Overview
Archaeological investigations at Huntsman's Quarry, Kemerton, south Worcestershire during 1995-6 recorded significant Late Bronze Age occupation areas and field systems spreading across more than 8 hectares. Limited evidence for Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Beaker activity was also recovered together with an Early Bronze Age ring-ditch. Waterholes and associated round-houses, structures and pits were set within landscape of fields and droveways radiocarbon dated to the 12th-11th centuries cal BC. Elements of this field system probably pre-dated the settlement. Substantial artefactual and ecofactual assemblages were recovered from the upper fills of the waterholes and larger pits . The settlement had a predominantly pastoral economy supported by some textile and bronze production. Ceramics included a notable proportion of non-local fabrics demonstrating that the local population enjoyed a wide range of regional contacts. Wider ranging, national exchange networks were also indicated by the presence of shale objects as well as the supply of bronze for metalworking, perhaps indicative of a site of some social status. Together the evidence indicates a small settlement within which occupation of individual areas was short-lived with the focus of the settlement shifting on a regular basis. It is proposed that this occurred on a generational basis, with each generation setting up a new 'homestead' with an associated waterhole. The settlement can be compared favourably to those known along the Thames Valley but until now not recognised in this part of the country. Cropmark evidence and limited other investigations indicate that the fields and droveways recorded represent a small fragment of a widespread system of boundaries established across the gravel terraces lying between Bredon Hill and the Carrant Brook. This managed and organised landscape appears to have been established for the maintenance of an economy primarily based on relatively intensive livestock farming; the trackways facilitating seasonal movement of stock between meadows alongside the Carrant Brook, the adjacent terraces and the higher land on Bredon Hill.
Full Product Details
Author: Robin Jackson
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Imprint: Oxbow Books
Dimensions:
Width: 21.00cm
, Height: 2.00cm
, Length: 29.70cm
Weight: 1.202kg
ISBN: 9781782979944
ISBN 10: 1782979948
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 30 November 2015
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Author Information
Robin Jackson is Senior Archaeological Project Manager at Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service with many years' experience of designing and implementing archaeological fieldwork and research In recent years he has specialised in working with the mineral extraction industry and on large-scale infrastructure projects with particular research interests in prehistoric archaeology and river valley landscapes.
