Overview

This research focuses on the Early Bronze Age round barrows of the central and northern Anglo-Welsh borderlands. Contextualisation of the barrows is provided by a discussion of the archaeology of the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age in the study area. Existing classificatory schemes for barrows and cairns are critically analysed and the variety of taphonomic factors that are likely to have influenced the distribution of these monuments today is reviewed. The topographical context of a series of barrow clusters is examined in detail to demonstrate subtle but important differences in how these monuments were placed in the landscape. The study provides theoretical insights into the role of barrows and cairns. These are seen not solely as mortuary monuments, but as 'interventions' in the landscape that gave material form to particular social concerns through the manipulation of significant materials in special places.

Full Product Details

Author:   Neal Johnson
Publisher:   BAR Publishing
Imprint:   BAR Publishing
Weight:   0.702kg
ISBN:  

9781407315966

ISBN 10:   140731596
Pages:   176
Publication Date:   31 August 2017
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

List of Figures List of Tables Abstract Chapter 1: The Study in Context Introduction Rationale for the study area Methodology Round barrows in the landscape - towards a multi-scalar approach A chronological conundrum - the problem of terminology Chapter 2: Beyond the Barrow: The Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age in the Borderlands Introduction Continuity and change: an overview of the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age The borderlands and the Early Bronze Age: a review Which way is home? An introduction to the theoretical problem of settlement An unbounded landscape: the evidence for settlement in the borderlands Pits and pots make places: ceramics and depositional practices in the borderlands A house in the country? The evidence for houses in the borderlands Metals and metalwork of the Early Bronze Age in the borderlands Burnt mounds Summary Chapter 3: Round Barrows in the Borderlands: Distribution and Morphology Introduction Methodology Results of initial search Data reliability Database format The distribution of funerary site Administrative and topographic distribution of round barrows Types of evidence Topographic distribution of sites The distribution of extant and destroyed sites: Archaeological biases Barrow forms Problems with misidentification The variety of external barrow forms represented in the study area Bowl barrows Bell barrows Pond barrows Disc barrows Variant circles Ring cairns Kerb cairns Platform cairns Distinctive constructional features (ditches and banks) Ring ditches Summary Chapter 4: Investigating Round Barrow Clusters Introduction Background Methodology The method The method in practice Cluster A: Moel Ty-uchaf, Clwyd Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape Cluster B: Cefn Penagored, Clwyd Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape Cluster C: Corndon Hill, Powys Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape The Group XII source at Hyssington Stone circles Barrows and cairns Cluster D: The Long Mynd, Shropshire Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape Cluster E: Banc Gorddwr, Powys Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape Cluster F: Radnor Forest, Powys Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape Cluster G: Walton Basin, Powys Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape Cluster H: Upper House, Powys Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape Cluster I: Begwyns, Powys Topography Description of the cluster Cluster cohesion Visual relationships Topographic relationships The cluster and its place within the landscape Discussion Chapter 5: A Pair of Round Barrows Introduction A pair of round barrows at Trelystan, Powys Cremated remains: burials or deposits? Chapter 6: A Time and a Place for Round Barrows References

Reviews

'This is a timely and important work that makes an important contribution to our collective knowledge of both the region in the Later Neolithic and Early Bronze Age and ways in which the study of barrows can be more closely integrated into settlement archaeology. It provides a model for future comparative studies.' Dr John Gale, Bournemouth University 'A large amount of new data is presented here and the interpretation of this material is innovative, contributing valuable new ideas and techniques to the field of landscape archaeology. Overall it makes a large and valuable contribution to knowledge.' Dr David Mullin, University of Worcester 'This is a well written and meticulously organized study of Early Bronze Age mounds in a topographically diverse landscape along the Welsh-English borderlands. Johnson's multiscalar approach offers new insights and the approach is nicely presented and well supported by a thoughtful critique of previous work. The mounds are exceptionally well historicized and contextualized in relation to evidence of settlement, mortuary behaviour, and other depositional practices in the study region.' Dr Matthew L. Murray, University of Mississippi

'This is a timely and important work that makes an important contribution to our collective knowledge of both the region in the Later Neolithic and Early Bronze Age and ways in which the study of barrows can be more closely integrated into settlement archaeology. It provides a model for future comparative studies.' Dr John Gale, Bournemouth University 'A large amount of new data is presented here and the interpretation of this material is innovative, contributing valuable new ideas and techniques to the field of landscape archaeology. Overall it makes a large and valuable contribution to knowledge.' Dr David Mullin, University of Worcester 'This is a well written and meticulously organized study of Early Bronze Age mounds in a topographically diverse landscape along the Welsh-English borderlands. Johnson's multiscalar approach offers new insights and the approach is nicely presented and well supported by a thoughtful critique of previous work. The mounds are exceptionally well historicized and contextualized in relation to evidence of settlement, mortuary behaviour, and other depositional practices in the study region.' Dr Matthew L. Murray, University of Mississippi

Author Information

Dr Neal Johnson is a lecturer at the University of Worcester, with broad interests in the archaeology of landscapes and Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain. He enjoys working in the realm of landscape investigation, employing earthwork, topographic and geophysical survey, aerial remote sensing and map analysis.

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