown o n o the r L a te r N eo l i th ic s i te s . T h i s c e r ta in ly a pp l ie s t o f i nds o f h uman c r ema t ion s f r om t he h i gh l e ve l s o f d i tche s , p i t s a nd p o s t h o le s , b u t t hose f i nd s f r om t he b a se o f s ub so i l f e a tu re s a r e mo re d i f f icu l t t o u nde r s tand . C rem a t ion s f r om t he c en t re o f c i rcu la r monumen t s may h ave b een p r ima ry b ur ia l s a nd c ou ld h ave b een a ccompan ied b y g r ave g oods , l i ke o ne d epo s i t f r om D o rche s te r S i te I ( i b id . , 1 9 f . ) . S uch c a se s r e ca l l t he p r ima ry c r ema t ion i n t h e E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic r i ng d i tch a tC a s s i ng ton ( A tk inson 1 946 /7 ) . S im i la r b u r ia l s a round t h e e dge o f t h e se monumen t s c ou ld h ave b een e i the r p r imary o r s e conda ry d epo s i t s . S i nce t he o n ly s e a led l e ve l s a r e i nd i tche s o r p i t s , i ti sp os s ib le t ha t t he ' c rema t ion c eme te r ie s ' a tD o rche s te r o n T hame sr e su l t f r om t he p a r t ia ld e s t ruc t ion o f wha tw e re o nce more c omp l ica ted monumen t s . T he n a tu re o f s uch f e a tu re s may n o t b e r e so lved o n p lough -damaged s i te s , b u t a l ready w e c an s ugge s t t ha t s i ng le -en tranced e nc lo su re s , p i t c i rc le s a nd p o s t c i rc le s w e re f a i r ly l a te a dd i t ion s t o t he D orche s ter c omp lex . I ft hey w e re n o t c on s t ruc ted f o r u se a s c eme ter ie s , t he se s i te sc ou ld r e sume t he i rt r ad i t iona ls t a tu s a se a r ly t ype s o fh enge . E ven s o , t h ey r ema in r a the r d i s t inc t ive a nd c anno t b e c ompa red t oo c l o se ly w i th monumen t s o fb road ly e qu iv a l en t d a te i n s ou thern We s sex ;f o rn o t o n ly d o t he e a r thwork s o ft h e s t udy a r ea b l end i n to t he g ene ra ld i s tr ibu t ion o fd ome s t ic a r tef ac t s :G rooved Wa re , wh ich i ss uch an o tab le f e a ture o ft he l a t te ra r ea i sr a re ly f ound o n t he se s i te s . T he s e t t ing o fL a ter N eo l i th ic monument s T he v i r tua l a bsence o f G rooved Wa re f r om t he se monumen t si n t roduce s t he q ue s t ion o f a s semb lage v a r ia t ion . T h i s h a s t h ree d i f f e ren t a spec ts : a r e t he a r ea sw i th s i gn s o fd ome s t ic a c t iv i ty d i s t inc t f r om t ho se w i th e v idence o f monumen t s? I st he re much e v idence f o r t he f o rma l d epo s i t ion o f a r tef ac t s n ear t o t ho se monumen t s? a nd h ow f a r a r e G rooved Wa re a nd i t s a s soc ia t ion s f ound i nd i f f e ren t a r ea s f r om ma te r ia l b e long ing t oo ther t r ad i t ion s? A t ag enera l l e ve l , R ob in H o lga te ' sa ccoun t i nP a r t Io ft h i s p ape re mpha s i se s t h e w ay i n wh ich m a jo r c l a s se s o f L a ter N eo l i th ic monumen t w e re b u i l t i n a r ea s w i th c oncen t ra t ion s o f f l in twork b e long ing t o t he s ame p e r iod . An umbe r o f t he se a r ea s h ad n o t b een s e t t led p rev iou s ly ,s ugge s t ing t ha t ac l o se r e la t ion sh ip e x i s ted b e tween monumen t b u i ld ing a nd t he s e quence o f s e t t lemen t ( c f t h i s v o lume p .6 3) . A t al o ca ll e ve l t he re i sl i t t le i nd ica t ion t ha t monumen t sh ad b een s e t a pa r t f r om t he a r ea s where d ome s t ic a c t iv i t ie s w ere t ak ing p l ace . F ig . 8 ,c omp i led b y R ob in H o lga te ,i lu s t ra te s t he b a s ic s equence a tf our l o ca t ion si nt he s t udy a r ea : A b ingdon , C a s s ing ton , S tan ton H a rcour t a nd D ray ton . I ne ach c a se as equence o f d a ted monumen t s i sa ccompan ied b y n ea rby l i th ic s c a t te r s , a nd a l so b y as e r ie s o fp i t s w h ich w i l l b e c ons idered l a te r . A t ar a the r b roade rg eog raph ica l s c a le , t he s ame p a t te rn c an b e i lu s tra ted b y c ur ren t s urvey a t N o r th S toke , u nde r taken b y S t ephen F o rd , who h a s k ind ly p rov ided as umma ry o fh i sr e su l t s( f ig . 1 0 ) . T he b ank b a r row a nd r i ng d i tche s a t N o r th S toke a r e t he f ocu s o f as y s tema t ic f i e ld w a lk ing s t udy i n tended t oe xam ine p reh i s to r ic s e t t lemen t p a t tern s . S uch e v idence i sl im i ted t o s u r f ace s c a t ter s o f f l in t a r tef ac t s , b u t a l ready s ome s t r ik ing p a t tern sh ave e me rged . F ig . 1 0 s how s t he d en s i ty o f a l l t he f l in t r e cove red w i th in 1km o ft he c ropma rk monumen t s . T he re i s as t r ik ing b l ank i n t he a r ea o ccup ied b y t he monumen t s t hem se lve s b u t ah igh d en s i ty o f w orked f l in t i n t he i mmed ia te v i c in i ty . I ts e ems c l ea r t ha t t he e a r thwo rk s a r e q u i te s epa ra te f r om t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f l i th ic s o f a l l p e r iod s . A t t h e s ame t ime t he t wo a r e s epa ra ted b y o n ly as hor t d i s tance . N o p a r t icu la r s c a t ter a t N or th S toke c an b e d a ted u namb iguou s ly . Ah i gh p e rcen tage o f d i agno s t ic ma te r ia l s how s t ha t M e so l i th ic , E a r l ie r a nd L a te r N eo l i th ic f i nd s a r e a l lp re sen t , a nd d e ta i led f i e ldwa lk ing i n t he n e ighbourhood h a ss ugge s ted t ha t s ma l l M e so l i th ic /Ear l ier N eo l i th ic g roup s c an b e ma sked b y l a te r , mo re e x ten s ive s c a t ter s . T he r ange o f a r tefac t t ype s a nd t he d en s i ty o f worked f l in t s e em t o i nd ica te as t rong ' h ome b a se ' c omponen t ( Fo ley 1 981) , s ugge s t ing t ha t N eo l i th ic ' s e t t lemen t s ' i nt h i s a r ea c ou ld h ave b een l o ca ted q u i te n ea rt o ma jor monumen ts . A t p re sen t t he re i sn o e v idence t ha t t he s u rface a s semb lage s f ound c l o se t os uch monu 1 26

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8 . 10 T he r e la t ive d en s i ty o fw o rked f l in tp e rh ec ta re i nr e la t ion t ot he c rop ma rk c omp lex a tN or th S toke . T he se f i gure sa r e t he r e su l t s o f a5 % s y s tema t ic s u rf ace s amp le , s o t he a c tua l v a lue s s hou ld b e t wen ty t ime s a sh i gh . S haded a r ea s a r e t ho se n o t a va i lab le f o r s u rf ace c o l lec t ion

1 27

m en t s d i f f e red s i gn if ican t ly f r om t he o ther s i n t he s t udy a r ea . T h i s c on tra s t s s ha rp ly w i th t he p a t te rn i n p a r t s o f We s sex . S uch a n o b serva t ion g a in s a dded w e igh t when w e c on s ider t he p i t s wh ich a ccompany s ome o f t he l i th ic s c a t te r s . We c an s e e f r om f i g . 8t h a t t he se o ccur w i th monumen t s a nd s u rf ace f l in two rk t h roughou t t he s equence i n t he r e g ion , b u t i n c on tra s t t o o the r a r ea s , f ew o f t he L a te r N eo l i th ic p i t s c on ta in p a r t icu la r ly c omp lex o r f o rma l d epos i t s . T he o ne e xcep t ion i s as e r ie s o f f e a ture s a ccompany ing t he D ray ton C u r s u s , t wo o f t hem a s soc ia ted w i th G rooved Wa re . O ther a r tef ac t si n c lude s t one a xe s , b oa r ' s t u sk s a nd ap o l i shed c h i se l ( Leed s 1 934 ) , a nd t he g roup a s awho le r eca l l s t he e qua l ly d i s t i nc t ive G rooved Wa re d epo s i t s b e s ide t he D o r se t C u r su s ( t h i s v o lume , p . 101) . O the rw i se t he p i t si nt he s t udy a r ea s e em t ob e w i thou tu nu sua lc ha rac ter i s t ic s , a l though t ho se a s soc i a t ed w i th G rooved Wa re may c on ta in r a ther more i mpo r ted a xe st han t he o the r s . F ig s . 4a nd 8 e mpha s i se a no ther c on t ra s t b e tween t he f i nd s f r om t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley a nd t he e v idence f r om p a r t s o f W es sex , f o r t he re s e ems t ob e v ery l i t t le s e pa ra t ion b e tween t he a r ea sw i th f i nds o fP e terborough Wa re a nd t hose where G rooved Wa re h a s b een d i scove red . T he o ne e xcep t ion may b e t he D o rches te ro n T hame s c omp lex where G rooved Wa re i sv e ry u ncommon . F ig . 8a l so s how s h ow t he s ame a r ea s c ame t o b e a s soc ia ted w i th g roup so fB eake rp o t te ry . S ummary A ga in i t may b e h e lpfu l t o s umma r i se t he ma in d eve lopmen t s d ur ing t h i s p e r iod . T he L a ter N eo l i th ic s aw i mpor tan t c hange s i n t he s t udy a r ea a nd n ew p a r t s o f t h e U ppe r T hames V a l ley w ere c o lon i sed . E ven s o , L a te r N eo l i th ic monumen t s a nd s e t t lemen t a r ea s s t i l l e x i s ted i n c l o se p rox im i ty t o o ne a no the r . S im i la r ly , t he re i so n ly l im i ted e v idence o f c omp lex d epo s i t s o fa r tef ac t so ro f mu tua la vo idance b yd i f f e ren t c e ram ic s t y les . M any e x i s t ing N eo l i th ic s i te s w ere r e -u sed d ur ing t h i s p e r iod , a nd i ns ome c a se sh uman c r ema t ion s w ere b u r ied i nt he i rl a te rl e ve l s . R ing d i tche s o rr ound b a r row s c on t inued t o b e b u i l t , b u t an ew d eve lopmen t s e em s t oh ave b een t he c on s truc t ion o f as e r ie s o fp i t c i rc le s , p os t c i rc le s a nd s i ng le en t ranced e nc lo su re s wh ich may b e r e la ted t o e a r ly h enge monu men t s . N one o f t he se s i te s w ere e spec ia l ly e l abo ra te , a nd i nc omp le te c on t ra s t t od eve lop men t s i n s ou thern Wes sex , t he l a rge s t monumen t s o f t he U ppe r T hame s a nd n e ighbour ing a r ea s may n o t h ave b een b u i l t u n t i l t he s e cond m i l lenn ium b c . I n o rder t o e xam ine t ha t c on tra s t more c l o se ly ,i ti sn ece s sary t o f o l low t he s equence i n to t he B eaker p ha se . T he B eaker p ha se I ti sn o t i n tended t o d i scu s s t he B eake r p e r iod i na ny d e ta i l . T h i sh a s a l ready b een c on s i de red b y Wh i t t le ( 1981, 3 18 f . ) , who h a sn o ted t ha t t he ma in d ome s t ic e v idence c an b e a t tr ibu ted t o C a se ' s L a te B eake rs t y le a nd i sf ound i nt he a r ea s w h ich h ad a l ready s e en c on c en t ra t ions o f n on -Beaker ma ter ia l . F or o u r p urpo se s af ew o bserva t ion s a r e i mpor tan t b ecau se t hey h e lp t o r e vea l c on tra s t s w i th t he e v idence f r om s ou thern We s sex . U n l ike s o much o f t he c ha lk land , t here s e em s t o b e l i t t le e v idence f o r as l acken ing o fa c t iv i ty d ur ing t he s e cond m i l lenn ium b c . T he p ropo r t ion o f b a rbed a nd t anged a r rowhead s i nb o th t he U ppe r a nd L ower T hames r e g ion s s e em s t o i n c rea se ( Brad ley i np re s s ) , a l though t here i s l i t t le s i gn o f a' B eake r ' f l in t i ndu s try i n t h ese a r ea s . T he c on t ra s t w i th C ranborne C ha se i s e mpha s i sed b y t he o ccu r rence o f t he f u l l r ange o f B eake r c e ram ic s i n t he g r ave s o f t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley , f r om A l l O ver C orded B eake r s t o t ho se o f t he S ou the rn B r i t i sh s e r ies ( C lark 1 969 , v o l . 2 ,4 75 a nd 4 93-4 ) -t he re i sn o e v idence t ha t b ur ia lw a s c onf ined t o ad eve loped p ha se o ft he s equence ,o rt ha ti tw a s c u r ta i led a f ter t he M idd le B eake rp er iod . I ndeed , t he c on t inuou s d eve lopmen t o ft h i s a r ea i se mpha s i sed b y t he l o ca t ion o ft h e mo s t c omp lex b ur ia l s n ear t ot he Ab ingdon c au sewayed e nc lo su re ( Brad ley i np re s s ) . T he a ppa r e n t ly d omes t ic ma te r ia l a s soc ia ted w i th B eake r p o t tery o ccur s a lmo s t e n t i re ly w i th in t he d i s t r ibu t ion o fG rooved Wa re a nd P ete rborough Wa r e s . T he re s e em t oh ave b een f ew s ha rp b ounda r ie s i n c on tempora ry ma te r ia l c u l tu re . T h i s i sa l so s hown b y t he h omogeneou s c ha rac te ro ft he N eo l i th ic a nd l a ter f l in t i ndu s try . 1 28

T he mos t s t r ik ing d eve lopmen t d ur ing t h i s p e r iod i n t roduce s af i na l c on t ra s t w i th t he s equence o n t he c ha lk . T he l a rge h enge s o ft he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley ( f ig s . 8a nd 9 ) m igh t h ave b een b u i l t a t r ough ly t he s ame t ime a s t he s t one p ha se s o ft he h enge s i n We s sex , b u t t he re i sl i t t le e v idence t ha t t he ma jor monumen t s o ft he s t udy a r ea h ad a n e qua l ly l e ng thy h i s tory . A t temp ts t o b roaden t he i r c h rono logy h ave b een u n sa t i sf ac tory b ecau se t h ey h ave t r ied t o i mpo se t he c l a s s ic s equence o n t he d own land b eyond i t sg eog raph ica lr ange . T he b e s t k nown o f t he l a rge h enge s i n t he s t udy a r ea i sB ig R ing s a t D o rche s te r o n T hame s ( f ig . 7 ) . P erhap s i ti ss i gn if ican t t ha t t he e n trance s o f t h i s monumen t n o l onge r s ha red t he s ame a l ignmen t a s t he c u r su s . L ike t he h enge a t Maxey i n t he We l land V a l ley ( Franc i s P ryo r p e r s . c omm .) , t he s ou th e n t rance o f B ig R ing s s e ems t o h ave i n co rpora ted a n e x i s t ing monumen t -ar i ng d i tch ( S i te X IV ) e nc lo s ing al a rge f ou r p o s t s e t t ing a nd c on t a in ing a c r ema t ion a nd aG roup 1a xe ( R icha rd A tk in son p e r s . c omm . ) . T he p o t tery f r om t he l owe s t s i l t s o f B ig R ing s b e long s t o t he M idd le a nd/or L a te B eaker p ha se s . E xcava t ion i n s ide t he e a r thwork s howed t ha t i td id n o t c on ta in a s e t t ing o ft imbe r o rs t one ( R icha rd A tk in son p e r s . c omm .) . AM idd le B eake r r ound b a r row w a sl o ca ted j u s t o u t s ide t he n o r th e n t rance o fB ig R ing s , i t s p os i t ion e f f ec t ive ly b a lanc ing t ha t o ft he ' non -Beaker ' monumen t i nt he s ou th e n t rance ( R icha rd A tk in son p e r s . c omm . ) . An e qua l ly i mpre s s ive h enge monumen td eve loped i na no the ra r ea w i th e a r l ie r r i ng d i tche s ( f ig . 8 ) . L ike B ig R ing s , t he D ev i l ' s Quo i t sh ad t wo o ppo sed e n t rance s , b u t i nt h i s c a se t he re w a s o n ly o ne d i tch a nd a n e x te rna l b ank ( G ray 1 974 ) . D a t ing e v idence w a s e x treme ly l im i ted ( Ca se 1 982b , 1 03 ) , a l though t he e a r ly l e ve l s o ft he d i tch a r e a s soc ia ted w i th r ad io c a rbon d a te s o f 2 060±120 b c ( Ha r 1 887 ) a nd 1 640±70 b e ( Ha r 1 888 ) . T he l a t ter d a te w ou ld b e r ough ly c on tempo ra ry w i th t he p o t te ry f r om B ig R ing s . D ev i l ' s Quo i t s d id c on t a in as t one c i rc le , wh ich o n a na logy w i th s i te s i n Wes sex , h a s b een i n terpre ted a s as e cond a ry f e a tu re d a t ing f r om t h e B eaker c e ram ic p ha se ( i b id ., 1 06 ) . Un t i l t he s i te i sp ub l i shed , t h i s mus t r ema in i nd oub t . T he t h i rd l a rge h enge i nt he s t udy a r ea i sa nu nda ted e a r thwork a t We s twe l l , w h ich i so fv e ry s im i la rs i ze t o b o th o ft he se monumen t s ( A tk in son 1 949 ) . I ns ome r e spec t s ,t he h enge si nt he s t udy a r ea r eca l le a r thworks i nt he s u r round ing r e g ion s . T hey c on ta in v e ry l i t t le a r chaeo log ica l ma te r ia l , af e a tu re wh ich t hey s ha re w i th t he h enge s a t A vebu ry i n n or th W i l t sh i re a nd C ond ico te o n t he C o tswo ld s , b o th t he f ocu s o f as e r ie s o f l i th ic s ca t ter s . C ond ico te i t se lf h a s b een e xcava ted r ecen t ly , w i th r e su l t s t ha t s hed c on s i de rab le l i gh t o n t he se o the rs i te s ( Sav i l le 1 983 ) . L ike B ig R ing s , t he monumen t i sd ef ined b y ab ank b e tween t wo c oncen tr ic d i tche s , a nd a ga in B eake r p o t tery w a s f ound i na n e a r ly l e ve l o f t he d i tch . Two r ad ioca rbon d a te s , b o th o n ma ture w ood , p rov ide at e rm inus a nte q uem f o r i t s c on s truc t ion : 1 770±80 b e ( Ha r3 064 ) a nd 1 720±100 b e ( Ha r3 067 ) . T he re may b e f u r ther l i nk s b e tween t he se s i te s . I n c on t ra s t t o t he h enge s o f s ou the rn We s sex , t he re i sl i t t le e v idence o fG rooved Wa re f r om t he se l o ca t ion s o r f r om t he i ri mmed i a t e v i c in i ty . S im i la r ly , t he re w a s n o e v idence o f t imber c i rc le s i n s ide B ig R ing s o r D ev i l ' s Q uo i t s , d esp i te t he e x i s tence o fa tl e a s t o ne p o s t c i rc le e l sewhere a t Do rche s te r o n T hame s . T he e v idence f r om A vebu ry a nd D ev i l ' s Quo i t s a l so s how s c e r ta in s im i la r i t ie s . A t D ev i l ' s Q uo i t s i ti sn o t c l ear w he the r t he s t one s e t t ing w a s a n o r ig ina l f e a ture o f t he s i te , b u t a t A vebu ry I s obe l Sm i th h a s a r gued t ha t t he ma in s t one c i rc le w a s b u i l t a t t he s ame t ime a s t he s u r round ing e ar thwork ( 1965 , 2 48 ) . I fs o , t he s i te c ou ld b e i n te rp re ted a sa no the r l a rge h enge o f B eaker d a te . I n t he s ou th -we s t e n t rance t o D ev i l ' s Quo i t s t he re i sa l so e v idence f o r a n u pr igh t p o s t i n t he d i tch t e rm ina l ( G ray 1 974 ) , a nd t he s ame may b e r ep re sen ted i n t he s ou thern e n t rance o fA vebu ry ( S t G eorge G ray 1 935 , 1 24 ) . S uch c ompa r i son s , h oweve r t enuou s ,s ugge s tt ha t ad i s t inc t ive g roup o fl a rge h enge s h ad e merged a round t he h eadwa te r s o f t he T hame s a nd i t s t r ibu ta ry , t he K enne t , wh ich may h ave b een q u i te s epa ra te f r om t he c omp lex monumen t s a s soc ia ted w i th G rooved Wa re . T he l a t ter s i te s f o l low s ome o f t he m a jor r i ver s d i scha rg ing i n to t he E ng l i sh C hanne l . T he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween t he A vebu ry a r ea a nd t he C o t swo lds i sd i scu s sed i ng r ea te r d e ta i l b y J u l ian T homa s ( t h i sv o lume , p .1 70 ) , b u t a ga in t he se c on t ra s t s e mpha s i se t he n eed t o c on s ider t he d i s t inc t ive c ha rac te r o fN eo l i th ic B r i ta in o ne r e g ion a t at ime . 1 29

T ab le 2

M a jo rc on tra s t sb e tween t he N eol i th ic o fC ranbo rne C ha se a nd t h e U ppe rT hames V a l ley . C ranborne C ha se

U ppe r T hame s V a l l ey

C au sewayed e nc losure s : s i ze p os i t ion ing r e la t ion sh ip t o l i th ic s c a t te r s

M a s s ive I s o la ted L i t t le s pa t ia l i n teg ra t ion

F a i r ly s ma l l Q u i te c l o se ly s paced A ppa ren t s pa t ia l i n teg ra t ion

L ong b ar row s /mor tua ry e nc losure s . .

M a in ly l a te t ype s ; monumen ta l

M a in ly l a te t ype s ;s im i la r i nf o rm b u t much s ma l le r i ns c a le

C ur sus monument ( s ) :

M a s s ive a nd i s o la ted

Sma l le r s c a le ;q u i t e c l o se ly s paced

R ound h ar row s / r ing d i tche s :

L a te rN eo l i th ic o r ig in ; a ppa ren t ly r a re ;r a the r i n con sp icuou s

E a r l ie r N eol i th ic o r ig in ; q u i te c ommon ;s ome f a i r ly c on sp icuou s

L ater N eo l i th ic d ome s t ic a r ea s :

L a rges tg roup s a r e q u i te s epa ra te f r om ma jo r monumen t s

C lo se t o monumen t s

A s semblage v a r ia t ion a mong l i th ic s ca t ter s :

P re sen t

A ppa ren t ly a bsen t

A s semb lage v a r ia t ion b e t ween c e ram ic t r ad i t ions :

Q u i te ma rked

Q u i te l im i ted

E v idence o ff orma lp i t d epos i t s :

S i gn if ican t

L im i ted

H enge monument s :

L a te s t s i te s ma s s ive

T h roughou ts equence ,s i te s a r e s ma l le r t han ma jor e xamp le si n We s sex . L a rge s i te s a r e a l so l a te rt han t ho se i n We s sex .

B eaker c e ram ic s equence :

I n comp le te s equence : M idd le p ha se b u r ia l s o n ly .

F u l l s equence : b u r ia l s f r om E a r ly p ha se o nwa rd s .

1 30

P ar tI I C onc lud ing D i scu s s ion b y R icha rd B rad ley T h i s p ape r h a s b een w r i t ten a s ac ompan ion p i ece t o t h e s t udy o f C ranborne C ha se i n C hap ter 7 . F o r t ha t r e a son t h i s f i na l d i scu s s ion w i l l t r ea t b o th a r ea s t oge the r , p l ac ing t he m a jor empha s i s o n t he s t r ik ing c on t ra s t s wh ich h ave a ppea red b e tween d eve lopmen t s i n t h e se t wo r e g ion s . I n o rde r t o a vo id af u r ther ma s s o f d e ta i led i n forma t ion , T ab le 2c om p a re st he mos to bv iou sc ha rac te r i s t ic so ft he se s epa ra te s equence s . I n t he i r p ape r T ho rpe a nd R icha rd s s ugge s t t ha t d i f f e rence s o f s oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion i n s e pa ra te p a r t s o f N eo l i th ic B r i ta in m ay b e r e f lec ted i n t he c ha rac ter , c h rono logy a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o f monumen t sa nd d ome s t ic a r ea s , a nd t h i s i d ea w i l l b eu sed t os t ruc tu re o u r f i na l d i scu s s ion .I np a r t icu la r ,t h ey d raw ad i s t inc t ion b e tween t h ree f e a tu re s : t he s c a le a nd p rom i n ence o fl a rge c e remon ia lc en tre s ,a sd i s t inc t f r om at r ad i t ion o fi nd iv idua lb ur ia l w i th g r ave g oods ; t he s epa ra t ion o f r i tua l a nd d ome s t ic a r ea s i nt he l a nd scape ,r a the r t han t he i r c l o se p rox im i ty ; a nd t he e x i s tence o f s ha rp ly d i s t ingu i shed a r tefac t a s semb lage s , r a the r t han a p a t te rn i n wh ich d i f f e ren tt r ad i t ion sh ave o ver lapp ing d i s t r ibu t ion s o ra s soc ia t ion s . I ns ome r e g ion s , t hey a r gue , c on s ide rab le e mpha s i s w a s p l aced o n t he r o le o f i nd iv idua l p ol i t ica l p ower . I n o the ra r ea s ,p ower w a se xe rc i sed ma in ly t h rough c on t ro l o ve rr i tua l . I nt he l a t ter s y s tem e l abo ra te monumen t s c ou ld b e s e t a pa r t f r om o rd ina ry s e t t lemen t a r ea s a nd m igh t b e a s soc ia ted w i th t he d i s t inc t ive G rooved Wa re a s semb lage . Whe re i nd iv idua l s t a tu s w a s mo re i mpo r tan t ,h oweve r ,b u r ia la r ea sm igh tb e f ound n ea re rt o s e t t lemen t s ; t h e re w ou ld b e l e s ss t ruc tu re t oa r tef ac td i s tr ibu t ion s a nd P e te rbo rough Wa re w ou ld b e t he mo s t i mpor tan t c e ram ic s t y le . I t wou ld b ei nt he l a t te rs y s tem t ha t B eake rp o t te ry m igh t f i r s t b e a dop ted . A l though t ha ts umma ry i sr a the rs chema t ic ,t he se o ppo s ing t endenc ie sa r ep re sen tt h rough o u t t he s equence s c on s ide red h e re , b o th o f wh ich s e em t ob eg in t owa rds t he m idd le o ft he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c .I n as e nse t he p a t te rn o fl a te rd eve lopmen t w a ss e t f r om t he v e ry b eg in n ing . C au sewayed e nc lo su re s a r e c ommon i n t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley . T hey a r e n o t v ery l a rge a nd mo s t e xamp le s a r e f ound i n al im i ted a r ea . I n C ranborne C ha se t he re w a s o n ly o ne e nc losure c omp lex ; i te x i s ted i n a ppa ren t i s o la t ion , a nd w a s p e rhap s t he l a rge s t c on t empo rary u nde r tak ing i nt he who le c oun t ry . S im i la r c on t ra s t s c an b e f ound w i th t wo o the r t ypes o f e a r thwork . A ga in t he re a r e an umbe r o f f a ir ly s ma l l c ur su s monumen t s w i th in a r e la t ive ly r e s t r ic ted a r ea o f t he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley . B y c on t ra s t , C ranborne C ha se i s c ro s sed b y t he l a rges t o f a l t he se f e a tu re s . F ur the rmo re , t he l ong b a r row s a ccompany ing t he D or se t C u r su s may b e o f a n u nu sua l l a te f o rm a nd c on ta in r a the r a noma lou s d epo s i t s , b u t t hose i n t he U pper .T hames V a l ley w ere c on s truc ted o n av e ry much s ma l le rs c a le . T he a va i lab le e v idence a l so r a i se s t he p o s s ib i l i ty t ha t i n t he U ppe r T hame s l ong b a r row s a nd mo r tuary e nc lo sure s e x i s ted a l ong s ide as epa ra te t r ad i t ion o f i nd iv idua l b ur ia l , a s soc ia ted w i th c i rcu la r mounds . T h i s t r ad i t ion may h ave s t a r ted a t al a te r d a te i nC ranborne C ha se a nd w a sn eve ro ft he s ame i mpo r tance i nt he l a t ter a r ea . D ur ing t he L a ter N eo l i th ic p er iod ,t h i sc on t ra s tb ecame e ven s ha rper . T he T hame s V a l ley c on ta ined a n i n c rea s ing ly p rom inen t t r ad i t ion o f s i ng le b u r ia l s , b u t t he se w ere n eve rv e ry i mpor tan t i n C ranborne C ha se . A t t he s ame t ime b o th a r ea s s aw ag r ea t i n c rea se i n t h e e v idence o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty i n t he f o rm o f l i th ic s c a t ter s . T he d i f f e rence s b e tween t h e t wo a r ea sc ou ld h a rd ly b e s ha rpe r . I nC ranbo rne C ha se t he se l i th ic i n du s t r ie s c an b e d i v ided i n to t wo c on t ra s t ing g roup s ,w i th s ome o ft he l a rge s t a r ea s o fd ome s t ic s e t t lemen t w e l l a way f r om t he d i s t r ibu t ion o f c omp lex monumen t s . I n t he U pper T hame s V a l ley , t he re i sl i t t le v a r ia t ion b e tween d i f f eren ta r tef ac ta s semb lage sa nd t he ma jor g roup s o ff l in two rk r e co rded t o d a te a r e v e ry n ear t o t h e ma in g roup s o f monumen t s . U n l ike C ranborne C ha se , t he re i s l i t t le e v idence f o rt he d e l ibera te d epo s i t ion o fs pec ia l i sed a s semb lage si nt h i s a r ea . A l though t he s equence o f monumen t sw a sr a ther s im i la ri nb o th r e g ion s , t he s c a le o ft h e ma jo r e a r th w o rk si n Wes sex f a ro u t s tr ipped t ha t o fa ny monumen t s i nt he U ppe rT hame s V a l ley , w he re t he l a rge s t h enges may n o t h ave b een b u i l t u n t i l t he B eaker c e ram ic p ha se . T he e v idence f r om C ranborne C ha se c ome s f r om t oo s ma l la n a r ea f o ru sefu l d i scu s s ion o fP e te rbo rough Wa re /Grooved Wa re r e la t ions , b u t t he e v idence f r om s ou the rn Wes sex a s awho le s ugge s t s f u r the r s t ruc tur ing , w i th d i s t inc t ive d epo s i t s o f G rooved Wa re i n a nd a round t he ma jo r 1 31

c e remon ia l c en t re s . T h i s c anno t b e s e en i nt he T hame s V a l ley , where much s ma l le rh enge s w ere f i t ted i n to a r ea sw i th at r ad i t ion o fe x i s t ing monumen ts a s soc ia ted w i th P e terbo rough Wa re . I fT horpe a nd R ichard s a r e c or rec t i n s e e ing ad i rec t l i nk b e tween t he u se o fP e te r b o rough Wa re a nd t he a dop t ion o f B eake r s , i ti ss t r ik ing t ha t u n l ike C ranbo rne C ha se t h e U ppe rT hame sh a s ac omp le te s equence o fB eake r c e ram ic s . T o al a rge e x tent t he e v idence p re sen ted i nt h e se t wo p ape r s i sc on s i s ten t w i th t he g ene ra l a pp roach t aken b yT ho rpe a nd R icha rd s , b u t t h e c on t ra s t sb e tween , a nd e ven w i th in , t h e se r e g ion s mus t n o t b e o ve rempha s i sed . H enge s a nd c u r su s monumen t s a r e f ound i nb oth , a s a r e e a r ly r ound b a r row s w i th i nd iv idua l b u r ia l s . T he c on t ra s t i si nt he r e l a t ive i mpor tance o f t he se d i f f e ren t e l emen t s b e tween o u r t wo s t udy a r ea s , a nd s ugge s t s t ha t t h e se f e a tu re s may h ave b een p r e sen t i n many r e g ion s , a l though t h e i r l o ca l s i gn if icance n eed n o t h ave b een t he s ame . As e cond p o in t c once rn s t he o r ig in s o f t he se c on t ra s t s , f o r much o ft he d i scu s s ion c on s i de r s t he d i f f e rence s b e tween t he P e terbo rough a nd G rooved Wa re n e two rk s a nd t h e i r r e la t ion sh ip t o t he s ucceed ing B eaker t r ad i t ion . I no u rs t ud ie s o fC ranbo rne C ha se a nd t h e T hame s V a l ley , i ti sc l ea r t ha t many o ft he more s t r ik ing c on tra s t s w ere e s tab l i shed b ef ore e i ther o ft ho se a s semb lage sw e re i ng ene ra lu se . T hey c an b e s e en , f o ri n s tance ,i nt he d i f f e r e n t s i ze a nd s pac ing o fc au sewayed e nc lo su re s a nd c u r su s monumen t s , o ri nt h e v e ry d i f f e r e n t s c a le s o n w h ich l ong b a r row s w ere b u i l t . S uch r e g iona l c on tra s t s mu s t h ave b ecome e s tab l i shed q u i te e a r ly i n t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c , a nd w e re e mpha s i sed o n ly w eak ly , i fa t a l l ,i nt he man ipu la t ion o f ma te r ia lc u l tu re .I nt he s ame w ay ,i ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t t he G rooved Wa r e t r ad i t ion d id n o t make i t sa ppea rance i ns ou the rn E ng land u n t i l t he l a te t h i rd m i l len n ium a nd t ha t when i td id s o i tw a s t h rough l i nk s w i th r e g ion s w i th al ong e s tabl i shed t r a d i t ion o f c omp lex monumen t s . I tw ou ld b e w rong t os e e t he G rooved Wa re a s semb lage , o r t he l a rge h enge s a s soc ia ted w i th i ti np a r t s o f We s sex , a st he c u lm ina t ion o fe n t i re ly l o ca l d eve lopmen t s . T he ma rked s h if t i nl o ca t ion s hown b y t h e l a rge s t h enge s o n t h e c ha lk c ou ld m ean t ha t t h i s p ha se s aw s ub s tan t ia l d i s rup t ion . I fs o , t h i s e p i sode h a s n o e qu iva len t i nt h e U ppe rT hame s V a l ley , whe re t he ma jor h enge ss e em t ob e o fl a te r d a te . L a s t ly , b o th o ft he se s t ud ie sh ave b een c oncerned m a in ly w i th monumen t s , a l though t he i mpor tance o f monumen t b u i ld ing a s ap roce s s may h ave b een g r ea ter i nC ranborne C ha se t han i tw a s i n t he U ppe r T hames V a l ley . T he re a r e h in t s t ha t t h i s c on tra s t i sa l so r e f lec ted i n c on tempora ry ma ter ia l c u l tu re , b u t t he re a r e l im i t s t o t he s cope o f o u r a na ly s i s . Wo rk i n C ranborne C ha se i sh ampered b y t he s ma l l n umbe r o f f i nd s f r om t he a r ea a round t h e K now l ton C i rc le s . A pa r t f r om f l in twork , t h e a r tefac t s f r om t he U pper T hame s h ave l a cked d e ta i led s t udy s o f a r . I n o rde r t o r e la te t he p a t te rn s d i scu s sed i n t he se t wo p ape r s t o a b roader c on s ide ra t ion o f c on temporary a r tef ac t a s semb lages , i ti sn ece s sa ry t oe mba rk o n as epa ra te s t udy . R o samund C lea l ' s a na ly s i s o ft he c e ram ic e v idence f r om E a s te rn E ng land ( t h i sv o lume ,p . 1 35) f i l l s t h i sg ap i no u rw o rk , b y c on s ider ing a no ther a r ea i n wh ich monu m en t s may n o t h ave p l ayed ap a r t icu la r ly i mpo r tan t p a r t . I nl ook ing s o c l o se ly a tt he p rob l em s o f a s semb lage v ar ia t ion , h e r p aper s upp l ie s t h e d imen s ion wh ich w a s m i s s ing i n o u r o wn a na ly s i s .

A cknow ledgement s W e w i sh t o t hank t he f o l low ing p eop le f o r s how ing u s e xcava ted ma te r ia l o r p rov id ing u npub l i shed i n forma t ion :T im A l len ,R icha rd C hambe r s , C la i re H a lp in , D av id M i les , F ranc i s P ryor , M a rk R ob in son , J ohn T ay lor a nd J ef f Wa l l i s . W e a r e a l so g r a tefu l t o R o s C lea l f o r h e r c ommen t s o n s ome o ft he p o t tery . R icha rd B ur le igh , R icha rd C hambe r s , J ohn Gow le t t a nd I a n K innes h ave b een e x treme ly h e lpfu l i n p rov id ing t he r ad iocarbon d a tes f o r D o r c he s te r o n T hames . M any o ft he i d ea si nt h i s p aper h ave b een d i scu s sed w i th R o s C lea l ,J i l l F i she r , J u l ie G a rd ine r , I an K inne s , F ranc i s P ryo r , J u l ian T homa s a nd N ick T horpe . M a rk B owden w a sr e spon s ib le f o rt he f i gu re d raw ing s a nd L or ra ine M epham f o rt yp ing t he t ex t . A bove a l , w e a r e g r a tefu l t o P rof es sor R icha rd A tk in son f o r l e ng thy d i scu s s ion s o fh i s 1 32

w o rk a tD orche s ter o n T hames a nd f or a l low ing u s t o make u se o fh i su npub l i shed ma te r ia l . H eh a s a l so b een k ind e nough t o r e ad t h i s c hap te rb efo re i tw en t t o p res s .

B ib l iog raphy ATK INSON , R . J .C . 1 946 /7 . A M idd le B ronze A ge r ound b a r row a t C a s s ing ton , O xon . , O xon iens ia 1/ 12 , 1 4-35 . ATK INSON , R . J .C . 1 949 . Ah enge monumen t a t We s twe l l n ear B u rford , O xon . , O xon i e ns ia 1 4 , 8 4-6 . ATK INSON , R . J .C . 1 965 . Way land ' s Sm i thy , Ant iqu i ty 3 9 , 1 26-33 . ATK INSON , R . J .C . , P IGGOTT , C . M a nd S ANDARS , N . K . 1 951 . E xcava t ions a t Dor c he s te r , Oxon . ( Oxford , A shmo lean Mu seum ) . AVERY , M . 1 982 .T he N eo l i th ic c au sewayed e nc lo sure , A b ingdon , i nC a se , H . a nd Wh i t t le , A . ( ed i to r s ) ,S e t t lement P a t te rn si nt he O xf ord R eg ion ( London , C ounc i lf o r B r i t i sh A rchae o logy ) , 1 0-50 . B ENSON , D . a nd M ILES , D . 1 974 . T he U pper T hame s V a l l ey : a n A rchaeo log ica l S urvey o ft he R iver G rave l s ( Oxford , O xfordsh i re A rchaeo log ica l U n i t ) . B INFORD , L . R . 1 978 . Nunam iut E thnoarchaeo logy ( London ,A cadem ic P re s s ) . BRADLEY , R . 1 983 . T he b ank b ar row s a nd r e la ted monumen t s o f Do r se t i n t he l i gh t o f r ecen t f i e ldwork , P roceed ing s o f t he Dor se t N a tura l H i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty 1 05 , 1 5-20 . BRADLEY , R . i n p re s s . T he B ronze A ge i n t he Oxfo rd a r ea : i t sl oca l a nd r eg iona ls i gn if i c ance ,i n Row ley , T . ( ed i to r ) , T he A rchaeo logy o fO xf ord sh i re . BRADLEY , R . a nd F ISHER , P .i np re s s . S i ev ing f o rs o i l ma rk s , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchae o logy . BRADLEY , R . a nd R ICHARDS , J . 1 980 . T he e xcava t ion o f t wo r i ng d i tche s a t H eron ' s H ou se , B urghf ie ld ,B erk sh ir eA rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l 7 0 , 1 -7 . CASE , H . 1 963 . N o te s o n t he f i nd s ( f rom S tan ton H a rcour t ) a nd o n r i ng d i tche s i n t he Oxfo rd r eg ion , O xon ien s ia 2 8 , 1 9-52 . CASE , H . 1 982a . T he l i nea r d i tche s a nd s ou the rn e nc lo su re , N o r th S toke , i nC a se , H . a nd Wh i t t le , A . ( ed i to r s ) , S e t t l ement P a t tern s i n t he O xf ord R eg ion ( London , C ounc i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 6 0-75 . CASE ,H . 1 982b .T he V ica rage f i e ld ,S tan ton H a rcou r t ,i nC a se , H . a nd Wh i t t le , A . ( ed i to r s ) , S et t l ement P a t te rns i nt he O xf ord R eg ion ( London , C ounc i l f o r B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 1 0317 CASE , H . , BAYNE , N . , S TEELE , S . , AVERY , G . a nd S UTERME ISTER , H . 1 965 . E xca v a t ion s a tC i ty F arm , H anbo rough , Oxon . , O xon iens ia 3 0 , 1 -98 . CLARK , J .D . a nd KURASK INA , H . 1 981 . As t udy o f t he wo rk o f a mode rn t anner i n E th iop ia a nd i t s r e levance f o r a r chaeo log ica l i n terpre ta t ion , i n Gou ld , R . a nd S ch if f e r , M . ( ed i to r s ) , Modern Ma ter ia lC u l ture ( London , A cadem ic P re s s ) . CLARKE , D . L . 1 969 . T he B eaker P ot tery o fG rea t B r i ta in a nd I r e land ( Camb r idge , U n i v er s i ty P re s s ) . DAV ID , N . 1 971 . T he F u lan i c ompound a nd t he a r chaeo log i s t , W or ld A rchaeo logy 3 ,1113 1 DREW , C . D . a nd P IGGOTT , S . 1 936 . T he e xcava t ion o fl ong b a r row 1 63a o n T h ick thorn D own , D or se t ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 ,7 7-96 . FOLEY , R . 1 981 . A mode l o f r eg iona l a r chaeo log ica l s t ruc tu re , P roceed ing s o ft he P re h i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 7 , 1 -17 . GOULD , R . 1 980 . L iv ing A rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) . GRAY , H . S t G . 1 935 . T he A vebury e xcava t ion s 1 9081922 ,A rchaeo log ia 8 4 , 9 9162 . GRAY , M . 1 974 . T he D ev i l ' s Quo i t s , S tan ton H a rcour t , Oxon . , O xon iens ia 3 9 , 9 6-7 . 1 33

GRAY , M . 1 977 . N or thf ie ld F a rm , L ong W i t tenham , O xon iens ia 4 2 , 1 -29 . GR IMES ,W . F . 1 960 .E xcava t ion so nD ef ence S i te s 1 939-45 ( London , H .M .S .0 . ) . H INGLEY , R . 1 980 . T he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley s ur v ey , C ounc i lf or B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy G roup 9N ew s le t te r 1 0 , 1 41-3 . J ACKSON , D . A . 1 976 . T he e xcava t ion o f N eo l i th ic a nd B ronze A ge s i te s a tA ldw inc le , N o r than t s . , Nor thamptonsh i re A rchaeo logy 1 , 1 2-70 . J ONES , G . , WALL IS , J .a nd S KELL INGTON , W . 1 979 . Ab ingdon , Oxford sh i re , C ounc i l f or B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy G roup 9N ew s l e t ter 9 ,8 . KENWARD , R . 1 982 . A N eo l i th ic b u r ia l e nc lo su re a t N ew W in t le s F a rm , E yn sham , i n C a se , H . a nd Wh i t t le , A . ( ed i tor s ) , S e t t l ement P a t te rns i n t he O xf ord R eg ion ( London , C ounc i lf o rB r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 5 1-4 . L EEDS , E .T . 1 923 . A S axon v i l lage n ea r S u t ton C ou r tenay , B e rk s . , A rchaeo log ia 7 3 , 1 47-92 . L EEDS , E .T . 1 928 . A N eo l i th ic s i te a t Ab ingdon , B e rk s . : s e cond r epo r t , A nt iqua r ie s J ourna l 8 ,4 61-77 . L EEDS , E .T . 1 934 . R ecen t B ronze A ge d i scover ies i nB e rk sh i re a nd O xfo rd sh i re , Ant i q uar ie sJ ourna l 1 4 , 2 64-76 . MERCER , R . 1 980 .H amb l edon H i l l -aN eo l i th ic L and scape ( Ed inbu rgh , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . M ILES , D . 1 978 . Ab ingdon , R ad ley , B a r ton C our t F arm 1 972-6 , C ounc i l f or B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy G roup 9N ew s l e t te r 8 ,1 06-7 . MOOREY , P .R . S . 1 982 . AN eo l i th ic r i ng -d i tch a nd I r on A ge e nc lo su re a tN ewnham Mu r r en , n ea r Wa l l ingford , i n C a se , H . a nd Wh i t t le , A . ( e d i to r s ) , S e t t l ement P a t terns i n t h e O xf ord R eg ion ( London , C ounc i lf o rB r i t i sh A rchaeo logy ) , 5 5-9 . MORGAN ,F .d eM . 1 959 . T he e xcava t ion o f al ong b a r row a t Nu tbane , H an t s . ,P roceed ing s o ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc iety 2 5 , 1 5-51 . MURRAY , P . 1 980 . D i sca rd l o ca t ion : t he e thnog raph ic d a ta , Amer ican Ant iqu i ty 4 5 , 4 905 02 PALMER , N . 1 980 . AB eake rb ur ia la nd med ieva l t enemen t si nt he H ame l , O xfo rd , O xon i e ns ia 4 5 , 1 24-225 . ROB INSON , M . a nd W ILSON , R . f o r thcom ing . As u rvey o fe nv i ronmen ta la r chaeo logy i n t he S ou th M id land s . S AV ILLE , A . 1 983 . E xcava t ion s a t C ond ico te h enge monumen t , G louce s te r sh i re , 1 977 , T ransac t ions o ft he B r i s to la nd G louce s ter sh i re A rchaeo log ica lS oc ie ty 1 01, 2 1-47 . S ELK IRK ,A . 1 971 . A sco t t -under -Wychwood , C ur ren tA rchaeo logy 2 4 , 7 10 . SM ITH , I .F . 1 965 . W indm i l lH i l la nd A vebury ( Oxford , U n ive r s i ty P res s ) . THOMAS , R . a nd WALL IS , J . 1 982 . R ecen t w ork o n N eo l i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge s i te s i n t he A b ingdon a r ea , C ounc i lf or B r i t i sh A rchaeo logy G roup 9N ew s l e t te r 1 2 , 1 849 1 WH ITTLE , A . 1 981. L a ter N eo l i th ic s oc ie ty i n B r i ta in : ar e a l ignmen t , i n R ugg le s , C . a nd Wh i t t le , A . ( ed i tor s ) , A s t ronomy a nd S oc ie ty Dur ing t h e P er iod 4 000-1500 BC ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 97-342 . W ILSON , D . R . 1 982 . A i rP hoto I n terpre ta t ion f or A rchaeo log i s t s ( London , B a t sford ) .

