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Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Pit Circles and their Environs at Oakham, Rutland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

Patrick Clay ,
Clive R. Jones ,
Elaine L. Jones ,
Gary Haley ,
Elizabeth Healey ,
Alex Gibson ,
Ann Stirland ,
Anthony J. Gouldwell  and
Angela Monckton
Patrick Clay
Affiliation:
University of Leicester Archaeological Services, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH
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Abstract

Fieldwork east of Oakham, Rutland has located evidence of prehistoric settlement, land use patterns, and ceremonial monuments. Part of this included the excavation of a cropmark site which has revealed an unusual sequence of Neolithic/Early Bronze Age pit circles and a burial area. This is complemented by a fieldwalking survey of the surrounding areas, allowing consideration of the relationship of juxtaposed flint scatters and the excavated ceremonial area.

Résumé

Des travaux sur le terrain à l'est d'Oakham (Rutland) ont identifié des preuves d'habitation préhistorique, des tendances d'exploitation du terrain et des sites cérémoniaux. Une partie de ces travaux consistait de fouilles sur un site possédant des marques de culture qui ont exposé une série inhabituelle de cercles de fosses et une sépulture du Néolithique de l'âge du bronze ancien. A cela on a ajouté l'arpentage à pied des alentours qui a permis une considération des relations des dispersions de silex juxtaposées et du lieu cérémonial fouillé.

Zusammenfassung

Arbeit im Gelände östlich von Oakham, Rutland hat Beweismaterial prähistorischer Niederlassungen, Modelle für die Ausbeutung des Landes und zeremonielle Denkmäler zu Tage gebracht. Ein Teil dieser Funde war auch die Ausgrabung eines Getreidegeländes, welches eine ungewöhnliche Reihenfolge von Grubenkreisen und einer Beerdigunsstätte aus der neolithisch/ Frühbronzezeit enthüllten. Ergänzt wurde diese Arbeit mit einer Vermessung mittels eines Rundgangs der Umgebung. Dabei wurden Uberprüfungen des Verhältnisses zwischen nebeneinandergestellten Feuersteinsplinter und der ausgegraben Zeremoniestätte ermöglicht.

Résumen

Trabajos de campo al este de Oakham, Rutland, han localizado evidencia de poblados prehistóricos, modos de uso del terreno y monumentos ceremoniales. Parte de este estudio incluyó la excavación de un yacimiento evidenciado en un campo en cultivo, que reveló una secuencia poco usual de círculos de pozos y zona de enterramiento del Neolítico al Bronce Antiguo. Ello, complementado por el reconocimiento sobre el terreno de las áreas próximas, ha permitido el estudio de la relación entre yustaposiciones en la dispersión de sílex y la zona ceremonial excavada.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 64 , January 1998 , pp. 293 - 330
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 1998

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