89 research outputs found
Later prehistoric settlement in the Western Isles of Scotland
This study aims to establish an understanding of the nature of
settlement development in the Western Isles in the period from
c. 1000 BC - 800 AD. A new classification of the sites is formulated to
deal with the specific Hebridean context and with the restrictions of
the available evidence. This provides a framework for analysis and
replaces previous schemes, imported from elsewhere in Scotland,
which have tended to confuse the settlement patterns and the
settlement development of the area.
The large number of older excavations are reassessed in the light of
both new approaches to classification and interpretation, and the
evidence of recent survey and excavation. A coherent settlement
sequence can be seen to emerge, showing a development of
monumental architecture in the mid-lst millennium BC from a
background of non-monumental domestic settlement: this
monumentality persists for several centuries in the form of the
atlantic roundhouses and wheelhouses before being gradually
replaced by non-monumental, cellular and linear structures in the 1st
millennium AD.
Structural, locational and spatial analyses combine to demonstrate
patterns of settlement development which show the progressive
adaptation of Hebridean populations to the changing socio¬
economic context. The development of architecture is shown to be
linked to contemporary social and economic processes. The
environmental context of settlement development is shown to be of
great significance in shaping broad trends of settlement
development, while the specific responses of human groups indicate
the importance of social factors.
The final part of the study proposes possible models for the
interpretation of settlement change. Material culture, including
architecture, can be seen to be used actively in the negotiation of
social relationships, both within the islands and between the
islanders and the emerging states of Scotland in the 1st millennium
AD
Le Castellan (Istres, Bouches-du-Rhône) : resultats de prospections géophysique
YesTwo seasons of geophysical prospection (magnetic, resistance and ground-penetrating radar)
were conducted at the Iron Age oppidum of Le Castellan, Istres, Bouches-du-Rhône, in order to
determine the utility of these techniques for sites in this region. The survey revealed numerous
strong anomalies, of which many ran parallel or perpendicular to one another. These are the
sorts of responses one might expect from the remains of buried stone wall foundations; this
interpretation is supported by the presence, on the west side of the site, of exposed walls on the
same alignment as certain of the geophysical anomalies. Overall, the evidence suggests a
network of buried buildings and road-ways across the oppidum. One particularly substantial
building was identified towards the centre of the site, through the presence of a strong resistance
anomaly of distinctly rectilinear form. It appears to represent the remains of a buried stone
building with three rooms. In conclusion, the results provide strong encouragement for the further
application of geophysical survey in this regio
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Preparing for the future: A reappraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010
yesThis document reviews Legacy Data generated from 10 years’ worth of road scheme activity in
Ireland to determine how archaeological geophysical surveys could be carried out on national
roads in the future. The geophysical surveys were carried out by several different contractors
across a range of challenging field conditions, geologies, weather and seasons. The research is
based upon the results of linear schemes but also has validity for wider approaches. The
findings of this research are based upon the compilation of all terrestrial archaeological
geophysical surveys carried out on behalf of the National Roads Authority (NRA), a review of
the success or otherwise of those surveys in comparison with ground-observed excavations and
in combination with experimental surveys that tested previously held assumptions or
knowledge to determine best practice methods for the future.
The use and success of geophysical surveys in Ireland differ quite significantly from those in the
UK, from where many of the methods of assessment were derived or adapted. Many of these
differences can be attributed to geology. Ireland has a very high percentage of Carboniferous
limestone geology, overlain mostly by tills and frequent occurrences of peat. These soils can
reduce, to some extent, the effectiveness of magnetometer surveys; the most frequently used
geophysical technique in Ireland. However, magnetometer data can be maximised in these
cases by increasing the spatial resolution to produce effective results. An increase in spatial
resolution is also effective generally, for enhancing the chances of identifying archaeological
features by discriminating between archaeological and geological anomalies as well as
increasing anomaly definition and visualisation of small and subtle archaeological features.
Seasonal tests have determined that Irish soils are generally suitable for year round earth
resistance assessments although some counties in the southeast of the country may experience
very dry soils at the surface during some periods of the year.