1 34

9 .

T he L a te rN eo l i th ic i nE a s te rn E ng land R o samund C lea t

' A w oman e s pec ia l ly ,i fs he h ave t he m i sfor tune o fk now ing a ny th ing , s hou ld c oncea li ta sw e l l a ss he c an ' J ane A u s ten N o r thanger A bbey ' Recon s t ruc t ing t he c onduc t o f as oc ie ty f r om s ke le ton sa nd b roken p o t tery i sr a ther l i ke g ue s s ing t he p robab le s e t t ing a nd p lo t o f av i l lage p l ay f r om p roper t ie s d ropped a nd n o i se s m ade b eh ind t he s c enes b efo re t he c u r ta in r i se s -a n a t trac t ive p a s t ime , w ho se r e su l t sa r e n o t , h owever , t o b e t aken t oo s e r iou s ly ' W in if red H o l tby Women I n t roduc t ion T he a r ea o f E ng land wh ich f o rm st he s ub jec t o ft h i sa r t ic le may b e c on s idered i ns ev era l r e spec t s ap oor r e la t ion i nN eo l i th ic s t ud ie s , l a ck ing a si td oe s t he mo re o bv iou sa t t rac t ion s o f t he s ou th g enera l ly a nd o f We s sex i n p a r t icu la r . B e tween t he H umber a nd t he T hame s l a rge monumen t s a r e s pa r se a nd o f ten u nd i s t ingu i shed ;a l though l ong b a r row s , c au sewayed e nc lo sure s , c u r su se s a nd h enge s a r e k nown , t he i r n umbe r s a r e l ow i n r e la t ion t o t he l a rge a r ea i n vo lved , a nd , i ndeed , e ven t he h enge monumen t s t hem se lve s a r eu nu sua l ly s ma l l . T o s ome d eg ree t he u nspec tacu la r i mpre s s ion g i ven b y E a s tern E ng land may r e su l t f r om t he r a r i ty o f l o ca l ly o ccu r r ing s t one f o r monumen t b u i ld ing , t he l ong a nd i n ten s ive a g r icu l tura l u se o f t he a r ea , a nd t he d eg ree a nd n a tu re o fa r chaeo log ica la c t iv i ty i nt he p a s t . H oweve r , e ven mak ing a l lowance f o r t he se f a c tor s -a nd a e r ia l p ho tog raphy h a s t os ome e x ten t c om p en sa ted f o r t he d es truc t ion o f monumen t s b y a g r icu l ture -i ts e em s e v iden t t ha t ar e a l d i f f erence e x i s t s b e tween t h i s a r ea a nd t ho se where monumen t b u i ld ing w a s ac ommon f e a tu re o f N eol i th ic a c t iv i ty . A l though p oorer i n t h i s r e spec t , i ts e em s u n l ike ly t ha t t he d ea r th o f monumen t sw a sr e la ted t os c a rc i ty o fs e t t lemen t , a sE a s te rn E ng land h a s b een t he s ou rce o fs ome o ft he l a rge s tc e ram ic a nd l i th ic c o l lec t ion s o ft h i s p e r iod i nt he c oun t ry . O th er c on tr ibu t ion s t o t h i s v o lume h ave b een c oncerned w i th t he r o le o f monumen t si n N eo l i th ic s oc ie ty a nd w i th t he v a r ia t ion s i n ma ter ia l c u l ture a s soc ia ted w i th t h e i r u se . T o s ome e x ten t t he c on t ra s t s w h ich h ave a ppea red b e tween t he s equence s i nW e s sex a nd t he T hame s V a l ley a l ready s ugge s t t ha t mode l s d eve loped i n r e g ion s w i th l a rge a nd i mpre s s ive e a r thwork s may n o t h ave t h e s ame a pp l ica t ion t o o the r a r ea s . T h i s e s say p rov ide s a n o ppo r t un i ty o fp u tt ing t h i si d ea t ot he t e s t . I n p ar t icu la r , i ti sc once rned w i th a n umber o f q ue s t ion s i n t roduced i n t he se e a r l ier s t ud ie s , p lac ing t he e mpha s i s o n t he a bundan t a r tefac t s f r om E a s tern E ng land ,r a ther t han t h e e x t reme ly l im i ted e v idence o fb u r ia l s a nd monumen t s . T he ma in p a r t o ft he d i scus s ion w i l l d ea lw ith t h e r e la t ion sh ip b e tween t he d i f f eren t c e ram ic t r ad i t ion s o ft he p e r iod . Work i np ar t s o f We s sex h a ss ugge s ted t ha t t he P e te rbo rough a nd G rooved Wa re t r ad i t ion ss howed l i t t le o ver lap a nd t ha t t he i r d i s tr ibu t ion s t ended t o a vo id o ne a no the r i n t he v i c in i ty o f m a jor monumen t s ,b u t t h i s p a t te rn w a sn o t s oa ppa ren t i nt he U ppe r T hame s V a l ley , whe re monumen ts t hem se lve s w e r e l e s s i mpor tan t . T he f i r s t p a r t o f t h i s p aper i n ve s t iga te s t h e i n teg r i ty o f t he se t r ad i t ion s i n t he s t udy a r ea , t h rough a na ly s i s o f t he ir a s soc ia t ion s a nd d i s t r ibu t ion s . O ne f e a tu re o f e spec ia l i n tere s t i st he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween t h e B eaker t r a d i t ion a nd t ho se a s soc ia ted w i th P e terborough W a re a nd G rooved Wa re . I tw i l l b e r e ca l led t ha t i n Wes sex t he l a t ter s t y le s c ou ld h ave b een u sed b y c ommun i t ie s w i th d i f f e ren t s oc ia l 1 35

s t ruc tu re s a nd t ha t B eake r s s e em t o h ave b een i n t roduced i n to t he P e te rborough n e twork , r a ther t han t he t r ad i t ion a s soc ia ted w i th t he u se o fG rooved Wa re . A tt he s ame t ime , wo rk o n t he We s sex d own land s e emed t o s ugge s t s uch ac l o se r e la t ion s h ip b e tween t he u se o fG rooved Ware a nd t he b u i ld ing o f l a rge monumen t s t h a t T horpe a nd R ichards r e f er t o t he e xe rc i se o f' r i tua l a u tho r i ty ' . I ns t udy ing a n a r ea i nw h ich monu m en t s s e em t o h ave p l ayed amuch l e s s p rom inen tr o le , i tb ecome s i n c rea s ing ly i mpor tan t t oi n ve s t iga te t he c on tex ts i nw h ich G rooved Wa re h a s b een d i scove red . One a pp roach t aken i n t h i s p ape r i st o i nve s t iga te t he d epo s i t ion o f d i s t inc t ive a r tef ac t s , i n c a se t h e t ype s o f f o rma lb ehav iou r wh ich c ou ld h ave t aken p l ace a tt he s ou thern E ng l i sh h enge s a r e e v idenced o n d i f f eren t t ype so fs i te i nt he s t udy a r ea . L a s t ly , i n c on s ider ing a s semb lage v a r ia t ion i n t he L a te r N eo l i th ic o f E a s te rn E ng land , t h i sp ape rp l ace s c on s iderab le e mpha s i s o n t he f l in ti n du s t r ie s a s soc ia ted w i th t h ed i f f e ren t c e ram ic s t y le s , f o r n o t o n ly d o t hey p rov ide s ome i nd ica t ion o ft he i n teg r i ty o ft ho se t r a d i t ion s ,t hey a l so s hed l i gh t o n t he c hang ing n a tu re o fs e t t lemen t . T hu s t h i s p ape r w i l l o f n ece s s i ty d i f f e rs ub s tan t ia l ly f r om s ome o ft he o the r si nt h i sv o l ume . T he l a ck o f l a rge , w e l l s t ra t if ied s i te s , c omb ined w i th t he s hee rq uan t i ty o f ma te r ia l , b r ing s i t s o wn p rob lem s , p a r t icu la r ly i n a t temp t ing t o e s tab l i sh t he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween t he ma in c e ram ic t r ad i t ion s . F or t he p urpo se o f t h i s s t udy t he L a ter N eol i th ic i st aken t o e ncompa s s t he p e r iod d ur ing w h ich P e te rbo rough Wa re , G rooved Wa re a nd B eaker s w e re i n u se , a l though i ti sl i ke ly t ha t t he h em i spher ica l N eo l i th ic B ow l t r ad i t ion s , F ood V es se l s a nd C o l la red U rn s may o ve r lap t os ome d eg ree . P a t terns o fa s soc ia t ion T he m a jor p rob lem i n d ea l ing w i th t h i s p e r iod i st oe s tabl i sh t h e c h rono log ica lr e la t ion s h ip b e tween t he t h r ee ma in t r ad i t ion s . T he p re sen t c on sensu s o fo p in ion i sp robab ly b e s t e xemp l if ied b y t he c h rono logy u sed b y Sm i th i n 1 974 ( Sm i th 1 974 , f i g . 1 7 ) , o r b y t he c h rono log ica l o u t l ine e mp loyed more r e cen t ly b y B u rge s s ( 1980 , 3 7-43 , 6 2-68 ) . I ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t P e te rborough Wa re a ppea r s al i t t le b efore t h em id th i rd m i l lenn ium b ca nd c on t i nue s i n u se i n to t he f i r s th a lf o ft he s e cond m i l lenn ium b c , e ven tua l ly c on tr ibu t ing t o t he d eve lopmen t o f s ome B ronze A ge s t y le s . I ti sa l so t hough t t ha t G rooved Wa re e me rge s i n t he s e cond h a lf o f t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b ca nd s ur v iv e su n t i l a bou t t he m id second m i l len n ium b c ; w h i le B eaker s a ppear a t t he t u rn o f t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium , o rs l igh t ly e a r l ier , a nd r ema in i nu se u n t i l al i t t le a f te rt he m idd le o ft he s e cond m i l lenn ium b c . I f , a ss e ems t o b e t he c a se , t he c h rono logy o f t he t h r ee ma jo r t r ad i t ion so ve r lap s t o as i gn if ican t d eg ree , i ti s n ece s sary t oe s tabl i sh whe the rt hey a r ee xc lu s ive , o r whe the r t he re a r e a ny c on s i s ten t a s soc i a t ion s b e tween t hem . A s soc ia t ion s b e tween t h e ma in c e ram ic s t y le s d o o ccu ra t an umbe r o f s i te s i n e a s te rn E ng land , b u t t he se h ave t ob e t r ea ted c au t iou s ly , a st he re a r e m any p ro c e s se s , o the r t han c on tempo rane i ty o f u se , w h ich m ay l e ad t o m a ter ia l o f d i f f e ren t t r a d i t ion sb e ing f ound t oge the ri nt he s ame c on tex t . B ecau se o ft h i s as cheme h a s b een d ev i sed b y wh ich a ppa ren ta s soc ia t ion sc an b e c l a s s if ied : ( c e r ta inty o fa s soc ia t ion d ec rea se sf r om A 1t o A 3) C la s sA l: D i rec tA s soc ia t ion o n ly a pp l ied where s i ng le v e s se l s d i sp lay t r a i t so f mo re t h an o ne c e ram ic s t y le . C la s s A 2 : C losed A s soc ia t ion w here a r tef ac ts a r e f ound i n af e a tu re , w i th n o r e a son t op re sume t ha t t h e s he rd s a r e o the r t han c on tempora ry ; f o re xamp le t h ey d o n o t c ome f r om c l ea r ly d i f f e r e n tl a yer s ,o r f r om r e cu t s . C la s s A 3 : O pen A s soc ia t ion many s i tes i n t he s t udy a r ea a r e s imp ly s p reads o f o ccupa t ion ma ter ia l , a nd i f s he rds o f more t han o ne t r ad i t ion a r e p resen t t hey a r e c oun ted i nt h i s c l a s s , u n l e s st hey s how d i f f eren t ia lw ea r . T ab le s 1a nd 2 s how t he n umbe r o f a s soc ia t ions o f t he v a r iou s t ype s b y o ccur rence 1 36

T ab le 1 A 1a nd A2 t ype A s soc ia t ion s

B ronze A ge

B eake r

B ronze A ge

G rooved Wa re

N eo l i th ic B ow l

0

0

0

6

3

5 -

G rooved Wa re

3

2

P e terborough Wa re

-

2

B eake r

4

P e terbo rough Wa re

,

N eo l i th ic B ow l

T ab le 2

A 1A3 t ype A s soc ia t ion s P e te rbo rough

B ronze A ge B ronze A ge

B eake r

G rooved Wa re

9

B eake r

Wa re

0

0

7

4 4

G rooved Wa re

N eo l i th ic B ow l 3 1 0 3

P e terborough 3

Wa re N eo l i th ic B ow l

1 37

r a the r t han b y s i te ( t hu s s i te sw i th mo re t han t wo t ype so fc e ram ic a r e c oun ted mo re t han o nce ) . T he se t ab le s s how as urp r i s ing ly h i gh n umbe r o fa s soc ia t ion s b e tween t h e N eo l i th ic B ow la nd B eake rt r ad i t ion s ,a nd ac on s ide rab le n umber b e tween B eake r s a nd G rooved Wa re , a nd b e tween B eake r s a nd P e te rbo rough Ware . T he c omp le te l a ck o f a s soc ia t ion s b e tween b o th t he G rooved Wa re a nd P e te rbo rough t r ad i t ion s a nd B ronze A ge c e ram ic si sp e rhaps a l i t t le u nexpec ted , a sv a r iou s w r i te r s h ave s ugge s ted t ha t c e r ta in B ronze A ge p o t te ry s t y le s . m ay h ave d eve loped f r om G rooved Wa re a nd P e te rbo rough Wa re ( Sm i th a nd B u t le r 1 956 ; L ongwor th 1 961; B a r re t t 1 976 ) . T he n umber o fa s soc ia t ions b e tween N eo l i th ic B ow l s a nd P e terborough Wa re i sa l so l ow , c on s ide r ing t ha t t he l a t ter i sg ene raly h e ld t od e r ive f r om t he f o rme r( Sm i th 1 974 ) . O f t he t h ree t ype s o f a s soc ia t ion , t ype A l i st he mo s t c e r ta in , a nd r equ i re s t h e mo s t e xp lana t ion . O n ly o ne f i rm e xamp le h a s b een f ound w i th in t he s t udy a r ea , a l though s ome d oub t e x i s t s a bou t i t so r ig ina lp rovenance , a si tw a s f ound i n amodern c on tex t . T he s he rds i n q ue s t ion a r e f r om F a rnham i n e a s te rn S uf fo lk , a nd a r e t wo r im s o fE bb sf lee t f o rm i na f abr ic more c ommon i nf i ne B eake r s ,a nd d eco ra ted i n aB eaker s t y le . T hey a r e u npub l i shed , e xcep t i na n u n i l lu s t ra ted n o te ( C la rke 1 969 ) ,a nd w e re u nava i lab le when t he w r i te rs ough t t o d raw t hem i n 1 983 , a l though p rev iou s ly t hey h ad b een s e en b y h er . T he F a rnham s he rds a r e q u i te c onv inc ing a s E bb sf l ee t /Beaker h yb r id s , a nd t hey a r e n o t u n ique a s av e s se l f r om M e lbourne , D erby sh i re , s e em s t o s how t he s ame s ha r ing o f E bb sf lee t a nd B eake r t r a i t s ( Longwor th 1 976 ) . A no the r p o s s ib le A l a s soc ia t ion i sf r om s i te 6 4 / 1 , E d ing tho rpe , N o r f o lk , whe re ar im f ound d ur ing s u rf ace c o l lec t ion s e ems t oe xh ib i t aG rooved Wa re f o rm i n aB eaker type f a br ic , b u t t h i s h a s n o t b een c oun ted a st he c l a s s if ica t ion o f f a b r ic s e em s s l igh t ly more s ub jec t ive t han t ha t o f d eco ra t ion a nd f o rm . T he E d ing tho rpe a s soc ia t ion , h owever , i se n t i re ly i n a cco rd w i th t he o the r e v idence , a s B eake r s a nd G rooved Wa re a r e o ne o ft he mo re c ommon a s soc ia t ion s . N one o f t he a s soc ia t ion s i so f c ou r se c e r ta in , n o r c an t hey b e p roved b ecau se o ft he i n s uperab le p rob lem o f r e s idua l ma te r ia l : i ti so n ly p o s s ib le t o s t a te t ha t t he e v idence s e em s t o s ugge s t t ha t n one o ft h e t r ad i t ions w a s e nt i re ly e xc lu s ive ,a nd t ha t t he B eake rt r ad i t ion h ad f a i r ly s t rong l i nk s w i th B ronze A ge c e ram ic s ( a l l t h e c l a s s if iab le B ronze A ge m a te r ia li n a s soc ia t ion w i th B eaker sc on s i s t so fF ood V e s se l ) ,t he N eol i th ic B ow l t r ad i t ion ,a nd G rooved Ware ; w h i le t he P e te rborough t r ad i t ion may h ave h ad l e s s s t rong l i nk s w i th G rooved Wa re , B eake r s a nd t he N eo l i th ic B ow l t r ad i t ion , a nd n one w i th B ronze A ge c e ram ic s . T h i s c on t r a s t ss ha rp ly w i th t he s i tua t ion i nW e s sex d esc r ibed e l sewhe re i nt h i sv o lume . I ti s ,h oweve r ,a ppa ren t t ha t t he t r ad i t ion s d id e x i s ta se n t i t ie sr e cogn i sab le t ot h e i ru se r s , a si na l c a se st he n umbe ro fs i te s w i th c e ram ic s o fo ne t r ad i t ion a l one o u tnumbe rs i te s w i th m ixed c e ram ic s . S i x ty -n ine s i te sh ave p roduced P e terbo rough Wa re , o f wh ich e i gh t ( 1 1 .6% ) a l so h ave c e ram ic s o f a no the r t r ad i t ion i n a s soc ia t ion , w h i le t he f i gu re s a r e e l ev en ( 23 .4% ) o u t o f f o r ty seven f o r G rooved Wa re , a nd t wen ty two ( 8 .7% ) o u t o f 2 52 f o r B eake r s . A l though t he se f i gu re s h ave t o b e t r ea ted w i th c au t ion , t hey d o a ga in s ugge s t t h a t t he t r a d i t ion s a r e n o t e xc lu s ive , a nd t ha t i n p a r t icu la r G rooved W ar e t e nded t o b e m ixed w i th o ther s t y le s . D i s t r ibut ion As im i la r o ve r lap i sa ppa ren t i fw e c on s ide r t he d i s t r ibu t ion o fs i te s . A s w i th a ny d i s tr i b u t ion o f a r chaeo log ica l m a ter ia l i t mu s t b e r emembe red t ha t i ti sl i ke ly t ha t o n ly as ma l l p ropor t ion o f t he o r ig ina l t o ta l w i l l h ave s u rv ived a nd b een r e covered , b u t i tw ou ld s e em r e a sonab le i n t h i s c a se t o a s sume t ha t n o o ne f o rm o f c e ram ic w i l l h ave b een f a vou red a t t he e xpen se o f t he o ther s , a s n one i s ma rked ly mo re d u rab le o r a t t rac t ive t han t he r e s t . F ig s . 1t o 7s how t he d i s tr ibu t ion so ft h e ma jor t r ad i t ion s a nd t he i r s ub s ty le s . I ti si mmed i a t e ly a ppa ren t f r om t he se map s t ha t s ome a r ea s a r e a lmo s t e n t i re ly d evo id o f f i nd spo t s : s uch a r ea s i n c lude t he F en land , much o f t he E a s t A ng l ian i n ter ior , c en t ra l E s sex , w es te rn L inco lnsh i re a nd t he L inco ln sh i re Wo lds . T he b l ank a r ea s o f E a s t Ang l ia , a nd E s sex may r e a l ly h ave b een a vo ided i nt he L a te r N eo l i th ic , b ecau se o ft he h eavy s o i l s , b u t s ome o ft h e 1 38

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o the r a r ea s may b e b a re f o r d i f f eren t r e a son s , i n p a r t icu la r t he F en land whe re e x ten s ive p ea t c ove r may ma sk s e t t lemen t d eb r i s . S ome o f t he c oncen t ra t ion s o f f i nd spo t s , s uch a s t ho se a t t he s ou thern e nd o f t he Wo lds ( t he S a lmonby a r ea ) , i n n o r th -ea s t N o rfo lk ( t he E d ing thorpe /W i t ton a r ea ) , a nd t he e a s te rn e dge o f t he F en land ( t he H ockwo ld a r ea ) a r e l a rge ly t he r e su l t o f i n ten s ive a r chaeo log ica l a c t iv i ty b y af ew i nd iv idua l s , a nd t h i s mu s t b e b orne i nm ind when c on s ide r ing t he d i s tr ibu t ion s a s aw ho le . I ti si mmed ia te ly a ppa ren t f r om t he map s t ha t t he d i s t r ibu t ion s o f t he t h ree ma in t r a d i t ion s a r ei n many w ay sv e ry s im i la r , a nd t ha t t he s ame a r ea s w e re u t il i sed b y a l t h ree . T he n umbe r s o f s i te s i nvo lved i n e ach c a se d i f f e r c on s ide rab ly , a sB eaker s o u tnumbe rG rooved Wa re a nd P e terborough Wa re , b u t b o th t he l a t te r t r ad i t ion s a r e w ide ly s ca t te r ed a c ros s t he s t udy a r ea . T he E bb sf lee t a nd F enga te s ub s ty le s o f t he P e te rbo rough t r ad i t ion p erhap s t end t o f a vou r t he s ou th a nd e a s t o f t he s t udy a r ea , b u t t h i s i si nc on tra s t t ot he Mor t lake s ub s ty le , wh ich s how s t wo d en se a r ea s o f f i nd s i n t he n o r the rn p a r t o f t he a r ea , a t a nd a round S a lmonby a nd S cun thorpe . L ike t ho se o f t he Mo r t lake s ub s ty le , G rooved Wa re f i ndspo t s a r e w ide ly s c a t te red a c ro s s t he who le a r ea . I n p a r t icu la r , an umbe r o ff i nd spo t s b r idge t he i n te r ior o f E a s t A ng l ia a l ong an or th -we s t -s ou th ea s t a x i s , af e a tu re s ha red b y t he L a te S ty le B eake r d i s t r ibu t ion , b ut b y n one o ft he o the r s . T he f i nd spo t so fE a r ly S ty le B eake r s s t rong ly s ugge s t t ha t t h i si s ma in ly an or the rn p henomenon a st he d en se s t c oncen t r a t ion s o ff i nds a r e i nt he e x t reme n o r th o ft he s t udy a r ea , o n t he l i gh t s and sa round S cun t horpe . T h i s i ss uppor ted b y C la rke ' s map o f AOC B eake r s ( 1970 , map 1 ) . E a r ly S ty le B eake r s i n C a se ' s 1 977 t e rm ino logy a r e p oor ly r ep re sen ted w i th in t he s t udy a r ea , b u t M idd le a nd L a te S ty le B eaker s o ccur i n l a rge n umbe r s . T he map s ( f ig s . 1 -7 ) s how o n ly s e t t lemen t s a nd s t ray f i nd s , b u t C la rke ' s map s ( 1970 ) , wh ich a r e b a sed l a rge ly o n who le a nd r e cons truc tab le v e s se l s , o f ten f r om g rave s , s how b a s ica l ly t he s ame p a t te rn s . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o fL a te S ty le B eaker s d i f f er s s l igh t ly f r om t ha t o fM idd le S ty le B eake rs i te s i nt ha t t he f o rmer s how s r a the r mo re p ref e rence f o r t he w e s t a nd n o r th o ft he s t udy a r ea , b u t i n b o th c a se s E a s t Angl ia a ppea r s t o b e t he ma in a r ea o fs e t t lemen t , w i th p a r t icu la r empha s i s o n t he B reck land a nd t he a d jacen t a r ea o ft he F en land . O ne f e a tu re o fB eake rd i s tr ibu t ion , i n c on tra s t t o t ha t o f P e te rborough Wa re , a nd t o s ome e x ten t t o t ha t o fG rooved Wa re ,i s t he mo re e x ten s ive u se o ft he i n te r io ro fE a s t Ang l ia a nd ,i np a r t icu la r , o f No rfo lk . A l though , t hen , t he re a r e t he se s l igh t d i f f e rence s i nd i s tr ibu t ion , t he re i sv i r tua l ly n o s i ng l ea r ea w he r e o n ly o ne t r ad i t ion i sr epre sented ,a nd i nf a c tt he re a r em any s i te s( e .g .F enga te , P e te rborough , C ambr idgesh i re ; S a lmonby , L inco ln sh i re ; C lac ton , E s sex ) whe re p o t tery o f t he d i f f e ren t t r ad i t ion sh a sb een f ound i nq u i te c l o se p rox im i ty , a l though n o t i na s soc ia t ion ( P ryor 1 978 ; War ren e t a l . 1 936 ) . I n s umma ry , t hen , t he e v idence o f s i te d i s t r ibu t ion d oe s n o t s ugge s t t ha t t he t r ad i t ion s w ere s epa ra ted g eog raph ica l ly a s t hey w e re i np a r t s o f W e s sex , a nd i f t hey w ere l a rge ly c on tempo ra ry , t hen t he re i sc e r ta in ly n o e v idence f or t e r r i to r ia l i ty . F unc t ion a nd d epos i t ion I f , a s s e ems t o b e t he c a se , ac on s iderab le d eg ree o f c h rono log ica l o ve r lap d id e x i s t b e t ween t he t hr ee ma jor c e ram ic t r ad i t ion s , i ti sd i f f icu l t t oe nv i sage h ow t hey w e re emp loyed b y t he i r u ser s . T h i s q ue s t ion h a s o f c our se b een c on s ide red w i th p a r t icu la r e mpha s i s o n B eaker s ,p r inc ipa l ly b y B u rge s s a nd S hennan i n 1 976 , b y B u rge s s i n 1 980 , a nd b y G ib son i n 1 982 . A l l t he se w r i ter s d i sm i s s t he i d ea o f s epa ra te e thn ic g roups , b u t B u rge s s s e ek s t o e xp la in t he a ppa ren t s epa ra t ion o ft he t hree ma in t r ad i t ion s b y e nv i sag ing ac l ea rs epa ra t ion o fr o le s ,G rooved Wa re h av ing ama in ly d ome s t ic f unc t ion , a nd P e terbo rough Wa re ama in ly s epu lchra l o ne ( Burge s s 1 980 , 4 1) . G ib son a dm i t s t ha t t he re a ppea r t o b e d i f f e rences i nt he f unc t ion s o f t he c e ram ic s t y le s , a nd s ugges t s t ha t B eake r p o t te ry w a s t he mo s t p re s t ig iou s f orm , P e te rborough Wa re t ha t mo s t o f ten e mp loyed i n r i tua l , a nd G rooved W a re ama in ly d omes t ic c e ram ic . E ven s o , h e s e em s q u i te s a t i sf ied t ha t t he s ame p eop le manufac tu red a l t hree , a nd e xp re s se s s o me s urpr i se t ha t t hey a r e n o t mo re f r equen t ly f ound i nd i rec t a s soc i a t ion ( G ibson 1 982 , 8 6 ) . T h i s t ype o fi n te rp re ta t ion r e l ie s h eav i ly o n t he n a tu re o ft he s i te s o n wh ich t he p o t te ry i sf ound : B urge s s ' si n terpre ta t ion o fG rooved Wa re a sl a rge ly d ome s t ic 1 46

i nf unc t ion i sc l ea r ly e ngende red b y t he b e l ief t ha t t he l a rge h enge monumen t s i n We s sex h ad a p a r t ly d omes t ic f unc t ion . T h i s a pproach i sn o t w e l l s u i ted t o a n a r ea l i ke E a s te rn E ng land whe re t he re a r ev e ry f ew l a rge monumen t s b u t aw ea l th o fa r tef ac tua le v idence . I f w e a r e t o c on s ide r f unc t iona lv a r ia t ion i nt h i s a r ea , much mo re a t ten t ion mu s t b e f ocu s sed o nt he n a tu re o ft he s i te si n vo lved . When d ea l ing w i th t he se s i te s ,i ti so bv iou s ly n ece s sary t ha t t he s ame c r i te r ia a r e a pp l ied t o a l l t h ree t r ad i t ion s . T h i s w r i te r h a s a t temp ted ad i v i s ion i n to t he f o l low ing c a tegor ie s : s e t t lemen t s , s t ray f i nds , f une ra ry d epo s i t s a nd f i nd s f r om ' r i tua l ' s i te s ; as ma l l n umbe ro f o ther s i te s a r e d e scr ibed i nd iv idua l ly . T he se c a tegor ie s a r e f a i r ly s e lf -exp lana to ry , e xcep t t h a ts i te sh ave o n ly b een c a tegor i sed a ss e t t lemen t s i ft hey h ave f e a tu re s a nd /o rn on -ce ram ic m a ter ia l i n a s soc ia t ion , o r , i n af ew c a se s ( mo s t ly o fs e lec t ive s u rface c o l lec t ion ) , i f al a rge a moun t o f p o t tery h a s b een r e cove red . T he ' r i tua l ' s i te s c on s ide red a r e c ur su s a nd h enge monument s , a l though f i nd si nt h i sc a tegory a r en o tn ece s sa r i ly l im i ted t o ma te r ia li np r ima ry c on tex ts . T ab le 3 s how s t he P e terbo rough t r ad i t ion t o b e f a ir ly c on s i s ten t i n te rna l ly , w i th o n ly Mo r t lake a nd F enga te Wa re b e ing f ound i nc on tex t s o the r t han s e t t lemen t so ra ss t ray f i nd s . G rooved Wa re d i f f e r ss l igh t ly f r om P e terborough Wa re i nt ha t i ti sf ound much mo re c ommon ly o ns e t t lemen t s ,a nd a l so o ccur si n av e ry f ew f unera ry c on tex t s . T he p e rcen tage s f o r G rooved Wa re a cco rd f a i r ly w e l l w i th Wa inw r igh t ' s a nd L ongwo r th ' s f i gu re s f o r 16 s i te s f r om a l l o ve r B r i ta in : 5 4% d ome s t ic , 5 % s epu lch ra l , 3 3% s t ray f i nd s a nd 8 % r i tua l ( 1971, 2 49-254 ) . T he B eake r t r ad i t ion i sn o t i n te rna l ly c on s i s ten t , a sE a r ly S ty le B eake r s a r ee n t i re ly a b sen tf r om s e t t lemen t sa nd b u r ia l s ( a l though R i sby Wa r ren , H umbe r s ide ( R i ley 1 957 ) , m igh t b e c l a s s if i ed a s as e t t lemen t b ecau se o f t he n umber o f v e s se l s r epre sen ted ) . F une rary c on tex t s a r e mo s t f r equen t i n a s soc ia t ion w i th M idd le S ty le B eaker s , a l though t h e p e rcen tage r ema in s a lmo s t a s h i gh w i th t hose i n C a se ' s L a te S ty le . T h i ss e em st o c on t r ad ic t t he h ypo the s i s p roposed b y Wh i t t le ( 1981) t ha t l a ter B eaker s w e re p r ima r i ly d om e s t ic i nf unc t ion ,a nd w e re r ep laced i nf unerary c on tex t s b y B ronze A ge c e ram ic s t y le s s uch a sF ood V e s se l sa nd C o l la red U rn s . I na ny c a se t h i sm igh t b e d oub ted b ecau se o ft he o ccu r r e nce o fF ood V e s se l so rF ood V e s se l re la ted c e ram ic si nd ome s t ic c on tex t s ( e .g . H ockwo ld , N o rfo lk ( Bamfo rd 1 982 ) a nd R i sby Wa r ren , H umber s ide ( R i ley 1 957) ) , i n s ome c a se s a ppa ren t ly a s soc ia ted w i th B eaker s . T he s ma l l n umbe ro ff i nd s f r om ' r i tua l 's i te si na l l t h ree t r ad i t ion s mu s t b e c au sed ma in ly b y t he p auc i ty o f s u i tab le monumen t s , a nd o f t ho se f ew wh ich h ave b een e xcava ted t he h enge s , a t l e a s t , may b e d i f f eren t i n c ha rac te r f r om t he f am i l ia r e xamp le s i n We s sex . T he M axey h enge s , f o r e xamp le , h ave p roduced v e ry l i t t le a r tef ac tua l ma te r ia l ( S imp son 1 981; P ryor i np re s s ) , wh i le t he h enge a tA rm ingha l l , N o rfo lk , p roduced B eaker o rB eake r re la ted p o t tery f r om o ne o fi t sd i tche s( C la rk 1 936 ) . I ti sp os s ib le , h oweve r , t ha t t he r o le s p l ayed b y l a rge monumen t s i n o the r a r ea s f ound d i f f eren t e xpres s ion i n E a s te rn E ng land . P ryo r ( i n p re s s ) h a s c ommen ted o n t he c l eanne s s o ft h eh enge monumen t sa tM axey ,C ambr idge sh i re , wh ich s t reng then s t he c on t ra s t b e tween t h e se monumen t s a nd t he ma jor We s sex h enge s , a nd i ti sp o s s ib le t ha t o the r d i f f erence s e x i s t . P ryor , f o re xamp le ,a l so s ugge s t st ha ts ome o ft hese s i te s w ere u sed o n ly o cca s iona l ly a nd f o rv e ry s hor tp er iod s . I f monumen t sw e re n o t a si mpor tan t a st hey w e re i no the r a r ea s , f o rma l o r ' r i tua l ' b ehav iou r c ou ld h ave b een d i rec ted i n to o ther c hanne l s , i n wh ich c a se i t s e em s l i ke ly t ha t s ome e v idence o f t h i s w i l l h ave e n tered t he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord . W e m igh t e xpec t t o r e cogn i se i tn o t i n t he c e ram ic s a l one , b u t i n t h e a s soc ia ted ma te r ia la nd t h ec on tex t si nw h ich b o th a r e f ound . T he t ype s o f s i te f r om w h ich ma te r ia l o f t he t h ree t r ad i t ion s i sr e cove red a r e b road ly s im i la r : e v idence f o r s t ruc tu re s i se x treme ly r a re , e ven o n s i te s wh ich h ave b een p ro tec ted s o e f f ec t ive ly t ha t p o s t -ho le s s hou ld h ave s u rv ived . P i t s o f v a ry ing s i ze s a r e t he mo s t c om mon f e a ture , a l though h ea r th s a nd ' b u rn t p a tche s ' a r e a l so f a i r ly c ommon , b u t ac on s ide r a b le n umber o f s i tes c on s i s to fn o th ing b u t as c a t ter o fa r chaeo log ica l ma ter ia l . I nt e rms o f a s soc ia ted f i nds , t he P e te rbo rough t r ad i t ion i st he mo s t d i f f icu l t t o i n terpre t , a so n ly f i ve s i te sw i th in t he s t udy a r ea h ave p roduced o ther a r tef ac t s i na ny s o r t o fa s soc ia t ion . O ft he se 1 47

f i ve s i te s t he t h ree w i th Mo r t lake Wa re c on t ra s t w i th t h e t wo c on ta in ing F enga te Wa re , a s t hey h ave amuch n a r rower r ange o f f l in t i mp lemen t s . T he t h ree s i te s w i th Mo r t lake Wa re t oge ther p roduced o n ly s c rape r s , s e r ra ted f l ake s , a r rowhead s a nd u nc la s s if iab le r e touched p i ece s , i n c on tra s t t o t he t en t ype sp roduced b y t ho se s i te s w i th F enga te Wa re . I nt h e c a se o f t he G rooved Wa re a nd B eaker -a s soc ia ted s i te s t he p rob lem i sa lmo s t e n t i re ly r e ver sed : t h e re i s aw ea l th o f a s soc ia ted ma te r ia l a nd , i tw ou ld a ppea r , mo re t han o ne f a c to ri nf lu e nc ing d epo s i t ion . S ome a t l e a s t o f t he p i t f i l l s , a nd p o s s ib ly t he ma jor i ty , may b e s imp ly o ccupa t ion d ebr i s d epo s i ted f o r r e a son s o f h yg iene a nd c onven ience . On t he o the r h and t here a r e s e ve ra l G rooved Wa re p i t s , a nd a t l e a s t o ne p i t w i th M idd le S ty le B eake r s , wh ich may r equ i re ad i f f e ren ti n terpre ta t ion . T he i d en t if ica t ion o f s pec ial i sed d epo s i t s i sc l ea r ly b e se t w i th d i f f icu l ty , b u t t h e mo s t o bv iou s c r i ter ia w ou ld s e em t o b e t ha t t hey s hou ld c on ta in i t em s w h ich a r e r a r e ,u nusua l , d i f f icu l t t o o b ta in o r u pon wh ich al a rge a moun t o f l a bour h a s b een e xpended : i np a r t i c u la r i t em s wh ich a r e s i ng led o u t f o r u se i n c l ea r ly n on -dome s t ic c on tex t s , s uch a sb ur ia l s o r monumen t s . F or e xamp le , i n I a n K inne s ' s w o rk o n N eo l i th ic r ound b a r row s a nd r i ng d i tche s t he f ew G rooved Wa re a s soc ia ted b u r ia l s a r e c l a s s if i ed a sp a r t o fh i s s t ag e F( K inne s 1 979 ,6 7 )a nd t he ma ter ia la s soc ia t ion so ft h i s a r e : t r an sver se a r rowhead s , s kewe rp in s , s i de l ooped p in s , s t one mace s , f ab r ica to r s , f l in t a xe s , k n iv e s a nd f l ake s , a l though s ome o ft he se t ypes a r e n o t e xc lu s ive t o S t age F b u r ia l s . C lea r ly t hey c anno t b e t aken i ni s o la t ion a si nd i c a t ion s o f r i tua l o r s pec ia l i sed d epo s i t s , s i nce f abr ica tor s , k n ive sa nd f l ake s w ou ld p resum a b ly b e u sed o n o rd inary s e t t lemen t . O f t he o ther f i ve t ype s , s e ve ra l ( e .g . s kewe rp in s a nd s i de looped p in s )d on o t o ccu ri na s soc ia t ion w i th G rooved Wa re i nt he s t udy a r ea , a l though a c id s o i l s may h ave d e s t royed a ny b one a ts ome s i te s . W i th s o f ew g u idel ine s i ti sf a i r ly d i f f icu l t t oe s tabl i sh whe the rs pec ia l i sed d epo s i t s e x i s t i n t h i s a r ea , b u t af ew s i te s d o s e em d i f f eren t f r om t he ma jor i ty i n c e r ta in r e spec t s . T he G rooved Ware ' c ook ing h o le s ' a t C lac ton , E s sex , f o r i n s tance h ave b een s ugge s ted a sp o s s i b ly ' r i tua l ' i n n a tu re ( Wa inw r igh t i n L ongwo r th , Wa inw r igh t a nd W i l son 1 971 , 17119 ) , a nd t he i r f i l l s d o s e em t o h ave b een d e l ibe ra te ly s e lec ted : s e ven ' c ook ing h o le s ' c on ta in f l akes f r om p o l i shed f l in t a xe s ; o ne a l so c on ta ined ap o l i shed s t one a xe c h ip . I nt wo o the r p i t s t h e o n ly b y -produc t s p re sen t w er e f l ake s , wh i le i n at h i rd t he o n ly w a s te w a s i n t h e f o rm o f c o re s . O vera l l t he p ropor t ion o f c ore s a nd i mp lemen t s w a s v ery h i gh i nr e la t ion t o t he w a s te f l ake s , a ga in s ugge s t ing t ha t s e lec t ion h ad t aken p l ace ( Wa inwr igh t o p . c i t .) . O ther p o s s ib ly d e l ibe ra te ly s e lec ted d epo s i t s i n c lude t h ree p i t s f r om B a rho lm , L inco ln s h i re a nd o ther s a t G lebe F a rm , F e l twe l l , N o rfo lk ; W e s t S tow , S uf fo lk ( Ma r t in 1 979 ) ; T he tfo rd , N o rfo lk ; D a le s R oad , I p sw ich , S uf fo lk a nd p o s s ib ly We s t R un ton , N o rfo lk ( Ge l l 1 949 ) . A t l e a s t t wo f o rm s o f s e lec t ive d epo s i t a ppea r t o b e r epre sen ted b y s u ch s i te s : t h e B arho lm , F e l twe l l a nd p o s s ib ly C lac ton f e a tu res a ppea r d i s t inc t ive b ecau se t h ey c on ta in b one i mp lemen t s , wh ich a r e r a re i nG rooved Ware c on tex t si nt he a r ea , h uman b one , wh ich i se ven more r a re , a nd/or s pec ia l i sed l i th ic s . T he o the r s i te s a r e u nu sua l i n t h a t t h ey h ave av ery r e s tr ic ted r ange o f c on ten t s , a s soc ia ted w i th s i ng le G rooved Wa re v e s s e l s , b u t g en e r a l ly n o t w i th w ho le p o t s . I np a r t icu la r , t he D a le s R oad f e a ture a ppea r s t oh ave c on ta ined p a r t o fa n u nu sua l ly l a rge v e s se l w i th s l ab l ike s i de s , a nd t he We s t S tow a nd F e l twe l lv e s se l s a r e d i s t ingu i shed b y t he f a c t t ha t t hey a r e t wo o f t h e o n ly t h ree v es se l s f r om t he s t udy a r ea t o h ave p e l le t s o r w o rked -up l ump s o n t he r im . T he We s t R un ton ma te r ia l i sd i f f i c u l t t o i n te rpre t a s i tw a s r e cove red a f te r ac l if f f a l l , f r om a ' b lack p a tch ' i nw h ich t wo s ke le ton s a nd s ome B eaker s he rd s w ere a l so o b se rved . I ti sp o s s ib le t ha t t h e t wo a r e n o t c onnec ted . W i thou t d e sc r ib ing e very c on tex t i n wh ich G rooved Wa re h a s b een f ound w i th in t h e s t udy a r ea i ti sd i f f icu l t t oi lu s tra te t o wha t d eg ree t h e a bove s i te s d i f f er f r om t h e m a jor i ty , b u t o ne o ther s i te d oe s s e em t oc on ta in af o rma l d epo s i t . A t G r ime s G rave s t wo o pen b ow l s w i th c omp lex g eome t r ic i n te rna l d eco ra t ion w ere f ound l y ing o n ad ump o f c ha lk b lock s o n t he b o t tom o f af l in t m ine , i n a s soc ia t ion w i th a s t a ined a r ea , p o s s ib ly r e pre sen t ing o rgan ic ma ter ia l . T hey w ere a ccompan ied b y af l in t i ndu s try i n c lud ing v e ry l a rge c o re s , 1 48

a xe s , as c rape r a nd af ew w orked a nd u t i l i sed f l ake s . T he d ump o fc ha lk i sl i ke ly t o b e t he s po i lf r om t he f i na lu se o ft h e s haf t ,a nd c ha rcoa l f ound c l o se t o t he p o t tery h a s b een d a ted t o 1 831±67 b c ( BM 7 78 ) . A s t he e xcava tor s ugge s t s , ' t he u nu sua l n a ture o f t h i s d epo s i t m ay p o in t t o t h e d epo s i t ion o f t he p o t s f o r s ome s pec ia l a nd i r ra t iona l p urpo se ' ( Me rce r 1 98 1) . I ti sv e ry d i f f icu l t i ndeed t o r e jec t t he c onc lu s ion t ha t t h i s ma ter ia l r ep re sen t s a s i ng le a c t o f d e l ibe ra te d epo s i t ion , a nd o ne g ove rned b y mo t ive s n o t a ta l li r ra t iona l t o t he p eop le who made i t . Among t he s i te s wh ich h ave p roduced B eake r p o t tery i ti se ven mo re d i f f icu l t t o d i s t i ngu i sh d i f f e ren t t ype s o fd epo s i t , a l though i ts e em s f a i r ly c l ea r t ha t t he re a r e mo re s ub t le d i s t inc t ion s p re sen t t han t ho se s imp ly b e tween s e t t lemen t a nd b u r ia l . E a r ly S ty le B eake r s a r e r epre sen ted a lmos t e n t i re ly b y s t ray f i nds ( Tab le 3 ) , a l though i ti sp o s s ib le t ha t t he re w a s s e t t lemen t i nt he R i sby War ren - C ro sby War ren a r ea o fH umbe r s ide ( R i ley 1 957 a nd 1 973) . S e t t lemen t s , h oweve r , f o rm ah i gh p ropo r t ion o ft he c on tex t s wh ich h ave p roduced b o th M idd le a nd L a te S ty le B eake r s ,a nd t he re a ppea r st o b e f a rl e s s e v idence f o r s pec ia l o r f o rma l d epos i t s .I nt he c a se o fM idd le S ty le B eake r so n ly o ne , ap i t a tB u rn t F en , C amb r idge s h i r e , a ppear s t o h ave a ' s pec ia l ' f i l l , wh ich c on s i s t s o fs herds , r ep re sen t ing s e ve ra l B eaker s , a nd t wo a n t ler ? mace s . T h i si si nc on tra s t t o t he ma jor i ty o fB eaker s i te sw i th e i the r M idd le o r L a te S ty le B eaker s , b u t t h i s d oes n o t i mp ly t ha t a l t he o the r ' s e t t lemen t s ' a r e u n iform i nt h e t ype o r n a tu re o f t h e a s soc ia ted ma ter ia l . I np a r t icu la rt he re a r e a tl e a s t t wo M idd le S ty le B eaker s i te s ( Mar t le sham B ar row I I , S uf fo lk ( Ma r t in 1 977 ) ; S i te 1 01, D ove rcou r t , E s sex ) w h ich h ave e x t reme ly h i gh s c raper :o the r t oo l r a t io s a nd a v e ry l im i ted r ange o f i mp lemen t s , a nd t h i ss t y le o fB eaker i sa l so a s soc ia ted w i th t he o n ly t wo ' b urn t mound s ' i n t he a r ea t o h ave p roduced p o t tery o f t h i s p er iod ( Ove ra H ea th , Q u idenham , N o rfo lk a nd H oe , E a s t D e reham , N or fo lk ) . T he l a t te r a r e s i te s c on s i s t ing l a rge ly o f mound s o f b urn t f l in t s , o f at ype b e t ter k nown i n l a ter p e r iods ( Ap l ing 1 931) . T he f l in t i ndu s t r ie s a tb o th O v e ra H ea th a nd H oe a r e r e s tr ic ted a nd c ompo sed ma in ly o f s c rape r s . B o th t ype s o f s i te c ou ld h ave p l ayed as pec ia l i sed r o le i n t he s e t t lemen t p a t tern , a nd w e may n o t b e s e e ing d e l ibe ra te ly s e lec ted d epo s i t s . T hey a r e w i thou t t he s pec ia l o r r a re i t ems , wh ich c an b e f ound a s soc ia ted w i th B eake r s i n g r ave s . I nf a c t l i t t le a t ten t ion s e ems t oh ave b een p a id t o t h e d epo s i t ion o f t he a r tef ac t s ,a si na l l f ou r c a se s t he a r tef ac t s w e re f ound s c a t tered o n a n o ld g round s urf ace , o rm ixed w i th t he f l in t si nt he ' b u rn t mound s ' . I n t he c a se o f L a te S ty le B eaker s i te s e v idence f o r s pec ia l d epo s i t s i sa lmo s t e n t i re ly a bs en t . T he ma jor i ty o f a r tef ac t a s semb lage s v a ry l i t t le f r om wha t m igh t b e e xpec ted o f s e t t lemen t s , a l though t he s i te s a t H ockwo ld , a t t he e a s tern e x t rem i ty o f t he F en land , a ppea r t o b e e spec ia l ly r i ch i n a r tef ac t s o f b one a nd s t one ( Bamford 1 982 ) : t he p re sence o r a bsence o f b one may b e i nf luenced b y s o i l c ond i t ion s , b u t t he s ame c anno t b e t r ue o f t he w orked s t one . H oweve r , t he s i te s a t H ockwo ld g i ve t he i mp re s s ion o f b e ing n orma l s e t t lemen t s , a nd t he ma jor i ty o f t he a r tefac t s w e re f ound s c a t te red a round h ea r th s a nd i n ' o ccupa t ion ' l a yer sr a ther t han i np i t so ri nr e cogn i sab ly f o rma l d epo s i t s . L a te S ty le B eake r s i te s e ven s e em t oc on t ra s ts l i gh t ly w i th t hose o ft he M idd le S ty le B eaker s i te s i nt ha t t he re i sn oc l ea rd iv i s ion i nt he f l in ta s semb lage sb e tween s c rape r -dom ina ted i ndu s tr ie s w i th av e ry r e s t r ic ted r ange o f o the r t oo l s a nd t ho se i ndu s tr ie s w i th aw ide r ange o fa r tef ac t t ype s a nd al owe rp ropor t ion o fs c rape r s . O n ly o ne s i te w i th L a te S ty le B eake r s , t ha t a tC o t tage F ie ld , Wa t t i sf ie ld , f a l l s i n to t he f o rme r c a tegory , a nd t here t he o n ly o the r t ype o fi mp lemen t p re s en t i s ap i ercer , w h ich s l i gh t ly s t reng then s t he t heo ry t ha t t r ea tmen t a nd w ork ing o fs k in s may h ave b een t he ma in f unc t ion o f s uch s i te s . T he ma jor i ty o fo the r f l in t i ndu s t r ie s w i th L a te S ty le B eake r s s how f e a tu res wh ich s e em c ompa t ib le w i th wha t m igh t r e a sonab ly b e e xpec ted o f s e t t lemen t s : av a r ie ty o f t oo l t ype s i sp re sen t , t oge ther w i th a f a i r ly l a rge q uan t i ty o ff l in twork ing b y -produc t s . T h i s d i scus s ion h a s i n t roduced an umber o f r a the r d e ta i led o b serva t ion s , a nd i t may b e h e lpfu lt os ummar i se t he ma in p o in t si nr e la t ion t ot he b roader o b jec t ive s o ft h i s e s say . O ne o ft he g r ea tes t p rob lem si nc ompa r ing t he L a te r N eo l i th ic o fE a s tern E ng land w i th d eve lop m en t s i n o the ra r ea s ,p a r t icu la r ly We s sex , i st ha t t he c ha rac te r o fa r chaeo log ica ld epo s i t s i n 1 49

T ab le 3 T he c on tex t so fc e ram ic f i nd si nE a s te rn E ng land ' S amp le s i ze 'r e f e r st ot he n umbe ro ff i nd spo t s . P e rc en tage sh av eb een r ounded t ot he n ea re s tw ho le n umbe r . S e t t lemen t

S t ray f i nd s

F une ra ry

E bb sf lee t

3 0%

6 4%

-

Mor t lake

2 7%

6 8%

F enga te

2 3%

6 9%

I nde term ina te P e te rbo rough

3 0%

7 0%

T o ta l P e te rborough

2 8%

6 8%

G rooved Wa re

5 5%

3 3%

E a r ly S ty le B eake r

R i tua l

O the r

S amp le s i ze 1

2 % ? 8% (b )

2 % (a )

4 4

-

1 3 1 0

6 %

3 %

1 %

7 8

2 %

4 % (c )

4 9

8 % (d )

1 2

9 2%

M idd le S ty le B eake r

2 1%

2 5%

5 4%

17

L a te S ty le B eake r

2 6%

3 0%

4 2%

1 %

I nde te rm ina te B eake r

2 9%

5 6%

1 2%

2 %

1 % (e )

15

T o ta l B eake r

2 5%

3 8%

3 5%

1 %

1 %

3 96

1 52

a .G r ime sG rav e s ,b u ta ppa r en t ly n o t d i r ec t ly a s soc ia ted w i th t h e f l in tm in ing . b .F ound i nf e a tu re sw i th in t he c u r su sa tS p r ingf ie ld ,E s sex . c .G r imes G rave sf l in tm ine ;p i tb enea th b a r row a tC he r ry H in ton a nd i nr ound b a r row d i tch ( p robab ly s e t t lemen t d eb r i s ) . d .I n mound o fS kend leby Il ong b a r row . e .G r ime sG rav e s .

