Title: |
Archaeological Recording at Land Adjacent to the Harlyn Inn, Harlyn, Cornwall |
Number of Pages: |
9 |
Biblio Note |
Please note that this is a bibliographic record only, as originally entered into the BIAB database.
The ADS have no files for download, and unfortunately cannot advise further on where to access hard copy or digital versions.
|
Publication Type: |
Report
|
Abstract: |
The proximity of the site to the Scheduled Iron Age cemetery meant that there was potential for the recovery of prehistoric archaeological remains. However, the watching brief demonstrated that the site now occupies sterile bedrock. The terracing of the former caravan site into the slope to the west had effectively removed any archaeological deposits. Groundworks at the western boundary exposed deep sand deposits sealing a buried soil that had developed over weathered slate bedrock. The dune deposits represent at least two phases of encroachment, which may have caused dramatic changes in the local environment. The previously recorded 4m depth of dune stratigraphy overlying the adjacent Iron Age cemetery (Whimster 1977) indicates that the dune deposits were diminishing towards the east. The Early Bronze Age radiocarbon date range of the buried soil (1920-1680 CalBC) broadly concurs with the Early Bronze Age date of 1975 BC obtained for a similar buried soil sampled from beneath the stone circular structure on the cemetery site in 1976 (Layers 9 and 10 in Whimster 1977). This soil was also charcoal-rich and overlay the bedrock. Limited mollusc analysis carried out on this soil after the 1976 excavations suggested that the pre-dune environment was composed of scrubby undergrowth (ibid., 71). The high density of charcoal within the buried soil might suggest clearance or land management in the vicinity. Alternatively, the material could be derived from domestic fires (a possibility reinforced by the presence of charred hazelnut shells), although its limited exposure precludes definitive interpretation. Although the eastern limit of the cemetery may have been reached during its excavation in 1900-5, the subsequent loss of 70 of the grave locations (Whimster 1977) meant that the boundary could not be established with certainty. However, the reconstructed plan based on the original site notes (Fig. 4) indicates that the burials were concentrated under the museum and to the south of it, and this may explain why no evidence of graves was encountered during the recent works. [Au(adp)] |
Author: |
C J M Whitton
|
Publisher: |
Exeter Archaeology
|
Year of Publication: |
2004
|
Subjects / Periods: |
1975 Bc (Auto Detected Temporal) |
PREHISTORIC
(Historic England Periods)
|
|
Early Bronze Age (Auto Detected Temporal) |
IRON AGE
(Historic England Periods)
|
|
IRON AGE
(Historic England Periods)
|
|
|
Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
2004
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: HARLYN INN, HARLYN Study area: Investigation type: Post-determination/Research District: North Cornwall Monument: Ngr: SW87807530 Parish: Postcode:
|
Source: |
BIAB
(Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP))
|
Created Date: |
19 Jan 2009 |