Antiquity 84 (325)

Reports the scientific analysis of the burial - first excavated in the early nineteenth century - and its grave-goods. It is concluded that the burial is of a locally-born individual, with inherited high status, who had probably taken part in martial activities during his life-time. The development of archaeology as a discipline, as reflected in the initial 1834 publication of the burial and its reappraisal by the same author in 1872, is also considered. PP-B

Reviews: Hilary K. Murray, J. Charles Murray & Shannon M. Fraser `A tale of the unknown unknowns: a Mesolithic pit alignment and a Neolithic timber hall at Warren Field, Crathes, Aberdeenshire' (2009, Oxbow; 978-1-84217-347-3); Anna Ritchie `On the fringe of Neolithic Europe: excavation of a chambered cairn on the Holm of Papa Westray, Orkney' (2009, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; 978-0-903903-47-9); Chris Fenton-Thomas `A place by the sea: excavations at Sewerby Cottage Farm, Bridlington' (2009, On-Site Archaeology (On-Site Archaeology Monograph 1); 978-0-9561965-0-7); Lilian Ladle & Ann Woodward `Excavations at Bestwall Quarry, Wareham 1992'“2005. Volume 1: the prehistoric landscape' (Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Monograph 19, 2009; 978-0-900341-88-5); Martin Smith & Megan Brickley `People of the long barrow: life, death and burial in the earlier Neolithic' (2009, The History Press; 978-0-7524-4733-9); Kenny Brophy & Gordon Barclay (ed.) `Defining a regional Neolithic: the evidence from Britain and Ireland' (2009, Oxbow; 978-1-84217-333-6); and Vicki Cummings `A view from the West: the Neolithic of the Irish Sea zone' (2009, Oxbow; 978-1-84217-362-6). Concludes that there is a lack of knowledge and critical thinking displayed by some authors. PP-B