1 50

t ho se r eg ion s i so f ten h i gh l igh ted b y t he i ro ccur rence i ns pec ia l i sed t ype s o f monumen t . I n t h e s t udy a r ea t he re a r e f ew s uch monumen t s , a nd e ven t he se may h ave b een u sed i nv e ry d i s t inc t ive w ay s . T o d a te t h ey h ave n o tp roduced l a rge q uan t i t ie s o fa r tef ac t s . O n t he o ther h and , an umber o f a r chaeo log ica l d epos i t s i n E a s tern E ng land d o h ave f e a tu re s i n c ommon w i th t he f i nd s f r om l a rge monumen t s o r t he i r i mmed ia te v i c in i ty . I n p a r t icu la r t he re s e em s t o b e s ome e v idence o f i n ten t iona l s e lec t ion i n t he c ompo s i t ion o f d epo s i t s wh ich m igh t o therw i se b e i n te rp re ted a s s e t t lemen t r e fu se . I ft he se h ave b een i d en t if ied c or rec t ly , i tm igh ts ugge s tt ha t ' r i tua l 'p rac t ice s w e re n o t s ha rp ly s epa ra ted f r om e v eryday a c t iv i t ie s ; e ven s os ome a t temp t t o c ha rac ter i se t he se d i f f eren t d epo s i t si si mpor t a n ti fb roader t hemes a r e t ob e a ddre s sed . E ven mak ing t h i s a l lowance , i ts e em s c l ea r t ha t t he ma jor i ty o ft he s pec ia l i sed d epo s i t s w e re a s soc ia ted w i th G rooved Wa re , a l though t hey r a r e ly t ake s uch a d i s t inc t ive f o rm a s t ho se f ound w i th l a rge monumen t si no ther p a r t s o ft he c oun t ry . I nc e r ta in c a se s t hey may f o rm o n ly o ne c omponen to fo s ten s ib ly d ome s t ic s i te s . T he re i s much l e s se v idence f o rs uch s p ec ia l i sed o r f o rma l b ehav iou r o n B eaker s i te s ,a nd h ere mo s t o ft he e v idence f o ru nu sua l d epo s i t s c ome s f r om s i te s wh ich may h ave p l ayed as pec ial i sed r o le i nt he s ub s i s tence e con omy . T he q ue s t ion o f e conom ic s pec ia l i sa t ion i n t roduce s a no ther d imen s ion i n to t h i s a ccoun t a nd i sb e s t c on s idered i n r e la t ion t o t he c ompo s i t ion o f t he f l in t i ndu s try a s a w ho le .

F l int i ndust r ie s T he l a s ta spec to ft he L a ter N eo l i th ic ma te r ia l f r om t he a r ea wh ich m igh t s hed s ome l i gh t o n t he r e la t ion sh ip s b e tween t he t h ree t r ad i t ion si st he c ompo s i t ion o ft he a s soc ia ted f l in t w o rk . F ig s . 8 10 s how t he s ummed t o ta l so fa l l t he i ndu s t r ie s f r om t he s t udy a r ea s e en b y t h e a u thor . I n t he c a se o f t he P e te rbo rough t r ad i t ion t he t o ta l s a r e e x treme ly s ma l l , b u t t h e f i gu re s f o r G rooved Wa re a nd M idd le a nd L a te S ty le B eaker s a r e c ompa rab le . T here i s an o t iceab le d i f f erence b e tween t he t oo l c omponen t s o f t he P e terbo rough a nd G rooved W a re t r ad i t ion s ,i n wh ich r e touched a nd s e r ra ted f l ake s a r e a lmo s t a si mpor tan t a ss c raper s , a nd i ndu s tr ie s a s soc ia ted w i th B eaker p o t tery i n wh ich s c raper s a r e u nque s t ionab ly t he d om inan t f orm ( f ig . 8 ) . T he t ype s o f s c raper f a vou red a l so v ary b e tween t he t r ad i t ions ( f ig . 9 ) : e nd s c raper s f o rm s l igh t ly mo re t han h a lf t he s c raper s i n t he P e te rbo rough t r a d i t ion , a nd c on s iderab ly mo re t han h a lf o f t ho se i n G rooved Wa re c on tex t s . I n B eaker a s soc ia ted i ndu s t r ie s t hey a ccoun t f o r o n ly a bou t 4 0% o f t he t o ta l . O f t he mo re u nu sua l t ypes o f s c raper , t he d oub le s ided f o rm o ccur s o n ly w i th B eaker s , wh i le d i sco ida l s c raper s a r e much more p opu la r i n G rooved Wa re -a s soc ia ted i ndu s tr ie s . F o rh or se shoe s c raper s t he r e v er se i st he c a se . T he B eaker -a s soc ia ted i ndu s t r ie s a r e a l so n o t i n terna l ly c on s i s ten t , a s M idd le S ty le B eaker s a r e f ound w i th f ou r t ype s o fs c raper ( t he e nd , e nd a nd s i de , s i de , a nd h o r se shoe s c rape r s ) i n r ough ly e qua l p ropor t ion s , wherea s e nd s c raper s f o rm n ea r ly h a lf t h e t o ta l o n s i te s w i th L a te S ty le B eaker s . T he v ar ie ty o f s c rape r f orms i n M idd le S ty le B eake r i ndu s t r ie s i sp re sumab ly c onnec ted w i th t he h i gh p ercen tage o f t he se t oo l s f ound o n s ome o f t he i nd iv idua l s i te s ; a ss ugge s ted e a r l ie r , t he se g roup s may h ave p l ayed ap a r t i c u la r ly s pec ia l i sed r o le i nt he p a t te rn o fs e t t lemen t . F igu re 1 0 i lu s t ra te s t he n umber o f c l a s s if iab le c o re s e xam ined b y t he a u tho r , a nd a ga in t h e re a ppea r s t o b e ac on s iderab le d i f f erence b e tween t he t ype s f a vou red b y t he u ser s o f G rooved Ware , a nd t ho se i n B eake r i ndu s t r ie s . Aw ide v ar ie ty o f c o re t ype s w e re u sed o n G rooved Ware s i te s , where A 2 c o re s ( s ing le p l a tfo rm w orked p a r t o f t he w ay r ound ) a nd u nc la s s if iab le t ype s a r e o n ly s l igh t ly mo re p opu la r t han k ee led c o re s ( t ype D ) . O n s i te s a s soc ia ted w i th B eaker s , A 2 a nd u nc la s s if iab le c ores f a r o u tnumber t he o the r s . ' To r to i se ' c ore s o n ly s e em t o o ccur i nG rooved Wa re -a s soc ia ted i ndu s tr ie s , a nd a r e l i ke ly t oh ave b een u s ed f o rt he p roduc t ion o fb l ank s f o rt r an sve r se a r rowhead s . B ecau se A2 c o re s a r e r e la t ive ly s imp le , i ti sn o t s u rpr i s ing t ha t t here a r en ea r ly a s many o ft he se a st here a r e u nc la s s if iab le t ype s . T he o ve ra l l i mpre s s ion g i ven i st ha t l e s s c a re i sa cco rded t o t he p repa ra t ion o f t he 1 51

r aw ma ter ia l i n B eaker d omes t ic i ndu s t r ie s t han i n t ho se a s soc ia ted w i th G roov ed Wa re , a nd t h i s i sp erhap s r e la ted t o t he more r e s tr ic ted n a tur e o f t he o ve ra l l i mp lemen t a s sem b l age ( f ig . 8 ) . Apa r t f r om t he s c rape r s a nd c o res , o the r t ype s s how c e r ta in d i f f erence s b e tween t he G rooved Ware a nd B eake r t r ad i t ion s ( f ig s . 8 10 ) . I n p a r t icu la r , o f c our se , t h e re i st he o bv iou s d i s t inc t ion i n t ypes o f a r rowhead b e tween t he t wo g roup s . Th i s i sn o t d i scus sed h ere a s i ti sw e l l e s tab l i shed t ha t t r an sver se t ype s a r e c ha rac te r i s t ic o fG rooved W a re i ndu s t r ie s , a nd b a rbed -and tanged t ype s o f B eaker i ndu s t r ie s . On t he e v idence f r om t h e s tudy a r ea i ti sn o t p os s ib le t o make a ny c ompa r i son b e tween t he t ype s o fa r rowhead a s soc ia ted w i th t he P e terborough t r ad i t ion a nd t he t ype s a s soc ia ted w i th t he o ther t wo m a in s t y le s , a ss o f ew e xamp le sh ave b een f ound w i th P e terbo rough Wa re , b u t w i th in t he G rooved Wa re t r ad i t ion t he ma in c l a s s i st ype H , a n o b l ique f o rm ( 35 .5% o f a l l c l a s s if iab le a r rowheads ) , w h i le t he f ew e xamp le s w i th P e te rborough Wa re a r e a l l c h i se l -ended f o rms . A t a mo re g enera l l e ve l t here a r e o the r n o t iceab le d i f f erence s b e tween t he G rooved Wa re a nd P e te r b orough t r ad i t ions o n t he o ne h and , a nd t he B eaker t r ad i t ion o n t he o the r . I nt he f o rme r , u nc la s s if ied r e touched p i ece s ,s e r ra ted f l ake s a nd a r rowhead s a r e o fg r ea te ri mpo r tance t han i n t he l a t te r . T o s ome e x ten t t h i s c on t r ibu te s t o t he d om inan t p o s i t ion o f s c rape r si nt he B eake r t r ad i t ion , where t hey c on s t i tu te a lmo s t t h ree -qua r ter s o fa l l a s soc ia ted i mp lemen t s , wh i le w i th P e te rborough Wa re t hey m ake u p o n ly a t h i rd o f a l l t oo l s , a nd w i th G rooved Wa r e s l igh t ly l e s s t han h a lf ( 71 .8% , 3 4 .3% a nd 4 7 .6% r e spec t ive ly ) . T he se p a t te rn s a r e u nden iab ly s t r ik ing b u t u nfor tuna te ly a t p re sen t t he re i sn o w ay o f t e l l ing wh ich o f t he se d i s t inc t ion s a r e ' c u l tu ra l ' , t e chno log ica l o r f unc t iona l , a nd f ur the r i nve s t iga t ion o f t h i s p rob lem i sr equ i red . On t he o the r h and , i n ten t iona l s e lec t ion d oe s n o t s e em t o b e t he a n swe r . D i scus s ion a nd c onc lus ions I n c ons ider ing t he p rob lem s r a i sed b y t he d i f f e ren t c e ram ic a s semb lage s i n E a s tern E ng land , t h i s p ape r h a s p re sen ted ac e r ta in amoun t o fu nf am i l ia r d a ta . Much o fi t sn ove l ty r e su l t s f r om t he s t r ik ing c on t ra s t s b e tween d eve lopmen t si nt he s t udy a r ea a nd ag ene ra l i sed p i c tur e o f L a ter N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty i nB r i ta in d e r ived l a rge ly f r om w o rk i n Wes sex . T he f i na l s e c t ion o f t h i s p aper h a s t wo o b jec t ive s : t o p u t f o rwa rd at en ta t ive s equence f o rt he ma in d eve lopmen t s i n E a s te rn E ng land a nd t o f ocu s a t ten t ion o n t he s ha rp c on t ra s t s b e tween t he a r chaeo log ica l r ecord i n t h i s p a r t o f t he c oun t ry a nd t he p a t tern s a l ready s e en i n a n a r ea d om ina ted b y e l abora te monumen t s . I ft he e v idence f r om t he c oun try a s awho le i sc on s ide red , t hen i ts e ems t ha t ag ene ra l c on temporane i ty o fa tl e a s tG rooved Wa re a nd B eake r s mu s t b e a ccep ted : i ndeed t h i s w r i te r h a s a r gued , i nc onnec t ion w i th as i te i nS u s sex , t ha t t he G rooved Wa re t r ad i t ion c ou ld h ave s urv ived a s l ong a sB eaker s ( C lea l 1 982 ) . H oweve r , t he e v idence f r om E a s tern E ng land , a nd i n p ar t icu la r E a s t Ang l ia , may b e d i f f e ren t i ns ome r e spec t s f r om t he p i c ture i nt he r e s t o f t he c oun try b ecau se o f t he g r ea t c oncen t ra t ion o f B eaker ma te r ia l i n t h i s a r ea . P erusa l o f D av id C la rke ' s c orpu s o f B eake r s ( 1970 ) , o r ag l ance a th i s map s s how s t ha t E a s t Ang l ia i s o ne o f t he d en se s t a r ea s o f s e t t lemen t i n B r i ta in , e spec ia l ly d u r ing t he c ur rency o fB a rbed W i re , E a s t Ang l ian a nd S ou the rn B eaker s .R ad ioca rbon d a te s a r e f a i r ly f ew a nd f a rb e tween , b u t t he d a tes f o r G rooved Wa r e i n t h i s a r ea t end t o b e r a ther e a r ly , a nd t ho se f o r B eake r s r a the r l a te : f or i n s tance , t he t wo s i te s wh ich b e tween t hem h ave p roduced t he l a rge s t n um b er o fr ad ioca rbon d a te sf o rG rooved Ware , t ho se a tF enga te a nd G r ime sG rave s , a r e d a tab le t o t he t urn o f t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c a nd t he e a r ly s e cond m i l lenn ium b c r e spec t ive ly ( Fenga te h a sd a tes b e tween a bou t2 050 a nd 1 850 b e ;a nd t he G rooved Wa re p ha s e a tG r ime s G rave s h a s d a te s b e tween a bou t 2 000 a nd 1 800 b e -P ryor 1 978 , 2 26 ;M e rce r 1 981 , 3 5) , wh i le t wo d a te sf or B a rho lm a r ea mong t he e ar l ie s t f o r G rooved Wa re i n E ng land 2355±130 b c ( UB457 ) a nd 2 305±135 b c ( UB458 ) . F o r B eake r s t he d a te ss t a r ti n t he m id -n ine teen th c en tury b c , b u t t he se a r e g ener a l ly s i ng le d a te s p roce s sed s evera l y ear s a go a nd w i th v e ry h i gh s t andard d ev ia t ion se . g . S i te 14 , L ion P o in t , C lac ton : 1 800±150 b c ( BM 1 72 ) ;C o t tage 1 52

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F ie ld , Wa t t i sf ie ld : 1 570±150 b c( BM 7 7 ) ;B ar row V , C h ippenham : 1 850±150 b e ( BM 1 52 ) ; a nd F if ty F a rm : 1 850±150 b c ( BM 1 33 ) . I n v i ew o f t h i s , o ne p o s s ib il i ty i st h a t B eake r s w ere a dop ted b y t he u se r so fG rooved Wa re a nd a b so rbed i n to t he i rs oc ia l s y s tem a ta bou t t he t ime t ha t f l in t m in ing w a se nd ing i nt h i s a r ea . T h i s c ou ld h ave e n ta i led t he b r eakdown , o r e ven t he t r an sforma t ion o f t he d i s t r ibu t iona l s y s tem a s soc ia ted w i th t ha t i n du s try . G rooved Wa re a nd B eaker s q u i te o f ten o ccu r i na s soc ia t ion ( Tab le s 1a nd 2 ) ,a nd t h e d i s t r ibu t ion s o f t he t wo s t y le s a r e c ompa rab le w i th o ne a no the r ( f ig s . 4 -7 ) . T he d i f f e rence s b e tween t he f l in t i ndus tr ie s may r ef l ec t c hange t h rough t ime b u t c ou ld a l so r ef l ec t mo re g enera l e conom ic p roce s se s , i n p a r t icu la r t he d eve lopmen t o f r a the r s pec ia l i sed a c t iv i t ie s . I n t h i s c onnec t ion t he e mpha s i s o n t he e a s te rn f en ma rg in i nc onnec t ion w i th M idd le a nd L a te S ty le B eaker s ( f ig s . 6 -7) m igh t b e t aken a s a n i nd ica t ion t ha t f en r e sou rce s w e re b ecom ing o fg r ea ter i mpor tance . A l though t he re a r e G rooved Wa re s i te si nt h ea r ea o ft he F en land -f o re xamp le i th a sb een s ugge s ted t ha t t he o ccupan t s o ft he G rooved W a re s i te a t F enga te w e re u t i l iz ing s ummer g r az ing i nt he w e t land s ( P ryo r 1 978 )u se o ft h e f e n ' i s land s ' a nd o f t he v e ry e dge s o f t he f en i sn o t a s ma rked w i th G rooved Wa re a si ti sw i th M idd le a nd L a te S ty le B eake r s . I ndeed ,n o t o n ly a r e t he re many B eaker f i nd s i nt he v i c in i ty o ft he F en land , b u tt hey a l so a ppea rt oi n c lude p a r t icu la r ly r i ch s i te s : f o re xamp le , t h e H ockwo ld s i te s h ave p roduced a n umber o f p o l i shed s t one a r tefac t s , i n c on t ra s t t o t he m a jo r i ty o f B eaker s i te s f r om t he s t udy a r ea ( Bamford 1 982 ) . T h i si sp e rhap s c onnec ted w i th t h e p rox i m i ty o fG r imes G rave s , w he re o ne o f t he l a tes t s haf t sh a s ar ad ioca rbon d a te o f 1 831±67 b c f o r ad epo s i t i n wh ich t wo p os s ib ly B eake r inf luenced G rooved Wa re b ow l s h ad b een l a id o n t he l a s t s po i le x trac ted f r om t he g a l le r ie s ( Merce r 1 981) . T he g radua ld i su se o ff l in t a xe sa nd t he o the rp roduc t so ft h i ss i te c ou ld h ave i n c rea sed t he a t t rac t ivene s so ft h e B eake r a s semb lage w i th i t s c onnec t ion sw i th e a r ly m e ta l lu rgy . T he re a r e , o f c our se , p rob lem s w i th t h i s i n te rp re ta t ion : i n p a r t icu la r t he l a ck o f r ad io c a rbon d a te s f o r M idd le S ty le B eaker s , w h ich s e em s t o b e t he e a r l ie s t f o rm o f B eaker t o h ave b een a dop ted a t a l l w ide ly . A ga in , i fB eaker s w ere a dop ted b y G rooved W a re u se r s b ecau se t hey w ere p re s t ig iou s t he e a rl i e r B eaker s o ugh t t o b e f ound i n t he B reck land , i n p rox im i ty t oG r imes G rave s ,b u t t h i ss e em s n o t t ob e t h e c a se . I ft he se h ypo the se s a r e c or rec t -a nd t hey c ou ld b e d i sproved b y as e r ie s o f l a te d a te s f o r G rooved Wa re -i ti ss t i l l d i f f icu l t t o e nv i sage t h e r o le o f t he P e te rbo rough t r ad i t ion , wh ich mus t b e a tl e a s t i np a r t c on tempo ra ry w i th b o th G rooved Wa re a nd B eaker s . B u rge s s ( 1980 ) h a ss ugge s ted t ha ti t sr o le i sm a in ly c onnec ted w i th r i tua l , b u t a l though t h e n umbe r o f f i nd spo t s i ss ma l l , s i te s s uch a s S a lmonby ( p r iva te c o l lec t ion ) o r No rmanby P a rk ( R i ley 1 978 - f i nds i n S cun thorpe Mu seum ) s e em a sl i ke ly t o b e d ome s t ic s e t t lemen t s a s many s i te s w i th B eake r s . I n f a c t t he d a t ing o fP e terborough Wa re i se ven l e s s s e cure t h an t ha t o f B eake r s a nd G rooved Wa re , a nd i ti sp o s s ib le t ha t i fi t sc hrono log ica l p o s i t ion w ere e s tab l i shed i tw ou ld b e more e a s i ly e xp l icab le : a tp re sen t i tr ema ins a n e n igma t ic p henomenon , i mpover i shed i ni t sl a ck o fa s soc ia ted ma te r ia l , b u t d i s t inc t ive i nt ha t i ti so cca s iona l ly f ound i ns pec ia l i sed c ontex t s . T he re i sl e s su ncer ta in ty a bou tt he c on tra s tw i th d eve lopmen t si nW e s sex . E a s te rn E ng land c on tra s t s s o s ha rp ly w i th t he l a t ter a r ea i n t he p auc i ty a nd s ma l l s c a le o f i t s monumen t s t ha t t he re s e em s l i t t le d oub t t ha t i td oe s h ave ad i s t inc t iv e i d en t i ty a nd s hou ld b e s t ud ied i n i t s own r i gh t . A l though t he s ame c e ram ic t r ad i t ion s c an b e t r aced i nE a s te rn E ng land a s i n We s sex o rt he T hame s V a l ley , t hey a ppea r t os how ar e la t ive ly g r ea te rd eg ree o fo ve r lap , i nt e rm so fb o th a s soc ia t ion sa nd d i s t r ibu t ion s .T here i sr a the rl im i ted e v idence o ff unc t iona l v a r ia t ion , p ar t icu la r ly i n c on tra s t t o We s sex , a nd G rooved Ware s hows more o ve r lap w i th o the r c e ram ic s t y le s t han P e te rbo rough Wa re . Mo reove r , i ts e em s p o s s ib le t ha t B eaker p o t t e ry t ook o n s ome o ft he r o le s o fG rooved Wa re , r a the r t han e n te r ing aP e te rbo rough -ba sed s oc ia l n e twork , a s may h ave h appened i n t he s ou th . E ven t hough t he d i f f e ren t c e ram ic t r ad i t ion s o f E a s tern E ng land s e em t o h ave r e ta ined t he i r i n teg r i ty o ve r ac on s ide rab le p er iod , t he re i sl i t t le e v idence t ha t t hey b e longed t o r ad ica l ly d i f f eren t t ype s o f s y s tem . G rooved Ware , i ti st r ue , i sk nown i nw ha t s e em t o b e s pec ia l i sed d epo s i t s , b u t t h e se a r e n o t 1 56

d i s t ingu i shed a ss harp ly f r om t he c on ten t s o f t he s e t t lemen t r e co rd a s t hey m igh t b e i na r e g ion w i th ma jor monumen t s , a nd s o f a r t he re i sl i t t le e v idence f o re xc lu s ive u se o fp a r t i c u la r a r ea s , o r f o r t he f o rma t ion o f a ny t ype o f ' r i tua l l a ndscape ' . R a the r , t he l im i ted e v i d ence f o r s pec ia l i sed d epo s i t s m ay b ej u s t o ne c omponen t o ft he s e t t lemen tr e cord , a nd b y t h e B eaker c e ram ic p ha se much o f t he v a r ia t ion i n t he a va i lab le ma te r ia l may b e r e la ted mo re d i rec t ly t o c hange s i nt he c ha rac te r o f d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty . S uch a n o u t l ine may l a ck t h eh i gh r e l ief o fa r ea sw i th ma s s ive monumen t s o rw i th s ha rp c on t ra s t si n ma ter ia l c u l tu re , b u t i tc ou ld p rove t o b e mo re c ha rac te r i s t ic o f t he g enera l p a t te rn o fd eve lopmen t i nt h i s p e r iod . T ha t t he L a te r N eo l i th ic i s ac omp lex p e r iod a nd i l -unde r s tood i st os t a te af a c t a lmo s t u n iver sa l ly a cknow ledged ,a nd d oub t le s st h i s p ape rh a s c on t r ibu ted a l t oo l i t t le t o i t s e l uc i d a t ion ; b u t i ti sa n a t temp t t o e xp lore p o s s ib i l i t ie s a nd t o p rov ide a tl e a s t o ne a n swe r t o p a r t o f t he q ue s t ion . T he p ro spec t s o f f u r ther r e sea rch a r e p rom i s ing , a nd i np a r t icu la r mo re r ad ioca rbon d a te s w ou ld u ndoub ted ly f u r the r o u ru nde r s tand ing o fp rob lems wh ich , i ti sn ece s sa ry t ob e l ieve ,a r e s u scep t ib le t oe xp lana t ion . A cknow ledgement s T he w r i ter w ou ld l i ke t oa cknow ledge t he k indne s s a nd a s s i s tance s hown b y t he f o l low ing p eop le d ur ing t he r e sea rch wh ich h a s f o rmed t he b a s i s o f t h i s a r t ic le : C h r i s B a lkw i l l ( f o r m er ly o f I p sw ich Mu seum ) ; R icha rd B rad ley ; Ma ry C ra ' s ter ( Mu seum o fA rchaeo logy a nd A n th ropo logy , U n ive r s i ty o fC amb r idge ) ;B a rba ra G reen ( No rw ich C a s t le Mu seum) ; F rance s H ea ly ; Mar t in H owe ( Pe te rbo rough Mu seum ) ; I an K inne s ( B r i t i sh Mu seum ) ; K ev in L eahy ( S cun tho rpe Mu seum ) ;A ndrew L aw son ;I an L ongwo r th ( B r i t i sh Mu seum ) ;E dwa rd Ma r t in ; R on Mor ley ; E l i sabe th Ow le s ( Moy se s H a l l Mu seum , B ury S t E dmund s ) ; F ranc i s P ryo r ; H i la ry R os s ( I p sw ich Mu seum ) ; G av in S imp son ; G eof f rey T ay lo r ; B ob T re t t a nd And rew Wh i te ( L inco ln Mu seum ) . T he d raw ing s a r e b y Ma rk B owden . T he v i ew se xpre s sed i nt h i s p aper a r e , o fc our se , t he a u thor ' s o wn .

B ib l iog raphy A PL ING , H . 1 931 . B ronze A ge s e t t lemen t s i n N orfo lk , P roceed ing s o f t h e P reh i s tor ic S oc iety o fE a s t Ang l ia 6 ,365-370 . B AMFORD , H . M . 1 982 . B eaker Dome s t ic S i te s o n t h e F en E dge a nd E a s t A ng l ia ( Ea s t A ng l ian A rchaeo logy 1 6 ) . BARRETT , J . 1 976 . D eve re l -R imbury : p rob lem s o f c hrono logy a nd i n terp re ta t ion , i n B u rge s s , C . a nd M ike t , R . ( e d i to r s ) , S et t l ement a nd E conomy i n t h e T h i rd a nd S econd M i l l enn ia BC ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 89-307 . B URGESS , C . 1 980 . T he A ge o fS tonehenge ( London , D en t ) . BURGESS , C . a nd S HENNAN , S . 1 976 . T he B eake r p henomenon : s ome s ugge s t ion s , i n B u rges s , C . a nd M ike t , R . ( ed i to r s ) , S e t t l ement a nd E conomy i n t h e T h i rd a nd S econd M i l lenn ia BC ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) , 3 09-331 . CASE , H . 1 977 . T he B eake r C u l tu re i nB r i ta in a nd I r e land , i nM erce r , R . ( ed i tor ) , B eaker s i nB r i ta in a nd E urope ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) , 7 1101 . C LARK , J .G . D . 1 936 . T he t imbe r monumen t a tA rm ingha l l a nd i t s a f f in i t ie s ,P roceed ing s o ft h eP reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 ,1-51 . C LARKE , D .L .1 969 .N o te i nP roceed ing so ft he S uf f o lk I n s t i tute o fA rchaeo logy 3 1,320 . C LARKE , D . L . 1 970 . B eaker P o t te ry o fG reat B r i ta in a nd I r e land ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P r e s s ) . C LEAL , R . 1 982 . Ar e -ana ly s i s o ft he r i ng -d i tch s i te a tP l ayden , E a s t S u s sex ,S us sex A rch a eo log ica lC o l lec t ions 1 20 ,1-17 . GELL , A . S .R . 1 949 . G rooved Wa re f r om We s t R un ton , N o rfo lk ,A nt iqua r ie sJ ourna l 2 9 , 8 1 . 1 57

G IBSON , A . M . 1 982 .B eaker Dome s t ic S i te s . AS tudy o ft he Dome s t ic P ot te ry o ft h e L a te T h i rd a nd E ar ly S econd M i l l enn ia BC i n t he B r i t i sh I s le s ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rcha eo log ica l R epor t s ) . K INNES , I . 1 979 . Round B ar rows a nd R ing D i tche s i n t he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic ( London , B r i t i sh Mu seum ) . LONGWORTH , I .H . 1 961 . T he o r ig in s a nd d eve lopmen t o f t he p r imary s e r ie s C o l la red U rn t r ad i t ion i nE ng land a nd Wa le s ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 7 , 2 63-306 . LONGWORTH , I .H . 1 976 . N eol i th ic p o t tery , i n C our tenay , T . W . , E xcava t ion s a t Me l b ou rne , D e rby sh i re 1 973 ,D erbysh i re A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l9 6 , 6 7 . MART IN , E . A . 1 977 . E xcava t ion o f B a r row s I , I I a nd I V , Ma r t le sham H ea th , 1 974 , E a s t Ang l ian A rchaeo logy 3 , 1 7-40 . MART IN , E . A . 1 979 . G rooved Wa re s herds f r om We s t S tow , P roceed ing s o ft h e S uf f o lk I ns t i tu te o fA rchaeo logy 3 4 , 2 05-206 . MERCER , R . J . 1 981. G r ime s G rave s Norf o lk : E xcava t ions 1 97 1-72 : V o l . I( London , H .M .S .0 . ) . PRYOR , F . 1 978 . E xcava t ion s a t F enga te , P e te rborough , E ng land : t he S econd R epor t ( Toron to , Roya l O n ta r io Mu seum ) . PRYOR , F . i np re s s .A rchaeo logy a nd E nv i ronment o ft h e L ower W e l land V a l l ey . R ILEY , D . N . 1 957 . N eo l i th ic a nd B ronze A ge p o t tery f r om R i sby Wa r ren a nd o ther o ccu p a t ion s i te s i nn or th L inco ln sh i re ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc iety 2 3 , 4 0-56 . R ILEY , D . N . 1 973 . N eo l i th ic s i te a t No rmanby P a rk , L inco lnsh i re H i s tory a nd A rchae o logy 8 ,5 1-60 . S IMPSON , W . G . 1 981. E xcava t ion s i n F ie ld OS 1 24 , M axey , C amb r idge sh i re ,N or thamp t on sh i re A rchaeo logy 1 6 , 3 4-64 . SM ITH , 1 .F . 1 974 . T he N eo l i th ic , i n R enf rew , C . ( ed i to r ) ,B r i t i sh P r eh i s tory : AN ew O ut l i ne ( London , D uckwor th ) , 1 00-136 . SM ITH , I .F . a nd BUTLER , J .J . 1 956 . R azo r s , u rn s a nd t he B r i t i sh M idd le B ronze A ge , 1 2 th Annua lR epor to ft he I ns t i tute o fA rchaeo logy , U n i ve r s i ty o fL ondon . WA INWR IGHT , G . J . 1 971 . T he f l in t i ndu s try , i n L ongwo r th , I .H . , Wa inwr igh t , G . J .a nd W i l son , K . E . T he G rooved Ware s i te a t L ion P o in t , C lac ton ,B r i t i sh Museum Q ua r ter ly 3 5 , 9 3124 . WA INWR IGHT , G .J .a nd LONGWORTH ,I .H . 1 971 . Dur r ing ton W a l l s : E xcava t ions 1 9661 968 ( London , S oc ie ty o f An t iqua r ie s ) . WARREN , H . S . , P IGGOTT , S . , CLARKE , J .D . G . , BURK 1TT , M . C . a nd GODW IN , H . a nd M .E . 1 936 .A rchaeo logy o ft he s ubmerged l a nd s u rf ace o ft he E s sex C oa s t ,P roceed ing s o ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc iety 2 , 1 78-210 . WH ITTLE , A . W . R . 1 981 . L a ter N eo l i th ic s oc ie ty i n B r i ta in : ar ea l ignmen t , i n R ugg le s , C . L .N . a nd Wh i t t le , A . W . R . ( ed i to r s ) , A s t ronomy a nd S oc iety i n B r i ta in D ur ing t he P er iod 4 000-1500 BC ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 97-342 .

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PART THREE

THREE LOCAL STUDIES

' To t ake o b jec t s o u t o ft he i rr oya l s i lence o ne mu s t u se e i the r as t ra tagem o r ac r ime . ' Z b ign iew H erber t , T o T ake Ob jec t s Ou t

1 0 .

AT a le o f Two P o l i t ie s : K in sh ip ,a u thor i ty a nd e xchange i nt he N eol i th ic o fs ou th D o r se ta nd n o r th W i l t sh i re J u l ian T homa s

I n t roduc t ion I ti sn ow mo re t han t en y ea r s s i nce C o l in R enf rew ' s c l a s s ic a r t ic le , s ugge s t ing t ha t N eo l i th ic We s sex c ou ld b e d i v ided i n to an umbe r o f d eve lop ing c h iefdoms o r p o l i t ie s ( 1973 , 5 56 ) . E ach o f t he se t e rr i to r ie s w a s s hown t o c on ta in a r ough ly s im i la r n umber o f l ong b ar row s , c au sewayed e nc lo sure s , h enge monumen t s a nd r ound b a r row s . H oweve r , i ns uch aw ide r ang ing a r gumen t t he d e ta i l s o fi nd iv idua la r ea s c an b e l o s t . I ti st he a im o ft h i s c on t r ibu t ion t o emp loy s ome o f t he c oncep t s d eve loped i nt h i sv o lume a nd e l sewhe re t o d em o n s t ra te t ha t w i th in t wo o f t he c ore a r ea s o f We s sex q u i te d i f f eren t s equence s o fd eve lop m en t t ook p lace . T he a pproach t aken w i l l b e o ne g rounded i n h i s to r ica l ma ter ia l i sm , a nd w i l l e mpha s i se t he i mpo r tance o f d i f f eren t k in sh ip s t ruc ture s , f orm s o f p owe r a nd a u th o r i ty , a nd r i va le xchange n e two rk s . Wh i le much o ft he a r t ic le w i l l d ea l w i th ma te r ia l c u l tu re p a t tern ing , i ti ss t re s sed t ha t t he mean ing a t tached t o amonumen t o rc e ram ic t r ad i t ion w i l l b e s p ec if ic t o i t s p os i t ion w i th in au n ique s equence o f h i s to r ica l d eve lopmen t . H ere Iu se t he t e rm ' h i s tory 'n o t i nt he s en se o f aw r i t ten r e co rd , b u t i nt he M arx ian s en se o f ap roce s s b y w h ich t he r e la t ion s o f p roduc t ion a nd d om inance b e tween i nd iv idua l s a r e p l ayed o u t o ve r t ime . H i s to ry t ake s p l ac e whe ther o rn o t t he re i ss omeone t he re t o r ecord i t . I ft he mean ing s wh ich w e a t tach t o ma ter ia l c u l tu re a r e s pec if ic t o t he i rl o ca l c on tex t , i t f o l low s t ha t much o f wha t i sw r i t ten h e re w i l l i n ev i tab ly b e s pecu la t ive . F o r t h i sr e a son i t i sn ece s sa ry t o p roduce a n i n terna l ly c on s i s ten t mode l w i th in wh ich t op lace n ew d i scove r i e s . Ii n tend t o d ea l f i r s t w i th t he N eo l i th ic s equence i ns ou th Do r se t , c ompa r ing t he a r chae o log ica l e v idence w i th t he mode l s e t o u t b y T horpe a nd R icha rd s ( t h i sv o lume , C hap ter 6 ) , a nd t hen t o s how t ha t ar a ther d i f f e ren t e xp lana t ion i sn ece s sa ry f o r d eve lopmen t si nt he A vebu ry a rea . T ho rpe ' s a nd R icha rd s ' s a r gumen t s e e s a' r i tua l a u tho r i ty s t ruc tu re ' ( cha rac ter i sed b y t he b u i ld ing o f h enge monumen t s a nd t he u se o fG rooved Wa re a nd o ther d i s t inc t ive i t ems o f m a ter ia l c u l tu re ) t h rea tened a nd e ven tua l ly s upp lan ted b y as t a tu s g ood s s y s tem - t he B eake r c omp lex . T he mode l p ropo se s t ha t b y c .2 400 b c ,j udg ing b y r ad ioca rbon d a te s f o r t he f i r s t p hase o f a c t iv i ty a t S tonehenge , as pa t ia l ly s epa ra ted r i tua l e l i te h ad e me rged i n s ou thern W i l t sh i re . T h i s g roup r epre sen ted a s i ng le l i neage who h ad b een a b le t og a in c on t r o l o ver r i tua l . H owever , Iw i l l s ugge s t t ha t t h i s p roce s s o f s epa ra t ion , b y w h ich r i tua l a c t iv i ty c ome s t o d om ina te t he r e la t ion s o f p roduc t ion , i si t se lf a r e spon se t o e x te rna l p re s su re s w ork ing a t a no the r l e ve l o f t he s oc ia l f o rma t ion . I n as en se w e a r e d ea l ing n o t w i th ap u re ly i n terna l p ower s t rugg le s o much a sw i th p er iphe ra le f f ec t s o ft he r e s t ruc tu r ing o ft h e n o r th -we s t E u ropean r eg iona l s y s tem . E l sewhere ( Thoma s f o r thcom ing ) Ih ave s ugge s ted t ha t t h roughou t n o r th -we s t a nd c en t ra l E u rope i n t he m id th i rd m i l lenn ium b c af undamen ta l t r an sfo rma t ion o ve r took t he s oc ia l f o rma t ion . T h i s e n ta i led a c hange f r om as y s tem d om ina ted b y al i neage mode o f p roduc t ion , i n wh ich e xchange s w ere d e term ined b y k in sh ip , t o o ne d om ina ted b y ad om e s t ic mode o fp roduc t ion , i n wh ich k in sh ip w a s d e term ined b y e xchange s . T hu s e l emen tary k in sh ip f orm s w ere s uperceded b y t he f orm o fs oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion wh ich R ow land s ( 1980 ) c on s ider s t o b e c ha rac ter i s t ic o f t he E uropean B ronze A ge . H ere t he b a s ic u n i t s o fp roduc t i on ,s oc ial i sa t ion a nd i n teg ra t ion w e re t he i nd iv idua lh ou seho ld s . I nc on t ra s t t o t he p roce s s o f c en tra l i sa t ion a nd n uc lea t ion wh ich c ha rac ter i se s t he E uropean M idd le N eo l i th ic , i nde p endence a nd t he i nd iv idua l a ccumu la t ion o f w ea l th w ere f undamen ta l t o L a ter N eo l i th ic s oc ie t ies . A s S her ra t t ( 1981) h a s d emon s t ra ted , t he p er iod f r om t he s t a r t o f t he s e cond 1 61

q ua r te r o f t he t h ird m i l lenn ium o nwa rd s i so ne o f g r ea t s oc ia l a nd e conom ic i nnova t ion . T he more w ide spread u se o f t he p lough a nd o f a n ima l t r ac t ion a l lowed ar educ t ion i nt h e s i ze o f t he s oc ia l u n i t o f p roduc t ion . S e t t lemen t e xpanded i n to n ew e nv i ronmen t s , a nd s i ng le b u r ia l w i th g rave g ood s w a s i n t roduced , p e rhap s b o th r e f lec t ing a nd l e g i t im i s ing t h e c on tro l o f p owerfu l i nd iv idua l s o ve r e conom ic r eproduc t ion . I n a n e conomy b a sed u pon t he f am i ly , r e s tr ic t ion s u pon t he d i sp lay o f i nd iv idua l s ucce s s b egan t o w eaken . H oweve r , a s S hennan ( 1982 ) h a s s ugge s ted , i tw a s n o t u n t i l t h e B eake r n e two rk ( and i ns ome a r ea s i t s C o rded Wa re p redece s so r ) l i nked a r ea s t oge the r w i th a c ommon s y s tem o f e l i te g ood s a nd s ymbo l s t ha t t he t r an sfo rma t ion o f s oc ie ty c ou ld b e c omp le ted . C on tac t w i th t h e B eake r s y s tem g ave i nd iv idua l s i d eo log ica l s uppo r t f o r t he d eve lopmen t o f c oncen t ra ted w ea l th a nd p ower . S hennan made t he p red ic t ion t ha t i n s ome a r ea s t he f i r s t e me rgence o f i nd iv idua l i s ing e l i te s m igh t r e su l t i n ap e r iod o f i d eo log ica l c on t rad ic t ion ( i b id .) . T hu s w i th in t he s ame s oc ie ty o ne m igh t f i nd s ome i nd iv idua l s d evo t ing t hem se lve s t oo b ta in ing w ea l th a nd p re s t ige , wh i le o ther s m igh t c on t inue t o u pho ld t r ad i t iona l v a lue s o f c ommu n a l i ty a nd r ed i s t r ibu t ion o f w ea l th . T h i s c on t rad ic t ion m igh t b e d emon s t ra t ed i n t h e a r chaeo log ica l r e co rd b y t he c oex i s tence o fc o rpora te a nd i nd iv idua l f orms o fb ur ia l . Whe re s uch a t r an sforma t ion o f s oc ia l r e la t ion s c ame t o b e s e en a s at h r ea t t o t h e s t ab i l i ty o f s oc ia l r ep roduc t ion ( o r t o t he p o s i t ion o f t hose who h e ld o f f ice u nde r t h e t r ad i t iona l s t a tu s q uo ) , c orpo ra te i d eo logy m igh t n eed t o b e r e s ta ted . T he d ev e lopmen t o f t he P a s sage G rave t r ad i t ion a s a n e l abo ra t ion o f e a r l ie r mega l i th ic monumen ta l f orm s m igh t b e s e en i n t h i s l i gh t . I nn o r thern F rance , t he l a te r t h i rd m i l lenn ium s aw t h e d eve lop m en to ft he A l le C ouve r te s ub ter ranean t omb si na n a r ea wh ich h ad n o megal i th ic t r ad i t ion b efo re . T he se c omb ined t he d epo s i t ion o fl i t e ra l ly h und red s o fi nd iv idua l s w i th ac on s t ruc t i on wh ich w a s a lmo s t a' d en ia l ' o f monumen ta l i ty . I n as en se t h i s i n ten s if ica t ion o f a n i d eo logy o fc o rpora tene s ss e em s t o h ave ' c on ta ined ' o rn u l l if ied t he e f f ec t s o fs o c ia l c hange , f o r wh i le s e t t lemen t a nd r e s idence p a t tern ss h if ted d rama t ica l ly , t he B eake rn e two rk s e em s t o h ave h ad l i t t le i mpac t i nt he P a r i s b a s in : m e ta lwork i sa b sen t u n t i l c .1 200 b c ,a nd t he r e i sn o e v idence f o r t he r i se o fa ni n s t i tu t iona l i sed e l i te ( Howe l l 1 983 , 1 59 ) . H av ing a l ready s t ra ined t he a r chaeo log ica l r eco rd t o i t s l im i t s b y s ugge s t ing t h a t b y t h e m idd le o f t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c s oc ie t ie s c on ta ined c on s ide rab le i deo log ica l c on t rad ic t i on s , af ur ther l e ap o ff a i th i sn ece s sa ry , f o rt he s ugg e s t ion c an b e made t ha t e v en p r io r t o t he a r r iva lo ft he B eaker n e twork h igh ly ranked f am i ly g roup s i nt he p roces s o ft r an sform ing t hem se lve s i n to e l i te s w ou ld s e t u p a r chaeo log ica l ly v i s ib le e xchange n e two rk s . B y t h i s , mean s e l i te g ood s a nd e xchange i t em s e s sen t ia l t o t he ma in tenance o fs ecu la rp owe r c ou ld b e moved f r om o ne l oca l g roup t o a no the r . A t t he s ame t ime h omogamou s a nd h ype r g amou s ma r r iage s c ou ld b e f a c i l i ta ted b e tween h igh rank ing f am i l ie s , e f f ec t ive ly c u t t ing t hem o f f f r om l ower rank ing i nd iv idua l s i n t he i r own l o ca l i t ie s . W e c an s ugge s t t he e x i s t e nce o f s ome th ing a k in t o ac a s te s y s tem a mong t he l a y p opu la t ion o fs ome p a r t s o f L a te r N eo l i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge E u rope . T h i s k ind o f ma r r iage s y s tem , w i th t h e a t tendan t d i srup t ion o f e xchange p a t te rn s , i sf undamen ta l t o t he d i s tanc ing o fe l i te f am i l ie sf r om t h e l e ve l l ing s anc t ion s o fl o ca l l i neage g roup s . T urn ing t ot he s pec if ic c on tex t o fN eo l i th ic We s sex , T ho rpe ( t h i sv o lume , C hap ter 4 ) h a s d emon s t ra ted t hat f r om c .3 000 b c l ong b a r row b u r ia l i sg radua l ly r e s t r ic ted t o amo re e x c l u s ive g roup w i th in s oc ie ty . A t H amb ledon H i l l , A b ingdon a nd M a iden C a s t le l a te o va l b ar row s a r e f ound o n o r n ea r t he s i te s o f c au sewayed e nc lo su re s . T hu s a s i n d iv idua l i s ing e l i te s c ame t o p ower , t he p l ace s i n w h ich t hey c ho se t o b u ry t he i r d ead w e re t h e p r inc ipa l c en tre s o fe xchange a nd r i tua l a c t iv i ty . I tf o l low s t ha t t he se c en t re s a nd t he i r f unc t ions h ad b ecome i nex t r icab ly c onnec ted w i th t he i n te re s t s o f t he n ew e l i te s . O ld v a lue s w e re i n d ange r o f b e ing u nderm ined , a nd i tb ecame n ece s sa ry t o r e s ta te t hem i n mo re f orcefu l t e rm s . T he r emova l o f t he c o re o f r i tua l a c t iv i ty f r om t he c au sewayed e nc lo su r es t o t h e r i tua l l a ndscape s o ft he l a ter t h i rd m i l lenn ium , a nd t he d eve lopmen t o f as e t o fr e lat ion s o f p roduc t ion e n t i re ly d om ina ted b y r i tua l , o r ig ina te w i th t he se e l i te s a nd t he s oc ia l f r agmen t a t ion wh ich t hey t h rea tened . T he t wo s oc ia l g roup s i d en t if ied b y T ho rpe a nd R icha rd s 1 62