A variety of sampling strategies were used in the past, however it is now apparent that detailed
assessments across the full length and width of a proposed road corridor are the most
appropriate form of geophysical investigation. Magnetometer surveys are generally suitable for
most Irish soils and geologies, although exceptions apply in areas of near-surface igneous
deposits, deep peat and alluvial soils; however magnetometer surveys are not capable of
identifying all types of archaeological features and other methods will be required for a full
evaluation.
Analysis of the Legacy Data has determined that in general the NRA archaeological geophysical surveys were historically used in a very positive way on road schemes. The range of features
assessed or identified account for most types of archaeological sites in Ireland. These have
provided a significant archive of case studies that will be of benefit to future archaeological
geophysical research and will help to protect the globally dwindling archaeological resource
that is threatened by development-led or commercially driven projects
Istres – Le Castellan
Identifiant de l'opération archéologique : 8341 Date de l'opération : 2007 (PR) Inventeur(s) : Armit Ian (SUP) ; Horsley Tim (SUP) ; Marty Frédéric (COL) Une campagne de prospection géophysique a été conduite sur l’habitat gaulois du Castellan à Istres 1 afin de déterminer la validité des méthodes mises en œuvre pour les habitats groupés de l’âge du Fer, dans la région (Fig. n°1 : Plan du site du Castellan avec localisation de la campagne de prospection géophysique). La prospection électriqu..
Istres – Le Castellan
Identifiant de l'opération archéologique : 8341 Date de l'opération : 2007 (PR) Inventeur(s) : Armit Ian (SUP) ; Horsley Tim (SUP) ; Marty Frédéric (COL) Une campagne de prospection géophysique a été conduite sur l’habitat gaulois du Castellan à Istres 1 afin de déterminer la validité des méthodes mises en œuvre pour les habitats groupés de l’âge du Fer, dans la région (Fig. n°1 : Plan du site du Castellan avec localisation de la campagne de prospection géophysique). La prospection électriqu..
The return of the Beaker Folk? : Rethinking migration and population change in British prehistory
Recent aDNA analysis has demonstrated that the centuries surrounding the arrival of the Beaker Complex in Britain witnessed a massive turnover in the genetic make-up of the population. Here we consider the archaeological implications of this finding, and propose two hypotheses - Beaker Colonisation and Steppe Drift - that might help us understand the underlying social processes, and propose directions for future research
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A Brief Consideration of the Later Prehistoric Appearance and Possible Significance of the Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) in the Covesea Caves of North-East Scotland
YesThis Short Note describes the distribution and composition of the great auk assemblage found within the Covesea Caves, and discusses its significance.Glasgow Natural History Society Professor Blodwen Lloyd Binns Bequest, the Prehistoric Society, and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Historic Environment Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council
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Encounters and transformations in Iron Age Europe: the ENTRANS Project
YesThe Iron Age in Europe was a period of tremendous cultural dynamism, during which the values and constructs of urbanised Mediterranean civilisations clashed with alternative webs of identity in ‘barbarian’ temperate Europe. Until recently archaeologists and ancient historians have tended to view the cultural identities of Iron Age Europeans as essentially monolithic (Romans, Greeks, Celts, Illyrians etc). Dominant narratives have been concerned with the supposed origins and spread of peoples, like ‘the Celts’ (e.g. COLLIS 2003), and their subsequent ‘Hellenisation’ or ‘Romanisation’ through encounters with neighbouring societies. Yet there is little to suggest that collective identity in this period was exclusively or predominantly ethnic, national or even tribal. Instead we need to examine the impact of cultural encounters at the more local level of the individual, kin-group or lineage, exploring identity as a more dynamic, layered construct.HERA, European Commissio
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Cultural Encounters in Iron Age Europe
noCultural encounters form a dominant theme in the study of Iron Age Europe. This was particularly acute in regions where urbanising Mediterranean civilisations came into contact with ‘barbarian’ worlds. This volume presents preliminary work from the ENTRANS Project, which explores the nature and impact of such encounters in south-east Europe, alongside a series of papers on analogous European regions. A range of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches are offered in an effort to promote dialogue around these central issues in European protohistory.HERAOnly the cover and contents pages are available on Bradford Scholars
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