On the Beach: New Discoveries at Harlyn Bay, Cornwall

Abstract

In 1990 a stone covered pit containing a Trevisker Ware vessel was found eroding from the cliffs at Harlyn Bay and excavated. The vessel contained cremated bone from several individuals with some animal bone, quartz pebbles, and a small bronze pendant. A radiocarbon date on the cremated bone fell in the range 2120–1880 cal bc and is a valuable addition to the small number of securely-dated Early Bronze Age burials in Cornwall with metalwork associations. This early date also makes a major contribution to the debate on the sequence of Trevisker Ware as the vessel, of gabbroic clay, has a band of incised chevron decoration. Lipid residue analysis showed traces of ruminant dairy fat. This paper examines the significance of unmounded burial sites in Cornwall and also assesses the importance of Early Bronze Age burials around Harlyn Bay which have produced an unusually wide range of artefacts.

The role of pottery in Middle Neolithic societies of western Mediterranean (Sardinia, Italy, 4500-4000 cal BC) revealed through an integrated morphometric, use-wear, biomolecular and isotopic approach

“…1) TAGs C44/C48-C54, max C52 (NG-G01/04a, NG-G06/05b, NG-G20/06f), typical of animal adipose fats (Mukherjee et al, 2007, fig. 2); 2) TAGs C48-C54, largely dominated by C48 (NG-G6/05at, NG-G15/03b, NG-G09/03a). The close analysis of the mass spectrum of peak C48 in samples NG-G15/03b and NG-G06/05at reveals that it is mainly constituted of palmitolein (TAGs composed of 3 palmitoleic acid moieties), an infrequent signature in archaeological residues, which suggests an aquatic or vegetal origin, perhaps an unknown plant residue (Evershed et al, 2003: 6;Jones et al, 2011;Regert et al, 2005;Skibo et al 2016;Šoberl and Evershed, 2011). The TAGs distribution in sample NG-G09/03a is similar but TAGs are present in much smaller quantities, making the close analysis of their mass spectra impossible; 3) "Mixed" patterns: TAGs C48-C54, max C50 (NG-G01/03a), TAGs C42-C54, max C48 (NG-G03/02a), possibly resulting from multiple episodes of use/mixed foodstuffs (Mukherjee et al, 2008, fig.…”

Tregiffian: The Chronology of an Entrance Grave

“…It appears likely that entrance graves appeared after the establishment of long‐term patterns of exchange of objects and materials, including gold lunulae, tin, Beakers and copper alloy objects between communities across the Irish Sea (for example, Jones et al . 2011). However, these connections were more than of a purely economic nature and should be seen part of the maintenance of long‐distance kinship networks between dispersed communities (cf.…”

“…It seems unlikely given the timespan and regional differences that this was the result of large-scale migration but instead involves a slower spread of a 'megalithic' idea, transmitted via maritime connections between communities, who may have exchanged artefacts, ideas and people over a considerable period of time. It appears likely that entrance graves appeared after the establishment of long-term patterns of exchange of objects and materials, including gold lunulae, tin, Beakers and copper alloy objects between communities across the Irish Sea (for example, Jones et al 2011). However, these connections were more than of a purely economic nature and should be seen part of the maintenance of long-distance kinship networks between dispersed communities (cf.…”

Daggers in the West: Early Bronze Age Daggers and Knives in the South-west Peninsula

“…However, recent study and synthesis of the Early Bronze Age in other regions has begun to reveal diversity in Early Bronze Age funerary practices (Garwood 2007, 148-55;Lewis 2007;Bradley & Fraser 2010;Morigi et al 2011, 218-45). In the south-west peninsula, where analysis has been undertaken on cremation burials, these have often found to be either token or to represent several individuals (Jones & Quinnell 2008;Jones et al 2011). In spite of these advances, very few burial deposits associated with 'classic' Early Bronze Age artefacts such as daggers have been securely dated, and few burial deposits associated with these artefacts have been closely examined to establish whether they represent partial, whole, or multiple individuals.…”