4 nbody fa c on s ide rab le i d eo log ica l d i v i s ion . Two q u i te d i f f eren t f o rm s o f a u thor i ty a r e s u gge s ted : o ne s t emm ing f r om t he u nque s t ionab le p r inc ip le s o f r e l ig iou s b el i ef , a nd t he o ther ma in ta ined b y a cce s st og ood sa nd ma r r iage p a r tne r s . H odder ( 1979 , 4 50 ) h a sd i scu s sed t he w ay i nw h ich m a te r ia l c u l tu re i su sed t os ymbo l i se o rs uppo r ts oc ia lr e la t ion s wh ich a r eu nde rs t re s s . T h i si sp a r t icu la r ly t he c a se w hen c onf l ic t o ccur s w i th in a s oc ie ty . Whe re n aked f o rce i so u t o f t he q ue s t ion i d eo log ica l d i f f erence s m ay n eed t o b e e xpre s sed b yr e la t ive ly c over t m ean s , s uch a si n ten s if ied r i tua l , monumen t b u i ld ing a nd /or d i f f erence s o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re . A l l o f t h e se a r e s e en i n L a ter N eo l i th ic W e s sex . A t r ough ly t he s ame t ime a s t he s epu lch ra l a spec t o f t he l ong b a r row t r ad i t ion i s e mp loyed t o l e g i t ima te t h e c l a im o f c e r ta in i nd iv idua l s u pon l a nd , w ea l th a nd p owe r , t he monumen ta la spec t i se mpha s i sed b y t he c u r su s monumen t s . T he e l abora t ion o ft he i d ea o f al i nea r monumen t l a id s t re s s o n t he mob i l i sa t ion o fc ommuna ll a bour a nd t he i n teg ra t ion o f t he monumen t i n to t he s oc ia l l a nd scape . I n t he c a se o f t he D o r se t C u r su s , t h e monu m en t p robab ly d a tes t o t h e e a rl i e r o r m idd le t h i rd m i l lenn ium ( Bowden e ta l . 1 983) . T h i s p l ace s i ti n t he s ame c h rono log ica lh or izon a st he l ong b ar row s wh ich s u r round i t( Brad ley e ta l . , t h i sv o lume ,C hap te r7 ) . T he p r ima ry l e ve l s o ft he n ea rby o va l mound o f Wo r B ar row h av e n ow b een d a ted t o 2 490±70 b c ( BM 2 284 —B rad ley p er s . c omm . ) . T he o ppo s i t ion b e tween t he s i ng le g r ave t r ad i t ion a nd t h e b u i ld ing o f l a rge c ommuna l w o rk s f o r e xp l ic i t ly r i tua l p u rpo se s g r adua l ly i n ten s if ied t h roughou t t he l a te rt h i rd m i l len n i um i ns ou the rn We s sex .T he d eve lopmen to ft he G rooved Wa re c omp lex i nt h i s a r ea ma rk s t h e g r adua l s epa ra t ion o f r i tua l f r om t he w or ld o ft he c ommonp lace . T horpe a nd R icha rds ( t h i s v o lume , C hap te r 6 ) h ave a r gued t ha t t h i s i n ten s if ica t ion a r i se s f r om t he c on tro l o f r i tua l b y ad om inan t l i neage . R i tua l i su ndoub ted ly c oncerned w i th t he man ipu la t ion o f i d eo logy a nd " the c apab i l i ty o f d om inan t g roup s o r c l a s se s t o make t he i r o wn s e c t iona l i n te re s t sa ppea rt oo ther sa su n ive r sa l o ne s" ( G idden s 1 979 , 1 93) . H oweve r , t h ere a r e o ther a s pec t s t o r i tua l a c t iv i ty . A t D ur r ing ton Wa l l s a nd Moun t P l ea san t , a na ly s i s p roduce s a p i c ture o f r i tua l s b a sed u pon d i v i s ion , e xc lu s ion a nd c l a s s if ica t ion ( R icha rd s a nd T homa s , t h i s v o lume , C hap te r 1 2 ) . A s M ary D oug la s p o in t s o u t , " i dea s a bou t s epa ra t ing , p ur ify ing , d emarca t ing a nd p un i sh ing t r an sg re s s ion s h av e a st he i r ma in f unc t ion t oi mpo se s y s tem o n a n i nheren t ly u n t idy e xpe r ience" ( 1966 , 9 ) . F u r the rmore , b e l ief s c once rn ing p u r i ty a nd p o l lu t ion a r e o f e spec ia l i mpor tance whe re mora l r u le s c anno t b e u phe ld b y f o rce . T hu s , f o r i n s tance , s exua l p o l lu t ion b e l ief s i n L e le o r M ae E nga s oc ie ty p rov ide aw ay i n wh ich m en c an c omba t t he a mb iguou s p owe r o f w omen . S im i la r ly t he ' o ld o rder ' o f We s sex s o c ie ty s ough t t o c omba t t h e r i se o f an ew e l i te b y as y s tem o f r u le s a nd p roh ib i t ion s e n sh r ined i n ar i tua l l i f e w h ich ' r emade ' t he w o r ld i na n i d ea l f o rm . P a r t o ft he p roce s s b y w h ich t h i s may h ave c ome a bou t w a st he c omp le te s epa ra t ion o f ag roup o fr i tua l s pec ial i s t s a nd t he i r a dop t ion o f as epa ra te a r ray o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re : G rooved Wa re , o b l ique a r row h ead s a nd av ar ie ty o f s ymbo l s d e r ived i np a r t f r om P a s sage G rave a r t a nd r ep roduced i na v a r ie ty o f med ia . I n a ccordance w i th H odde r ' s p red ic t ion t ha t s oc ia l s t res s w i l l l e ad t o a g r ea ter c omp lex i ty o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re ( 1979 , 4 47 ) , t he e nd o f t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium s aw t wo s epa ra te ma ter ia l a s semb lage s i n c lud ing t wo d i s t inc t s t y le s o f d eco ra ted p o t tery : G rooved Wa re a nd P e terborough Wa re s . H owever , i ti ss t re s sed t ha t t h ese c e ram ic t r ad i t ion s a r e m ere ly t he mo s t a r chaeo log ica l ly v i s ib le a spec t s o f s ubcu l tu re s e ngaged i n d i s tanc ing t h em se lve s f r om e ach o the r . T he p re sence o fP e terbo rough Wa re si ns e conda ry c on tex t sa t c au sewayed e nc lo sure s ( Ma iden C a s t le ) a nd l ong b ar row s ( Th ick tho rn D own , Wo r B ar row , H o ldenhur s t ) e mpha s i se s t h e c on t inu i ty b e tween t he e me rgen t e l i te w h ich w eh ave p o s tu l a ted i n t he y ea r s a round 2 500 b c a nd t he s l igh t ly l a ter r ound b a r row b u r ia l s ( Hand ley 2 6 a nd 2 7 ;W in te rbourne M a r t in 4 3) wh ich e ven tua l ly me rge w i th t he B eaker t r ad i t ion . T o s um u p : t he s oc ia l c hange s wh ich w e re o ve r tak ing s ou the rn We s sex i nt he l a te ry ea r s o f t h e t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c w ere p erce ived a nd t os ome e x ten tu nde r s tood . T he a t temp t t o r eo rder s oc ie ty a nd i t s e nv i ronmen t wh ich c an b e r e cogn i sed i n t he r i tua l o b servance s a t D u r r ing ton Wa l l sa nd Moun tP l ea san ts t em s f r om t he r e cogn i t ion o f ad angerou s , a mb iguou s a nd u n s tab le s oc ia l w o r ld . Wh i le G rooved Wa re a nd o ther e l emen t s o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re a r e 1 63

i nnova t ion s , t hey e n te r a n e s sen t ia l ly c on serva t ive t r ad i t ion : n o te , f o r e xamp le , t h e c on t i nuou s o cgur rence o f c a rved c ha lk ' r i tua l ' a r tef ac t s f r om c au sewayed e nc lo su r e s t h rough t o h enge monumen t s ( Sm i th 1 967 , 4 74 ) . A s Ih ave s ugge s ted , t he i mp re s s ion w i th wh ich o ne i sl e f t i so f as t rugg le t or e a s ser t t he ' o ld w ay s ' a nd t od i sen tang le v a lue s a nd m ean ing s w h ich w ere i n d ange r o f b e ing s ubver ted . We c an n ow a dvance t h e a r gumen t b y c oncen t r a t ing o n t he s equence i n s ou th D o r se t . S ou th Dor set ( f ig . I ) T he s i ng le mo s ts t r ik ing a spec to ft he N eo l i th ic o fs ou thern D o r se t i st he d i v i s ion b e tween t he b a r row c eme te ry o n t he D o r se t R idgeway a nd t h e ' r i tua l l a nd scape ' w h ich g r ew u p a t t he c onf luence o f t he F rome a nd S ou th W in te rbourne r i ve r s , i nt h e r eg ion o f modern Do r c he s ter . T h i s l a t te r i sc ompo sed o ft he h enge s o f Moun t P l ea san t a nd Maum b u ry R ing s a nd ac i rc le o f h uge r amped p o s tho le s , o f a n e s t ima ted d i ame te r o f 3 80 me t re s , w i th in Do r c he s ter i t se lf ( P . Woodwa rd , D . B a tche lo r a nd S .D av ie s p e r s . c omm .) . T o a n e x ten t t h i s r e la t ion sh ip p a ra l le l s t ha t b e tween t he S tonehenge /Dur r ing ton a r ea a nd t he a r ea a round W i l sfo rd a nd N o rman ton ( c ft h i sv o lume , C hap te r 1) . T he re i ss c an t e v idence f o rt h e o ccu p a t ion o f t he R idgeway i n t he E a rl i er N eo l i th ic , a nd ap i t o ft h i s d a te a tR owden , W in te r b ou rne S teep le ton , c on ta ined wha t m igh t b e c on s idered a ' wood land ' f auna ( Woodwa rd 1 981) . H oweve r , t he p re sence o f s e ve ra l l ong b a r row s a t t h e w e s t e nd o f t h e R idgeway w ou ld s ugge s t t ha t a t l e a s t s ome h uman a c t iv i ty t ook p l ace t he re b efo re t he m idd le o ft he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c . T hu s t he b u i ld ing o f t wo c ur su s monumen t s a nd ab ank b ar row a t L ong B redy , a nd o f af u r ther b ank b a r row a tB roadmayne , n eed n o t b e a s soc ia ted w i th t h e ' o pen ing u p ' o ft he R idgeway a sa n a r ea f o rs e t t lemen t . R a ther w e c an s ugge s t t h a t t he a r ea w a si ns ome w ay d e l inea ted a s ap l ace o fs oc ia li mpor tance . T he a r ea b e tween t h e t wo b ank b a r row s c on ta in so ne o ft he l a rge s t b ar row c eme ter ie s o ft he B ronze A ge . I f ac h rono log ica l a na logy w i th t he M a iden C a s t le l ong mound a nd t h e P en t r idge b ank b a r row i sv a l id f o r t h e se monumen t s ( Brad ley 1 983 , 1 6) , o ne m igh t e xpec t t h i s p roces s t o h ave t a ken p l ace b e tween a bou t 2 800 a nd 2 500 b c . T h i s b e ing t he c a se , i ti sh a rd n o t t o i mag ine t ha t t he d emarca t ion o f t h i s t r ac t o f l a nd a n t ic ipa ted i t s u se a s ad yna s t ic b ur ia l g round . B u rge s s a nd S hennan ( 1976 , 3 16 )h ave p o in ted o u t t ha t t he e x i s tence o fp re -Beaker r ound b ar row s i n s ou thern E ng land h a s b een l a rge ly u nde re s t ima ted . C lo se s t udy o f t he r e su l t s o fr ound b ar row e xcava t ion s o n t he R idgeway s ugge s t s t ha t s ome o f t he se may h ave b een o f N eo l i th ic d a te . S evera l o f t he se a r e r ound b a r row s w i th u naccompan ied mu l t ip le b u r ia l s , s uch a sW in te rbou rne C ame 1 8b , W in terbourne S t M a r t in S c , W in te rbourne S t M a r t in 3 4b a nd L ong B redy 5 ( G r in se l l 1 982 , 3 ) . Among t he F ive M a ry s g roup a t C ha ldon H e r r ing , t wo b ar row s e xcava ted b y t he D uche s s o fB e rry i n 1 866 c on ta ined c rouched i nhuma t ion s w i th s t ag a n t ler s a s t he o n ly g r ave g ood s . One o f t he B loxwor th D own b ar row s e xcava ted b y S h ipp i n1 854 c on ta ined ap r ima ry c r ema t ion w i th n ou rn b u tw i th ab one p in . T he c rouched b ur ia l i n W in te rbourne S t M a r t in 5 4 w a s a ccompan ied b y aq ua r tz i te macehead , wh i le n umerou s o the r R idgeway b a r row s c on ta ined u naccompan ied c rouched i n huma t ion s ( R .C .H .M . 1 970 ) . O bv iou s ly , i ti sh ard t o t e l l w he the r a ny o ft h e l a t te r c an b e a s s igned t o ap re -Beake rh o r izon .N one the le s s ,t he e a r ly d a te f o r Ame sbury G 71, W i l t sh i re d emon s t ra te s t he f o l ly o fa s sum ing t ha ta lr ound b a r row sa r eB ronze A ge u n le s s p roved o the rw i se ( Ch r i s t ie 1 967 ) . P o s s ib ly t he mo s t c onv inc ing e xamp le o fa n e a r ly r ound b a r row o n t h e R idgeway i s W in terbourne S t M a r t in 4 3 , e xcava ted b y G ray a nd P r ideaux ( 1905) . H ere t h e c rouched i nhuma t ion o f ay oung man w a s o ve r la in b y ac a ir n o f f l in t s c on ta in ing as c r aper , f l in t f l akes a nd a t l e a s t o ne s he rd o f P e terbo rough Wa re ( c ompa red b y t he e xcava to r s w i th t h e p o t tery f r om P i t t R iver s ' H and ley H i l l e xcava t ion s ) , a s w e l l a s f i nger imp re s s ed s herds i n t h e s ame f abr ic . I ti sp o s s ib le t ha t b y t he l a ter p a r t o ft he t h ird m i l lenn ium b ca n e me rg ing e l i te w a s b ury ing i t s d ead i n t he a r ea s ou th w e s t o f D o rches ter . T h i s p a t tern i sl a ter r e in f o rced b y n umerou s B eaker b u r ia l s i n t he p a r i she s o f B incombe , B radfo rd P ev e re l l , D o r c he s te r a nd W in terbou rne S t M a r t in . C omb in ing t h e e v idence f r om t he R idgeway a nd M a iden C a s t le , t he ma te r ia la s soc ia t ion s o ft h i sg roup a ppea r t o b e t he s ame a st ho se o ft he 1 64

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W i l sfo rd /Norman ton a r ea -P e terbo rough Wa re s , c h i se l a r rowhead s a nd W e l sh s t one a xe s . I ti ss ugge s ted t ha t t he ' r i tua ll a nd scape 'o f Moun t P l ea san t , M aumbury R ing s a nd t h e Do r c he s te rh enge monumen tg r ew u pi nr e spon se t ot he c ha l lenge o ft h i s emerg ing e l i te . I ft h i s w a s t he c a se , h ow w a s t he e l i te a b le t o s u s ta in i t s p owe r i n t he f a ce o f as oc ia l g roup a b le t o mob i l i se t he p opu la t ion t h rough r i tua l a c t ion? Ih ave a l ready s ugge s ted t ha t t he r i se o f t h i s s oc ia l f o rma t ion w ou ld r e su l t i n t he c r ea t ion o fn ew c hanne l s o fe xchange a nd e l i te c ommun ica t ion . Ih ope t o d emon s t ra te t ha t M a iden C a s t le b ecame am a jo r f ocu s f o r s uch as y s tem o fc on tac t . Whee le r ' se xcava t ion ss howed t ha t a t at ime when p l a in H em b ury p o t tery w a s t he o n ly c e ram ic i n u se o n t h e s i te ah uge b ank b a r row h ad b een b u i l t a c ro s s t he h i l l top , s l igh t ing t he e x i s t ing e a r thwo rk s . B rad ley ( 1983 , 2 0 ) s ugge s t s t h a t t he l ong mound may i n co rpo ra te as ma l ler b a r row ,i na n a na logou s p o s i t ion t ot he o v a l mound a tH amb ledon H i l l wh ich may h ave c overed as i ng le ma le i nhuma t ion ( Merce r 1 980 ,4 3) . I n a dd i t ion af u r the rs ma l ll ong b a r row ,W in terbourne Monk ton 1 ,h ad b een b u i l ti mmed ia te ly t o t he n o r th o f t he c au sewayed e nc lo su re . A s a t H amb ledon a nd A b ingdon ( Br ad l ey a nd H o lga te , t h i s v o lume , C hap ter 8 ) , e i the r o r b o th o f t h e se b ar row s m igh t b e e xpec ted t o c on ta in t he f u l ly a r t icu la ted r ema in s o fo ne o rt wo ma le s . Wh i le t he p ermanen t o ccupa t ion o f M a iden C a s t le may h ave c ea sed a f ter t he b u i ld ing o f t he b ank b ar row , s ome a c t iv i ty c e r ta in ly c on t inued t o t ake p l ace . F auna l a nd l i th ic ma te r ia l w a s s t i l l d epo s i ted , t o ge the r w i th , f i r s t , P e te rbo rough a nd , l a te r , B eaker p o t te ry . D epo s i t ion i nt h i s p ha se s e em st oh ave b een f ocu s sed o n t he l ong mound i t se lf . B rad ley ( 1982 ) h a s d i scu s sed t he G rooved Wa re c omp lex i n t e rm s o f ' s t ra teg ie s o f e x c l u s ion ' , a nd s ugge s t s t ha t t he a s semb lage w a s r e s t r ic ted t o h i gh s t a tu s i nd iv idua l s , c on s t i tu t ing t he h ighe s t i n as e r ie s o f r anked s phe re s o f e xchange . I ti sc l ea r t ha t t h e s oc ia l c on tex t o f t h i s ma te r ia l w i l l h av e b een q u i te d i f f eren t i n , f o r i n s tance , O rkney a nd E a s t A ng l ia , a nd Is hou ld l i ke t o s ugge s t t ha t i n s ou thern We s sex w e a r e a c tua l ly d eal ing w i th q u i te s epa ra te s phere s o f e xchange o pera t ing i n o pen c ompe t i t ion w i th e ach o the r . F o r i n s tance , w h i le ag r ea t many h a rd s t one a xe s h ave b een f ound i n G rooved Wa re c on tex t s , Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th n o te t ha t t h roughou t B r i ta in t he se d er ive f r om a r e la t ive ly r e s t r ic ted r ange o f a xe f a c tory s ou rce s ( 1971, 2 61) . O n ly p e t ro log ica l g roup s I ,I I a nd V I I a nd u ng rouped g r een s tones a r e r e gu la r ly a s soc ia ted w i th G rooved Wa re . P i ggo t t ( 1954 , 3 03 ) a s soc ia ted t he e xp lo i ta t ion o f n ew s t one s ou rce s i n t he L a te r N eo l i th ic w i th t h e u se o f P e te rbo rough Wa re s . I ndeed , a xe s o fg roup s I V , I Va , X I I I , XV I a nd XV I I w e re a l l r e c overed a t Ma iden C a s t le , w h i le M r C . E .B ean ' s c o l lec t ion f r om t he R idgeway i n c luded a xe s o f g roup s I ,H a , I I , I V , I Va , V I , a nd X I I I ( Even s e t a l . 1 962 , 2 44 ) . T he u s er s o f G rooved W are i n s ou th We s sex o bv iou s ly h ad , a cce s s t o ar ange o f g ood s i mpo r ted f r om g r ea t d i s tance s , b u t a s n ew i t em s b ecame a va i lab le t h ey s e em t o h ave b een i n co rpo ra ted i n to a no ther s phe re o f e xchange , a s soc ia ted w i th P e te rborough Ware s . T h i s l e nd s s ome s uppo r t t o t he s ugge s t ion o fH odde ra nd L ane t ha t " the w ide sp read a xe e xchang e c ou ld b e s e en a s much a s ap a r t o ft he c on s t ruc t ion a nd l e g i t ima t ion o fs oc ia lp os i t ion a s ap rov i s ion o ft oo l s" ( 1982 , 2 32 ) . V e rna C a re ( 1982 ) h a s a l ready p o in ted o u t t h e i mpo r tan t r o le o f M a iden C a s t le i n t h e e xchange o f l i th ic i t em s . S he n o ted t ha t b y t h e L a te r N eo l i th ic awho le c l u s t e r o f s i te s s u r round ing t he monumen t w ere i n vo lved n o t o n ly i nt h e p roduc t ion o ff l in t a xe s b u t a l so i nt he p repa ra t ion o fb l ank s a nd c o re s o fP or t land c her t . " The i mp l ica t ion o ft h e s e d eve lop m en t s i st ha t t he M a iden C a s t le e nc lo su re ...h ad t a ken o ve r t h e e x i s t ing n e two rk b a sed u pon t he d i s tr ibu t ion o f P o r t land c he r t" ( Ca re 1 982 , 2 82 )(Green ( 1980 , 6 5) n o ted t ha t c h i se l a r rowhead s made o f t h i s ma ter ia l a r e p l en t ifu l b u t o b l ique a r rowhead s o f P o r t land c he r t a r e u nknown . T h i s , h e s a id , w a s b ecau se t he c her t s ource s h ad c ea sed t o b e e xp lo i ted b y t he t ime t ha t o b l ique a r rowhead s w e re manuf ac tu red . H oweve r , c on s ider ing t h e e x i s t e nce o f B ronze A ge t r iangu la r a r rowhead s o f P o r t land c her t , a nd t he p re sence o fP o r t land c he r t i n t h e B eaker p er iod p a l i sade t r ench a t Moun t P l ea san t , a no the r e xp lana t ion h a s t o b e f ound . T h i s c an b e s t b e d one b yn o t ing t ha t o b l ique a r rowhead s a r e v e ry c l o s e ly a s soc i a t ed w i th G rooved Wa re ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971, 2 61) , w h i le b y t h e L a ter N eo 1 66

l i th ic P or t land c he r t w a s c i rcu la t ing i n a' s ecu la r ' e xchange n e two rk , s e t u p i nc ompe t i t ion w i th t he G rooved Wa re c omp lex . I n t h i s c onnec t ion i ti si mpo r tan t t o n o te t he c omp le te a b sence o f G rooved Wa re -a s soc ia ted i t ems f r om t he I s le o f P o r t land . H oweve r , E bb sf lee t Wa re s he rd s h ave c ome f r om t he V erne ( t oge ther w i th p la in b ow l f r agmen t s i n t he s ame f ab r ic ) , a nd P a lmer ' s 1 966 e xcava t ion s a tP or t land B i l l p roduced as ma l l p i ece o f Mor t lake o r F enga te p o t tery f r om t h e s ame c on tex t a s B eake r s herd s a nd h uman s ke le ta l r ema in s ( Do r se t C oun ty Mu seum ) . P i t t s ( 1983 , 7 9 ) o f f er s t he w a rn ing t ha t P o r t land type c he r t s c an b e f ound i n p ebb le b ed s i n an umbe r o fa r ea s o fs ou thern E ng land . H oweve r , g i ven t he e v i d ence f o rt he l a rge s ca le p roduc t ion o fc ore s a nd b l ank s t ob e f ound i nt he B ean C o l lec t ion , i ts e em s g ermane t o a sk w h ere t hey w ere g o ing . V ery l a rge q uan t i t ie s o f ' P o r t land c her t ' h av e b een r e tr ieved f r om t h e s ou th -we s t e scarpmen t o ft he M end ip h i l l s , whe re t hey o ccu r a s f l ake s , c ore s , s c raper s a nd c h i se l a r rowhead s . I n tere s t ing ly , t he ma ter ia l i s much l e s s c ommon i n l i th ic s ca t ter s n ea r t o t he h enge monumen t s a t H un te r ' s L odge , P r iddy a nd Gor sey B igbu ry . T hu s wh i le t he s ma l le r c her t s ou rces m igh t b e r e spon s ib le f o rs ome o ft h i s ma te r ia l , i ti st emp t ing t o s ugge s t t ha t t he Ma iden C a s t le /R idgeway g roup w e re e ngaged i n e xchange r e la t ion s w i th a na logou s g roup s i n s ou th M end ip . I ft h i s w e re t he c a se , t he l a rge q uan t i t ie s o f L a te r N eo l i th ic a r tef ac t s a nd P or t land c he r t f ound a tH am H i l lm igh t ma rk i t o u t a sa no ther i mpor tan t c en t re f o r t h i s e xchange s y s tem . G iven t he e x i s tence o f an on -G rooved Wa re e xchange s y s tem i ns ou th w e s t E ng land , t he i n troduc t ion o f B eaker p o t tery a nd me ta lwo rk c an b e r e con s ide red . A s t he R idgeway / Ma iden C a s t le e l i te g rew mo re w ea l thy a nd p owerfu l , a nd t he c on t rad ic t ion b e tween t he ir a c t iv i t ie s a nd mo re t r ad i t iona l f o rm s o f a u tho r i ty b ecame mo re ma rked , o ne c an i mag ine a n i n f la t ionary s p i ra l d ev e lop ing , d emand ing mo re e xo t ic g ood s t o ma in ta in p ower a nd mo re e xc lu s ive s ymbo l s t o e xpre s s i t . E ven tua l ly t he o u tcome o f t h i s p roce s s w ou ld h ave b een c on tac t w i th t he B eaker n e two rk . T h i s i ss uppo r ted b y t he e v idence f r om Ma iden C a s t le . H igher q ua l i ty ma te r ia l i t em s a ppea r t o h ave b een d epo s i ted i n t he d i tche s o f t he l ong mound , p a r t icu la r ly a t t he e a s te rn e nd . T h i s r e ca l l s t he s e condary d epo s i t s o b served a t an umber o f l ong b ar row s , a nd i n t he f o recour t s o f many c hambered c a i rn s . T he l i th ic a s semb lage a t M a iden C a s t le a s a who le i sd om ina ted b y s c raper s , y e t i n t he d i tch o f t he l ong mound t hey r ep re sen t as ma l ler p ercen tage o f t he t oo l s ( 57% a s o ppo sed t o 8 0% ) . S er ra ted f l ake s , p i ercer s a nd a w l s , c o re s a nd a r rowhead s a l lr each h i ghe rp ercen tage si nt he d i tche s o ft he b ank b a r row . O ft he t en g rouped s t one a xe s f r om t he s i te who se c on tex t s a r e k nown , s i x a re f r om t he l ong mound d i tche s , t h ree f r om p i t sa nd o n ly o ne f r om t he r e s t o f t he s i te ( wh ich r ep re sen t s much t he g r ea te s t p a r t o f t he l i th ic a s semb lage ) . A l l o ft h i s c an b e t aken a s e v idence f o r ac on t inued t r ad i t ion o f n on -u t i l i ta r ian d epo s i t s i nt he f o recour t a r ea o ft he mound , p erhap sr e ca l l ing t he mo r tua ry r i tua l s o ft he E a rl i e r N eo l i th ic . Whee le r ' s s e c t ion o f t he l ong mound d i tch ( 1943 , 8 7 f i g . 1 5) i so n ly v ague ly r epre sen ta t ive o f t he e n t i re s t ra t igraphy , wh ich c on ta in s a ny th ing u p t o 2 5 l a yer s i n ag i ven c u t t ing . T o c om p ound t he p rob lem s o f i n terpre ta t ion , t he l a yer n umbe r s i n s epa ra te c u t t ing s d o n o t c o r r e spond . H ence t he i lu s tra t ion i n t he Ma iden C a s t le r epor t o fB eake rp o t tery a r ranged b y l a ye r i sm i s lead ing ( Whee le r 1 943 , 1 57 p la te x x iv ) . I f ama t r ix i sc on s truc ted r e la t ing t he l a ye r s o f e ach c u t t ing t o i t s n e ighbour s , i ti sp o s s ib le t o o b serve t ha t t he e a r l ie s t B eake r s i n t he s t ra t ig raph ic s equence a r e e xc lu s ive ly c ord -deco ra ted ( s ec t ion P 3 , l a yer 4 - s i te r eco rd s i n Do r se t C oun ty Mu seum ) . I mmed ia te ly a bove t h i s , s he rd s d eco ra ted w i th b o th c o rd a nd c omb a r e t o b e f ound . T h i s c ou ld mean t ha t t he e a rl ie s t B eake rp o t tery a t M a iden C a s t le w as a p ure A l l O ve r C o rded a s semb lage , d a tab le t o p erhap s 2 000 b c . T h i s wou ld make t hem o ne o f t he e a rl ie s t B eaker a s semb lage s i n D or se t . A s w i th t he e a rl ie r i t em s o f h i gh q ua l i ty ma ter ia l , t he se s herd s a r e c oncen t ra ted a tt he e a s t e nd o ft he l ong mound . F l in t a xes , a s w e l l a s s t one , s e em t o b e c oncen t ra ted i n s ome o f t he p i t s a t Ma iden C a s t le . T h i s r eca l l s t he p i t s i n t he c en t ra l e nc lo su re o n H amb ledon H i l l , whe re a xe s a nd f i ne i mpor ted p o t tery a ppea r t o h ave b een p u rpo sefu l ly d epo s i ted ( Me rce r 1 980 , 2 3) , a nd h int s o b l ique ly a t t he p o s s ib il i ty o f as im i la r p ha se o f ' r i tua l ' a c t iv i ty a t Ma iden C a s t le . I t i si mpo r tan t t ha t a l l t he P o r t land c her t a t Ma iden C a s t le , a pa r t f r om o ne f l ake f r om t he 1 67

e nc lo sure d i tch a nd a na r rowhead f r om ac h ipp ing f l oo r , c ome s f r om e i ther t h e l ong mound d i tch o r f r om t h e p i t s i n s ide t he c au sewayed e nc lo su r e . T he f auna l a s semb lage a t M a iden C a s t le a l so s how s c on s iderab le s pa t ia l a nd c h rono log ica l v a r ia t ion . C on tex t s c on ta in ing P e te rborough a nd B eaker p o t tery s how a d ec rea se i n c a t t le f r om t he 7 5 .5% o f s pec imen s f ound i n t he p r ima ry H embu ry Ware p ha se s o ft he o ccupa t ion t o 5 2% . S heep , o n t he o the r h and , r i se f r om 1 3% t o 2 3% o f s pec imen s . N one the le s s , d e sp i te t he r e la t ive ly l a te d a te o f t h e l ong mound , t he f auna l r ema in s f r om i t s d i tche s a r e p redom inan t ly t ho se o f c a t t le . A ga in t h i s s ugge s t s ac l o se l i nk b e tween d epo s i t iona l p rac t ice s a s soc ia ted w i th t he l ong mound a nd t ho se o ft he l ong b a r row t r ad i t ion ( s ee T ho rpe , t h i sv o lume , C hap te r4 ) . I n c on tra s t t o t he l a rge q uan t i t ie s o f L a te r N eol i th ic f i nd s a round M a iden C a s t le a nd a l ong t he R idgeway ( f ig . 1 ) , r e la t ive ly l i t t le h a s c ome f r om t he a r ea n ea r t o t he h enge monumen t s a t Moun t P l ea san t , D o rche s te r a nd M aumbury R ing s . Wh i le t h i s i sp a r t ly a r e su l t o f f i e ldwork b i a s , o ne i st emp ted t o s ugges t t ha t , a si n s ou th W i l t sh i r e , t he ma jo r c e remon ia l monumen t sw ere s epa ra te f r om t he ma in c en t r e s o fp opu la t ion . H oweve r , ap o s s i b le c on tra s t l i e s i n t h e d eve lopmen t o f t he r i tua l l a nd scape . C o l in R icha rd sh a s s ugge s ted t ha t t he e nc lo su re o f D u r r ing ton Wa l l s w a s ar e la t ive ly l a te d eve lopmen t , p receded b y c en tu r ie s o f b u i ld ing t imbe r c i rc le s a nd a l ignmen t s ( t h i s v o lume , p . 1 95) . F u r thermo r e , t he d a te o f c .2 400 b c f o r p r imary a c t iv i ty a t S toneh enge c onf irm s t he e a r ly o r ig in o ft h e c omp lex . B y c ompar i son , t he o n ly e v idence f o rp re -enc lo su re a c t iv i ty a t Moun t P l ea san t i s as c a t ter o f r a ther amb iguou sp l a in p o t tery b enea th t h e b ank . T he d i gg ing o ft h e e nc lo su r e d i tch a t Moun t P l ea san t i sd a ted t o c .2 100 b c ( Wa inw r igh t 1 979 ) wh i le t h e D orche s te r monumen tc an b ed a ted t oc .2 000 b co rl a te r ( P . Woodwa rd a nd D . B a tche lo rp e r s . c omm . ) . T h i s s ugge s t s t ha t s uch a c t iv i ty t ook p l ace when s epu lch ra l a c t iv i t ie s o n t he D o r se t R idge w ay w ere a l ready i n p rog re s s . I ti sp o s s ib le t ha t s ome o f t he many s ma l l h eng ifo rm s t ruc t u re s o f s ou th D o r se t m ay p reda te t h i s p ha se -e a r then c i rc le s , o f ten w i th e x terna l b ank s , e x i s t a t A sker swe l l , B r idehead , C omp ton V a l lance , U pwhey , E gga rdon , L i t ton C heney a nd L ancebo rough , t he l a t te rs i te b e ing l o ca ted n ea r t o M a iden C a s t le ( O l iver n .d . ;C o l ley M a rch 1 908 ; R .C .H .M . 1 970 ) .H owever ,t he r e cen t e xcava t ion b y M a r t in G reen o f as ma l lp i t -c i rc le h enge a t Wyke D own p roduced G rooved Wa re p o t te ry , i n c lud ing a n i n terna l ly d eco ra ted v e s se l w i th B eaker a f f in i t ie s ( Ro s C lea l p er s . c omm . ) . T he i d ea t ha t a l l s ma l l h eng iform e nc lo sure s p reda te t h e l a rge r s i te s may b e u nfounded . I ti sq u i te p o s s ib le t h a t G rooved Wa re a c t iv i ty i nt he D orche s ter a r ea w a s r e la t ive ly l a te i nd a te . B eaker p o t tery a ppea r s v ery a brup t ly i n t he d i tch a t Moun t P l ea san t , j u s t a si td oe s a t D ur r ing ton Wa l l s . A t D u r r ing ton t h i sh a sb een i n terpre ted a se v idence f o r t he e c l ip se o ft h e r i tua l a u thor i ty s t ruc tu re , a nd t he a nnexa t ion o f t he monumen t b y p er iphe ra l g roup s o f P e terbo rough Wa re a nd B eaker u ser s . S ome th ing q u i te s im i la r c an b e s ugge s ted a t Moun t P l ea san t . T he e a r l ie s tB eaker s o n t he s i te a r e t wo We s sex /M idd le R h ine s herd s f r om S i te I V , l a ye r 8 ,s e gmen tI Va ( Wa inwr igh t 1 979 , 8 7 ) . T h i si mp l ie s t ha t B eaker p o ttery d i d n o t a r r ive a t Moun t P l ea san t u n t i l s ome t ime a f ter 1 800 b c . B y t h en , B eaker s c ou ld h av e b een i nu s e a tM a iden C a s t le f o r 2 00 y ea r s . F u r thermo re P or t land c her t i se n t i r e ly a b sen t f r om p r imary ( Grooved Wa re ) l e ve l s a t b o th Maumbury R ing s a nd Moun t P l ea san t , b u t P o r t land c he r t w a s r e cove red f r om B eake r l e ve l s a tt he l a t ter s i te ( D i tch I , l a ye r 5 ;D i tch XX IX , l a ye r 7 ) , c on tempo ra ry w i th t he b u i ld ing o f t he g r ea t p al i saded e nc lo su re t here . T he o n ly s t one ( a s o ppo sed t o f l in t ) a xe s a t Moun t P l ea san t c ame f r om t h e t r ench f o r t h i s p a l i sade , a sd id s i x s he rds o f P e te rborough Wa re ( t he o n ly o ne s f r om t h e s i te ) . I ti si mpor tan t t ha t a l l t h e e l emen t s o f t h e s ou th w es te rn e xchange s phe re a r r iv ed a t Moun t P l ea san t a tr ough ly t h e s ame t ime : B eaker s , P e terborough Ware s ,s t one a xe s a nd P or t land c her t . T he a r r iva l o f B eake r p o t tery a t Moun t P l ea san t m ay ma rk t he i n co rpo ra t ion o f t h e monumen t i n to t he s phere o f i nf luence o f t he R idgeway a nd M a iden C a s t le . T he a c t iv i t ie s w h ich t ook p l ace t he re a t t h i s t ime r e ca l l t ho se o ft he G rooved Wa re p ha se . G rooved Wa r e v e s se l s c on t inued t o b e d epo s i ted a l ong s ide B eaker s , p erhap s i nd ica t ing t ha t t h e e x i s t ing c e ram ic s t y le h ad b een a ppropr ia ted b y t he n ew r e g ime . T he b u i ld ing o ft he p al i sade m igh t s ugge s t as h if t t o amore mar t ia la nd w or ld ly f o rm o fp owe r , y e t as t one c ove w a s s e t u p o n 1 68

t h e s i te o f t he t imber c i rc le . F ea s t ing c on t inued , a nd a s Ih ave d emon s t ra ted ( R icha rd sa nd T homa s , t h i s v o lume , C hap te r 1 2 ) s ome o f t he p r inc ip le s wh ich c on tro l led t he d epo s i t ion o f a n ima l b one s c on t inued t o a pp ly . I n t h i s r e spec t S i te I V w a s s t i l l t r ea ted d i f f e ren t ly f r om t he r e s t o f Moun t P l ea san t . T he e l i te g roup wh ich h ad e me rged a t M a iden C a s t le s ome c en tu r ie s e a r l ier may n ow h ave b een more p owerfu l , h av ing g a ined c on t ro l o ve r t h e r i tua l s p rac t i sed a t Moun t P l ea san t . Wa inw r igh t ( 1979 , 2 32 ) s ugge s t s t ha t b e tween 1 700 a nd 1 600 b e w e c an d i sce rn ap ha se i n wh ich many o f t he t imbe r monumen t s o f We s sex w e re r ebu i l t i n s t one . I ti sn o c o inc idence t ha t t h i s i sc on tempora ry w i th t he a r r iva l o f B eaker u ser s o n t he monumen t s o f s ou th We s sex . I ti si nk eep ing w i th af o rm o fa u tho r i ty w h ich d er ive s f r om c on t ro l o f p roduc t ion a nd e xchange a nd s e ek s t o l e g i t ima te i t se lf t h rough t he man ipu la t ion o f r i tua l t ha t t h i s n ew d eve lopmen t a t Moun t P l ea san t w ou ld h ave e mpha s i sed c hange le s sne s s a nd p ermanence . I n o the r w o rd s , ac l a im w a s b e ing made t oc on t inu i ty w i th t he o r ig ina l b u i lder so ft he monumen t s . T he r eu se o fa bandoned monumen t s o ccu r sv ery w ide ly i nt he L a te r N eol i th ic a nd E a r ly B ronze A ge o fB r i ta in . I ti sc l ea rt ha tj u s t a s ap l ace m igh t b e c ho sen a st he s i te f o r amonu m en t b ecau se s ome i mpo r tance w a s a l ready a t tached t o i t( Du r r ing ton Wa l l s b e ing t he c l a s s ic c a se ) , a r ea s wh ich h ad a t t rac ted s ome s ymbo l ic p owe r t h rough a s soc ia t ion w i th t he a nce s tor s ( r ea l o r f i c t iona l ) o rt h rough t he p erfo rmance o fr i tua l s b ecame d e s i rab le s i te s f o r a c t iv i t ie s wh ich d rew u pon t he p a s ta s ar e source . E xamp le si n c lude t he u se o fs ome o ft he D o rche s ter o n T hames monumen t s a nd S tonehenge Ia sc r ema t ion c eme te r ie s ,o rt he s i t ing o f B ro9ze A ge b ar row g roup s o n o rn ea rt oN eol i th ic monumen t s . I ti si nt h i s l i gh t t ha t w e s hou ld c on s ider t he B eaker a c t iv i ty a t Moun tP lea san t .H oweve r , t he re a r e a l so t wo r e la t ive ly l a te r ad iocarbon d a te s f o r G rooved Wa re a c t iv i ty a t M aum b u ry R ing s -1 700±70 b e ( BM 2 281) a nd 1 690±70 b e ( BM 2 282 ) -f r om l owe ra nd u pper f i ll ing o ft wo s haf t sr e spec t ive ly ( Brad ley p er s . c omm . ) . Wh i le i ti sp o s s ib le t ha t t he d i gg ing o f t he M aumbu ry s haf t s t ook p l ace w i th in a n e x i s t ing monumen t , i ti so f c on s ide rab le i n te re s t t ha t t he se d a te s a r e i n d i s t ingu i shab le f r om t ho se f r om t he Moun t P l ea san t p a l i sade t r ench . T h i s r a i se s t h e p o s s i b i l i ty t ha t t he r i va l ry b e tween t he t wo d i f f e ren t f o rm s o f a u thor i ty c on t inued i n to t he s e ven teen th c en tu ry b e . I n t he s ame w ay a s t he b u i ld ing o f Woodhenge , p e rhap s i n t he n ine teen th c en tury b c , c an b e i n terpre ted a s t he f i na l e ff lo re scence o f G roov ed Wa re a c t iv i ty o n S a l i sbu ry P l a in , t he d i gg ing o f t he M aumbu ry s haf t s , e ach a s much a se l even m e tre s i n d ep th , c an b e s e en a sa n e l abo ra t ion o f o ne a spec t o f t he h enge t r ad i t ion . E l se w here i n t h i s v o lume ( R icha rd s a nd T homa s , t h i s v o lume , C hap ter 1 2 ) t h e s ugge s t ion h a s b een made t ha t c i rc le s o fp i t sa nd p o s tho le sr ep re sen t ad om inan t s ymbo l o fG rooved Wa re r i tua l . M aumbu ry R ing s s e e t h i s e l emen t e xaggera ted t o af an ta s t ic e x ten t . A s a t Moun t P l ea san t a nd D u r r ing ton Wa l l s , a n e x t reme ly f o rmal i sed s e t o f d epo s i t iona l p rac t ice s i s e v idenced b y t he c u l tu ra l ma ter ia l f r om t he s haf t s , w i th f l in t s , h uman b one s a nd a n t ler d i s t r ibu ted a t t he ir t op s ,a nd a n ima l b one sa nd p o t tery l a rge ly c onf ined t ot he l owe r f i l l ing ( B rad ley 1 975 , 1 9 ) . T he i n c lu s ion o fh uman r ema in s a tt h i s s t age i si n te re s t ing , a st h i si sa n e l emen t o f c on s iderab le s ymbol i c p owe r wh ich h i the r to h ad b een l a rge ly om i t ted f r om G rooved Ware d epo s i t s . S t range ly , t he G rooved Wa re s herd s f r om M aumbu ry ( B rad ley 1 975 , 2 3 a nd r e cen t ly l o ca ted ma ter ia l i n T aun ton Mu seum ) a r e a u s tere i n t h e e x treme , af e a tu re s ha red b y t he s herd s f r om t he p o s tho le s a nd d i tch a t Woodhenge . T he p re sence o f al i th ic e l emen t i n t he c on s t ruc t ion o f M aumbury , i n t he f o rm o f a n e n t rance s t one ( Brad ley 1 975 , 1 5) ,p re sumab ly c on tempo ra ry w i th t h e b u i ld ing o ft he s t one c ove a t Moun t P l ea san t , s ugge s t s t ha t t he i m i ta t ion o f G rooved Ware p rac t ice s b y B eake ru se r s e v idenced b y t he r andom r e cu t t ing o f monumen t s h ad n ow b ecome ap roce s so fc ompe t i t ive e mu la t i on . A s w e h ave a r gued t ha t G rooved Wa re a c t iv i ty i n t he D o rche s te r a r ea i sr a the r l a te i n d a te , i ti si n tere s t ing t o c on s ider t he e v idence f r om t he a r ea a round C h r i s tchu rch , t o t he s ou th e a s t . T he r e cen t ly e xcava ted G rooved Wa re p i t s a t B a rga te s h ave p roduced ar ad io c a rbon d a te o f c .2 200 b e ,r a ther e a r l ier t han a ny th ing i nt he D orche s te ra r ea ( J ar v i s 1 983 , 1 40 ) . G rooved Wa re h a s a l so b een r e cove red f r om H um ( P iggo t t 1 943 , 2 60 ) ; L a tch F arm , 1 69

Furzy; Crouch Hill, Stampit Marshes (K. Jarvis pers. comm.) and Hengistbury Head (J. Gar­ diner pers. comm.). In opposition to this, the Holdenhurst long barrow appears to have · operated as a focus for Peterborough-associated activity. It may be significant that this is the area where the rivers Stour and Avon meet the English Channel (cf this volume, p. 36). If communication between Grooved Ware users as far apart as Yorkshire, Orkney, East Anglia and Wessex took place by sea, Hengistbury would have commanded the natural routes to Durrington, Marden and the Knowlton Circles. Again this suggests that Grooved Ware users may have formed a distinctive group within contemporary society, and that this material was more than a special purpose ceramic employed in ritual activity. North Wiltshire (fig. 2)

In the area around Avebury we are again faced with a major concentration of field monu­ ments and traces of occupation which seem to indicate the existence of another political entity. However, the similarity between monuments in different areas has often tended to obscure the uniqueness of regional social trajectories. Each episode of monument building should be seen as a response to a specific situation and a specific set of pressures. It is only when the relationships between monuments, and between monuments and settlement evi­ dence, are taken into account that this specific context begins to emerge. Other contributors to this volume have already been able to show the contrast between southern Wessex, where barrow cemeteries and residential areas develop some distance away from the Grooved Ware­ associated 'ritual landscapes', and regions like the Oxfordshire Thames or Yorkshire, where the division between ritual and secular areas of the landscape is less marked and the tra­ dition of single burial is stronger. In these areas a less powerful group of ritual specialists might be postulated, together with more powerful secular elites. If we suppose that the rise of these individualising elites _is an essentially European phenomenon, it is interesting that this tendency is most evident' in those areas traditionally in contact with France, the Low Countries, the Rhine and Scandinavia; Sussex, the Thames Valley, East Anglia and York­ shire. In landlocked areas a more conservative form of authority tends to prevail. As we have seen, in the heartland of Wessex the two came into direct conflict. The Avebury dis­ trict reveals a set of spatial relationships quite distinct from those of Dorset and south Wiltshire. Here there is no opposition between barrow cemeteries and henges, or between residential and ritual areas. The henge at Avebury is surrounded by both long and round barrows. The first results of fieldwalking by Robin Holgate and the author suggest that the major low-lying areas surrounding the monument are covered by enormous Later Neolithic flint scatters, each as much as two km across. By comparison with Durrington Walls, Mount Pleasant and Marden, the absence of feasting debris from the Avebury monument is sur­ prising, as is the paucity of Grooved Ware from the ditch silts. Furthermore, scraps of both Peterborough and Grooved Wares have been found within the monument, implying that the principles of division and exclusion found on other sites did not apply here (Smith 1965, 224). All but one of the nine assemblages containing Grooved Ware from the Ave­ bury area also contain Peterborough Wares. This presents a major contrast with southern Wessex. In addition, we have to explain why the area around Avebury contains not one but five causewayed enclosures (Windmill Hill, Knap Hill, Rybury, Overton Hill and Crofton). A possible answer to this unique state of affairs lies in the observation recently made by Alan Saville (1982, 28) that huge quantities of flint must have be�n exchanged between Wessex and the Cotswolds during the Neolithic. Judging by the amounts of flint which can be found in surface collection on the Cotswolds, Saville estimates that roughly 1000 large cores, of the sort recently recovered from excavations at Hazleton long cairn and Frocester Court, must have been imported each year. The local glacially derived flint could not have supplied material of either the quality or quantity required. One of the nearest sources of flint would have been the Avebury area, located in the nearest expanse of chalk­ land. It would not be possible to exercise monopoly control over a commodity as wide170

‘ t rG rooved Wa re

* Pe te rbo rough Wa re •L ong b a rrow oC hambe r t omb

W ind m i l l H i l l

A vebu rY

O

R ybu ry

K nap H i l l

1 0 .2 N eo l i th ic monumen t sa nd s u rface s c a t ter s i nt he A vebury d i s t r ic t . S haded a r ea s r epre s en t ma jo r L a te N eo l i th ic c oncen tra t ion s o fw o rked f l in t ;c on tou ra t2 29 me tre s 0D 1 71

s p read a s t h e f l in t o f t he U pper C ha lk ( wh ich , g i ven as u i tab le o u tc rop , a nyone c ou ld h ave e xp lo i ted f o r t hem se lve s ) . H owever , e xchange o n s uch a l a rge s c a le c ou ld h ave b een o f p o l i t ica li mpo r tance , f o r t h i s c oncern sn o t me re ly t he e x t rac t ion o ft hou sand s o fc o re s , b u t a l so t h e a b il i ty t o c en tra l i se a nd t r an spor t t hem , a nd t or epea t t h i s p roce s sy ea ra f te ry ea r . F rom t he p er spec t ive o ft he r e c ip ien t si nt he C o t swo ld s ,i tm igh th ave b een amo re e f f ic ien t o p t ion t oe ngage i ne xchange r e la t ion s t han t oh ave t o moun t ama jo re xped i t ion t oc o l lec t t he r aw ma ter ia l . I tf o l low s t ha t t h i sa c t iv i ty m igh th ave b een o rgan i sed f r om ac en t ral i sed p ower b a se , s ome f unc t ion s o f wh ich c ou ld h ave b een e xe rc i sed c on t inuou s ly o v er al ong p er iod o f t ime . T o t h e e a s t a nd n or th o f A vebu ry l i e t h eh uge f l in te x trac t ion s i te s o ft he M a r lbo rough D own s -H ackpen H i l l , S tock L ane a nd L idd ing ton C a s t le ( Ho lga te 1 984 ) . We c an s pecu la te t ha t t he w e s twa rd mov emen t o f f l in t f r om t he se s i te s w a s t h rough A ve b u ry , w h ich may h ave a c ted a s af o rm o fg a teway c ommun i ty . Ih ave s ugge s ted t ha t i n t he s ou th w e s t t he d eve lopmen t o f f r e sh e xchange p a t tern s r e su l ted f r om t h e r i se o f an ew f o rm o f e l i te , i t se lf t h e p roduc t o f ama jor t r an sforma t ion o f t he s oc ia l r e la t ion s o f p roduc t ion . I n t he A vebu ry a r ea t h e e xchange n e two rk i sr a the r o lder , d a t ing f r om a tl e a s t t he s t a r t o ft he t h i rd m i l lenn ium . H e re i ti sn o t ac a se o fa n e l i te e ngag ing i n e xchange i n o rder t o s t reng then i t s p o s i t ion , b u t o ft he e x i s tence o fa ni mpor t a n t e xchange r ou te f a c i l i ta t ing t he r i se o f a n e l i te . T he d eve lopmen t o f A vebury i st hu s p a ra l le l t o b u t q u i te d i f f eren t f r om t ha t o f t he r e s t o fW e s sex . T he k ind o fp roce s sw h ich w e c an e nv i sage t ak ing p l ace h e re i sd ocumen ted b y F r iedman a nd R ow land s ( 1978 , 2 06 ) . C on tro l o f b o th r e sou rce s a nd r i tua l a l low s o ne l i neage t o b ecome mo re h i gh ly r anked t han o ther s , a nd t o g a in amonopo ly o ver r e la t ion s b o th w i th t he s p ir i tua l wo r ld a nd w i th l ong d i s tance e xchange p a r tne r s . T h i s s l ow p roce s sw ou ld h ave b een f a c il i ta ted b y t h e c on s t an t f l ow o f w ea l th t h rough A vebu ry , a l low ing t ho se w ho c on t ro l led i tt o e ngage i nf e a s t a nd g i f t -g iv ing . H e re ag roup o f h igh ly r anked l i neage s f o rmed t he e l i te , a so ppo sed t o t he s ma l l f am i ly g roup s w h ich w e re t og a in p ower i ns ou th D o r se t . W i th s p i r i tua l a nd t empora l p ower i nt he s ame h and s , al a nd scape c ou ld d eve lop w he re r i tua l a nd f unerary monumen t s , e conom ic a c t iv i t ie sa nd r e s iden t ia la r ea s w ere c l o se ly i n teg ra ted w i th o ne a no the r . T he d eve lopmen t o f monumen t s i n t h e A vebu ry d i s t r ic t r ef l ec t s t he u n iquene s s o ft h i s a r ea , c ompa red w i th t he r e s to f We s sex . An o tab le a spec ti st he e x ten t t o wh ich t h i sr eg ion e xh ib i t s as e r ie so fb o r row ing s f r om a ppa ren t ly u nre la ted t r ad i t ion s . T he p owe ro ft he e l i te w a s l e g i t ima ted b y o b l ique r e f erence s b o th t o t he p a s t a nd t o d i s tan t p l ace s , e vok ing my s t e r iou s a nd l i t t le u nder s tood p owe r s . T h i s i s mo s t o bv iou s ly t he c a se w i th S i lbu ry H i l l , wh ich c ou ld p erhap s r epre sen t t he a dop t ion o n ama s s ive s c a le o f t he a r ch i tec tu re o f t h e P as sage G rave t r ad i t ion . H owever , a sf a ra sw e k now , t h e b u r ia l a spec t w a sa b sen t ,a nd w i th i tt he o r ig ina l r a t iona le o f P a s sage G rave c on s t ruc t ion . R e la ted monumen t s may i n c lude t he M ar lbo rough Mound a nd t he H a tf ie ld B a r row , t h e l a t te r l o ca ted i n s ide t h e M arden h enge monumen t i n t he V a le o f P ew sey . I tw ou ld b e o fc on s ide rab le i n tere s t t ok now t h e s t ra t ig raph ic r e la t ion sh ip b e tween t h i s mound a nd t h e h enge t h ere , a s t h i s may h ave c on s i de rab le b ea r ing u pon t he i n terac t ion b e tween t he A v ebury e l i te a nd t he s ou th We s sex G rooved Wa re c omp lex . I ts e em s t ha t t h e mob il i sa t ion o fl a bour f o r t he se monument s , t oge ther w i th t h e i r s hee r s c a le , may h ave b een o fg r ea ter i mpor tance t han t he i r s pec if ic u se f o r b ur ia l , f e a s t ing o r r i tua l . B y t he s ame t oken , l ong b ar row s w e re b u i l t a tS ou th S t ree t a nd B eckhamp ton R oad b u t n o b ur ia l s w ere p l aced i n t hem . T he r o le o f t he h enge a t A v ebury c an b e s e en i nt he s ame t e rm s . T he i mpor tance o f G rooved Wa re i n t he A vebu ry d i s t r ic t i sc on s ide rab ly l e s s t han e l sewhere a nd t he n o rma l t en s ion s b e tween s oc ia lg roup s f o l low ing s epa ra te s t ra teg ie s may n eve r h ave e x i s ted . G rooved Ware w a s me re ly a n o rna te c e ram ic c arry ing a s soc ia t ion s o fp ower a nd d i s tan tp l ace s . S ome i nd iv idua l s i nt he A v ebury a r ea o bv iou s ly d i d h ave a cce s s t o G rooved Ware , b u ti t sp resence i nt he We s tK ennet t omb ( P iggo t t 1 962 ) a nd a tW indm i l l H i l l( Sm i th 1 965) c ou ld s ugge s t t ha t t he s ymbo l ic mean ing o ft he c e ram ic w a sm i s s ing . I ti s p o s s ib le t ha t t he t imbe r p ha se o f t he S anc tua ry o n O ve r ton H i l l ( Cunn ing ton 1 931, 3 15) s aw d epo s i t ion p rac t ice s o f t he s or t f ound e l sewhere i nW e s sex , b u t e ven t h i si sd oub tfu l . 1 72

B o th h e re a nd a t t he A vebury h enge t he G rooved Wa re n e twork w a sp e rhap sr e f e r red t o s ome th ing p owerfu l , b u t e ven i fA vebury w a s b u i l t a s ac ommuna l s how o f s t reng th i n e mu la t ion o f D u r r ing ton Wa l l s , i ts t i l l s e rved a s af ocu s f o r t he d i s tr ic t . R i tua l a c t iv i ty , h owever ,r ema ined c oncen t ra ted o n t he t omb sa nd o n t he a nce s t ra l d e i t ies o ft h e d om inan t l i neage s o ft he a r ea . I ti so fc on s iderab le i mpo r tance t ha tt he se t omb sa r eC o t swo ld -Severn c hambered b a r row s . a nd s t i l l more s o t ha t t hey a r e a l l o f t h e l a ter , t e rm ina l ly c hambe red f o rm ( Darv i l l 1 9& . , 5 7 ) . T h i s g roup o f t omb si sd i s t inc t f r om t he ma in d i s t r ibu t ion , a nd t h i s s ugge s t s t ha t t hey w ere i n t roduced f r om o u t s ide . T he p owerfu l l i neage s w ho m igh t h ave c on t ro l led t h e e xpo r t o f f l in t i n to t he C o t swo ld s s e em t oh ave i mpor ted a n e xo t ic b u r ia lr i te . T h i s i se mpha s i sed b y t he i n troduc t ion o f o o l i te f r om t he s ou th o f t he C o t swo ld -Severn p rov ince , a nd i t s i n corpora t ion i n to b o th e a r then b a r row s a nd c hambered t omb s . T he C o t swo ld -Seve rn r i te w ou ld b e w e l ls u i ted t o t h e A vebury e l i te , f o rt he t omb s c ou ld b e l e f t o pen f o rt he s equen t i a l i nhuma t ion o fi mpo r tan ti nd iv idua l s . L ineage c h ief s c ou ld t hen h ave b een i n co rpo ra ted a t d ea th i n to a c ommun i ty o f e s teemed a nce s to r s . A s as i ng le l i neage g a ined a s cendancy o ve r t he o the r d om inan t l i neage s o f t he d i s t r ic t , s ome o ft he t omb s w en t o u t o fu se , wh i le o ther sw ere e l abo ra ted a nd t h e i r monumen ta l a spec t w a se nhanced . H ence a t We s t K enne t i t i sp o s s ib le t o a rgue t ha t t h e mound i t se lf h a s b een l e ng thened ( Brad ley p er s . c omm .) . T h i s s uppo se s t ha t t h e v ery e x ten s ive r eu se o ft he We s t K enne t c hamber s ( P iggo t t 1 962 )i sq u i te d i f f eren t f r om t he v e s t ig ia l t r ace s o f P e terbo rough -a s soc ia ted r eu se o f l ong b a r row s e l se w here . E xam ina t ion o f t he f auna la nd c e ram ic r ema in s f r om We s tK enne t s ugge s t s t ha t t he d epo s i t ion o f ma te r ia l w a s ac on t inuou s p roce s s o ver al ong p er iod , r a ther t han as i ng le e p i sode i n wh ich ma ter ia lf r om an ea rby mo r tuary h ou se w a s d umped o n t he s i te , a sP i ggo t t s ugge s ted .T hu st he u se o ft h e monumen t w en t o n f o rc en tu r ie s a f te r t he b lock ing o fs im i la r t omb s o n t he C o t swo ld s . T he c au sewayed e nc lo su re s o f t he A vebury a r ea a r e n o tab le f o r t he i ra ppa ren t ly d ef en s i ve n a tu re . R ybu ry a nd K nap H i l l a r e s ma l l e nc lo su re s w i th c l o se ly s e t d i tch s e gmen t s , o ve r look ing t he V a le o fP ew sey . T hey a r e t oo n ea rt oo ne a no the r t oh ave s e rved i nd iv idua l t e r r i to r ie s .S im i la r ly , wh i le t h e s l ope f r om W indm i l l H i l l i n to A vebury v i l lage i sq u i te g en t le , t h e c au sewayed e nc lo su r e h a s ac ommand ing p o s i t ion o ve r look ing t he Monk ton F ie ld s t o t h e n o r th . T he se e nc lo su re s s e em t o r i ng t he A vebury p l a teau , e ach f a c ing a way f r om t he c en tre . Wh i le t he i rf unc t ion m ay h ave b een a tl e a s t p a r t ly d ef en s ive , n o d oub t s ome o ft he i r i mpor tance l a y i n s ymbo l i s ing t he p ower o f t he i nhab i tan t s o f t h e A vebury a r ea t o t ho se o u t s ide a nd b e low . W indm i l l H i l l i t se lf s e ems t o h ave b een ama jo re xchange c en t re i nt he L a ter N eo l i th ic , p roduc ing P e te rborough a nd G rooved Wa re s a nd s t one a xe s o ft ype s I ,I a , I l a , V I , V I I , V I I I , X I a nd X I I I a nd i t ss ou thea s t f l ank i sc overed b y ah uge L a te rN eo l i th ic f l in t s c a t ter . T he A vebury a r ea a s aw ho le a ppea r s t of a l l o n t h e c u sp o ft he d i s t r ibu t ion s o f a xe s f r om t he n or the rn a nd s ou th w e s te rn s ource s ( Cumm ins 1 980 , 4 6 ) . I ti si n te re s t ing t o n o te t ha t i n t he C o t swo ld s a nd t he U pper T hame s t h i s p a t tern o fc l o se s paced c au sewayed e nc lo su re s i sr epea ted b o th b y C r ick ley H i l l /Peak C amp a nd b y t he c l u s te r o f e nc lo sur e s n or th o fL ech lade ( R . H ing ley p e r s . c omm . ) . T he e l i te i nt he A vebury a r ea s e em t oh ave a nnexed e very p o s s ib le e xo t ic monumen t a nd a r tef ac t t ype i n o rder t o d i sp lay a nd ma in ta in t he i r p owe r . I tf o l low s t ha t s uch as y s tem , a lway s o pen t o n ew e l i te g ood s , wou ld v e ry q u ick ly h ave i n vo lved i t se lf i nt h e B eaker s y s t em . I ndeed , A l l O ver C o rded B eaker s h ave b een f ound a tt h e S anc tuary , t h e W e s t K enne t l ong b ar row , K nap H i l l a nd W indm i l l H i l l ; a nd E u ropean B e l l B eaker s f r om t h e A v ebury h enge , W indm i l l H i l l , W e s t K enne t a nd t he g r ave a ga in s t s t one 1 8 i n t h e W e s t K enne t A venue . On ly i n t h i s l a s t c a se i se a r ly B eake r p o t te ry f ound w i th as i ng le b ur ia l . B ea r ing i n m ind t he a b sence o f o va l b a r row s a nd D o rches ter s e r ie s b ur ia l s f r om t he A vebu ry d i s t r ic t , i ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t t h e i n i t ia l c on tac t w i th t he B eaker n e two rk h ad l i t t le i mpac t o n t h e s oc ia l f ab r ic . B eaker s w e re m ere ly a no ther w ay i n w h ich t he p owe r o f t h e e l i te w a s s ymbo l i sed , a nd t ha t e l i te c on s i s ted o f e n t ire l i neage s r a ther t han s i ng le i nd iv idua l s -t h e r i te o f s i ng le b u r ia l w i th g r ave g ood s w a s n o t a ppropr ia te . T he e ventua l e me rg ence o f 1 73

B eaker r ound b a r row s n ea r A vebury s ugge s t s t ha t i nt he l ong t e rm p ro longed c on tac t w i th B eake r u ser s l e d t o c hange . C onc lu s ion T he d i f f er ing p a t tern s o f monumen t b u i ld ing a nd l a nd u se i n s outh D o r se t a nd n o r th W i l t sh ire e xp re s s t he v e ry d i f f e ren t r e la t ion sh ip s b etween e l emen t s o f t he s oc ie t ie s wh ich c r ea ted t hem . I n D or se t Ih ave a r gued t ha t a n E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic l i neage s y s tem d eve loped i n to f am i ly g roup s l o cked i n to e s sen t ia l ly e conom ic c ompe t i t ion w i th o ne a no the r . T he more s ucce s sfu lo ft he se g roup sg a ined p re s t ige , w ea l th a nd a cces s t oh igh ly ranked mar r iage p ar tner s , a s w e l l a s amo re d i s t ingu i shed f o rm o f b u r ia l . I n o ppo s i t ion t o t h i s , a spec t s o f t he ' o ld o rder ' w ere t r an sformed i n to t he G rooved Wa re c omp lex . E s tab l i shed s oc ia ln orm s w ere e n shr ined i n as y s tem o f r i tua l c l a s s if ica t ion wh ich d i c ta ted a ppropr ia te s oc ia l b e h av iou r . T he c on t rad ic t ion b e tween t he se t wo mode s o f p roduc t ion w a s r e so lved t h rough c on tac t w i th t he C on t inen ta nd w i th t he B eake rs y s tem . A round A vebury ,h oweve r , i mpo r t a n t e xchange n e two rk s e x tend ing i n to t he C o t swo ld s , t he T hame s V a l ley a nd We s te rn E ng land e nab led c e r ta in l i neage s w i th in as im i la r s y s tem t o c on t ro l b o th r i tua l a nd a cce s s t o e xo t ic i t em s . H ere r ank ing d eve loped w i th in t he s y s tem r a the r t han i no ppo s i t ion t o i t . M any o f t he monumen t s o f t he A vebury d i s t r ic t s e em t o b e o u t o fc on tex t , a nd i n aw ay t hey a r e a l l s e rv i ng t he s ame p urpo se . T hey e mbody t he p owe r o f t he i nhab i tan t s o f t he a r ea i n g enera l a nd o f t he e l i te l i neage s i n p a r t icu la r . T he l a nd scape i n wh ich t h ey s t ood r ep re sen ted ap a tchwork o fi n teg ra ted c e remon ia l , s epu lchra l a nd r e s iden t ia l a r ea s .

Ac know ledgen Is hou ld l i ke ` , ot hank t he f o l low ing f o rt he i rh e lp i nt he r e sea rch wh ich l e d t o t h e w r i t ing o f t h i s p aper : A nd rew F lem ing , R icha rd B rad ley , R ob in T or rence , R ob in H o lga te . N ick T ho rpe ,C o l in R icha rd s ,C lyde H a t ter , P e ter Woodwa rd , R o s C lea l , R oge r P ee r sa nd R odney A lcock ( Do r se t C oun ty Mu seum ) , D av id A l len , S imon D avey ( Red H ou se Mu seum , C h r i s t c hu rch ) , H i la ry H owa rd , K e i th J arv i s , M ike P i t t s ( Avebury Mu seum ) , S teph en M inn i t t ( Somer se t C oun ty Mu seum ) , D e smond D onovan ( We l l s Mu seum ) , J u l ie t C lu t ton -Brock ( Na tura lH i s to i yMu seum ) , R icha rd H ing ley , C a ro l ine G r ig son , R oger J acob i , C h r i s H awke s , A nne E ver ton ; I nd L au rence K een . T hank s t o P enny M a rg rave s f o rh er p a t ience w i th t yp ing e ar l ier d raf t s .

Note : T he r ad ioca rbon d e term ina t ion f o r Wo r B ar row h a s b een i n c luded h ere a si tw a s p ro c e s sed a f ter t l i o c omp le t ion o ft he C ranborne C ha se p aper i nt h i sv o lume .

R ef erence s BOWDEN , M . , BRADLEY , R . , GAFFNEY , V . a nd MEPHAM , L . 1 983 . T he d a te o f t he D or se t c u r su s , P roceed ing s o ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc iety 4 9 , 3 76-379 . BRADLEY , R . 1 975 . M aumbury R ing s , D o rche s te r : t he e xcava t ion s o f 1 90813 ,A rchae o log ia 1 05 , 1 ( )7 . BRADLEY , R . 1 982 .P o s i t ion a nd p o s se s s ion : a s semb lage v ar ia t ion i n t he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchaeo logy 1 ,2 7-38 . BRADLEY , R . 1 983 . T he b ank b a r row s a nd r e la ted monumen t s o f Dor se t i n t he l i gh t o f r e cen t f i e ldwork , P roceed ing s o f t he Dor se t N a tura l H i s tory a nd A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty 1 05 , 1 5-20 . BRADLEY , R . 1 984 . T he S oc ia lF ounda t ions o fP r eh i s tor ic B r i ta in ( Ha r low , L ongman ) .

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B URGESS , C . a nd S HENNAN , S . 1 976 . T he B eaker p henomenon : s ome s ugge s t ion s , i n B u rge s s , C . a nd M ike t , R . ( ed i to r s ) , S e t t l ement a nd E conomy i n t he T h i rd a nd S econd M i l l enn ia b c ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 3 09-331 . CARE , V . 1 982 . T he c o l lec t ion a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o f l i th ic ma te r ia l s d u r ing t he M e sol i th ic a nd N eo l i th ic p er iod si nS ou the rn E ng land , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchaeo logy 1 ,2 69-285 . CHR IST IE , P .M . 1 967 . A b ar row c eme te ry o f t he s e cond m i l lenn ium B .C . i nW i l t sh i re , E ng land ,P roceed ing so ft h eP reh i s tor ic S oc iety 3 3 , 3 36-366 . COLLEY MARCH , H . 1 908 . T he r i tua l o f b a r row s a nd c i rc le s , P roceed ing s o f t h e Dor se t F i e ld C lub a nd A rchaeo log ica lS oc ie ty 2 9 , 2 25-250 . CUMM INS , W . A . 1 980 . S tone a xe sa s ag u ide t oN eol i th ic c ommun ica t ion s a nd b ounda r ie s i nE ng land a nd Wa le s ,P roceed ing so ft h eP r eh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 6 , 4 5-60 . CUNN INGTON , M . E . 1 931 . T he ' S anc tua ry ' o n O ve r ton H i l l n ea r A vebu ry , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 4 5 , 3 00-355 . DARV ILL , T . C . 1 982 . T he Mega l i th ic C hambered T omb s o ft h e C ot swo ld -Severn R eg ion ( H ighwor th , V o rda ) . DOUGLAS , M . 1 966 .P ur i ty a nd D anger ( London , R ou t ledge a nd K egan P au l ) . EVENS , E . D . , GR INSELL , L .V . , P IGGOTT , S .a nd WALL IS , F . S . 1 962 . F ou r th r epo r t o f t h e s ub -comm i t tee o n i mp lemen t p e t ro logy , P roceed ing s o ft h e P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 8 , 2 09-266 . FR IEDMAN , J .a nd ROWLANDS , M . 1 978 . T owa rd s a n e p igene t ic mode l o ft he e vo lu t ion o fc i v i l i sa t ion ,i nF r iedman ,J .a nd R ow land s , M . ( ed i tor s ) , T he E vo lut ion o fS oc ia lS ys tems ( London , Duckwor th ) , 2 01-276 . G IDDENS , A . 1 979a . C ent r a lP rob l ems i nS oc ia l T heory ( London , M acm i l lan ) . G IDDENS , A . 1 979b . Durkhe im ( London , F on tana ) . GREEN , H . S . 1 980 . T he F l int A r rowhead s o ft h e B r i t i sh I s l e s ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchae o log ica l R epor t s ) . GR INSELL , L .V . 1 982 . D or se t B a r row s S upp l ement ( Do rche s te r , D o r se t N a tu ra l H i s to ry a nd A rchaeo log ica l S oc ie ty ) . HODDER , I .1 979 . E conom ic a nd s oc ia l s t re s s a nd ma te r ia l c u l tu re p a t te rn ing , Amer ican An t iqu i ty 4 4 , 4 46-455 . HODDER , I .a nd LANE , A . 1 982 . Ac on tex tua l e xam ina t ion o fN eo l i th ic a xe d i s t r ibu t ion i n B r i ta in , i n E r ic son , J .( e d i to r ) , C ontext sf or P reh i s tor ic E xchange ( London , A cadem ic P r e s s ) , 2 13-35 . HOLGATE , R . 1 984 . S e t t lemen ta nd monumen ta l i ty i n We s sex , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchae o logy 3 ,2 35-8 . HOWELL , J .1 983 . S e t t l ement a nd E conomy i nN eo l i th ic N or thern F rance ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) . MERCER , R . 1 980 .H amb l edon H i l l : aN eo l i th ic L and scape ( Ed inbu rgh , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) . OL IVER , V . L . n .d . L ong B ar row s , S tone a nd E ar th C i rc l e sa nd S tand ing S tone s i nS outh Dor se t . Manu sc r ip t . P IGGOTT , S . 1 954 .N eo l i th ic C u l ture so ft h eB r i t i sh I s le s ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P r es s ) . P IGGOTT , S . 1 962 . T he W e s t K enne tL ong B a r row ( London , H .M .S .0 . ) . P ITTS , M . 1 983 . P rocuremen t a nd u se o f f l in t a nd c he r t , i nE van s , J .a nd S m i th , I . ,E xca v a t ion s a tC herh i l l , N o r th W i l t sh i re ,P roceed ing so ft h eP reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 4 9 , 4 3117 . RENFREW , C . 1 973 . Monumen t s , mob i l i sa t ion a nd s oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion i nN eo l i th ic W e s sex , i n R enf rew , C . ( ed i to r ) , T he E xp lanat ion o fC u l ture C hange ( London , D uckwo r th ) , 5 395 58 . ROWLANDS , M . 1 980 . K in sh ip , a l l iance a nd e xchange i n t he E u ropean B ronze A ge , i n B ar r et t , J . a nd B rad ley , R . ( ed i tor s ) , S e t t lement a nd S oc ie ty i n t h e B r i t i sh L a ter B ronze A ge ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 1 5-55 . ROYAL COMM ISS ION ON H ISTOR ICAL MONUMENTS , 1 970 .A n I nventory o f Dor se t , V o lume 2 ( London , H .M .S .0 . ) .

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S AV ILLE , A . 1 982 . C a r ry ing c o re st oG louce s te r sh ire , L i th ic s 2 ,2 5-28 . S HENNAN , S . 1 982 . I d eo logy , c hange a nd t he E u ropean E a r ly B ronze A ge , i nH odder , I . ( ed i to r ) ,S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Camb r idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 55161 . S HERRATT , A . 1 981 . P lough a nd p a s tora l i sm : a spec t s o f t he s e conda ry p roduc t s r evo l u t ion , i n N . H ammond , I .H odde r a nd G . I s aac ( ed i to r s ) , P a t tern o f t he P a s t ( Cambr idge , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) , 2 61-305 . SM ITH , I .F . 1 965 . W indm i l lH i l la nd A vebury ( Oxford , C la rendon P re s s ) . SM ITH , I .F . 1 967 . W indm i l l H i l la nd i t si mp l ica t ion s ,P a l eoh i s tor ia 1 2 , 4 69-48 1 . THOMAS , J .S .F o r thcom ing . E conom ic i n ten s if ica t ion a nd t he r i se o f e l i te s i nN eo l i th ic E u rope . WA INWR IGHT , G . a nd LONGWORTH , I .1 971 . Dur r ing ton W a l l s ( London , S oc ie ty o f A n t iquar ie s ) . WHEELER , M . 1 943 . Ma iden C a s t l e , Dor se t ( London , S oc ie ty o fA n t iqua r ie s ) . WOODWARD , P . 1 981 .E xcava t ions a tR owden , W interbourne S teep leton . T ype sc r ip t .

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1 1 .

T he D eve lopmen t o ft he N eo l i th ic L andscape i nt he E nv iron so fS tonehenge J u l ian R icha rd s

I n t roduc t ion T h i sp ape rw i l ld ea lw i th t he d eve lopmen t o ft he N eo l i th ic t o E a r ly B ronze A ge l a ndscape w i th in ag eog raph ica l ly r e s t r ic ted b u t f oca lp a r t o ft he c en t ra l We s sex c ha lk land . T he s urvey u nder taken b yt he We s sex A rchaeo log ica l C omm i t tee ( l a t te r ly t he T ru s t f o r We s sex A rchae o l ogy ) f o l low s a nd c omp lemen t st ha t p ub l i shed b yt he R oya l C omm i s s ion ( 1979 ) . F unded b y t he D epa r tmen t o f t he E nv i ronmen t , t he p re sen t p ro jec t w a s s e en a sa n e x ten s ive a na l y t ica l s u rvey b a sed l a rge ly o n s urf ace c o l lec t ion . A t p re sen t t he a r ea i s ma in ly g i ven o ve r t o i n ten s ive c e rea l p roduc t ion , w i th t he e xcep t ion o f a r ea s o f g r a s s land r e in t roduced b y t h e N a t iona l T ru s t . S i gn if ican t a r ea s l o ca ted d u r ing f i e ld -wa lk ing w ere t o b e s amp led b y e xcava t ion f o r t he p urpose o f f o rmu la t ing p re se rva t ion a nd managemen t s t ra teg ie s ; e xca v a t ion a l so t ook p l ace a ts pec if ic t h rea tened monumen t s . S ub sequen t i npu t f r om r e sea rch b od ie sh a s e nab led o the rt heme s t ob ep u r sued i nt andem w i th t ho se o ft he ma in p ro jec t . T he A rea o fS ur vey T he s t udy a r ea c on s i s t s o f a pprox ima te ly 4 2 km' c en t red o n S tonehenge . B ounded t o t h ee a s t b y t he A von , t he l a nd r i se s f r om a pprox ima te ly 6 0 me t re s OD i nt he r i ve rv a l ley t o o ve r 1 20 me tre si nt he n or th ( f ig . 1 ) . On t he who le t he t opog raphy i sg en t le b u ti sd i s sec ted b yo ne ma jor d ry v a l ley s y s tem ,S pr ingbo t tom/S tonehenge B o t tom , t he s t eep s i de s o f wh ich i n p l ace s o f f e r t he o n ly o b s tac le t o p re sen t d ay c u l t iva t ion . T he s o i l s a r e p r ima r i ly t h in c ha lky r endz ina s w i th s ome g r ave l ly d r if t o n r i dge t op s a bove t he A von v a l ley a nd s ome a r ea s o f s l igh t ly h eav ie r l o es s -de r ived s o i l s . E x ten s ive s amp l ing h a s f a i led t o r e vea l a ny s i gn if ican t c o l luv ia ld epos i t sw i th in t he d ry v a l ley s . D e sp i te t he c omp lex , mu l t i -per iod monumen t s i n t h i s a r ea a nd a n e x ten s ive h i s tory o f e xcava t ion , r emarkab ly l i t t le i sk nown a bou t t he d ome s t ic a nd i ndu s tr ia l a spec t s o f t he p reh i s tor ic e nv i ronmen t . " Fl in t s c a t ter s" e x i s t s o le ly i nt he p ub l i shed w o rk o fL a id le ra nd Y oung ( 1938 ) a nd i n o cca s iona l a r ea s s ugge s ted b y t he R oya l C omm i s s ion . I n a dd i t ion , N eo l i th ic o ccupa t ion i sk nown i nt he v i c in i ty o fD ur r ing ton Wa l l s a nd o the r a r ea s , p r ima r i ly r ep r e sen ted b yp re -ba r row f e a tu re sr e cove red d ur ing e xcava t ion . S ur vey m ethod s T he s u rf ace s amp l ing m e thodo logy w a s n ece s sa r i ly e x ten s ive i n i t s i n i t ia l a pp roach . I t i n vo lved t he c o l lec t ion o f ma ter ia l f r om e i gh t t r an sec t s w i th in e ach h ec ta re s qua re , t h e t r an sec t s b e ing 5 0 m e t re sl ong a nd s paced a t2 5 me tre i n te rva l s . T he t r an sec t s w e re a l igned n or th / sou th a nd t he h ec ta re s qua re s w ere t ho se o f t he N a t iona l G r id . S u i tab ly w ea thered a r ab le f i e ld s f o rmed t he b a s ic s amp l ing b lock s w hen t hey w ere a va i lab le . F o r t h e f i r s t t wo w in te r s t he se w ere s e lec ted o n a n o b jec t ive b a s i s , b u t l a t te r ly t hey w ere c ho sen o n ap red ic t i ve b a s i s a nd a l so i no rder t oc omp le te ar ep re sen ta t ive t opog raph ica l a nd z ona l s amp le . T o d a te a pprox ima te ly 1 000 h ec ta re s w i th in t he p ro jec t a r ea h ave b een s amp led o n t h i s b a s i s , a ccompan ied b y d e ta i led t opograph ica l o b serva t ion a nd s ub jec t ive s u rf ace s o i l map p ing . B road t r end sa nd z one sh ave b een i d en t if ied i nt he p re l im inary s o r t ing o ft he ma te r ia l c o l lec ted ,a nd i nt h ree a r ea sd ef inab le s c a t te r s h ave b een mo re i n ten s ive ly s amp led , f o l lowed b yg eochem ica la nd g eophy s ica ls u rvey a nd , f i na l ly , b y s ma l l s c a le s amp le e xcava t ion . T he o bse rva t ion s p re sen ted i n t h i s p aper a r e b a sed o n wha t a tp re sen t mu s t b e r e ga rded a s as e r ie s o f s ub jec t ive i mp re s s ion s d e r ived f r om t he p re l im ina ry s o r t ing o f t he s u rf ace ma te r ia l . I na dd i t ion ,p re l im ina ry r e su l t s f r om e xcava t ion s c a rr ied o u t a tC oneybury H enge , t he G rea te r C u r su s , t he L e s ser C u r su s , Amesbu ry 4 2 l ong b a r row , W i l sford D own N or th 1 77

K i te a nd t he f l in t s c a t te r s a t F a rgo Wood , W i l sford D own a nd t he K ing B a r row R idge w i l l a l so b e i n co rpora ted . I n c on t ra s t t o s ome o f t he r e g iona l s t ud ie s i n t h i s v o lume , t he S toneheng e E nv i ron s P ro jec t p re sen t s a n i n ten s ive , i n t rospec t ive v i ew o f t h e d eve lopmen t o ft he N eo l i th ic l a nd s c ape a nd a t temp ts t oi d en t ify an umber o fd i f f e ren ts y s tems a tw ork w i th in av e ry r e s tr ic ted a r ea . T he N ature o ft h eE v idence W i th e xcep t ion s ( f o r e xamp le , a r ea s f r e sh ly p loughed f r om o ld g r a s s land ) t he s u rf ace e v idence i sr e s tr ic ted t o d u rab le ma te r ia l : w orked , b u rn t a nd i mpo r ted f l in t a nd s t one . T he e n t i re a r ea mu s tb ec on s ide red a s af l in t s ource , ma te r ia l o fw orkab le q ua l i ty b e ing a va i lab le f r om t he c ha lk , t he c l ay s a nd t he r i ve r v a l ley . I n t e rm s o ft he s u rf ace e v idence , t he a nom a l ou sa r ea sa r e t he se wh ich a ppea ra sl ow o vera l l d en s i t ie s o fw orked f l in t . T o g i ve ab road i d ea o ft he q uan t i t ie s i n vo lved , l ow d en s i ty a r ea s a r e c on s ide red a st ho se p roduc ing b e low t en w orked p i eces p e r 5 0 me t re t r an sec t ; med ium d en s i ty a r ea s h ave u p t o t h i r ty ; a nd t hose w i th h i gh d en s i t ies c an p eak a t 1 50 o r mo re p i ece sp er t r an s ec t i ns ome a r ea s . I fw e r e ga rd t he t r an sec t s a st oge ther p rov id ing ar ep re sen ta t ive 1 0% s amp le o ft h e ma ter ia l i n e ach h ec ta re s qua re , w e c an e s t ima te t h e o ve ra l l d en s i ty o f s u r f ace f i nd s a s : 0 -800 ( l ow ) ; 8 00-2400 ( med ium ) a nd 2 40012000 o r mo re ( h igh ) . S uch g ros s f i gu re s , h owever , c ou ld r epre sen t t he i ndes truc t ib le d ebr i s o f s e ve ra l m i l lenn ia a nd a t temp t s mu s t b e made t o s ubd iv ide t h i s m a ter ia l i n to c oheren t c h rono log ica l a nd f unc t iona l u n i t s . T h i s a wa i t s t he c omp le t ion o f ap rog ramme o f t e chn ica la na ly s i s o fs t ra t if ied f l in t a s semb lage s , p a r t icu la r ly d a teab le k napp ing c l u s ter s . M eanwh i le t he c h rono log ica l s epa ra t ion i sb a sed o n t he r e gu la r o ccur rence o f d i agno s t ic t oo l t ype s ,a nd mo re s ub jec t ive i mp re s s ions o ft h e c ha rac ter o fs pec if ic g roup s . R e la t ive p e rcen tage s o ft oo l s / re touched ma ter ia lt oa ppa ren t ly u nu t i l i sed w a s te a nd t he o ccu r rence o fc o re s /hamme r s tone s a r e u sed t o d i s t ingu i sh b e tween b road a r ea s o f ' i ndu s tr ia l ' a nd d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty . S uch s imp le s cheme s w i l l o f c ou r se b e r e f ined w i th f u r ther a na ly s i so ft he a va i lab le a s semb lage s . A c t iv i ty -c e remon ia l , f unera ry ,i ndu s t r ia l a nd d ome s t ic -a ppea r s t o f a l l i n to t h ree c l ea r p ha se s d ur ing t he N eo l i th ic a nd E ar ly B ronze A ge , e ach a ccompan ied b y am a jo r s h if t o f e mpha s i s f r om o ne p a r to ft he l a ndscape t o a no ther . P ha se 1 . C ommuna la nd S ca t te red G roups ( f ig . 1 ) Two a spec t s o f t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty c an b e r e cogn i sed a nd l i e a to ppo s i te e x t r eme s o f a r chaeo log ica l v i s ib i l i ty , ar ef l ec t ion p e rhap s o f t he i r i nd iv idua l i mpac t o n t h e c on tempora ry e nv i ronmen t . C ommuna l a c t iv i ty i sr ef l ec ted i n t he c on s t ruc t ion o f t wo e nc lo sure s : R ob in H ood ' s B a l l ( Thoma s 1 964 ) , ac au sewayed e nc lo sure o f c onven t iona l f o rm , l y ing o n s l igh t ly h i ghe r g round a tt he f a r n o r th o f t he s t udy a r ea ;a nd ,o n t he b a s i s o f r ad ioca rbon e v idence , p o s s ib ly t he f i r s t p ha se o f S tonehenge . C ommuna l e f for t , i fn o t f o rc ommuna lb enef i t ,i sr e f lec ted i nt he c on s t ruc t ion o fl ong b a r row s , mo r tua ry e nc lo su re s , a nd i n ar a ther l a ter s t age o f t he N eo l i th ic , p o s s ib ly b e tween 2 800 a nd 2 500 b c , i n t h e u l t ima te d eve lopmen t o f t he s ame t r ad i t ion , t he b u i ld ing o f t wo c u r su s monumen t s . T he N orman ton D own mor tua ry e nc lo su re a l so b e long s t o t h i s p ha se , i t s s i ze a nd e nc i rc l ing e nd d i tche s s ugges t ing al a te d a te i n t he t r ad i t ion o f l ong b a r row s /ova l e nc lo sures . T h i s i s c onf irmed b y ar ad ioca rbon d a te o f2 560±103 b c ( BM 5 05) ( Va tcher 1 961) . Two z one s a ppea r i n t he l a ndscape d u r ing t h i s p ha se , e ach w i th ama jo rf o ca l e nc lo su re l y ing o n t he e dge o f ag roup o f l ong b ar row s ( f ig . 1a ) . T hey a r e s epa ra ted b y t he t wo c ur su se s ( f ig . l b ) . T he R ob in H ood ' s B a l l g roup c on s i s t s l a rge ly o f b ar row s l oca ted o n s pur s , i n c lud ing o ne e xamp le o n ly a bou t 3 5 me t re si nl e ng th f ound i n 1 983 o n a rmy a e r ia l p ho tog raph s . T he S tonehenge g roup c on s i s t s o f as e r ie s o fb a r row s wh ich o n t opog raph ica l g rounds e mpha s i se t he W i l sford D own a r ea . W i th t he e xcep t ion o f W in te rbourne S toke ( over 7 0 m et re s l ong ) , t he ma jor i ty o ft he l ong b a r row s f a l l w i th in t he 3 5-50 me t re r a nge . Work i n o the r a r ea s ( B rad ley e ta l . , t h i s v o lume p .9 2) s ugge s t s t ha t t hey c ou ld b e q u i te 1 78

al a te d eve lopmen t . T oge the r w i th t he c ur su s monumen t s , t hey may h e lp t o b u i ld a c on t i nuou ss equence r unn ing d own t o t he L a te r N eo l i th ic p e r iod . O the r e v idence f r om t he E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic s ugge s t s d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty b y s ma l ld i spe r sed g roup s . I nd i rec t e v idence f r om T homa s ' e xcava t ion s a t R ob in H ood ' s B a l l s u gge s t s t ha t g r a s s land w a s e s tab l i shed h e re p r ior t ot he c on s truc t ion o ft he e nc lo su re , b u t t h e i n ev i tab le e mpha s i s o n t he l o ca l e nv i ronmen t o f t he l a rge r monumen t s may o bscure aw ide r p a t te rn o f mo re p i ecemea lc l earance . I ti si nt h i s t ype o fl a nd scape t ha t w e c an e nv i sage t h e a c t iv i ty o fs ma l lg roup so pe ra t ing w i th in t he b roade r t e r r i tor ia l f r amework e s tabl i shed b y t h e monu m en t s . S ur f ace l i th ic e v idence f o r E ar l ie r N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty c an b e s ugge s ted i ns e ve ra l a r ea s ( f ig . l a ) , n or th o f t he G rea ter C u r su s , s ou th o f W in te rbou rne S toke , a d jacen t t o R ob in H ood ' s B a l l a nd a tW i l sfo rd D own , f o r e xamp le , b u t d i agno s t ic t oo l s , s uch a sl e af a r row h eads , a r e r a re a nd s ome c omponen t s o f t h i s p ha se may a wa i t r e covery b y f u r the r , mo re s pec if ic , a na ly s i s . P re l im inary a na ly s i s o f as t ra t if ied E a r l ie r N eo l i th ic a s semb lage f r om C oneyburr. H i l l s ugge s t s t ha t t he n a r row f l ake e l emen t , a ppa ren t ly d i agno s t ic o f t h e e a r l ier a s semb lage s ( e .g . R icha rds 1 978 ' s " Group 2 " ) , may r ep re sen t o n ly as ma l l p a r t o f t he w ho le g roup , al a rge p e rcen tage o f wh ich a ppea r s t o b e t e chn icaly i nd i s t ingu i shab le f r om l a te ra s semb lage s . We f i r s t f i nd a n e mpha s i s o n W i l sford D own , a ma jo r l o ca l f l in t s ou rce , d ur ing t h i s s t age a nd t h i s sr e f lec ted i n t he f r equent o ccur rence o f e a r ly p o t tery f r om b enea th b ar row s i n t he a r ea . P re -henge a c t iv i ty a t D u r r ing ton , d a ted t o a round 2 600 b c , i sn ow ma tched b y as im i la r s equence o f a c t iv i ty a tC oneybu ry h enge monumen t . H e r e a2me t re d i ame ter p i t l y ing i mmed ia te ly o u t s ide t he f o rmer b ank o ft he e nc lo su re c on ta ined al a rge p r imary d epo s i t o f b one , a n t ler , f l in t t oo l s ( i nc lud ing l e af a r rowhead s ) a nd u ndecora ted p o t te ry . Much o f t he p o t te ry a nd p a r t s o f t he b one a s semb lage a ppea red t o h ave b een d el ibe ra te ly p l aced i n t he p i t , r a the r t han d umped i n ah aphaza rd manne r . T he s pa t ia l a r rangemen t o f t h i s ma te r ia l i sr em in i scen t o f s ome d epo s i t s i nt he d i tche s o fc au sewayed e nc lo sure s . T he K ing B a r row R idge a r ea h a s a l so p roduced q uan t i t ie s o fp l a in p o t tery f r om b enea th b a r row s . T h i s s y s tem ,w i th i t sl a te l ong b a r row sa nd c u r su s monumen t s ( f ig . l b ) i t se lf w en t t h rough ap ha se o f e l abora t ion a nd i n terna l r e -ad ju s tmen t . T h i s i ss e en i n t he r e con s t ruc t ion a nd e n la rgemen t o ft he t wo c ur su se s , t hem se lve st he u l t ima te d eve lopmen t o fa n o l der t r ad i t ion o ff unera ry monumen t s . T he L e s ser C ur su s r un s e a s t /we s t a l ong t he s umm i t o f af l a t t opped s pu r t o t he n o r th w es t o fS tonehenge . N ow v i r tua l ly i n v i s ib le o n t he g round , i ta ppea r so n a e r ia lp ho tog raph s t o b e a pprox ima te ly 4 00 m e t res l ong , w i th a n ' o pen ' e a s te rn e nd , a nd i sd i v ided a ti t s m id p o in t b y ac ros s d i tch , whe re t he e a r thwork s e em s t on a r row s l igh t ly ( R .C .H .M . 1 979 , 1 9 ) . T he e xcava t ion s i n 1 983 w e re d e s igned t o e xam ine t h ree s pec if ic a spec t s : t h e s equence o f c on s truc t ion a nd t he r e la t ive d a te o ft he c ro s s d i tch ;t he " unf in i shed" n a tu re o ft he e a s te rn e nd ; a nd t he p o s s ib i l i ty o f s t ruc ture s w i th in t he w e s te rn ( e nc lo sed ) t e rm ina l . G eophy s ica l s u rvey a nd s u rf ace p lo t t ing o f av e ry v i s ib le g r a s s ma rk g ave a n a ccu ra te p l an , e mpha s i s ing t he i r regu la r i ty o fc on s truc t ion ,p a r t icu la r ly i nt h e s i de d i tche s , a nd t he o b l ique p o s i t ion o f t he c r os s d i tch . E xcava t ion o f t he s ou the rn j unc t ion p rov ided c l ea r e v idence o fs equence . I ta ppea r s t ha t i n i t ia l ly t he c ur su s c on s i s ted o f at i ny d i tch , s ome 3 0 c m d eep w i th a n i n terna l b ank ,w h ich e x tended o n ly a sf a re a s t a st h i s p o in t , at o ta l l e ng th o fa pp rox ima te ly 2 00 m e tre s . T h i s d i tch w a sb ackf i l led a nd l a rge ly r emoved b y q uar ry ing c on s ide rab ly l a rge r d i tche s , t he n ew c ros s d i tch h av ing i t sb ank o n t he o ppo s i te s i de t o i t s p redece s sor , af a c to r wh ich a to ne t ime h ad c a s t d oub t so n i t s b e ing a n o r ig ina l f e a tu re . I na dd i t ion ( a l though n o d i rec t s t ra t ig raph ic s equence c an b e a s ce r ta ined ) i ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t t he e a s tern e x ten s ion w a s c on s truc ted a t t h i s s t age , af u r ther 2 00 m e t re s o fd i tch b e ing d ug o n e i the rs i de b efo re t hey s t op , a brup t ly a nd a ppa ren t ly d el ibera te ly . T he w e s ter ly e nd o f t h i s e x tens ion d i tch c on ta ined a s ub s tan t ia l a nd s e em ing ly d el ibe ra te d epos i t o f s paced a n t ler s -p i cks , r ake s a nd b roken f r agmen t s . As i ng le a n t le r w a s r e cove red f r om t he b a se o f t he s ma l l , P ha se 1 1 80

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d i tch ,b u t i t se roded n a tu re d id n o t s ugge s t t ha t i th ad b een ad e l ibe ra te d epo s i t . T he d i tch o f t he w e s te rn ( c lo sed ) e nd w a s l a rge r a nd e xh ib i ted amo re c omp lex f i l l ing , i n c lud ing t he s l igh t ing o f t he i n te rna lb ank , ad oub le r e cu t t ing o ft h e d i tch a s soc ia ted w i th ac r ema t ion d epos i t i n ah i gh l e ve l o f t he f i l l ing , a nd t h e i n ser t ion o f as t ake f e nce a l ong t he l i ne o f t he p a r t ia l ly f i l led -up e a r thwo rk . T he o ccu r rence o f mo re a n t le r t i ne s , s how ing s i gn s o f g roove a nd s p l in ter w ork , i n t he ma te r ia l d er ived f r om t he b ank p e rhap s s ugge s t s t ha t s im i la rd epo s i t sh ad b een p l aced u nder o rw i th in t h e l a t te r , ma tch ing t ho se i nt he d i tch t ot he e a s t .M e tal ic i n terf e rence i nt he c l o sed , w e s te rn t e rm ina l p reven ted t he i d en t if ica t ion o fa ny i n terna l s t ruc ture sb y g eophy s ica lm e thods . A s im i la r p a t tern o f ma s s ive e n la rgemen t w a s r e vea led d u r ing t h e 1 983 e xcava t ion s o n t he G rea ter C ur su s . Two s e c t ion s , o ne i nF a rgo Wood a nd t he o the r o n t h e L a rkh i l l t r ack , b o th r e vea led as l igh t ( 80-90cm ) d i tch w i th ah i gh ly d eca lc if ied f i l l . T h i sl a rge ly r e f lec ted t he s equence o b ta ined b y S tone ( 1947 ) a nd t he r e cen t ly l o ca ted r e co rd s o f ac u t t ing o b served b y F ar rah i n 1 917 , a nd c on t ra s ts s harp ly w i th t he 2 m e t re d eep d i tch r e co rded a t t he w e s tern e nd b y C h r i s t ie ( 1963) . A t t he t ime t he s c a le o ft h i s d i tch p romp ted s ome s ugge s t ion s t ha t al ong b a r row w a s i n corpo ra ted i nt h e t e rm ina l o ft he c u r su s . T he e a s te rn e nd o f t he S tonehenge C u r su s h a s n eve r b een e xam ined b u t i st hough t t o l i e s ome 4 0 m e tre s s hor t o f a ma s s ive l ong b a r row , Ame sbu ry 4 2 , i t se lf n ow s ad ly mu t i la ted . P a r t ly i n af i r c op se , w i th am e ta l led t r ack r unn ing a l ong t he a x i s o f t he much r educed mound , t he e a s te rn f l ank a nd t he s t i l l v i s ib le d i tch l i e w i th in a n a r ab le f i e ld . S amp le e xcava t ion i n t h i s a r ab le a r ea i n 1 983 r e vea led am a s s ive q ua r ry d i tch , s ome 2 . 5 me t re s d eep c u t t ing a s ma l le r c ha lk f i l led d i tch o n t he s ame l i ne , w i th as i ng le c au seway i n t he e xcava ted a r ea . T h i se a r l ier d i tch a ppea r s t oh ave b een b ackf i l led w i th c ha lk b efore a ny s ub s tan t ia l w ea the r i n g h ad t aken p l ace a nd may p e rhap s b e t he o r ig ina l t e rm ina l o ft he C u r su s w i th o ne c en t r a l ly p l aced e n trance ( f or p a ra l le l s s e e , f o re xamp le , S onn ing -G a te s 1 975 ,m ap 1 9 ) . T h i s d i tch , w h ich may h ave b een a bou t 1 . 2 m e t re s d eep o r ig ina l ly , w a s l a ter s upe r seded b y a m a s s ive e n largemen t i n vo lv ing t he c r ea t ion o f ah uge mound . S tuke ley ' s e ng rav ing o f 1 723 g i ve s p e rhap s t he c l ea re s tp i c tu re o ft h i s a r ea , w i th ac ro s s b ank w he re more r e cen t o p in ion w ou ld l o ca te t he e nd o ft he c u r su s ( R .C .H .M . 1 979 , 0 0 ) . T he re i sas im i la ri n te rna l c ro s sb ank t owa rd s t he w e s te rn e nd o ft h i s monumen t . Ame sbury 4 2 may n o t h ave aw e s tern q ua r ry d i tch , a nd w h i le p e rhap s e mbody ing t he d ua lc oncep t o f l ong b ar row a nd c u r su s t e rm ina l , may n eve r h ave h ad amor tua ry f unc t ion . T hunham c e r t a in ly n eve rs ugges ted t ha t t he re h ad b een ap r ima ry b u r ia l i nt h i s mound . T h i sa r rangemen t i sp erhap s p a ra l le led i n t he Y o rk sh i re Wo ld s . I ti sh a rd ly s u rp r i s ing t ha t G reenwe l l d ug t he e nd o ft i t e R uds ton s ou th c u r su s t h ink ing i tt ob e al ong b a r row ( G reenwe l l , 1 877 , 2 53) . l ti sa t t h i s s t age , l a te i n t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c , t ha t ar ad ica l s h if t o fe mpha s i s c an b e n o ted , a way f r om t he e a r ly f oc ia nd t h e i rr e spec t ive z one s o fi nf luence . P ha se 2 . I ndus t ry a nd r i tua l man ipu la t ion ( f ig . 2 ) T he i mmed ia te e f f ec t o f t h i s c hang ing e mpha s i s c an b e s e en i n t he a bandonmen t o f S tonehenge , whe re e nv i ronmen ta l e v idence s ugge s t s a n o ve rg rown s c rub -f i l led d i tch ( John E vans , p er s . c omm . ) ,a nd t he e mergence o fD ur r ing ton Wa l l s a sa n a r ea o fi n ten s ive , r i tua l ly b a sed a c t iv i ty . S uch a c t iv i ty , a s soc ia ted w i th t he l a rge s c a le u se o f G rooved W a re a nd i t s d epo s i t ion i n n on ra t iona l p a t te rn s ( s ee R icha rd s a nd T homa s , t h i s v o lume , C hap ter 1 2 ) , p l ace s D ur r ing ton a t t he f ocu s o f az one o fi n ten s ive a c t iv i ty , e ncompa s s ing f u r the r h enge s a s w e l l a s d omes t ic a r ea s a nd a ppa r en t ly r i tua l d epo s i t s . A ga in , t he monumen ta l f ocus w a s p er iphera l t o t h i s z one , wh ich s e em s t o b e r e s tr ic ted t opog raph ica l ly b y t h e A von V a l ley a nd t he d ry v a l ley o f S tonehenge B o t tom ( f ig . 2 ) . W i th in t h i s a r ea i st he s ma l l h enge o n , C oneybu ry H i l l , o r ig ina l ly t hough t t o b e ad i sc b a r row b u t s hown o n a e r ia l p ho tog raph s t o h ave a n e x te rna l b ank a nd a s i ng le n o r th -ea s te r ly e n t rance ( K ing 1 970 ) . E va lua t ion e xcava t ion i n 1 980 r e vea led at e r raced a r ea e nc lo sed b y as t eep s i ded d i tch , s ome 5 0 m e t re s i nd i ame te r a nd marked ly g ang -dug . F ea tu re s l o ca ted w i th in a 2 0% s amp le o ft he i n te r io r i n c luded a c en tra l c l u s te r o f p i t s , s ome c on ta in ing s ma l l q uan t i t ie s o fG rooved Wa re , p o s t1 82

h o le s , c oncen t r ic w i th t h ed i tch e dge i no ne z one , a nd ab ew i lde r ing c omp lex o fs t akeho le s . A l though s t r ic t ly u nda ted many , i fn o t a l l o ft he l a t te rs e em t ob e c on tempo ra ry w i th t he c on s truc t ion a nd u se o ft h e e nc lo su re . M agne t ic s u scep t ib i l i ty s u rvey b y t he A nc ien t Monu m en t sL abo ra tory s howed z one so fe nhancemen t i nd irec t ly a s soc ia ted w i th s ub so i l f e a ture s , w h ich o n e xcava t ion w e re c ha rac te r i sed b y d en se r a r ea s o fb u rn t f l in t , p o s s ib ly t he l a s t ing t r ace s o fi n ter ior f i re s . T he e v idence o f s u rf ace c o l lec t ion s ugge s t s a r ea s o fe x ten s ive a c t iv i ty d u r ing t h i sp ha se , p a r t icu la r ly o n t he K ing B a r row R idge , w i th in t he b road c onf ine s o f w h ich c e r ta in f oca l p o in t s c an b e d i sce rned . O ne s uch f ocu s w a s l o ca ted i n 1 981 a s ab road z one o fh i gh t oo l d en s i t ies . I n ten s ive f i e ldwork i n 1 982 p rov ided f u r the r d ef in i t ion a nd f o rmed t he b a s i s f o r i n tens ive g eophy s ica l a nd g eochem ica l s urvey s wh ich i mmed ia te ly p receded s amp le e xca v a t ion . T he s u rf ace a r tef ac t s w e re p redom inan t ly L a te r N eo l i th ic , w i th t r an sve r se a r row h eads , s c rape r s a nd g round e dge t oo l s ( ma in ly r ewo rked ) d om ina t ing t he a s semb lage . Q uan t i t ies o f u nu t i l i sed w a s te f l ake s w ere l ow , a nd ' i ndu s tr ia l ' t oo l s ( e .g . f ab r ica tor s ) w er e l a rge ly a bsen t . T he e xcava t ion , c a r r ied o u t b y m ean s o f as e r ie s o f 5 me t re q uadra t s , p roduced i nd i c a t ion s o f i n te rna l z on ing w i th in t he b road ly d ef ined s c a t te r . S ubso i l f e a tu re s c on ta ined s t ra t if ied ma ter ia l o f ad ome s t ic n a tu re : ' b one , a n t le r a nd f l in t w a s te , a s w e l l a sG rooved Ware i ns ma l lq uan t i t ie s ,a nd P e te rbo rough Wa re ( not , h owever ,i nt he s ame f e a tur e s ) . A ga in t he re w a s ama rked c or re la t ion b e tween t he o ccur rence o fs ub so i l f e a ture s , e nhanced p ho s p ha te v a lue sa nd a r ea so fs t akeho le s ,a nd t he p os s ib i l i ty t ha t a tl e a s t s ome o ft he s t akeho le s may b e long t o t he p ha se o fN eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty s hou ld n o t b e i g nored . T he K ing B a r row R idge s hou ld b e r e ga rded a so ne o f as e r ie s o f b road d ome s t ic a r ea s w i th in t he g enera l D u r r ing ton z one . T h i s r e g ion w a s n o t g i ven o ve r e n t i re ly t o r i tua l a c t iv i t ies , a l though h enge monumen t s a nd e ven p i t d epo s i t s a r e p a r t icu la r ly v i s ib le i n t he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord h ere . R i tua l mu s t s u re ly n eed t o b e i n teg ra ted w i th ab roade rr ange o fa c t iv i t ies ;i th a sl i t t le p o in ti fp rac t i sed i ni s o la t ion . W i th s pec if ic r e f e rence t ot he D ur r ing t on z one ,t he i mpor tance o fs uch ' e xo t ic 'i t em s a si mpor ted a xe s , a ppa ren t ly u nu t il i sed f i ne f l in t t oo l s ,a nd d ecora ted c ha lk o b jec t sc an l e ad t ot he who le sa le e l eva t ion o ft he i r a s soc ia ted a r tefac ts a nd f a una l r ema in s t o t he ' r i tua l ' p l ane . D e l ibe ra te d epo s i t s o f e xo t ica d o e x i s t , s uch p i t su sua l ly l y ing i s o la ted f r om t he d ome s t ic a r ea s e xemp l if ied b y s u r f ace s c a t te r s , b u t e xam ina t ion o f s ome ' r i tua l ' d epo s i t s s ugge s t s a n u n rema rkab le d ome s t ic a s semb lage , o n f auna l g round s a tl e a s t , d epo s i ted a ss e condary r ubb i sh , a l though e ven t he r e cen t w ork o n K ing B ar row R idge p roduced i nd ica t ion s o ff o rma l d epo s i t ion o fa n ima lb one s w i th in s ome p i t s . One p i t , f o r e xamp le , c on ta ined a c o l lec t ion a lmo s t e xc lu s ive ly o f t he f Oo t b one s o f y oung p i g s ( Ma rk M a l tby , p e r s . c omm . ) . T he r i dge , s ou th o f Woodhenge , w here t h e Wood l a nds p i t s w ere d i scove red i sn o tab ly d evo id o f s u rf ace a r tefac t s , w i th t he e xcep t ion o fa n a s y e t u npa ra l le led s c a t ter o fg o lf b a l l s , i n c on t ra s t t o d ome s t ic s c a t te r s w h ich a r e k nown w i th in t h ree o r f our h und r ed m e t re s t o t he s ou th w e s t a nd w e s t . I ts e ems l i ke ly t ha t d om e s t ic s y s tem s a t w ork i n t h e D u r r ing ton z one h ad l im i ted a cces s t o t ho se p re s t ige i t ems , p a r t icu la r ly c e ram ic s ,w h ich f o rmed s uch a n i mpor tan t p a r t o ft he r i tua l s t ruc tu re . L a ter N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty i sn o t c onf ined t o t he D u r r ing ton z one , h oweve r . I nt h e W i l sfo rd D own a r ea t he f l in t s ou rce wh ich h ad l e d t o af ocu s o f e a r l ie r a c t iv i ty w a s a ga in ( o r s t i l l ) t he c en tre o f az one o fi ndu s tr ia l ly b a sed s e t t lemen t . A c t iv i ty w a s b a sed o n t h e e xp lo i ta t ion o f f l in t s eam s o u tc ropp ing a tv a r iou s p o in t s d own t he d ry v a l ley s y s tem . T h i s c omp lex i s w ide spread b u t c on ta in sm any i d en t if iab le f oc i . O ne e xten s ive n uc lea ted f l in t s c a t te r , i mmed ia te ly p er iphe ra l t ot he r aw m a te r ia l s ou rce , w a s s amp led b y e xcava t ion i n 1 982 a nd s ugge s ted a n a r ea o f v a r ied a c t iv i ty . R ef i t t ing k napp ing d ebr i s i nd ica ted i ns i tu f l in t r educ t ion , wh i le d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty w a s s ugge s ted b y l a rge n umber s o fs c rape r sa nd t he o ccu r rence o fp ot tery , p r ima r i ly P e te rbo rough Wa re . T he c e ram ic a s soc ia t ion o ft h i sp a r t icu la rs i te ma tche st he p redom inan tp re -ba r row c e ram ic s f r om t h i sa r ea . We h ave s e en t ha t P e te rbo rough p o t tery o ccu r s i n ad ome s t ic c on tex t w i th in t he D u r r ing 1 83

1 .3 T he l a nd scape a round S tonehenge d u r ing t he s e cond m i l lenn ium b c

t on z one , a nd wherea s t h e e mpha s i s a t W i l sford i sp redom inan t ly o n P e te rbo rough Wa re , G rooved Wa re d oe so ccu r .I ti sf ound b enea th t he b ank o ft he N o r th K i te a nd u nde ra d jacen t b ar row s e xcava ted b yG reenf ie ld i n1 958 .T he se b a r row st hemse lve ss e em t ob e a noma lou s ly e a r ly a nd a r e u nu sua l i nf o rm ( I sobe l Sm i th , p e r s . c omm . ) . S u rf ace e v idence a l so s ugge s t s i n ten s ive L a te r N eo l i th ic a c t iv i ty i mmed ia te ly w es t o f S tonehenge , c ha rac te r i sed b y l a rge n umbe r s o f t r an sver se a r rowheads a s w e l la sf i ne p ol i shed c h i se l s . A l though n o p o t te ry h a s b een f ound w i th t h i s s c a t te r , i tc an b es ugge s ted t ha t t h i si s ad ome s t ic f ocu s p er iphe ra l t o t he W i l sford z one a nd t hu s mo s tl i ke ly t oh ave b een a s soc ia ted w i th P e te rborough Wa re . T he se t wo z one s a r e l a rge ly s epa ra ted b y S tonehenge B o t tom a nd b y a r ea sw i th l i t t le o r n o s urf ace f i nd s( f ig . 2 ) . A tt he s ame t ime t he t wo a r ea s may h ave b een i n te rdependen t , t he D ur r ing ton z one ' s p owe r r e s t ing o n t he c on t ro l o f r i tua l a nd r i tua l ly a s soc ia ted ma ter ia l , a nd W i l sfo rd ' s o n as ource o f r aw ma te r ia l a nd p o s s ib ly o n amo re i n ten s ive a g r icu l tu ra l s y s tem , s ugge s t ion s o f w h ich c ome f r om t he p re sen t ly a va i lab le e nv ironmen ta ld a ta . I n i t ia l i mpre s s ion s o f t he B eake r b u r ied s o i l f r om b enea th t he N o r th K i te s ugge s t ag r a s s land n o t l ong s t ab il i sed a f ter c u l t iva t ion , wherea st he C oneybu ry h enge w a sp robab ly c on s truc ted i n as ma l l wood land c l ea r ing wh ich w a ss ub sequen t ly a l lowed t or e gene ra te ( Be l l a nd S hack le t on f o r thcom ing ) . T he N eol i th ic e nv i ronmen t a t C oneybury c e r ta in ly d oe s n o t s e em t o s ugges t an eed f o r i n ten s ive l a nd u se w i th in t h i s z one , p erhap s i mp ly ing t ha t i tw a s e con om ica l ly d ependen t o n ac omp lemen ta ry a r ea . T he i n tens ive a c t iv i ty r e f lec ted b y D ur r ing ton Wa l l s i t se lf ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwo r th 1 971) a nd i nt he c on s truc t ion o f Woodhenge a round 1 850 b c ( Bu r le igh e ta l . 1 972 ) a ppea r s t o h ave e nded a brup t ly , p e rhap s w i th t he b reakdown o f r i tua l a u tho r i ty i n t he f a ce o f e x terna l c ompe t i t ion . I ti st h i s c ompe t i t ion , i n t he f o rm o f t he B eake r ' p ackage ' , wh ich m ark s t he n ex t ma jor s h if t i n e mpha s i s w i th in t he S tonehenge l a nd scape . I ts e ems t oh ave h ad ad ra s t ic e f f ec t o nt he s y s tem s d e sc r ibed i nt h i ss e c t ion . P ha se 3 . P a s tur e sn ew -t h ed eve lopment o ft h eB eaker l a nd scape a nd b eyond ( f ig . 3 ) I t may n o t b e s o s u rpr i s ing t ha t t he B eake r ' p ackage ' w i th i t se mpha s i s o n t h e i nd iv idua l a nd o n p re s t ige g oods s hou ld b e mo s t a ppa ren t i nt ho se a r ea s mo re c oncerned w i th p roduc t i on t han w i th r i tua l . P ar t s o f t he a r ea a round S tonehenge h ad b een a bandoned f o rs ome t ime , b u t n ow t hey s aw s ome r e cogn i t ion o ft he s i gn if icance o fe x i s t ing monumen t s . Mo s t o f t he a r ea n ea r t o D u r r ing ton , C oneybu ry a nd Woodhenge , h oweve r , s how s l i t t le i n t he w ay o fB eake ra c t iv i ty ,e i the ra tt he monumen t s t hem se lve s o ri nt e rm s o fs u r f ace ma te r ia l . P erhap s t he mo s t d rama t ic a spec t o ft he s h if t i st he r e -empha s i s o n S tonehenge , w i th t he f i r s t ma jor s a r sen p ha se sa tp re sen t d a ted t oa round 1 700bc . T he i n ve s tmen t o fe ne rgy i na n e nc losure wh ich h ad p rev iou s ly b een a bandoned g oe s f a r b eyond t he t oken d i tch d epo s i t s f r om many h enges . R a the r , i ti s ac on sc iou s r e -e s tab l i shmen t o f af oca lr i tua l monumen t a s p a r t o f ag r ea te r e mpha s i s o n t he e x i s t ing i ndu s t r ia l z one w i th i t s a s soc ia t ion sw i th P e te r b o rough Wa re . S tonehenge i t se lf i sf u r the r e mpha s i sed b y t he d eve lopmen t o f t he ma jo r b ow l b ar row c eme ter ie s : t he C u r su s , No rman ton a nd K ing B a r row g roup s , w ho se p o s i t ion a l ong t he s kyl ine f ocu s se s a t ten t ion o n t h i s i n c rea s ing ly s p lend id monumen t ( f ig . 3 ) . T h i s z one may h ave p l ayed as p ec ia l i sed r o le d evo ted e n t i re ly t or i tua l a nd f une rary a c t iv i ty a nd i sw i thou t a ny s u rface i nd ica t ion so fs e t t lemen t . On t he o the r h and , t he re a r e s i gn s o fc on t i nu ing a c t iv i ty i n t he W i l sfo rd a r ea n earby . T he re i s ac oncen t ra t ion o ff i nd s o fA l l -Ove rC orded B eake ri nt h i sa r ea , wh ich i sa l so b ounded b y t he b a r row c eme te r ie s a tN orman ton , L ake a nd W in terbourne S toke . I na dd i t ion , t h i s z one h a sp roduced B eaker s u rf ace ma te r ia l . T he e v idence f o rB eake ra c t iv i ty h a sb een d e r ived ma in ly f r om p o t te ry , s i gn if ican tq uan t i t ie s o f wh ich h ave b een f ound l a rge ly u naccompan ied b y d i agno s t ic f l in t a r tef ac t s . G ene r a l ly s peak ing , s uch e v idence h a s b een o b ta ined f r om t he w e s te rn h a lf o f t he s t udy a r ea , f r om R ob in H ood ' s B a l l s ou thwa rds t o W i l sfo rd D own ( f ig . 3 ) . B eake r d ome s t ic d ebr i si n t he u pper l e v e l s o f t he L e s ser C u r su s d i tch i so n ly p a r t o f a n e x ten s ive a r ea o f a c t iv i ty w h ich p rel im ina ry mo l lu scan a na ly s i s s ugge s t s w a s a s soc ia ted w i th a r ab le c u l t iva t ion . T h i s b road w es ter ly z one may s e e a n i n ten s if ica t ion o fa r ab le f a rm ing i nt he E a r ly B ronze A ge , 1 85

ap a t te rn w h ich , o nce e s tab l i shed , c on t inued t o d eve lop . E v idence f r om t he W i l sford S haf t ( A shbee 1 963) p o in t s t o a r ab le c u l t iva t ion d a ted t o 1 380±90 b c ( NPL 7 4 ) . S im i la r ly , t he d i s t r ibu t ion o ff i e ld s y s tem sa nd l i nea rd i tche s f olow st h i s l ong e s tab l i shed p a t te rn . T h i s m ay b ei nd i rec tc on tra s tt ot he a r ea c en t red o n S tonehenge i t se lf whe re J ohn E van s ' r e cen t w ork s ugge s t st ha tg r a s s land w a s ma in ta ined a f te rs e condary c l earance ( pe r s . c omm . ) . C er ta in ly , t he re a r e n o f i e ld s y s tem si n aw ide z one s u r round ing t he monumen t , a nd S tone h enge B o t tom ,s amp led a tt h r ee p o in t sn ea rt he s i te i t se lf , i sd evo id o ft he c o l luv ia l d epo s i t s t o b e e xpec ted a s ar e su l t o f a r ab le c u l t iva t ion . I ti sn o t c l ea rh ow f a s t t he se c hange s t ook p l ace , b u t t h ey c e r ta in ly p rov ided t he f ounda t ion f o r ar ema rkab ly s t ab le e conom ic a nd i d eo log ica l s y s tem o n w h ich a f u r ther m i l lenn ium o fe xpan s ion a nd d eve lopmen t c ou ld b e b a sed . I nS ummary T he p a t tern s e v iden t w i th in t he p reh i s tor ic l a nd scape a round S tonehenge s how e v idence o f t wo ma jor s h if t so fl o ca t ion a f ter t he o r ig ina l s y s tem h ad b ecome e s tabl i shed . T he l a t te r w a sb a sed o ne nc lo su re s , w i th t wo a s soc ia ted g roup s o fl ong b ar row sa nd t wo c u r su s monu m en t s l o ca ted i n t he a r ea i n b e tween t hem . D u r ing w ha t a ppea r s t o h ave b een amo re d eve loped p ha se , t he c ur su s monumen t s w en t t h rough ap e r iod o f i n terna l mod if ica t ion b efore t h i se n t i r ez one w a ss upe rceded . T h i s c hange s aw t h e a bandonmen t o fe x i s t ing monu men t s a nd t he e s tab l i shmen t o f ap a i ro fi n terdependen t z one s , e ach w i th i t s c ha rac ter i s t ic a c t iv i t ie s , a s soc ia t ion s a nd e mpha se s . S urface e v idence w i th in t he se z one s , b o th r i tua la nd i ndu s t r ia l , s e em s t o c ha rac te r i se b roade r a r ea so fa c t iv i ty a nd s ugge s t s t he e s tabl i shmen t o f a n i n c rea sed a nd more c ohe s ive p opu la t ion . T he n ex t m a jor s h if t , wh ich e s tab l i shed t he s y s t em wh ich w a s t o b e t he b a s i s f o r al ong p er iod o f d eve lopmen t , s aw t he l i nk ing o f n ew s oc ia l c oncep t s w i th a n e x i s t ing p a t tern o f i ndu s tr ia l ly -ba sed a c t iv i ty a t t he e xpen se o f a d ec l in ing r i tua ll a ndscape l o ca ted t owa rd s t he A von v a l ley . T he S tonehenge E nv i ron s p rov ide a n i d ea l , i fr a the r c omp re s sed a r ea i n w h ich t o l ook f o r t r end s i n t he d eve lopmen t o f t he N eo l i th ic a nd B ronze A ge l a ndscape . I t s d i s t inc t ive c ha rac ter e n sure s t ha t i ti n c lude s as e r ie s o f monumen t s wh ich , i fn o t f i rm ly d a ted , c an b e a s s igned t ob road p ha se so n morpho log ica lg round s . T h i sa l low su s t ob u i ld ab as ic s t ruc tu re t o w h ich w e c an a dd f u r ther ma te r ia l t ha t c an o n ly b e r e cove red b y s y s tema t ic f i e ldwo rk a nd s amp le e xcava t ion . E x ten s ive s u rface s amp l ing p rov ide s b road s pa t ia l p a t te rns , t h e t opog raph ica l a spec t s o f wh ich c an b e i mmed ia te ly a s ses sed . I n i t ia l a na ly s i s c an s ugge s t t he i r n a tur e -i ndu s t r ia l o r d ome s t ic - a nd c an i s o la te p o s s ib le a r ea s o f s pec ia l i sed s oc ia l a nd s ubs i s tence -ba sed a c t iv i t ie s . S uch s ur vey a nd b a s ic a na ly s i s c an s hed s ome l i gh t o n t he v a r ied n a tu re o f s oc ia l o rgan i sa t ion ,a l though c oncep t s o fh i e ra rchy a nd i d eo logy l i e al ong w ay b enea th t he s u rf ace o ft he r ema in ing a r chaeo log ica lr e cord . T h i s d i scu s s ion o f t he d eve lopmen t o f t he N eol i th ic l a nd scape i se s sen t ia l ly a n i n ter im s t a temen t b a sed o n a n i n i t ia l a ppra i sa l o ft he r e su l t so f af i e ld p rog ramme wh ich w a s c om p l e ted o n ly i nM a rch 1 984 . L ike t he R oya l C omm i s s ion ' s s u rvey , o u r f i na lr epo r t w i l l n o t s e ek t o p rov ide a l l t he a n swer s , b u t w e h ope t ha t i tw i l l e nhance o u r u nde r s tand ing o ft h e S tonehenge l a ndscape a nd i n t roduce s t i l lf u r the rq ue s t ion sa nd t he d eve loped me thodo log ie s w i th wh ich t oi n ve s t iga te t hem . M eanwh i le ,a st he p rog ramme c on t inue s w i th t he a na ly s i s o fs ome 4 00 ,000 s u r face f l in t s , l e tu se nd w i th t he w ords o ft he p ro jec t p h i lo sophe r : " Our si sn o t t or e a son why , O u r si sj u s t t os o r t a nd s i gh . T he k napper ' sa r t i sh ere t o s e e I nb a rbed a nd t anged a nd P TD . B u t why t hey c ou ldn ' t h ave s c a t tered t he b e s t A nd s omehow , q u ie t ly , h idden t h e r e s t?" ( T r)

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B ib l iog raphy A SHBEE , P . 1 963 . T he W i l sford S haf t , Ant iqu i ty 3 7 , 16-20 . B ELL , M . a nd S HACKLETON , J . ( f o r thcom ing ) . T he mo l lu scan f auna f r om C oneybu ry h enge . ( S tonehenge E nv i ron s P ro jec t Monog raph ) . BURLE IGH , R . , LONGWORTH , I .H . a nd WA INWR IGHT , G . J .1 972 . R e la t ive a nd a b so l u te d a t ing o ff ou rL a te N eo l i th ic e nc lo su re s : a n e xerc i se i nt he i n terp re ta t ion o fr a d ioca rbon d e term ina t ion s ,P roceed ing so ft he P reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 3 8 , 3 89-407 . CHR IST IE ,P .1 963 .T he S tonehenge C u r su s , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 5 8 , 3 70-82 . GATES , T . 1 975 . T he M idd l e T hame s V a l l ey : An A r chaeo log ica l S urvey o f t he R i ver G rave l s ( Read ing , B erk sh i re A rchaeo log ica l C omm i t tee ) . GREENWELL ,W . 1 877 .B r i t i sh B ar row s ( Oxfo rd , C la rendon P re s s ) . K ING , A . N . 1 970 . C rop -ma rk n ea rW e s t Ame sbury , W i l t sh i re A rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 6 5 , 1 90-1 . R ICHARDS , J .C . 1 978 . T he A rchaeo logy o ft he B e rk sh i re Downs : An I nt roduc tory S ur vey ( Read ing , B erk sh i re A rchaeo log ica l C omm i t tee ) . ROYAL COMM ISS ION ON H ISTOR ICAL MONUMENTS 1 979 . S tonehenge a nd i t s E n v i rons ( Ed inburgh , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . S TONE , J . F . S . 1 947 . T he S tonehenge C u r su s a nd i t s a f f in i t ie s , A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l 1 04 , 7 -19 . THOMAS ,N . 1 964 . T he N eo l i th ic c au sewayed c amp a tR ob in H ood ' s B a l l , S h rew ton , W i l t s h i r eA rchaeo log ica l Magaz ine 5 9 , 1 -27 . VATCHER , F . d e M . 1 961 .T he e xcava t ion o ft he l ong mo r tuary e nc lo su re o n N o rman ton D own ,W i l t s . ,P roceed ing so ft h eP reh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 7 , 1 60-73 . WA INWRIGHT ,G . J .a nd LONGWORTH ,I .H . 1 971 . Dur r ing ton W a l l s :E xcava t ions 1 9661 968 ( London , S oc ie ty o fA n t iqua r ies ) .

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1 2 .

R i tua la c t iv i ty a nd s t ruc tured d epos i t ion i nL a te rN eol i th ic Wes s ex C o l in R icha rds a nd J u l ian T homa s

I n t roduc t ion T h i s p aper w i l l a t temp t t oc onf ron t s e ve ra l t heore t ica l a nd a na ly t ica li s sue s b y f ocus s ing o n as i ng le t ype o f s i te : t h e l a rge h enge monumen t s o fs ou the rn We s sex , a nd i np a r t icu la r D u r r ing ton Wa l l s .S i nce t h ee xcava t ion o ft ha t s i te i n 1 966 a nd 1 967 ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ong w or th 1 971) , i t s o ve ra l l i n te rp re ta t ion h a s p osed p rob lems , wh ich f u r the r e xcava t ion a t M a rden ,W i l t sh i re ( Wa inw r igh t 1 971) a nd a t Moun t P l ea san t , D o r se t ( Wa inw r igh t 1 979 ) h a s d one l i t t le t o r e so lve . T he r e cogn i t ion t ha t t he se s i te s s t ood a pa r t f r om o the r h enge monu m en t s d id a t l e a s t s t imu la te d i scu s s ion o n t he i n te rp re ta t ion o f t he se s i te s . I n p a r t icu la r , C a the ra l l( 1971; 1 976 ) h i gh l igh ted t he i n adequac ie s o f ac l a s s if ica t ion b a sed u pon t he n um b e r a nd p os i t ion o f e n t rance s ( A tk in son e ta l . 1 951, 8 1107 ) a nd s ugge s ted t ha tv a r ia t ion i ni n terna l f e a tu re s w ou ld p rov ide amore a pp ropr ia te b a s i s f o r a na ly s i s . N eve r the le s s , t he d eba te w as u l t ima te ly u np roduc t ive ; i td id n o t p roduce a ny c l ea r u nder s tand ing o f wha t w a sb e ing c l a s s if ied . T he e xcava to r o f t he t h ree l a rge s ou thern W es sex h enge sh a s h im se lf mod if ied h i si n te r p r e ta t ion o f D ur r ing ton W a l l s . I n i t ia l c ommen t s f a vou red ar i tua l o rc e remon ia l f unc t ion : " the p re sence o fr oof ed b u i ld ing s. .i mp l ie s t he e x i s tence o fc u s tod ian s o r ac l a s s o fp r ie s t s t o s uperv i se t he r i tua l s a nd ma in ta in t he t emp le s" ( Wa inw r igh t 1 969 , 1 20 ) . T h i sv i ew w a s m a in ta ined i n t he p ub l i shed r epo r t : " the e v idence s e em s t o c onf i rm t he s pec ia l n a tu re o f t h e se s t ruc tu re s a nd t o d eny a p u re ly d ome s t ic f unc t ion" ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwo r th 1 971, 2 33) . N one the le s s , a t al a te r s t age Wa inw r igh t r ev er sed h i s p o s i t ion , s t a t ing t ha t h e " wou ld n o tn ow r e ga rd t h el a te N eo l i th ic e a r thwo rk s a sa ny th ing o the rt han s e cu la r" ( Wa in w r igh t 1 975 , 6 7 ) . F o r M acK ie ( 1977 , 1 62-7 ) , h oweve r , D u r r ing ton Wal s w a s as e t t lemen t o f a s t ronome r p r ie s t s . S im i la r ly B urge s s , w r i t ing o f t he l a rge We s sex h enge monumen t s , s ugge s ted t ha t t hey m ay h ave " hou sed a c orp s o f h o ly m en o r t he g r ea te s t c h ief o f t he t e r r i tory , p erhap s b o th" ( 1980 , 3 26 ) . T he p rob lem s o fi n te rpre t ing t h i s t ype o fs i te b e t ray t h e g enera l i n ab i l i ty o f a r chaeo log i s t st o d ea l w i th f o rm s o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re t ha t a ppear t o b en on -u t i l i ta r ian . Wa inw r ight ' sc ommen t s i lu s t ra te t h i s p o in t . " A c ha rac ter i s t ic p ecu l ia r t o t h e se b u i ld ing s a nd t he i r s u r round ing e a r thwo rk s i st he g r ea t q uan t i ty o fh uman r e fu se ... I n t h i s r e spec t t he se s i te s d i f f e r f r om t ho se w i th a n o ve r t ly r i tua l f unc t ion" ( Wa inwr igh t 1 975 , 6 7 ) . T he p rob lem , o f c ou r se , l i e s i n o u r own a s sump t ion s a bou t wha t c on s t i tu te s as i te w i th a n ' o ve r t ly r i tua l f unc t ion ' , a nd h ow i ts hou ld r epre sen t i t se lf i nt he a r chaeo log ica lr e co rd . B u rge s s ,l i ke many o the r s ,r e cogn i se st h i sp rob lem a nd i sr educed t os peak ing o f " the g enera l a u r a o f t he se s i te s" ( 1980 , 3 26 ) . T he c r i ter ia b y wh ich r i tua l a c t iv i ty m igh t b e r e cogn i sed n eed h a rd ly r e la te t o t he q uan t i t ie s o f h uman r e fu se i n vo lved . R a the r , c e r ta in s t ruc tu ra l q ua l i t ies o f t he m a te r ia l r e cord m igh t b e mo re d i agno s t ic . I ti st h i s a spec t o f s t ruc tu red d epo s i t ion t ha t w e w i l ls t re s si no u rd i scu s s ion o fp reh i s to r ic r i tua l a c t iv i ty . I ti sc ommon i n t he a r chaeo log ica ll i te ra tu re f o r t he t e rm " r i tua l" t ob e u sed a s ac a tch a l d e s igna t ion f o ra ny th ing w h ich d ef ie s ac rude ly u t i l i ta r ian e xp lana t ion . T h i sl e ad s d i rec t ly t o as i tua t ion w he re t h e t e rm h a s n o a na ly t ica l s t reng th ( bu t s e e H odde r 1 982 ; P a rker P ea r son 1 982 a nd S hank s a nd T i l ley 1 982 ) . T he p rob lems wh ich e x i s t c once rn ing r i tua l a nd i t s r e cogn i t ion i n t he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord s t em f r om t wo p r inc ipa l s ou rce s . T he f i r s t i sac onfu s ion b e tween r i tua la nd r e l ig iou sb e l ief s , p resumab ly b ecau se s o much r i tua l a c t ion i sc onnec ted w i th r e l ig ion .T h i sp rob lem i sc ompounded b y H awke s ' s ugge s t ion t ha t r e l ig iou s b el i ef s a r e b eyond t he r e a lm s o fa r chaeo log ica l i n f erence ( Hawke s 1 954 ) ;b y e x ten s ion t he s ame i ss uppo sed t o b e t r ue o fr i tua l . I ti st h i sl i ne o fr e a son ing wh ich p romp t s Wa inwr igh t 1 89

t o s t a te t ha t " the a ccep ted v i ew o f t he f unc t ion o fh enge monumen t s i st ha t t hey w e re i n tended f o r n on u t i l i tar ian p u rpo ses c onnec ted w i th r i tua l p rac t ice s , o ur c oncep t ion o f w h ich l i e sb eyond t he l i m i t so fa r chaeo log ica li n f erence" ( Wa inw r igh t 1 969 , 16 ) . T he i d ea t ha t r i tua l c o r re spond se n t i re ly t or e l ig ion i si n co r rec t . I ndeed f o r L each ( 1966 , 4 03) r i tua l a c t ion e ncompa s se st he ma jo r i ty o fh uman b ehav iou r ,i n c lud ing s e cu la ra c t iv i t ie s . S econd ly , t he re i sn o c on sen su s a mong a n th ropo log i s t s c once rn ing t he d ef in i t ion o ft he t e rm ' r i tua l ' . S uch as i tua t ion f o rce sG oody ( 1977 ) t os ugge s t t ha t t h e t e rm i sa na ly t ica l ly w o r th le s s . I ti sn o t i n tended t oe n te ri n to t he se d eba te s . Wha t i so f f e red h e re i s as pec if ic a pp roach t o r i tua l a c t iv i t ies p roceed ing f r om af i rm t heo re t ica l b a s i s . A f te r p rov id ing af r amework w i th in wh ich t o o pe ra te , t he f unc t ion o f D u r r ing ton Wa l l s a s ar i tua l c en t re w il b e r e a s se s sed . T h i s l i ne o f e nqu i ry w i l l f a c i l i ta te as y s tema t ic a pp roach t or i tua l , w h ich i ss pec i f i c t o a r chaeo logy i t se lf a nd a low s t he e xam ina t ion o f b o th s ymbol i sm a nd s t ruc ture a s e mbod ied i n ma ter ia l c u l tu re a nd i t s d epo s i t ion . I n a dd i t ion t o a n a s se s smen t o ft he l a rge h enge monumen t st hem se lve s , an ew me thod o fc l a s s ify ing G rooved Wa re w i l l b e p resen ted , t oge ther w i th a n a na ly s i s o f t he c e ram ic a s semb lage f r om D u r r ing ton Wa l l s . I tw i l l t hen b e s ugges ted t ha t t he p a t te rn s o f d epo s i t ion r e vea led b y t h i s me thod a l so e x tend t ot he l i th ic a nd f auna la s semb lage s . I ti sh oped t ha t t he se a pp roache s w i l l h ave f u r ther a nd w ider a pp l i c a t ion s . R i tua l I th a s a l ready b een p o in ted o u t t ha t n o c on sen su s e x i s t sw i th in a n th ropo logy a st o w ha t c on s t i tu tes r i tua l . T h i s i sc l ea r ly r e la ted t o t he v ery d i f f e ren t t heore t ica l s t andpo in t s o ft h e v a r iou so bser ver si n vo lved ( c fK uper 1 975) . I ti sn o t t h e p urpo se o ft h i s p ape rt ou nde r take ar e v iew o ft he c ompe t ing s cheme s( c fC ogb i l l 1 982 , 8 1-85) , n or t oe n ter i n to ad eba te c on c e rn ing t he d e l inea t ion o f r i tua l a nd p rac t ica l c ommun ica t ion ( Leach 1 966 ; B loch 1 980 ) . R a the r , t ho se a spec t sw i l lb e e xp lo red wh ich t ouch o n t he r o le o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re i nr i tua l , i n o rder t o make p red ic t ion s a st o h ow p a r t icu la r a c t ion s c ou ld h ave b een r e f lec ted i nt he d epos i t ion o fa r chaeo log ica l ma ter ia l . T he a s sump t ion s w h ich h ave a l ready b een ment ioned c oncern ing t he r e su l t s o f r i tua l a c t iv i ty mu s t b e r ep laced b y ame thodo logy wh ich l i nk s t heory t o t he a r chaeo log ica le v idence . L e t u sb eg in t he e nqu i ry w i th a n e xam ina t ion o ft he s oc ia l c on tex t o fr i tua l , f o r t h i s w i l l p rov ide i mpo r tan t g ene ra l o b serva t ion s wh ich c an b e c on s ide red i n d e ta i l l a ter . T urne r ( 1969 , 1 68-70 ) d ef ine s t wo b a s ic f o rm s o f r i tua l , w h ich a r e o f ten i n s t i tu t iona l i sed ( T i l ley 1 984 , 15) .T he se a r e ' l i f e c r is i s 'r i te sa nd ` c a lend r icar r i te s . G ene ra l ly s peak ing , t he f o rme r i sa s soc ia ted w i th t he i nd iv idua l , o f ten i n t he f o rm o f r i te s o fp a s sage ( Van G ennep 1 960 , 2 1) , w h i l s t t he l a t ter c oncern s t he s oc ia l g roup . T he s t ruc tu ra l c omponen t s o f t he se t wo t ype s o f r i tua l w i l l b e e xam ined b e low , b u t o f i mmed ia te c once rn i st he s o c ia l c on tex t w i th in wh ich t hey a r e p rac t i sed . I ti so f ten o b se rved t ha t r i tua l s t end t o t ake p l ace d u r ing p er iod so fc r i s i s ,y e t t o t ake t h i sv i ew t o i t s l o g ica l e x t reme c an r educe r i tua l t o ar e gu la to ry d ev ice f o rt he ma in tenance o fs oc ia lo re conom ic s t ab i l i ty . Ac ommon f e a tu re o fb o th k ind s o f r i tua l i st he d oub t o r d i squ ie t e xpe r ienced b y t h e a c tor s r e ga rd ing a mb iguou s o ru npre d i c tab le f u tur e e ven t s o r t ime c yc le s . I ti sn o t u n rea sonab le t o c l a im t ha t t h rough i t s p e r f o rmance r i tua l a t temp t s t o r e so lve b o th p e r sona l d i srup t ion a nd t he c onf l ic t s b e tween s oc ia l a nd m e taphy s ica l r e la t ion s . P a r t o f t h i s p roce s s i st he e xp lana t ion a nd r e order ing o f t he s oc ia l w o r ld . R i tua l b ecome s am echan i sm o fs oc ia l a nd ma ter ia l r ep roduc t ion , i nt ha t i ts anc t ion st he r edef in i t ion o fp eop le a nd t h ing s . T h i s a spec t i so f p a r t icu la r i mpo r tance , f o r c e r ta in s t a temen t s c oncern ing t he p re sen t c oncep tua l o rde r mu s t b e made i n o rder t o a l low i t sr ep roduc t ion . I nt h i sw ay i d eo logy i s a r t icu la ted t h rough t he s t ruc tu ra l a nd s ymbol ic p rope r t ie s o f r i tua l . T h i s l e ads d i rec t ly t o t he o bserva t ion t ha t t he p e rformance o f r i tua l c an s e rve t o l e g i t ima te t he s oc ia l o rde r ( Shank s a nd T iley 1 982 , 1 33-4 ) -i ti sn ece s sa ry c on t inua l ly t o r e -a s ser t t h e wo r ld v i ew e mbod ied i n r i tua l i n o rde rt o ma in ta in r e la t ion s o fd om inance i ns ma l l s c a le s o c ie t ie s ( T i l l e y 1 984 , 14-5) . W i th in t h i s r i tua l p roce s s t he m e thod o f c ommun ica t ion i so f o bv iou s 1 90

s i gn if icance s i nce t he m a in tenance o f t he s oc ia l o rde r d epend s o n g ene ra l a ccep tance o f t he b e l ief s y s tem u pon wh ich i t i sb a sed . I t f o l low s t ha t t he f o rm o f c ommun ica t ion e mp loyed i n r i tua l mus t n o t b e o pen t o d i rec t e va lua t ion o ra rgumen t ( B loch 1 977) . T h i s i sa ch ieved b y t he u se o f h i gh ly f o rma l i sed o r s t ruc tu red mode s o fb ehav iou r t ha t i nc lude s ong , d ance a nd t he man ipu la t ion o f ma te r ia l s ymbol i sm . I ti st he s t ruc tu red n a tu re o f r i tua l a c t ion , i n vo lv ing f o rma l i sed r epe t i t ive b ehav iou r a nd t he u se o f ma ter ia l s ymbo l s , wh ich i so fc r i t ica l i mpo r tance t o t he a r chaeo log i s t . I fr i tua l a c t s a s amed ium f o r c onvey ing s pec if ic v i ew s o f t he w or ld , w e mu s t f ocu s o n t he w ay i n wh ich t he se a r e c ommun ica ted . T u rne r ( 1967 , 9 3-5) h a ss ugge s ted t he e x i s tence o f at r ipa r t i te s t ruc tu re f o rt he r i te s o fl i f e c r i s i s . T h i s s cheme i sd er ived f r om V an G ennep ' s s equen t ia l ' r i tes o f p a s sage ' ( 1960 , 2 1) . T he se a r e r i te s o f e xc lu s ion a nd r e incorpo ra t ion , s ymbo l i s ing r edef in i t ion s o f s oc ia l r e la t ion sh ip s a t k ey j unc ture s i n l i f e : p ube r ty r i te s , i n i t ia t ion c eremon ie s , ma r r iage s a nd f une ra ry r i te s mo s t c l ea r ly e xemp l ify t he w ay i n wh ich i nd iv idua l s a r e ' r e soc ia l i sed ' . V an G ennep s howed t ha t b e tween e xc lu s ion a nd r e incorpo r a t ion al im ina l p ha se ' e x i s ted , where n o rma l s oc ia lr e la t ion sh ip sw e re n u l l if ied . T he l im ina l p e r iod i nvo lve s ar ev e r sa l o f t he k nown o rder o f t h ing s , c r ea t ing a s t a te o f c haos a nd d i s r up t ion . T he f i na l s t age o f t he r i tua l p roce s s a l low s ar e tu rn t o o rde r a nd s e cu r i ty , r epre s en t ing t he c ohe rence a nd ' n a tura lne s s ' o f t he w ay t ha t t h ing s a r e , c ompa red w i th t he u ncer ta in ty a nd d anger o f t he l im ina l p e r iod . T h i s t ype o f s t ruc tu re may b e f undamen ta l t o t he r e a s ser t ion o f ad om inan t i d eo logy . We h ave s e en t ha t ,g ene ra l ly ,r i tua l a c t ion s e rve s t o ma in ta in t empo ra l s t ruc tu re a nd t ha t d i f f eren t t ype s o f r i tua l i n c lude a s im i la r s t age o f d i so rde r - al im ina l p e r iod i n T urne r ' s d ef in i t ion . T he c omp le t ion o f t he p roce s s c r ea te s a n i mp re s s ion o fo rde r o u t o fc hao s , a nd s e rve s t o r ep roduce a symme tr ica l p ower r e la t ion s . I t i sn ow i mpo r tan t t o c on s ide r t he ma ter ia l a spec t o fr i tua l , i nt e rm s o fi t s s ymbo l ic c on ten t . T he s y mbo l ic p roper t ie so f ma ter ia l c u l tu re h ave b een s t re s sed b y a n th ropo log i s t ( Leach 1 966 ; 1 977 ) a nd a r chaeo log i s t ( Hodde r 1 982 ) a l ike . I ndeed , t he n o t ion t ha t a l l f o rms o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re c on ta in s ymbo l ic mean ing s i su nd i spu ted . H ere , h owever , i ti st he s t ruc tu re o f ma ter ia l s ymbo l i sm w i th in r i tua l t ha t i so f p a ramoun t i mpo r tance . I n ad i scus s ion o f s ymbo l s i n ar i tua l c on tex t , T u rne r ( 1967 , 1 9-47) s ugge s t s t ha t t hey h ave c e r ta in d ynam ic p rope r t ie s : " the s ymbo l b ecome s a s soc ia ted w i th h uman i n tere s t s , p u rpo se s , e nd s a nd mean s , whe the r t he se a r e e xpl ic i t ly f o rmu la ted o r h ave t o b e i n f e r red f r om t he o b served b ehav iou r . T he s t ruc ture a nd p rope r t ie s o f as ymbo l b ecome t hose o f ad ynam ic e n t i ty , a t l e a s t w i th in i t s a ppropr ia te c on tex t o f a c t ion" ( 1967 , 2 0 ) . F u r the rmo re , s ymbo l s w i th in a r i tua l c on tex t ma in ta in s e ve ra l p rope r t ie s . Among t he mos t i mpo r tan t i sc ondensa t ion many a spec ts o r mean ing s o f t he wor ld a r e c onden sed i n to as i ng le s ymbo l ic f orma t ion . A s ymbo l w i l l a l so e mbody ap o la r i ty o f m ean ing , i d eo log ica l a nd s en sory . S ymbo l s b ecome h igh ly s ub jec t ive i n t e rm s o ft he i rn a tu ra l r epie sen ta t ion b u t a lway s s i gn ify " the u n i ty a nd c on t inu i ty o f s oc ia l g roup s , p r imary a nd a s soc ia t iona l , d ome s t ic a nd p o l i t ica l" ( Turne r 1 967 , 2 9 ) . A no the r i mpo r tan t f e a tu re o f s ymbo l s a nd t he i r p re sen ta t ion i st he i r v u lne r a b i l i ty t o man ipu la t ion ( Shank s a nd T i l ley 1 982 , 1 32 ) . T h i s i ss i gn if ican t , f o r a l though d om inan t s ymbo l s c on ta in c oncep tua l mean ing , t he c ond i t ion s o fs oc ia l e x i s tence w i l lv a ry t hrough s pace a nd t ime w i th t he r e su l t t ha t t he man ipu la t ion o f s ymbo l ic s t ruc tu re s may b e n eces sary f or t he ma in tenance o fs oc ia l r e la t ion s ( Bra i thwa i te 1 982 , 8 7 ) . We c an n ow u se t h i s v i ew o f r i tua l a c t ion t o f o l low c e r ta in l i ne s o f a r chaeo log ica l e n q u i ry . T he k ind s o f r i tua l o u t l ined b y T urner w i l l b e r e s tr ic ted t o c e r ta in c ontex t s , a nd s hou ld i nvo lve t he p re sence a nd u se o fd om inan t s ymbo l s . Obv iou s ly , s uch s ymbo l i sm w i l l n o t a lways b e a r chaeo log ica l ly v i s ib le , a l though i tw i l lh ave b een f undamen ta l t o t he r i tua l s t hem se lves . A s r i tua l a c t iv i t ies i nvo lve h igh ly f o rmal i sed , r epe t i t ive b ehav iou r , w e w ou ld e xpec t a ny d epo s i t iona l p a t tern s o b ser ved i n t he a rchaeo log ica l r e cord t o ma inta in ah i gh l e ve l o f s t ruc ture . A t al owe r l e ve l o f a na ly s i s , w e p ropo se t ha t ma te r ia l c u l tu re a s soc ia ted w i th r i tua l w i l l i t se lf b e h i gh ly s ymbo l ic i n n a tu re , a nd i n e x treme c i rcums tance s may b e emp loyed e xc lu s ive ly i n r i tua l a c t iv i ty . R i tua l c ommun ica te s r u le s a nd c a tegor ie s t ha t 1 91

r eproduce s oc ia l a nd m e taphy s ica l r e la t ion s i n am anner wh ich i sc l o sed t o a ny f o rm o f e va lua t ion . O ne w ay i n wh ich t h i sm igh t b e e xp re s sed a r chaeo log ica l ly w ou ld b e i np a r t icu l a rf o rms o fd epo s i t ion ,w i th s pec if ic s equence s a nd r u le sa pp l ied t ot he c on tex t s a nd a s soc i a t ion s o f d i f f eren t o b jec t s . S ymbo l i sm i t se lf i sv e ry i mpo r tan t . T he d e s ign o r d eco ra t ion e mp loyed o n c e ram ic s w i th in ar i tua l c on tex t m ay w e l l i n c lude d i s t inc t ive s ymbo l s w h ich w ere p owerfu l i nt he i ro wn r i gh t . T he se s ymbo l s may b e s t ruc tu red i n aw ay t ha t o nce c on v eyed c omp lex i d ea s .T h i ss t ruc tu re m ay a l te ra cco rd ing t oc on tex t a nd mean ing , b u t s hou ld c onform t oc e r ta in u nder ly ing r u le s . I nt he se c i rcum s tance s ma te r ia l s ymbo l sw i l l b e h i gh ly s u scep t ib le t o man ipu la t ion . F or e xamp le , t he s t re s s ing o r r emova l o f f o rma l b ounda r ie s o n d eco ra ted p o t te ry c ou ld h ave b een s i gn if ican t i nt h em se lve s . B y t h i s p roce s s s ymbo l s , a nd b y e x ten s ion t he i rm ean ing s , may b e s epa ra ted , a ma lgama ted , h i gh l igh ted o r s ubdued . T he se p o s s ib i l i t ie s o pen s e ve ra l d i f f e ren t l e ve l s o f a na ly s i s , v a ry ing f r om t he s pa t ia l p a t t e rn ing o fm a ter ia lc u l ture t o t he t ype o fd e s ign s t ruc tu re u sed o n p a r t icu la ra r tef ac ts . W i th t he se f a c to r s i n m ind a n a s ses smen t c an b e made o f i nd iv idua l f o rms o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re , t he i ra s soc ia t ion s a nd t he s t ruc tu re o ft he d epo s i t s i nw h ich t h ey a r e f ound . G rooved W ar e B efore e mbark ing u pon a n e xam ina t ion o f D u r r ing ton Wa l l s i n t he l i gh t o ft h i sv i ew o f r i tua l ,i ti sn eces sary t o c on s ide rt he ma in c e ram ic o n t he s i te ,n ame ly , G rooved Wa re . S i nce i t s r e cogn i t ion a s ad i s t inc t ive s t y le ( War ren e t a l . 1 936 ) , G rooved Wa re h a s b ecome a n i n c rea s ing ly i mpor tan t e l emen t i n N eo l i th ic s t ud ie s , a l though , p a radox ica l ly , i tr ema in s q u i te e n igma t ic . T he ma in r e a son f o r t h i s u nce r ta in ty l i e s i n i t s s e em ing ly a brup t a ppea r a nce t oward st he e nd o ft he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c , a nd i t sw ide b u t d i scon t inuou s d i s t r ibu t ion t h roughou t E ng land , S co t land a nd Wa les . T he u se o f s p i ra l a nd l o zenge s ymbo l s i n t he d eco ra t ion o n G rooved Wa re p rov ide s a c ommon l i nk w i th I r i sh p a s sage g r ave a r t ( Shee Twoh ig 1 981, 1 26-8 ; B rad ley a nd C hapman f o r thcom ing ) . O the rf o rm so fd eco ra t ion e mp loyed o n G rooved Wa re f r om s ou thern B r i t i sh c on tex ts c on s i s to fd i agona l ly o ppo sed i n c i sed o rg rooved l i ne s . A l though a b sen t f r om o the r s ou the rn B r i t i sh c e ram ic st h i s d ecora t ive t e chn ique i sp re sen t o n t he e a r l ie r U n s tan Wa re o f n or the rn S co t land a nd o n c e r ta in t ype s o f N eo l i th ic p o t te ry f r om t he S he t land s . I ndeed , R enf rew a t temp ted t o r e la te U ns tan Wa re t o G rooved Wa r e i na n e vo lu t iona ry f r amewo rk f o r t he O rkney s ( 1979 , 2 07 ) , a l though t he i n adequac ie s o f t h i s s cheme h ave s i nce b een d emon s tra ted b y C la rke ( 1983 , 5 1-2 ) . S o f a r i n t h i s d i scu s s ion c e r ta in i mpo r tan t p o in t s h ave b een n eg lec ted . T he re i sc l ea r e v idence t ha t U n s tan Wa re i sc ompa ra t ive ly e a r ly i nd a te ( Sha rp le s 1 981, 5 3) a nd a lmos t c e r ta in ly p reda te s t he i n cep t ion o f O rcad ian G rooved Wa re . H oweve r , t h e G rooved Wa re f ound i n n or the rn S co t land , wh i l s t c a r ry ing s ymbo l s t ha t a r e c ha rac ter i s t ic o f I r i sh p a s sage g rave a r t , d oe sn o t s how e l emen t s o fU n s tan Wa re d eco ra t ion . T he a ma lga ma t ion o f t he se f o rm s o f d e s ign o n ly o ccur s i nG rooved Wa re f r om n or the rn E ng land . T he G rooved W are t r ad i t ion o f c en t ra l a nd s ou the rn B r i ta in c ou ld r epre sen t t h e a ma lgama t ion o f s ymbo l s w h ich w ere i mpor tan t i n t he i r o wn r i gh t ( Brad ley a nd C hapman f o r thcom ing ) w i th a t e chn ique o f c e ram ic d eco ra t ion p rom inen t i n n o r the rn S co t land . T h i s g ene ra l s cheme h e lp s t o e xp la in t he ma rked v a r ia t ion b e tween Wa inw r igh t ' s a nd L ongwor th ' s R inyo s ub s ty le ( 1971 , 2 43-4 ) a nd i t s E ng l i sh c oun terpa r ts . T he i mpor tance o f t he s ymbo l s e mp loyed i n G rooved Wa re d eco ra t ion i s p e rhap s r evea led b y t he i r p r esence i n d i f f e ren t med ia , s ome t ime s o n o b jec t s o f n on -u t i l i ta r ian f unc t ion , l i ke t he c ha lk p l aque s f r om S tonehenge B o t tom ( Va tcher 1 969 ) , t he d eco ra ted a n t le r f r om G a rbo ld i sham ( Edwardson 1 965) a nd t h e F o lk ton d rums ( Greenwe l l 1 890 , p i s I I I ) . Ap os s ib le m echan i sm f o rt he w ide sp read d i s t r ibu t ion o fG rooved Wa re h a s b een s ugge s ted b yB rad ley ( 1982 ,3 6 ) .H ep ropo se st ha t c e r ta in i t em s , c i rcu la t ing b e tween e l i tes i nd i f f e ren t r e g ion s , a c ted a s ' weapon s o f e xc lu s ion ' . B y c on t ro l o ver t he se i t em s a nd t he i r u se s h i gh r ank ing g roup s c ou ld d i sp lay t he i r s t a tu s , wh i le d eny ing a cce s s t o t he se g oods b y l owe r 1 92

s t a tu s g roup s . A l low ing f o rr e g iona lv ar ia t ion , t h i sg enera l mode l may b e a pp l icab le t oE a s t A ng l ia , We s sex a nd Y o rk sh i re . I n t he se a r ea s o ther f o rm s o f ma te r ia l c u l tu re , i n c lud ing C o rn i sh g r een s tone a xe s a nd macehead s , a l so c i rcu la te w i th in t he s ame n e two rk s ( B rad ley 1 984 , C hap te r3 ;T ho rpe a nd R icha rds t h i sv o lume ,C hap ter 6 ) . P e rhap s t h e mo s t i mpor tan t e l emen t i n t h i s s cheme i st h e v ery s pec ia l i sed n a tu re o f G rooved Wa re c e ram ic s : h e re w e h ave as i ng le s t y le o f p o t tery , w ho se d e s ign s e em s t o b e o f s pec ia l s i gn if icance , b e ing e x c hanged o re mu la ted b e tween d i f f eren tr e g ion s o ft he c oun try . T he d ecora t ion emp loyed o n t h i s c e ram ic w a s o f as pec ia l i sed n a tu re a nd t he d i f f e ren t s ymbo l s s e em t o h ave m a in ta ined t he i r i n teg r i ty o ve r aw ide a r ea . H oweve r , w e s t i l l h ave t o e xp la in t he s ub t le v a r ia t ion t ha t o ccu r s i n t he a r rangemen t a nd e mpha s i s o ft he se s ym b o l s . T h i s c an h appen b e tween d i f f eren t p ar t s o f t he s ame s i te , b e tween d i f f e ren t s i te s w i th in o ne r e g ion o r , more p red ic tab ly , b e tween d i f f e ren t r e g ion s a l toge ther . T he g enera l o bserva t ion t ha t s uch v a r ia t ion e x i s ted p romp ted Sm i th ( 1956 ) a nd l a ter Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th ( 1971) t o d eve lop a c l a s s if ica tory s y s tem wh ich r e cogn i sed s ub s ty le s w i th in t he G rooved Wa re t r ad i t ion . T he se s ub s ty le sw ere b a sed u pon v a r ia t ion s i n s e lec ted mo t if s , a nd t e chn ique s o f d ecora t ion a nd t he i r a r rangemen t . T he o r ig ina l s ubs t y les w ere n amed a f te r t h ree s i te s : C lac ton , E s sex ; a nd Wood land s a nd Woodhenge ,W i l t s h i re ( Sm i th 1 956 , 1 92-9 ) . T h i s s cheme w a s mod if ied a nd e x tended b y Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th t oi n c lude D ur r ing ton Wal sa nd R inyo ( 1971 , 2 36-43) . T he d i f f icu l t ie s e ncoun tered w i th t h i s t ype o f c l a s s if ica t ion c ome f r om t he m ix ing o f t h r ee s epa ra te e l emen t s : c hang ing mo t if s , t e chn ique s o f a pp l ica t ion a nd g ene ra l a r range m en t , e ach o f w h ich m ay h ave v a r ied t h rough t ime a nd s pace f o r q u i te d i f f e ren t r e a son s . N o i nd iv idua l s ub s ty le s e emed t o h ave a ny s pa t ia lo rt empora ls i gn if icance , w i th t he p o s s i b le e xcep t ion o f t he R inyo s ub s ty le men t ioned e a r l ie r . Y e t d i ve rgence i nd e s ign b e tween c on tex t a nd r e g ion s t il e x i s t s , as i tua t ion wh ich Manby h a s n o ted i nn o r the rn E ng land ( 1974 , 1 ) . l ti ss ugge s ted t ha t t h e v a r ia t ion i nG rooved Wa re d eco ra t ion c an b e a t t r ibu ted t o t he t r an sf erence o fp ar t icu la r mo t if sa nd d e s ign e l emen t s f r om o ne r e g ion t oa no the r , a nd t he i r u se i n d i f f e ren t s oc ie t ie s w i th d i f f e ren t n eed s f o r , a nd s y s tem s o f , s ymbo l s ( s ee T homa s t h i s v o lume ,C hap te r 1 0 ) . T h i s mean s t ha t wh i le c e r ta in s ymbo l s a r e p owerfu l i nt h e i r o wn r i gh t , t he i r p r e sen ta t ion i s man ipu la ted w i th in d i f f eren t s oc ia l c on tex t s , w i th r e f e rence t o s pec if ic l oca ln eeds .T he r e su l t so ft h i sp roce s s w i l l b e man if e s ted i na r t a nd d e s ign m ed ia ted t h rough d i f f e ren tf orm so fm a ter ia l c u l tu re . A s w e h ave a l ready s e en , s ymbo l s a r e n o t s t a t ic b u t a r e ad ynam ic f o rce i ns oc ie ty , a nd t he ir d i sp lay i so pen t o man ipu la t ion . S uch ap ro c e s s w i l l o bv iou s ly l e ad t o c hange s i n c e ram ic d e s ign ( s ee H odde r 1 982 ) . We c an i lu s t ra te t h i s p o in t w i th r e f erence t o s ou the rn We s sex whe re w e s e e t he G rooved Wa re d e s ign s t ruc t u re v a ry ing s pa t ia l ly w i th in D ur r ing ton Wa l l s a nd Moun t P l ea san t . We c an s e e c l ea r t em p ora l v ar ia t ion i fw e c ompa re t he G rooved Wa r e f r om D u r r ing ton Wa l l s w i th t ha t f r om t he l a te r s i te o f Woodhenge . Wh i le t he b a s ic d e s ign s t ruc tu re i s ma in ta ined a tt he l a t te r s i te , t he f o rm o fd ecora t ion b ecome s e x t reme ly e l abo ra te ( Cunn ing ton 1 929 , 1 20-45) . H ere w e m ay b e s e e ing h ow t he d i sp lay a nd man ipu la t ion o f s ymbo l s c ou ld h ave c hanged t h rough t ime , ap henomenon w h ich m igh t a r i se a s ar e su l t o f s oc ia l c hange s . T ho rpe a nd R icha rds ( t h i s v o lume ,C hap te r 6 ) s ugge s t t ha t t he s t ruc tu re o f s oc ie ty i n N eo l i th ic E ng land w a s c hang ing r ap id ly b y t he e nd o f t he t h i rd m i l lenn ium b c , a nd i ti sp o s s ib le t ha t ma ter ia l s ymbo l i sm w a si n ten s if ied i nr e spon se t og r ea te ri n s tab i l i ty . T h i s l i ne o f e nqu i ry w ou ld a ppea r t ob e q u i te p rom i s ing , a l though mo re e x ten s ive w ork n eeds t o b eu nder taken .W e w i l l l a rge ly r e s tr ic t o ur se lve s t o t he i n ve s t iga t ion o fD u r r ing ton Wa l l si no rder t oe xam ine t h es pa t ia l s t ruc ture o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re w i th r e f e rence t oG rooved Wa re a nd i t s a s soc ia t ion s . W e s ha l l p ay p a r t icu la ra t ten t ion t ot he p hy s ica l a r rangemen t o f t he se e l emen t si nt he l i gh t o fo u rp red ic t ion s c once rn ing r i tua la nd i t s ma te r ia l e xp re s s ion . G rooved W ar eD es ign S t ruc ture T he o r ig ins a nd d i s t r ibu t ion o f G rooved Wa re h ave b een d i scu s sed a bove . W e c an n ow 1 93

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t u rn t o t he d e sc r ip t ion o f am e thod o fa na ly s i s wh ich i n corpo ra te s t he c oncep t s c on s ide red e a rl ie r .I tw a ss ugges ted t ha tG rooved Wa re d eco ra t ion v ar ied i nb o th t ime a nd s pace a cco rd i n g t o s oc ia l c on tex t . T o a vo id t he p rob lem s e ncoun te red i n Wa inw r igh t ' s a nd L ongwo r th ' s a na ly s i s ( 1971, 2 36-43) ac l a s s if ica to ry s cheme h a s b een d ev i sed wh ich a t temp t s t o make u se o fc a tegor ie s wh ich s hou ld h ave b een mean ingfu l t o t he p eop le who made a nd u sed t h i s c e ram ic . F log ( 1980 , 4 0-55) s ugge s t s t he n eed f o r c l a s s if ica t ion s o f c e ram ic d e s ign wh ich t ake a ccoun t o f t he c ho ice so pen t o t he p o t te r , w h i le F r ied r ich ( 1970 ) , u s ing e thnog raph ic e v idence , a l so n o te s t he s t ruc tu re o fc e ram ic d e s ign . H ere t he t e rm ' s t ruc tu re 'r e f er st o t he b a s ic d i s t inc t ion sb e tween p l a in a r ea sa nd d eco ra t ion a nd b e tween b ounded a nd u nbounded d es ign s . T h i sa na ly s i sc on s ide r s t he w ay i nw h ich t he se a l te rna t ive sw ere man ipu la ted . T he se c ho ice sr e la te t of undamen ta ld i s t inc t ion s made w hen d eco ra t ing at wo -dimen s iona l s u rf ace . T he o ppo s i t ion b e tween d ecora ted a nd u ndeco ra ted a r ea s n eeds n o e xp lana t ion , b u tt he i d ea o fb oundedne s si s mo re c omp l ica ted . I tr e f er s t ot he d i v i s ion o fs pace i n to s ub a r ea s o r p ane l s , wh ich f o rm c l o sed e n t i t ie s . Wh i le b ounda r ie s b ecome p a r t o f t he o ve ra l l d ecora t ion , t hey a l so h ave s t ruc tu ra l p roper t ie s , p a r t icu la r ly t ha t o f t r an sfo rm ing o pen a r ea si n to e nc lo sed s pace s .T hu st hey c an t r an scend am e re ly d ecora t ive r o le . S uch as y s tem i sh i e ra rch ica la nd s i x b a s ic s t age s o fd e s ign c an b e d i s t ingu i shed ( f ig . 1 ) : 1 .U ndecora ted ; 2 .D ecora ted ; 3 .B ounded a nd u ndeco ra ted ; 4 .B ounded a nd d eco ra ted ; 5 .B ounded a nd u ndeco ra ted w i th t he b ounda r ie s d eco ra ted ; 6 .B ounded a nd d eco ra ted w i th t he b ounda r ie s d ecora ted . T h i s s cheme i so bv iou s ly o ve r la in b y t he c ho ice o fi nd iv idua l mo t if s o r s ymbo l s , b u t t he p re sen t a na ly s i s i sr e s t r ic ted t o t he s t ruc ture o f G rooved Wa re d eco ra t ion . I n t he se t e rms t he o ppos i t ion s b e tween d ecora ted /undeco ra ted a nd b ounded /unbounded a r ea s a r e o f f undamen ta li mpo r tance . Av i ta l f a c tor i n t h i s a pproach i st ha t t he d i f f e rence s i n d e s ign s t ruc tu re r epre sen t s yn c h ron ic v a r ia t ion , r a the r t han c hange t h rough t ime . O ne i nd ica t ion o ft h i s c ome s f r om t he d i tch s equence a tD ur r ing ton Wa l l s , w here a l o ft he d e s ign s t age s , a pa r t f r om s t age f i ve , a r e a s soc ia ted t oge the r i ne ach o f t he l a ye r s w i th G rooved Wa r e . A l l s i x s t age s o f d e s ign a l so w ere p re sen ta tt he l a te rs i te o f Woodhenge ( Cunn ing ton 1 929 , 1 20-45) . We s e em , t hen , t o b e d ea l ing w i th as ynch ron ic p henomenon . W e h ave a l so e xam ined t he r e la t ion sh ip b e tween t he se d e s ign s t age sa nd v e s se l so fd i f f e ren ts i ze sa nd s hape s ,b u tn oc o r re la t ion w a sd i scove red . Dur r ing ton W a l l s Ac omp le te d esc r ip t ion o f D ur r ing ton Wa l l s w i l l n o t b e o f f e red a st h i s i n fo rma t ion i st o b e f ound e l sewhe re ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971) . O f p r ime c once rn a r e t he c h ron o logy a nd s pa t ia l a t t r ibu te s o f t he s i te . T he r e cove ry o f u ndecora ted r ound -ba sed p o t te ry a nd t ypo log ica l ly d i s t inc t ive f l int i mp lemen t sf r om t he o ld l a nd s u rf ace b e low t he e nc lo su re b ank i sc ons i s ten t w i th t h e r ad ioca rbon d e term ina t ion o f 2 635±150 b c ( NPL191) o b t a ined f r om c ha rcoa l d epo s i t s i n t he s ame c on tex t ( P iggo t t 1 959 ; Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongw or th 1 971) . Af e a tur e k nown a s t he M idden , i n t u rn , p roduced ad a te o f 2 320±125 b c ( NPL191) . T h i s e v idence o r e a r l ie r o ccupa t ion p romp ted t he e xcava tor t o c on s ider t he p o s s ib i l i ty o f c on t inuou s a c t iv i ty o n t he s i te ( 1971 , 1 92 ) . T he re i ss im i la r e v idence f o r e a r l ier a c t iv i ty a t M a rden , W i l t sh i re a nd Moun t P l ea san t , D o r se t . I nt h e c a se o fD ur r ing ton Wa l l s , ' e a r ly 's t ruc tura le l emen t s c on s i s t o fa n i r regu la rl i ne o fd oub le p o s t h o le s d i scove red i n af o s s i l t u r f l i ne b enea th t he s ou thern b ank ( S tone , P i ggo t t a nd B oo th 1 954 ) ; al i ne o f b ad ly e roded p o s t h o le s , t hough t t o h ave b een s i tua ted b enea th t he n o r the rn b ank ( Wa in w r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971 , 1 6 ) a nd t he p r imary p ha se s o f t he N o r the rn a nd S ou the rn C irc le s ( i b id . ,2 6-7 ;4 1-2 ) . I ti ss ugge s ted t ha t t he s pace l a te r d ef ined b y t he b ank a nd d i tch h ad b een a n i mpor tan t f oca l p o in t f o rs e vera l c en tu r ie s . T he e x i s tence o f p re -enc lo su re t imber a r rangemen t s ( wh ich f o r s t ruc tu ra l r e a son s w e re 1 95

DURR INGTON WALLS

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1 2 .2 D u r r ing ton Wa l l s : p l an o fi n te rna le xcava ted f e a ture s

1 96

u nl ike ly t o h ave b een r oof ed )i sc l ea r ly i mpor tan t , f o ri ts ugge s t s t ha t t he r e con s t ruc t ion o f t h e N or the rn a nd S ou thern C i rc le sa ta round 2 000 b c c an b e s e en a st h e e l abora t ion o fp re v i ou s ly e x i s t ing f e a tur e s . I tw ou ld s e em u nl ike ly t ha t t he se s t ruc tu re sw ou ld s udden ly h ave b ecome r oof ed b u i ld ing s , a nd i ti sc on s i s ten t t oa r gue t ha t t hey c on t inued a sa r rangemen t s o f f r ee s t and ing p os t s w h ich ma in ta ined ac on t inu i ty o f m ean ing t h rough t ime . A n e x ten s i on t o t h i s t heme o f c on t inu i ty i st he r ep lacemen t o f t imbe r s w i th f r ee s t and ing s t one a r rangemen t s a t t he S anc tuary , W i l t sh i re , a nd Moun t P l ea san t , D o r se t ( s ee T homa s t h i s v o lume , C hap te r 1 0 ) . M ercer ( 1981) h a s e xp re s sed r e se rva t ion s c once rn ing t he i n terpre t a t ion o f t he S ou thern C i rc le a s ar oof ed b u i ld ing . H av ing c a lcu la ted t he l e ng th s o ft he t im b e r u pr igh t s w i th in e ach o f t he p os t h o le s , h e c onc luded t ha t i fh i s e s t ima te w a s c o r rec t " i t w ou ld i mp ly an umbe r o f d i f f icu l t ies , i n c lud ing as ub s tan t ia l f l a t ten ing o ft h e r oof , f o r t h e i n terpre ta t ion o f t h i s p o s t c i rc le a s t he f ounda t ion f o r a ny k ind o fr oof ed s t ruc tu re" ( i b id . , 1 57 ) . T he c on s truc t ion o ft he ma in e nc lo su re i sd a ted a ta pprox ima te ly 2 000 b c . I tw a s b u i l t o n as c a le wh ich i st r u ly monumen ta la nd e nc lo sed an umbe ro ff e a tu re s e xcava ted i n 1 9667( f ig . 2 ) .A ss ugge s ted a bove ,t he S ou the rn C i rc le w a s n ow r e con s truc ted o n ama s s ive s c a le . Ac ha lk a nd g r ave lp l a tfo rm w a sl a id d own a d jacen t t ot h i s c i rc le , wh i le t he M idden , s l igh t ly t o t he n or th o f t h i s f e a tu r e , w a s a ppa ren t ly r eu sed . S im i la r ly , t he N o r the rn C i rc le w a s r e c on s truc ted i n amanne r w h ich m a in ta ined i t sd i s t inc t ive c ha rac te r , w i th i t s o wn a venue o f p o s t s . I ti st o t he se f e a tu res wh ich w e a dd re s s o u r e nqu i ry ; al a rge n umber o f f i nd s w ere r e covered f r om t he se c on tex ts ( w i th t he e xcep t ion o ft he N or the rn C i rc le wh ich h ad b een h eav i ly e roded ) , a nd t hese a low t he t ype o f s pa t ia l a na ly s i s n eeded i no rder t oi n ve s t iga te t h ee v idence f o rs t ruc tu red d epo s i t ion . I n t ra s i te Ana lys i s T he i n i t ia l l e ve l o f a na lys i s w a s t o e xam ine e ach c on tex t i n t e rms o f i t s G rooved Wa re c on ten t u s ing t he c l a s s if ica to ry s cheme o u t l ined a bove . T h i sw a s d one i no rder t oe s tab l i sh w he ther t he d i f f e ren t s t ages o fd e s ign s t ruc tu re ma in ta ined a ny s pa t ia lv a r ia t ion w i th in t he s i te a nd ,i fs o ,t he i rr e la t ion sh ip t oo ther f o rm s o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re , i n c lud ing f a una lr ema in s . S he rds o f n o t l e s s t han t wo c en t ime t re s l onge s t a x i s w ere e xam ined . U nfor tuna te ly t he q ua l i ty o ft he ma te r ia lp reven ted t he i d en t if ica t ion o fs t age t wo d e s ign s t ruc tu re . S ta t i s t ica l ly s i gn if ican t v a r ia t ion w a s o b served f o r G rooved Wa re d e s ign s t age s ( f ig . 3 ) . C h i squa red t e s t s s howed t ha t t h is o ccur red a t e ven t he a=0 .005 l e ve l o f c onf idence , a low ing f o r s amp le s i ze . H oweve r , i ti sh a rd t o d ec ide t he n umber o fv e s se l s r epre sen ted b y t he s herds u sed i nt he se c a lcu la t ion s ; n o c omp le te p o t s c ou ld b e r e con s t ruc ted f r om t he m a ter ia l r e cove red f r om t he i n terna l f e a tu re s a nd a l though l a rge n umbe r o fs he rd s w e re r e ,c overed , i nd iv idua l v e s se l s w ere g ene ra l ly r ep re sen ted b y o n ly a f ew s he rd s ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971, 5 5) . I n c on t ra s t , t he s he rds r e cove red f r om t he p r ima ry d i tch s i l t s r e pre sen ted f ew v e s se l s , s ome o f wh ich a r e a lmos t c omp le te . T hu s t h ere may h ave b een d i f f erence s i n d epo s i t ion b e tween t he i n terna l f e a tu re s a nd t he e nc lo su re d i tch , af a c tor t o c on s ider when c ompa r ing s herd s f r om t he t wo a r ea s . C omp le te v a r ia t ion i n G rooved Wa re d ecora t ion w a s n o ted b e tween t he N o r thern a nd S ou thern C i rc le s , ad i f f er ence wh ich i se mpha s i sed when t he P l a tfo rm i sc on s idered . S tage s o ne a nd t hree d om ina te t he N or thern C i rc le , t o t he v i r tua l e xc lu s ion o f t he h i ghe r d e s ign s t ages , b u t t h i s s i tua t ion i sr e ve r sed i n t he s ou the rn a r ea o f t he s i te . O f p a r t icu la r s i gn if i c ance i st he h i gh p ropor t ion o f s t age s i x r epre sen ted o n t he P l a tfo rm ; f o r t h i s i st he mo s t c omp lex c e ram ic g roup o n t he s i te . A s w e s ha l l s e e l a te r , t h i ss ame d i s t inc t ion b e tween t h e N or thern a nd S ou the rn C i rc le si sc l ea r ly marked i nt he f auna l a s semb lage . O ther f o rm s o f ma ter ia l c u l ture a l so d i sp lay v a r ia t ion a c ro s s t h e s i te . I fw e e xam ine t he f l in t t ype s p re sen t ( f ig . 4 ) , t r an sve r se a r rowhead s a nd k n ive s o ccur i ng r ea te r p ropo r t ion s o n t he P l a tform t han s c rape r s , c o re s a nd f l akes . I n tere s t ing ly , t h e M idden s how s av i r tua l a bsence o f w as te ma ter ia l s uch a s c o re s a nd f l ake s . T h i s e v idence c on t ra s t s w i th t h e e x c ava to r ' s i n terpre ta t ion o f t h i s f e a tu re a s ar epo s i to ry f o r r e fu se d er ived f r om t he P l a tform 1 97

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P HASE 2 . 1 2 .8 Dur r ing ton Wa l l s : a v erage d ens i ty o fG rooved Wa re s herd s a nd f l in t f l ake s w i th in e ach r i ng o fp os t h o le s , S ou thern C i rc le , P ha se 2 2 03

a nd S ou the rn C i rc le , a s sum ing o f c our se t ha t f l in t k napp ing o ccu red i ns i tu i nt h e se a r ea s ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971 , 3 9 ) . A s w e s ha l l s e e , t he p ecu l ia r s e lec t ion o fp i g b one s i n t h i s f e a tu re a l so r a i se s p rob lem s o f i n te rp re ta t ion . T he d i s t r ibu t ion o f b one a r tefac t s , s uch a s p in s a nd a w l s , t ends t o h i gh l igh t t he s ou the rn a r ea o ft he s i te , a nd p a r t icu la r ly t he S ou the rn C i rc le . A n t le r p i ck s f o l low t he s ame t r end , w i th 3 54 p re sen t i n t he S ou thern C i rc le a s o pposed t o o n ly t wo f r om t he N o r thern C i rc le . T h i s v a s t d i sc repancy c anno t b e a ccoun ted f o r i n t e rm s o f s t ruc tu ra l v a r ia t ion b e tween t he t wo t imbe r c i rc le s . C l ea r ly t he d epo s i t ion o fp a r t icu la ri t em s w a s b e ing c on t ro l led a c ro s st he s i te . T he S ou thern C i rc le a l so a l low s amo re c omp lex f o rm o fa na ly s i s . F ir s t ly , t he d en s i ty o f G rooved Wa re s he rds w a s p lo t ted f o r t he e xcava ted p o s t h o le s o fP ha se Two ( f ig . 5 ) . I tc an b e s e en t ha t c e r ta in a r ea s d o r evea l h i gh f r equenc ie s , t hough g ene ra l ly t he re i sa n e ven s pread o f p o t tery . When t h i s i sc ompa red t o t he d i s tr ibu t ion o ff l in t f l ake s ( f ig . 5 )w e f i nd as t r ik ing p a t tern o f mu tua la vo idance ;t he p o s t h o le s c on ta in ing t he h ighe s t f r equenc ie s o f f l in t f l ake s a r et ho se wh ich c on ta in l i t t le o rn o G rooved Wa re . T h i sp a t te rn i ss hown g raph i c a l ly f or c i rc le s Aa nd B ( f ig . 6 ) , b u t t he o ppo sed d i s t r ibu t ion s o f t he se t ype s o f ma te r ia l a r e ma in ta ined w i th in a l l o ft he p o s t h o le r i ng s o ft he S ou thern C i rc le . A n e xam ina t ion o f f l in t a nd b one a r tef ac t sl o ca ted w i th in t he S ou the rn C i rc le p roduced as im i la r ly s t r ik ing p a t te rn o fd epo s i t ion ;t r an sve r se a r rowheads , f l in t k n ive s a nd b one p in s / a w l s ma in ta in e xc lu s ive d i s t r ibu t ion s ( f ig . 7 ) . H oweve r , f l in t s c raper s d o n o t o b s erve t h i s p a t tern , a nd a r e n o t a s soc ia ted w i th a ny p a r t icu la rg roup . O fg rea t s i gn if icance i st h e o ppo s i t ion b e tween t r an sver se a r rowhead s a nd b one p in s w h ich a r e l o ca ted o n e i the rs i de o ft he s uppo sed e n t rance f r om t he P l a tform i n to t he S ou the rn C i rc le . Af u r the r p urpo se o f t he e xam ina t ion o f t he S ou thern C i rc le w a s t o d e term ine whe the r a ny s i ng le r i ng o fp o s t h o le s w a ss i gn if ican ti ni t s own r i gh t . T h i s r evea led ama rked f a l l -of fi nt he p ropo r t ion o fG rooved Wa re f r om t he o u ter r i ng t oward s t he c en t re o f t he c i rc le . E xac t ly t he s ame p a t te rn w a s f ound t o a pp ly t o t he p ropor t ion o f wo rked f l in t i nt he se f e a tu re s . I n s u mmary , t he re s e em t o b e s eve ra l p a t tern si nt he d i s t r ibu t ion o ft he se a r tef ac t s t ha t d efy a c omp le te ly mundane e xp lana t ion : f i r s t , ag ene ra l o ppo s i t ion b e tween f l in t a nd p o t tery ; s e cond , t he mu tua l ly e xc lu s ive d epo s i t ion o fa r tef ac t s , w i th t he s o le e xcep t ion o f f l in t s c rape r s ; a nd , f i na l ly , ag ene ra l f a l l -of f i n t he d en s i ty o f ma ter ia l d epo s i ted t owa rd s t he c en t re o f t he c i rc le . S uch c l ea r s pa t ia l p a t te rn ing s u re ly p o int s t o ap a t tern o ff orma l d epos i t ion , r a ther t han t he e x i s tence o f more u t i l i ta r ian a c t iv i ty a r ea s . F auna lr ema ins T he s t udy o f t he f auna l c o l lec t ion a l low su s t o c heck t he h ypo the s i s t ha t d i f f e r en t a r ea s o f Dur r ing ton Wa l l s w ere t r ea ted d i f f eren t ly f o r d epo s i t iona l p urpo ses , a nd a l so make s i t p o s s ib le f or u s t o e x tend o u r o bse rva t ion s . M ary D oug la s ( 1975) d e sc r ibe s c l a s s if ica t ion a s a n e s sen t ia l p roce s s f o r t he u nde r s tand ing o f o ne ' s e nv i ronmen t , a nd t hu s ama jo rb a s i s o f s oc ia l a c t ion . T he c l a s s if ica t ion o fa n ima l s b y d i f f e ren t h uman g roup s h a s a rou sed c ons ide r a b le i n te re s t i n a n th ropo log ica l c i rc le s , a s a n ima l s a r e " ef f ec t ive v eh ic le s f o r e mbody ing h i gh ly e mo t iona l ly c harged i d ea s" , a sT amb iah ( 1969 , 4 25) p u t s i t .T he c r i ter ia u pon wh ich a n ima l s a r ec l a s s if ied may v a ry b e tween c u l tu re s , b u t t he se c l a s s if ica t ion s a r e a lway sh uman c en t red , a nd may t hu s b e tray c e r ta in f undamen ta l c oncern s o f t he s oc ie t ie s i n vo lved . I n d eed , L ev i -S t rau s s ( 1964 ) d e sc r ibe s t he w ay i n wh ich t o tem ic b e l ief su se t he c ha rac ter i s t ic s o fa n ima l sa sa n i dea l t r an sforma t ion o ft he r e la t ion sh ip s b e tween p eop le . T he c l a s s if ica t ion o f a n ima l s c an a l so b e l i nked w i th t ha t o f p l ace a s w e l l a s p eop le . T amb iah , f o r e xamp le , d e sc r ibe s t he d iv i s ion o f r oom s i n T ha i h ou se s a cco rd ing t o d eg ree s o fh o l ine s s , wh ich a r e i n te rwoven w i th mar r iage a nd s ex r o le s a nd a n ima l c a tegor ie s . T he r e su l t i s ac ode o fa pp ro p r ia te h uman a nd a n ima l b ehav iour , s pec if ic t o c e r ta in l o ca t ion s . " The s pace s u nder t he e n t rance p l a tform ( Saan ) a nd e spec ia l ly t he w a sh p l ace ( Hung N aam ) a r e r e garded a sd i r ty a nd w e t ,a nd o ne o ft he mo s t i n au sp ic iou s t h ing s t ha t c an h appen t o ah ou se i sf o r ab uf fa lo t o s l eep t he re a t n igh t" ( Tamb iah 1 969 , 4 35) . T hu s i n approp r ia te b ehav iou r i sd i rec t ly e qua ted w i th d ef i lemen t a nd d i r t ine s s . 2 04

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R e turn ing t o wha tw e h ave a l ready s ugge s ted c oncern ing t he s pa t ia l p a t tern ing w h ich w i l l r e su l t f r om r i tua l a c t iv i t ie s , t he re a r e s eve ra l r e a son s w hy t he p a t te rn ing o fa n ima lr ema in s s hou ld b e o f i n tere s t . T hey r ep re sen t a n e l emen t o f t he ' n a tura l ' w o r ld wh ich i si n co rpo r a t ed i n to ah i gh ly r i tua l i sed c on tex t i nt he s ou th We s sex h enge s . P re sumab ly , t hen , t h e w ay i n wh ich t hey w e re t r ea ted i nt h i s c on tex t w ou ld h ave t oe mpha s i se t he r i tua l r eo rder ing o f t he n a tura l w or ld . T he i r p o ten t ia l s ymbo l ic p owe r w ou ld t hu s b e e xp lo i ted a sp a r t o ft he r i tua l p roce s s .B ea r ing i nm ind t he w ay i n wh ich p a r t icu la rs pec ie s a r e o f ten a s soc ia ted w i th p a r t icu la r h uman q ua l i t ie s ( d i r t ine s s , p u r i ty , s t r eng th , i n iqu i ty , e t c . ) o r a r e r e s t r ic ted a s f ood t o s pec if ic h uman i nd iv idua l s ( c lan o r mo i ty membe r s , ma le s o r f ema le s , N ue r c h ief s a nd e a r th -p r ie s t s ) , t he d epo s i t ion o f a n ima l r ema in s c ou ld h ave much t o t e l lu s c oncern ing t he n o rm s a nd v a lue s o f L a ter N eo l i th ic s oc ie ty i n We s sex . Moo re ( 1981, 9 0 ) h a s s ugge s ted t ha t t he s pa t ia l s t udy o f a n ima l b one s c an r evea l t he ' c oncep tua l b oundar ie s ' w i th in as i te . H ere , i n ac on tex t e xp l ic i t ly c oncerned w i th t he d ef in i t ion o f i d ea l r e la t ion sh ip s , w e c an p erhap sg o al i t t le f u r the r . S ince t he p ub l ica t ion o f t he D u r r ing ton Wa l l s r epo r t c on s ide rab le u se h a s b een made o f H arcou r t ' s f auna l a na ly s i s( c fM acK ie 1 977 , 1 61) . H oweve r , i nv i ew o fr ecen t d eve lopmen t s i n a na ly t ica l t e chn ique s t he c omp le te r e s tudy o f t he f auna l a s semb lage h a s b een n ece s sa ry i n o rder t o r e a l i se t he p o ten t ia l o f t he s i te . T he a na ly s i s p roduced s eve ra l s u rp r i se s ; f o r i n s tance , H a rcou r t ' s s ugges t ion ( i n Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwo r th 1 971, 3 49 ) t ha t t he a n ima l s w ere k i l led o f fs i te w a sb a sed u pon t he o b se rva t ion t ha tv ery f ew s ku l l s w ere p re sen t . H ow e ver , s ku l l s a r e e spec ia l ly p rone t o l a te r d e s truc t ion , a nd s i gn if ican t ly t he t e e th a ppear i n l a rge n umber s . T hu s t he e f f ec t a ppea r s t o h ave b een l a rge ly t aphonom ic . C aro l ine G r ig son ( 1982 , 2 99 ) h a s p o in ted o u t t ha t t he r e la t ive i mmob i l i ty o fp i g s wou ld p rec lude t he h ypo the s i s o f ' p ig p a s tora l i s t s ' mov ing f r om o ne t o a no ther o ft he l a rge Wes s ex h enge s . H oweve r , r a the r t han a g ree t ha t t he a ppa ren t r i se o f p i g s i n L a te r N eo l i th ic c on tex t s r ef lec t s t he r e gene ra t ion o f w ood land ( wh ich s e em s u n l ike ly i n t h e g r a s s land e nv i ronmen t o ft he We s sex c ha lk ) , w e p ref er t o s ugge s t t ha t t he i r d om inance a tD u r r ing ton Wa l l s , Marden , Moun t P l ea san t a nd i n c e r ta in G rooved Wa re p i t s i sr e la ted t o t he i r u se a s af e a s t ing a n ima l . O the r L a te r N eo l i th ic c on tex t s , s uch a s t he u pper l e ve l s o fc au sewayed e nc losure s a nd l ong b a r row s , a nd p i t s w i th P e te rbo rough Wa re , d o n o t n ece s sa r i ly e xh ib i t t he s ame c ha rac te r i s t ic s . T he p i g i s ar ema rkab ly f e cund c r ea ture , a nd c an b e ' k i l led d own ' a nd b red u p a ga in w i th l i t t le d ange r o f e x term ina t ing t he h e rd . T hu s p ig s h ave o f ten b een k ep t a s as ou rce o f emergency p ro te in — s oc ia l s t o rage o n t he h oof . I n t he c a se o f L a ter N eo l i th ic We s sex w e may i n f er a h i gh ly o rgan i sed s y s tem o fa n ima l managemen t i n wh ich p i g s w er e s pec if ica l ly b red f or f e a s t ing p urpo se s a nd w e re s l augh te red i n l a rge n umbe r s , wh i le a t t he s ame t ime o lder c a t t le , b eyond m i lk ing a ge , w ere c u l led f r om much l a rger h e rds . T h i s a g rees w i th t he mor ta l i ty p a t te rn s f r om D u r r ing ton Wa l l s ( Harcou r t i n Wa in w r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971, 3 46 ) . An o tab le a spec t o f t he f auna l c o l lec t ion s f r om b o th D ur r ing ton Wa l l s a nd Moun t P l ea s an t i st he r e la t ive s ca rc i ty o f b u tchery e v idence . I ns ome c a se sl ong b one s h ave b een s p l i t b y p ercu s s ion a nd /o r t w i s ted t o r emove t he ma r row , b u t many r ema in i n tac t . I ti sc l ea r t ha tt he e n t i re p o ten t ia l c a lor if ic c on ten t o ft he a n ima l s c once rned w a s n o t b e ing e xp lo i ted . T he r e la t ive ly m in ima l u t i l i sa t ion o f t he b one s b eyond t he r emova l o f mea t f r om t hem ( e ven t he s c rape mark s p roduced b y s t one t oo l s a r e c ompa ra t ive ly r a re ) , w ou ld s e em t o s ugge s t f e a s t ing . L ikew i se , t he t o ta l a b sence o fd og g naw ing o n t he b ones f r om D u r r ing ton Wa l l s a nd Moun t P l ea san t a nd t he p re sence o f many u nfu sed e p iphy se s wh ich a r t icu la te w i th t he d i aphy se s o f l ongbone s f r om t he s ame c on tex t s b o th s ugges t r e la t iv e ly p romp t b ur ia l . We h ave s e en t ha t t he a na ly s i s o fG rooved Wa re d e s ign s t ruc tu re s ugges t s t ha t t he d i f f e r e n t e xcava ted a r ea s o f D ur r ing ton Wa l l s a ppeared t o h ave b een t r ea ted d i f f e ren t ly f o r d e p o s i t iona l p urpo se s . T he se c oncep tua l b ounda r ie s a nd d i s t inc t ion s a r e c onf irmed b y t he r e la t ive a bundance s o ft he t wo ma in a n ima l s pec ie s o n t he s i te , c a t t le a nd p i g ( f ig . 9 ) . Wh i le p i g i sn umer ica l ly s upe r ior o ve r t he s i te a s awho le , t he n umber o f c a t t le b one s i sn ear ly 2 06

e qua l o n t he P l a tform , wh i le t he a u tho r s a r e u nawa re o f a ny p i g b one s h av ing c ome f r om t he N or thern C i rc le . T he r ep re sen ta t ion o fb ody p a r t s a l so v a r ie sg r ea t ly f r om o ne c ontex t t o a no ther a t D ur r ing ton Wa l l s . F ig s . 1 0 a nd 1 s how t he i r regu la r i t ie s o f t he c olec t ion c ompa red w i th a' t yp ica l ' c ha lk land d ome s t ic a s semb lage . I nt he S ou thern C i rc le t he d om i n an t e l emen t s a r e t he mea t b one s : h umeru s , t i b ia , v er teb rae a nd r ad iu s , a nd t he s ame i s l a rge ly t r ue o f t he p r imary d i tch s i l t s . I n t he M idden t he re i s ap ecu l ia r p redom inance o f t he h ind l imbs o f p i g -t i b ia , f emu r a nd a s traga lu s b e ing h eav i ly r epre sen ted . Among t he c a t t le t he p a t tern i ss ub t ly d i f f eren t , a s w i l l b e s e en b e low . I n t he S ou the rn C i rc le a nd t he p r ima ry d i tch s i l t s t here i s an o tab le p redom inance o f s c apu lae . T h i s may o r may n o t b e r e la ted t o t he ir u se a s s hove l s i n t he c on s t ruc t ion o f t he h enge , d epend ing u pon t he t ime a t wh ich t he se d epo s i t s f ormed ( s ee t he d i scu s s ion b e low ) . I tw i l l b e n o ted t ha t t he se a na ly se s make u se o f t he n umbe r o f b one s o f e ach s pec ie s f r om p a r t icu la r c on tex t s , a s o ppo sed t o t he m in imum n umber o fi nd iv idua l s . T h i s i sb ecau se w e a r e n o t c once rned h ere w i th t he e conom ic i mpo r tance o ft he a n ima l s , s o much a st he i r s t a tu s a sc u l tu ra l i t ems . I fw e d i v ide t he s urv iv ing b one s a t Du r r ing ton i n to c l a s se s a cco rd ing t o t he i r s t a tu s a s p r imary o r s econdary mea t b one s , o r w a s te b u tchery p roduc t s , t he s epa ra te a r ea s o f t he s i te a ga in s how v a r ied c ha rac ter i s t ic s ( f ig . 1 2 ) . Av ery c omp lex p a t tern o fc a rca se u t il i sa t ion i ss ugges ted . An a r ea w i th ah i gh p ropo r t ion o f mea t b one s o fc a t t le , l i ke t he M idden , m igh t p roduce ah igh p ropor t ion o fw a s te b one s o fp ig . T he S ou the rn C i rc le , h oweve r , p roduce s a r e la t ive ly h igh p ropor t ion o f c a t t le w a s te b one s a nd ah igh p ropo r t ion o fp i g mea t b one s . C lea r ly wh i le a l a rge n umbe r o f b one s r ep re sen t t he d ebr i s o f mea t e a t ing , an o tab le p e r c en tage r e la te s t o t he p r ima ry b u tchery o f a n ima l s . T h i s b e ing t he c a se , t he i r s l augh ter o n s i te c anno t b e r u led o u t . I f t h i s w e re s o , w e c ou ld e nv i sage c a t t le b e ing s l augh te red a nd b u tchered i nt he N or the rn a nd S ou thern C i rc le s b u t t he r ema in s o ft he i r c on sump t ion b e ing d epos i ted i n t he M idden a nd P l a tform . P i g , h oweve r , w a s a b sen t f r om t he No r the rn C i rc le , b u t p rov ides t he v a s t ma jo r i ty o f mea t b one s f r om t he S ou the rn C i rc le a nd t he d i tch . I t s e em s p o s s ib le t ha t a n ima l s k i l led o n o ne p a r t o f t he s i te w ere e a ten o n a no the r , a nd e ven t ha t a n ima l s w ere moved a round t he s i te b y as e r ie s o f s t ages . T h i s s u re ly r e info rce s t he h ypo the s i s t ha t as e t o f r u le s g overned t he d epo s i t ion o fa pp rop r ia te e l emen t si nd i f f eren t p a r t s o f t he s i te . I n t h i s c on tex t t he v e ry h i gh r ep re sen ta t ion o fc a t t le a tt he P l a tform a nd t he N or the rn C i rc le c an b e r e -a s se s sed . Wh i le p i g s r ema in t he e f f ec t ive f e a s t ing a n ima l , c a t t le p redom ina te i n i mpo r tan t p a r t s o ft he s i te a s ar e su l t o ft he i r c on t inu ing i mpo r tance t o t he N eo l i th ic e conomy . A s w i th many p re sen t d ay A f r ican p a s to ra l s oc ie t ie s ( e .g . K e sby 1 975) s oc ia lr ep roduc t ion i sp e rce ived a sb e ing d ependen t o n t he r ep roduc t ion o ft he h erd s . T hu s c a t t le a r e e spec ia l ly v enera ted i nt h i s t ype o fs oc ie ty . A ge ing d e ta i l sa r ea l so i lum ina t ing . Wh i le t he p i g s a tD ur r ing ton a r e a l l e x t reme ly y oung , b o th t oo th w ear a nd e p iphy s ia l f u s ion s ugge s t t ha t t ho se i n t he S ou thern C i rc le c omp lex s how a s t i l l more r e s tr ic ted a ge r ange t han t hose o f t he o u te r d i tch . D a ta r e la t ing t o t he s exe s o f t he a n ima l s a t Du r r ing ton a r e s c a rce , y e t t he re i s al i t t le t o b e g l eaned . M ea su re men t s o f t he c a t t le me taca rpa l s , g raphed a ga in s t t hose o f c a t t le f r om o ther N eo l i th ic s i tes ( f ig . 1 3) , t end t o s ugge s t a n u nu sua l ly h i gh p ropor t ion o f ma le s . P o s s ib ly , s ome th ing mo re c omp lex i sg o ing o n t han t he c u l l ing o f ah e rd . T he h igh p ropor t ion o f' w i ld 's pec ie sf ound o n G rooved Wa re s i te s h a s b een n o ted b efo re . A t Moun t P l ea san t , whe re w e a r e l u cky e nough t o h ave ad a ted B eaker /Ea r ly B ronze A ge f auna l a s semb lage s t ra t if ied a bove o ne w i th G rooved Ware , t he p ercen tage o f ' w i ld ' a n ima l s d ropped d rama t ica l ly f r om o ne p ha se t o t he n ex t . I ti ss ugge s ted h e re t ha t p a r t o ft he s ym b o l ic r e s truc tu r ing o f t he w or ld wh ich t ook p l ace w i th in h enge s i n vo lved t he d e l ibera te s e lec t ion o f w i ld a n ima l s , t he i r u se i n f e a s t ing a nd t he i rp u rpo sefu l d epo s i t ion i ns pec if ied l oca t ion s . S uch f orma l d epo s i t ion i sn o t r e s tr ic ted t o h enge s . A t b o th D own F a rm a nd R a tfyn , B rown b ea r b one s w e re d epos i ted i n G rooved Wa re p i t s ( Legge p er s . c omm . ) , t he l a t ter w i th p a r t icu la r ly l a rge c a t t le . A t B lack P a tch , P ew sey , ap i t c on ta in ing G rooved Wa re a nd a l a rge q uan t i ty o f k napp ing d ebr i s h ad a l so a f auna l c o l lec t ion c on s is t ing l a rge ly o f t he u ppe r a nd l ower j aw s o f p i g . B ea r ing i n m ind t he q ua l i ty o f ma ter ia l f r om t hese p i t s , 2 07

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f o r i n s tance t he p e rf ec t h a lberd shaped a r rowheads f r om R a tfyn , i ts e em s l i ke ly t ha t h e re a ga in s ome k ind o fn on -u t i l i ta r ian a c t iv i ty i sr epre sen ted . I ndeed , t h roughou t t he N eol i th ic i n B r i ta in , t he d epos i t ion o fv a lued i t em s -i n i s o la ted p i t s , i np i t s i n s ide c au sewayed e n c l o su re s , i n h enge s a nd i n l ong b ar row d i tche s -s e em s t oh ave b een a n i mpo r tan t e l emen t i n r i tua l p rac t ice . T h i s l e ave s u s i na n u ncomfor tab le p o s i t ion , i n t ha t s e ve ra l o f t he p i t s wh ich h ave b een t aken a s e v idence f o r s e t t lemen t m ay h ave h ad n o d ome s t ic f unc t ion wha t soever . T he d i v i s ion b e tween t he t ame a nd t he w i ld i so ne o ft he ma jo r e l emen t si nt h e s y s tem s b y wh ich p eop le c l a s s ify a n ima l s . A s B ux ton ( 1968 , 3 6 ) p o in t s o u t , ak ey c once rn h ere i s t he c oncep tua l d i s tance o f t he a n ima l f r om h umank ind . T he c ruc ia l d i s t inc t ion i ns uch a s y s tem w i l l t hu sb eb e tween t ame a nd w i ld f o rm s o ft he s ame s pec ie s , i no rde r t oe mpha s i se t he i rr e spec t ive r e la t ion sh ip sw i th h uman i ty . T he " r e soc ia l i sa t ion" o fa n ima l sw i th in h enge s m igh t b e e xpec ted t o r e f lec t t h i s . T hu s i ti si n te re s t ing t ha t w h i le many o f t h e ' e xo t ic ' s pec ie s l i ke h or se , r ed ,dee r , r oe d ee r ,, b eave r , f ox a nd d og a r e f ound i nt he S ou th C i rc le a t D ur r ing ton ( and i n s ome c a se sn owhere e l se o n t he s i te ) , t he b one s o fw i ld p i g a nd w i ld o x a r e o n ly f ound i n t he o u ter d i tch . T h i s a l so a pp l ie s a t Woodhenge a nd a t Moun t P l ea san t , s ugge s t ing t ha t av ery s t rong p r inc ip le o f d i v i s ion a nd e xc lu s ion i sb e ing a pp l ied . T he d i s t i nc t ion b e tween t ho se a n ima l so wned b y t he c ommun i ty , i n s ide h uman s oc ie ty a nd i n s ide t he h enge , a nd t hose a n ima l s o u t s ide , i sa n o bv iou s e xamp le o f t he w ay i n wh ich r i tua l a f f i rm s a nd s t ruc tu re sr e la t ion sh ip s w i th in t he r e a l w o r ld . A t Moun t P l ea san t , t he d i v i s ion b e tween a r ea s o f t h e s i te i sa ga in w e l l ma rked . W i th in s i te I Vc a t t le p redom ina te ,y e ti nt he o u ter d i tch p i g a r e ma s s ive ly i nt he ma jo r i ty ( f ig . 1 4 ) . I n te re s t ing ly , t h i s d i v i s ion c on t inue s i n to t he p e r iod o f B eake r a c t iv i ty o n t he s i te . How e ve r , a t s i te I V t he re i s al a rge r p ropor t ion o f ' wa s te ' m a te r ia l t han i nt he o u te rd i tch , a nd t here i sa l so ah i gher p ropor t ion o f l oo se t e e th . T h i s m igh t s ugge s t ac en t ra l i sed s l augh te r o f a n ima l s a t t he f oca l p o in to ft he s i te . S ac r if ice i s af r equen t ly o b served r i te o fp a s sage i n r e l ig ion s wh ich d raw r i g id d i s t inc t ion sb e tween more o rl e s s h o ly p l ace s a nd s t a te s o fb e ing , a nd b e tween t he r e a l w or ld a nd t he s p i r i t w or ld ( c f B e ide lman 1 966) . A s a tD ur r ing ton Wa l l s , t h i s v a r ia t ion i n t he f auna c o inc ide s w i th c e ram ic v a r ia t ion . T he d i tch a t Moun t P l ea san t c on ta in s o n ly s t age o ne a nd t h ree G rooved Wa re d ecora t ion , wh i l s t t he t imbe r c i rc le h a s ah igh p ropor t ion o fs t age s f our a nd s i x . D i scus s ion B efore w e o f f er a ny k ind o f i n te rp re ta t ion o f t he u nu sua ln a tu re o ft he s pa t ia lp a t te rn i ng o f a r tef ac t s a nd a n ima l b one s a tD ur r ing ton Wa l l s , i ti se s sen t ia l t ha t w e s how t ha t t h i s i st he r e su l t o f d e l ibera te d epos i t ion r a the r t han n a tu ra l p o s t -depo s i t iona l p roce s se s . We h ave c on s idered t he c on ten t s o f i nd iv idua l f e a tu re s o n t h e s i te , a l though t wo l a rge p o s t h o le s w i th in t he S ou the rn C i rc le may c on ta in ma ter ia l d e r ived f r om t he P l a tfo rm a d jacen t t o t h i s f e a ture ( Wa inw r igh t a nd L ongwor th 1 971 , 2 5) . I ft h i s w e re t he c a se , t he f i nd s f r om t he P l a tform w ou ld a ppea re ven more a typ ica l . O ne p rob lem i st he n a tu re o f d epo s i t ion w i th in t h e p o s t h o le s o f t he S ou the rn C i rc le . A l though t he s pa t ia l p a t tern s d e sc r ibed e a r l ie r a r e u nu sua l , i ti si mpor tan t t o s how t ha t d e l ibe ra te d epo s i t ion w a s t he m a jor f a c tor . I th a s b een d emon s t ra ted t ha t t he P ha se Two t imbe r p o s t s d ecayed i n t he i r s ocke ts ( i b id . , 2 4 ) a nd t ha t t he c u l tu ra l ma ter ia l r e covered c ame f r om w ea the r ing c one s a t t he t op o f e ach p o s t h o le . T he se w ere t he p roduc t o ft h e a bove -g round d ecay o ft he u pr igh t s . T he i n te rp re ta t ion o f f e red b y t he e xcava to r -( i b id ., 2 5) w a s t ha t t he m a te r ia l w i th in t he w ea the r ing c one s o r ig ina ted f r om s pec if ic d epo s i t s l a id a round e ach i nd iv idua l p o s t . T h i s h ypo the s i s i sc l ea r ly s ub s tan t ia ted b y t he c on t ra s t ing c ha rac ter o f t he ma ter ia l l o ca ted w i th in d i f f e ren t p o s t h o le s . We s ugge s t t ha t t h i s c an o n ly b e e xp la ined i nt e rm s o fp urpo sefu l d epos i t ion . We mus t a l so c on s ide r t he t ime a t wh ich t h i s d epo s i t ion t ook p l ace . C lea r ly , t h i s c ou ld h ave b een a t al a te s t age i n t he l i f e o f t he s i te ( t he t imber u p r igh t s may h ave r ema ined s t and ing f o r u p t o 2 00 y ea r s ) , a nd t he o ccur rence o f B eake r s he rds i n t he t op f i l l o f t h e 2 14

p o s t h o le s w ou ld s uppor t t h i s i d ea . H oweve r , t he G rooved Wa re a nd t he a s soc ia ted f l in t i mp lemen t s s e em t o b e r e la ted t o ap re -Beake r h or izon . T he G rooved Wa re i ss im i la r i n d ecora t ion t o t ha t f r om t he p r ima ry d i tch s i l t s a nd t he o ld l a nd s u rf ace , a nd i sd i f f e ren t f r om t he p o t te ry f ound a t t he l a ter s i te o f Woodhenge ; t he f l in t f orms , i n p a r t icu la r t he t r an sver se a r rowhead s , a l so s ugge s t aL a te N eo l i th ic d a te f o r t he se d epo s i t s . Whe the r t hey r e a l ly b e long t o a n e a r ly p ha se w i th in t he p r ima ry u se l i f e o f t he s i te i sn o t i mpor tan t t o t he a r gumen t a dvanced h e re : w ha t i ss i gn if ican t i st ha t w hen t he ma ter ia l w a s d epo s i ted , i t w a s d one i n ap ar t icu la r m anne r , o bey ing c er ta in r u le s w h ich w ere i mpor tan t t o t he a c tor s i nvo lved . I n t h i s p ape rw eh ave t aken ap a r t icu la rs t ance t owa rd r i tua l a nd h ave o f f e red s ugge s t ion s a s t o i t s s oc ia l r o le . We h ave a l so c on s ide red h ow i tc an b e r e cogn i sed i nt he a r chaeo log ica l r e cord . I ti sa ppa ren t f r om a n th ropo log ica l s t ud ie s t ha t r i tua lp l ay s av i ta l r o le i ns oc ia l a nd ma ter ia l r eproduc t ion , a nd i ti si mpo r tan t f o r ad i sc ip l ine c once rned w i th t he s t udy o f s oc ie ty a nd i t s c hange t h rough t ime t o r ecogn i se t ha t r i tua l i sn o t e p iphenomena l , b u t i s af undamen ta l e l emen t o f h uman e x i s tence . D ur r ing ton Wa l l s h a s b een s hown t o e xh ib i t f e a ture s t yp ica l o f t he r i tua l p roce s s , a nd t he s ame may b e t r ue o f o the r a r chaeo log ica l d epos i t s wh ich a ppea rt o b e n on -u t i l i ta r ian . O ur a na ly se s w ere d e s igned t o s how whe the r t he f i nds f r om D u r r ing ton Wa l l s e xh ib i t t he c l ea rcu t s pa t ia l p a t tern ing t ha t m igh t b e e xpec ted i n ar i tua l c on tex t . T he r e su l t s o f t h i s i nve s t iga t ion d o s ugge s t t ha t t h i s i st he c a se , y e t i ti sn o t t he o b jec t ive o ft h i s a na ly s i s t o p rov ide s ome f o rm o fc heck l i s t a r chaeo logy . Wha t i so f f e red i sa n a t temp t t o d i scus s t he a r chaeo log ica l ly v i s ib le a spec t s o f r i tua l i n t he c on tex t o f ab roade rd i scu s s ion o f why c e r t a in d epos i t s s hou ld e xh ib i t ad eg ree o ff orma l i ty wh ich a ppea r s t o t he a rchaeo log i s t t o b e n on -u t i l i tar ian . H av ing d emon s tra ted t ha t t he ma te r ia l d epos i t sa t Du r r ing ton Wa l l s a r e o f av ery s pec ia l n a ture , i si tp o s s ib le t o d raw a ny f u r the ri n f e rence s? T he a na ly s i s o ft he f auna l r ema in s b y o ne o f t he a u thor s ( J .T . ) s ugge s t s f e a s t ing o n al a rge s ca le , a n a c t iv i ty wh ich i sg ene ra l ly t hough t o f a s r enew ing a nd r e inforc ing s oc ia l r e la t ion s a nd o b l iga t ion s . T h i s may b e a s soc i a t ed w i th a t temp t s a ts oc ia lu n if ica t ion , t h rough c e r ta in r i tua l a c t iv i t ie s i nvo lv ing t he e n t i re c ommun i ty .T he se o cca s ion s may t ake p lace a tp a r t icu la rp o in t s i nt he c a lenda r , wh ich may e xp la in t he a s t ronom ica l a l ignmen t s c l a imed a t Woodhenge ( Thom 1 967) . T he p r ima ry f oc i o f a c t iv i t ie s w i th in t he e nc lo su re a t D ur r ing ton Wa l l s a r e t he t imber c i rc le s , b o th o f wh ich w e re r enewed a t l e a s t o nce . I ti ss ugge s ted t ha t s uch c on t inu i ty may p rov ide a n i n s i gh t i n to t he i r r i tua l i s t ic r o le . D id t he N or the rn a nd S ou the rn C i rc le s a t Du r r ing ton Wa l l s f u lf i l t he r o le o fd om inan t s ymbo l s , e xpec ted w i th in ar i tua l c on tex t? F ina l ly , i th a s b een s t a ted t ha t t he p erfo rmance o f r i tua l i nvo lve s f o rma l i sed r epe t i t ive a c t ion s w h ich may b e d e tec ted a rchaeo log ica l ly t h rough ah i gh ly s t ruc tured mode o fd epo s i t ion . I tw i l l b e r e a l i sed ,h oweve r , t ha t d ome s t ic a c t iv i ty may a l so i n vo lve ah i gh d eg ree o f s t ruc ture . No t ion s o f p ur i ty a nd t aboo a r e n o t c onf ined t o s pec if ica l ly r i tua l o cca s ion s , f o r a s L each p o in t s o u t ( 1966 , 4 03) , r i tua l e ncompa s se s much o fh uman a c t iv i ty . P erhap s t h i s s hou ld b e s e en a s ama t te r o f s ca le - t he d i f f e rence b e tween ah and shake i ng r ee t ing , a nd t he ma s sp erformed i n ac hurch . I fD ur r ing ton Wa l l s w a s a n a r ea d es igna ted e n t i re ly t o r i tua l a c t iv i t ie s , t hen i tl i e s a t t he e x treme o f ab road r ange o fv a r ia t ion . W i th t h i sp o in t i nm ind i ti sw or th n o t ing t ha t a t t h e s i te o f F enga te , P e te rborough ( P ryo r 1 978 , 5 3-7 ; 6 9103) t here a r e a l so an umbe r o f p i t s c on ta in ing G rooved Ware . T h i s ma te r ia l a ga in e xh ib i t sv a r i a t ion i n d e s ign s t age s b e tween d i f f eren t f e a ture s . A l though d epo s i t ion o n t h i s s i te s e ems t o b e r e la ted t o d ome s t ic s e t t lemen t , ac e r ta in f orma l i ty i ss t i l l i ne v idence . U s ing t he e xamp le o f o ne w e l l e xcava ted s i te w e h ave a t temp ted t o s how t ha t r i tua l i s n o t b eyond t he r e a lm o f a r chaeo log ica l i n f erence . I ndeed i ts hou ld n o t b e c on s idered o u t o f b ound s i ft he g oa l o fa r chaeo log ica l e nqu iry i st o e xam ine o ru nde r s tand p a s t s oc ia l s y s t em s . We h ope t ha t t h i se xe rc i se p rov ide s s ome c on tr ibu t ion t o t ha t e nd .

2 15

A cknow ledgement s F i r s t a nd f o remos t , t he a u thor s wou ld l i ke t o e xp re s s t he i r g r a t i tude t o D r . G eof f ry Wa inw r igh t f o r as e r ies o f e xcava t ion s wh ich a l lowed t h i s s o r t o f w ork t o b e c a r r ied o u t . F or d i scu s s ion , c r i t ic i sm a nd i n forma t ion w e s hou ld l i ke t o t hank J ohn B ar re t t , R icha rd B rad ley , D av id C la rke , A ndrew F lem ing , R a lph H a rcou r t , C a ro l ine G r ig son , T ony L egge , N e i l S ha rp le s , N ick T horpe a nd R ob in T or rence . We s hou ld a l so l i ke t o e xp re s s g r a t i tude t o t he f o l low ing i nd iv idua l s a nd i n s t i tu t ion s f o r t he i rh e lp i n mak ing ma te r ia l a va i lab le f o r s t udy : C la re C oneybear e a nd P e te r S aunder s ( Sal i sbury a nd S ou th W i l t sh i re Mu seum ) , P au l R ob in son a nd K en A nnab le ( Dev ize s Mu seum ) , a nd R oger P eer s a nd R odney A lcock ( Do r s e t C oun ty Mu seum ) . T hank st oo t o P enny M a rg rave s f o rh e lp ing t ot ype t he f i na ld raf t .

Append ix : S ta t i s t ica la na lys i s S ome o f t he a s se r t ion s made i n t h i s p ape r d epend u pon v a r ia t ion s i nt he d i s t r ibu t ion o f ma ter ia l c u l tu re b e tween d i f f e ren t c on tex t s . O bv iou s ly s t a t i s t ica l t e s t s c anno tv a l ida te t h e s ugge s t ion s b e ing made , b u t t hey c an s how t ha t t he v a r ia t ion s b e tween t he se c on tex t s a r e s t a t i s t ica l ly s i gn if ican t . Among t he f auna l ma te r ia l , f o r i n s tance , i ti sp os s ib le t o c onf i rm t ha t t he r a t io s o fp r ime m ea t t o s e conda ry mea t t o w a s te b one s i ss i gn if ican t ly d i f f e ren t f r om o ne c on tex t t o a no the r . X ' t e s t sb e tween p a i r s o fc on tex t sg i ve v a lue s f r om 1 . 429 t o 2 2 .03 f o r p i g a nd 0 . 30 t o 6 6 .10 f o rc a t t le . W i th t wo d eg ree s o ff r eedom a l l o ft he se v a lue s s how s i gn if ican t d i f f e rence s a t t he c (= 0 .995 l e ve l , a nd t he ma jo r i ty s how a s i gn if ican t d i f f erence a tt he a=0 .005 c onf idence l e ve l . App ly ing t he s ame m e thods t o t he v a r ia t ion b e tween t he d i f f e ren t d es ign s t age s o n t he G rooved Ware f r om D u r r ing ton Wa l l s p roduce s v e ry l a rge X ' v a lue s . L eav ing o u t S tage 2 b ecau se o f t he d i f f icu l ty o f r e cogn i s ing t h i s ma ter ia l , X ' v a lue s w ere c ompu ted f o r e ach p a i ro fc on tex ts . A l l t he v a lue so b ta ined w e re s i gn if ican t a tt he c (=0 .005 c onf idence l e ve l .

B ib l iog raphy ATK INSON , R . J .C . , P IGGOTT , C .M . a nd S ANDARS , N . K . 1 951. E xcava t ions a t Dor c he s ter , O xon . ( Oxfo rd ,A shmo lean Mu seum ) . B E IDELMAN , T . 0 . 1 966 . T he o x a nd Nuer s a c r if ice , Man 1 ,4 53-67 . BLOCH , M . 1 977 . T he p a s t a nd t he p re sen t i nt he p re sen t , Man 1 2 , 2 78-92 . BLOCH , M . 1 980 . R i tua ls ymbo l i sm a nd t he n on rep re sen ta t ion o fs oc ie ty , i nF o s te r , M . L . a nd B rande s , S .H . ( ed i tor s ) ,S ymbo la sS ense . BRADLEY , R . 1 982 .P os i t ion a nd p o s se s s ion : a s semb lage v a r ia t ion i nt he B r i t i sh N eo l i th ic , O xf ord J ourna lo fA rchaeo logy 1 . 1, 2 7-38 . BRADLEY , R . 1 984 . T he S oc ia lF oundat ions o fP reh i s tor ic B r i ta in ( Ha r low , L ongman ) . BRADLEY , R . a nd CHAPMAN , R . W . f o r thcom ing . P a s sage g r ave s i n t he E uropean N eo l i th ic : at heory o f c onverg ing e vo lu t ion , i n B u r renhu l t , G . ( ed i to r ) , T he C ar rowmore P ro j e c t -F ina lR epor t( S tockho lm , I n s t i tu te o fA rchaeo logy ) . BRA ITHWA ITE , M . 1 982 . D eco ra t ion a s r i tua l s ymbo l : at h eore t ica l p ropo sa l a nd a n e thnog raph ic s t udy i n s ou thern S udan , i n H odde r , I .( ed i to r ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura l A rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 8 0-88 . BURGESS , C . 1 980 . T he Age o fS tonehenge ( London , D en t ) . BUXTON , J .1 968 . A n ima li d en t i ty a nd h uman p er i l : s ome M anda r i i mage s , Man 3 ,3 5-49 . CATHERALL , P . 1 971 . H enge si np e r spec t ive ,A rchaeo log ica lJ ourna l 1 28 , 1 47-53 . CATHERALL , P .1 976 . H enge monumen t s : monumen t o r my th ? i nB u rge s s , C .a nd M ike t , R . ( ed i tor s ) , S e t t l ement a nd E conomy i n t h e T h i rd a nd S econd M i l l enn ia BC ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 1 -9 .

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C LARKE , D . V . 1 983 . R inyo a nd t he O rcad ian N eol i th ic , i nO 'Connor , A . a nd C la rke , D . V . ( ed i to r s ) ,F rom t he S tone Age t o t he ' F or ty -F ive ( Ed inbu rgh ,J ohn Dona ld ) , 4 5-56 . COGB ILL , S .1 982 . T he B ronze A ge e xhumed ,S cot t i sh A rchaeo log ica lR ev iew 1 . 2 , 7 8-90 . CUNN INGTON , M . E . 1 929 . Woodhenge ( Dev ize s , S imp son ) . DOUGLAS , M . 1 975 . I mp l i c i t Mean ing s ( London , R ou t ledge a nd K egan P au l ) . EDWARDSON , A . 1 965 . A s p i ra l ly d eco ra ted o b jec t f r om G a rbo ld i sham , Ant iqu i ty 3 9 , 1 45 . FR IEDR ICH , M . 1 970 . D e s ign s t ruc tu re a nd s oc ia l i n te rac t ion : a r chaeo log ica l i mp l ica t ion s o fa n e thnog raph ic a na ly s i s , Amer ican Ant iqu i ty 3 5 , 3 32-43 . GOODY , J . 1 977 . A ga in s t r i tua l : l oo se ly s t ruc tu red t hough t s o n al oo se ly d ef ined t op ic , i n Moor e , S .F . a nd Mye rhof f , B .G . ( ed i to r s ) ,S ecu lar R i tua l ( Van Go rcum ) . GREENWELL , W . 1 890 . R ecen t r e sea rche s i n b a r row s i n Y o rk sh ire , W i l t sh i re , B erk sh i re , e t c . ,A rchaeo log ia 5 2 , 1 -72 . GR IGSON , C . 1 982 . P o r r idge a nd p annage : p ig h u sband ry i nN eol i th ic E ng land , i nB e l l , M . a nd L imbrey , S .( ed i tor s ) , A rchaeo log ica lA spec t s o f Wood land E co logy ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 2 97-314 . HAWKES , C . 1 954 . A rchaeo log ica l m e thod a nd t heo ry : s ome s ugge s t ion s f r om t he O ld Wo r ld , Amer ican Anthropo log i s t 5 6 , 1 55-68 . HODDER , I . 1 982a . T heo re t ica l a r chaeo logy : ar e ac t iona ry v i ew , i n Hodde r , I .( ed i to r ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 1 16 . HODDER , I .1 982b . S equence s o f s t ruc tu ra l c hange i n t he D u tch N eo l i th ic , i nH odde r , I . ( ed i to r ) ,S ymbo l ic a nd S truc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) , 1 62-77 . KESBY ,J .D . 1 975 . T he C u l tura lR eg ions o fE a s t Af r ica ( London ,A cadem ic P re s s ) . KUPER , A . 1 975 . Anthropo log i s t s a nd Anthropo logy : t he B r i t i sh S choo l 1 922-1972 ( Ha rmondswor th , P engu in ) . L EACH , E . 1 966 . R i tua l i sa t ion i n man , P h i lo soph ica l T ransac t ions o ft he Roya l S oc ie ty s e r ie s B2 51, 4 03-8 . L EV I -STRAUSS , C . 1 964 . T otem i sm ( Harmond swor th , P engu in ) . MACK IE , E . 1 977 .S c ience a nd S oc ie ty i nP reh i s tor ic B r i ta in ( London , E lek ) . MANBY , T . 1 974 . G rooved W ar e S i te s i n Y ork sh i re a nd t he Nor th o fE ng l and ( Oxford , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epo r t s ) . MERCER , R . 1 981 . T he e xcava t ion o f al a te N eo l i th ic h enge type e nc lo su re a t B a lf a rg , M a rk inch , F if e , S co t land , P roceed ing s o ft he S oc ie ty o fA nt iquar i e s o fS cot land 11, 6 31 71 MOORE , H . 1 981 . B one r e fu se -p o s s ib i l i t ie s f o r t he f u tu re , i nS he r idan , A . a nd B a i ley ,G . ( ed i to r s ) ,E conom ic A rchaeo logy ( Oxfo rd , B r i t i sh A rchaeo log ica l R epor t s ) , 8 7-94 . P ARKER -PEARSON , M . 1 982 . Mor tua ry p rac t ice s , s oc ie ty a nd i d eo logy : a n e thnoa rchae ° log ica l s t udy , i n Hodde r , I .( ed i to r ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) , 9 9113 . P IGGOTT , S . 1 959 . T he r a d ioca rbon d a te s f r om D ur r ing ton Wa l l s , Ant iqu i ty 3 3 , 2 89-90 . P LOG , S . 1 980 .S ty l i s t ic V ar ia t ion i nP reh i s tor ic C eram ic s ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . P RYOR , F . 1 978 . E xcava t ion a t F enga te , P e terborough , E ng land : t he S econd R epor t ( To ron to , R oya l O n ta r io Mu seum ) . RENFREW , C . 1 979 . I nve s t ig at ions i nO rkney ( London , S oc ie ty o fA n t iqua r ie s ) . S HANKS , M . a nd T ILLEY , C . 1 982 . I deo logy , s ymbo l ic p ower a nd r i tua l c ommun ica t ion : ar e in terpre ta t ion o f N eo l i th ic mor tua ry p rac t ice s , i n H odder , I .( ed i to r ) , S ymbo l ic a nd S t ruc tura lA rchaeo logy ( Cambr idge , U n iver s i ty P re s s ) , 1 29-54 . S HARPLES ,N . 1 981. T he e xcava t ion o f ac hambe red c a irn , t he O rd N o r th , a t L a i rg , S u the r l a nd b y J .X . P .W . C orco ran , P roceed ing s o ft he S oc ie ty o f Ant iquar ie s o fS cot land 11, 2 1-62 . S HEE TWOH IG ,E . 1 981. T he Mega l i th ic A r to fW e s tern E urope ( Oxfo rd , C la rendon P re s s ) . SM ITH , I .F . 1 965 . T he D ecora t ive A r t o fN eo l i th ic C eram ic s i nS outh E a s tern E ng l and a nd i t sR e la t ions ( Unpub l i shed P hD t he s i s , U n ive r s i ty o f L ondon ) . 2 17

S TONE , J .F . S . , P IGGOTT , S . a nd BOOTH , A . S t J . 1 954 , D ur r ing ton Wa l l s , W i l t sh i re : r e cen t e xcava t ions a t ac e remon ia l s i te o f t he e a r ly s e cond m i l lenn ium BC , A nt iqua r ie s J ourna l3 4 , 1 55-77 . TAMB IAH , S .J . 1 969 . An ima l s a r eg ood t o t h ink w i th a nd g ood t op roh ib i t ,E thno logy 8 , 4 23-59 . THOM , A . 1 967 . Mega l i th ic S i te s i nB r i ta in ( Oxfo rd , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) . T ILLEY , C . 1 984 . I deo logy a nd t he l e g i t ima t ion o f p ower i n t he M idd le N eo l i th ic o f S ou the rn S weden , i n M ile r , D . a nd T i l ley , C . ( ed i to r s ) , I deo logy , P owe r a nd P reh i s tory ( Cambr idge , U n ive r s i ty P re s s ) , 11-46 . TURNER , V . 1 967 . T he F ore s to fS ymbo l s ( Corne l l U n iver s i ty P re s s ) . TURNER , V . 1 969 . T he R i tua lP roce s s ( Harmond swor th , P engu in ) . VATCHER , F . 1 969 . Two i nc i sed c ha lk p l aque s n ea r S tonehenge B o t tom , An t iqu i ty 4 3 , 3 1011 . WA INWR IGHT , G . 1 969 . A r ev iew o f h enge monumen t s i n t he l i gh t o f r e cen t r e sea rch , P roceed ing so ft he P r eh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 3 5 , 12-33 . WA INWR IGHT , G . 1 971. T he e xcava t ion o f al a te N eo l i th ic e nc lo su re a t Ma rden , W i l t sh i re , Ant iquar ie sJ ourna l 5 1, 1 77-239 . WA INWR IGHT , G . 1 975 . R e l ig ion a nd s e t t lemen t i nW e s sex , 3 0001700 BC i nF ow le r , P . ( ed i tor ) , R ecent W ork i n Rura lA rchaeo logy ( Bradford -on -Avon , Moon rake r P r e s s ) , 5 7-71 . WA INWR IGHT , G . 1 979 . Mount P l easan t , Dor set : E xcava t ion s 1 970-197 1 ( London , S oc ie ty o fA n t iqua r ie s ) . WA INWR IGHT , G .a nd LONGWORTH , I .1 971 . Dur r ing ton W a l l s :E xcava t ions 1 966-1968 ( London , S oc ie ty o f An t iqua r ie s ) . WARREN , S .H . , P IGGOTT , S . , CLARK , J .D . G . , BURK ITT , M . C .a nd GODW IN , H . a nd M . E . 1 936 . A rchaeo logy o f t he s ubmerged l a nd s u rf ace o ft he E s sex c oa s t ,P roceed ing so f t he P r eh i s tor ic S oc ie ty 2 , 1 78-210 .

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