Antiquity 64

Draws attention to major features of a remarkable year for cropmark formation. Many sites were newly discovered, and exceptional clarity of detail emerged at well-known sites. Even crops like maize and flax were revelatory. RCHME was able to provide additional funding, but despite the extreme cost-effectiveness of aerial survey (partly because of the use of local flyers), resources are still too short for adequate exploration and post-flying examination.

Gustave d'Eichthal (1804-86) is shown to have preceded Daniel Wilson in the use of the word préhistorique (1843). Many writers were using the word by the 1860s - sometimes hyphenated, sometimes not - even if Lubbock's book of 1865 set the seal on its general use.

In a new reading, the inscription commits Oshere to the protection of All Saints. The find spot is close to All Saints' church, arguably back-datable to an early royal minster of 7th/8th century.

Why has archaeology failed so signally to make its own impact among the natural history concerns of the Green movement? In Victorian times learned papers had to be well written and jargon-free, depending as they did on financial support from the public to appear in print. The intrinsically elitist attitudes of the New (now Old!) Archaeology have had an unfortunately durable effect on bodies like TAG (Theoretical Archaeology Group); and the professional archaeologists of IFA (Institute of Field Archaeologists) display a similarly aloof, superior, and inward-looking attitude. All this prevents our discipline from rising on the political agenda: we must reach out and learn from our non-archaeological colleagues.

Intensive ring-matching and dating work has achieved an almost continuous English chronology spanning the years 4989-381 BC. The Sweet Track is now dated to the winter of 3807/3806 BC, with some later repairs; a significant environmental change (probably increased wetness) is suspected at this time. Examination of the Sweet Track evidence in greater detail indicates its labour requirements, the date of its immediate precursor the Post Track, the nature of the surrounding woodland and of the now well-dated associated artefacts including pottery, axes of E Sussex flint and ?Alpine jadeite, and wooden equipment in variety. Numerous European lakeside settlements belong to this period but the Sweet Track is the earliest (so far) European trackway.

The practice of industrial archaeology arose from a need to record and preserve standing structures: however, their understanding was felt in the 1960s-70s to depend entirely on written sources, and the study remains largely unsupported academically. One difficulty is that practitioners cannot decide whether they embrace industries of all periods from the Neolithic, or only the Industrial Revolution material. Meantime industrial museums have mushroomed and structures under threat are routinely recorded. Some case studies illustrate the view that 'industrial archaeology is a period study embracing the tangible evidence of social, economic, and technological development in the period since industrialization'. A national typology for industrial structures is needed, as are reference collections of artefacts and distribution maps to guide deeper analysis. (See also au's letter in Brit Archaeol News, 5, 1990, 43.)

This 'major occasion in the British archaeological calendar', now in its 12th year, is a recipe that works and is being adopted elsewhere. It began in 1977 in reaction to what appeared a shameful neglect of archaeological theory in British universities, but has proved successful in generating fresh directions such as the social and ideological use of space, 'gender' archaeology, and the socio-political context of archaeology. The success is due to its unitarian treatment of archaeology, the brevity of the papers which enforce argument rather than data recitation, and above all its excitement. However, few professors or senior members of English Heritage attend, and TAG's social and academic influence may be smaller than it would like.

Summarizes the conclusions of the recent International Collaborative Study (ICS) which revealed significant discrepancies between laboratories, and decided on procedures to ensure future quality control.

Excavations of the ship wrecked near Hastings in 1749 have already yielded much information to help understand, in conjunction with documentary evidence, the functioning and organization of the VOC (Dutch East India Company). Some divergences from the official ship-plans are noted. The gun deck deposits are dense with artefacts and other remains including vegetable and fruit seeds, tobacco, insect pests, the medicine chest, and a shipment of candlesticks.

A modified version of the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee paper presented to Parliament in 1989 (see 89/964).

Expresses doubts about Nora Chadwick's inference that Pictish curucis (curraghs) were anything like the Roman scout-boats or were coloured blue like them.

Meso bow-hunters would soon have learnt that large game is best killed by an arrow penetrating the thoracic cavity at short range, for which a sharp, cutting arrow was most effective. 'Cutting indices' calculated for some Scandinavian and N European arrowheads indicate 'fair' to 'excellent' efficiency; some other Meso types are also briefly discussed to show that improvement of efficiency cannot have been the cause of changing the arrowhead.

Even so apparently fact-based a topic as Palaeolithic archaeology is shown to have been greatly influenced by the unconscious attitudes and preconceptions of academics. In the 1930s, 'progressive evolution' was the doctrine of Breuil, working from a Catholic background in an Imperial ethic of stability. In the 1960s this French domination gave way to post-colonial American influence which was assisted by improved scientific dating techniques displacing the Breuil 'Big Sequence'. More recent concerns - the roots of the human family, 'green' ideas, information networks - seem to reflect our own society's anxieties. Throughout the 20th century the British have mainly played a 'service' role, writing syntheses and textbooks, and supplying graduates to overseas institutions.

A low-cost, fast method of dating can be carried out in about an hour in a lab equipped with a liquid scintillation counter. The advantages to the archaeologist are control of the dating process, rapid receipt of a preliminary result, and exposure of students to radiocarbon dating at first hand. Some results from the Middle and Far East are quoted. Freshwater molluscs and terrestrial gastropods can also be dated but the different techniques required are not discussed here. A refinement is under development at University College London.

The herm-like piece was found in 1944 but then lost until 1988 when it turned up on Chapel Down, St Martin's. Numerous parallels, mainly Continental, are cited and the discovery reinforces the tradition of a shrine here. (See also J Ratcliffe & C Parkes in Cornish Archaeol, 28, 1989, 259-60, 'Lost and found on Chapel Down: idol speculation')

Fleming's definition (1987) of coaxial field systems specifies a typically regular form based upon one prevailing axis of orientation. The practice is found over two millennia, but doubts are expressed over whether the design was actually perpetuated ritualistically over that time. The evolution, function, and survival of Roman cadastres, and such ritual as was associated with them, suggests that the idea of coaxial systems endured mainly for functional, informational, and legal reasons, rather than ideological ones as implied by the 'guardians of ritual' theory.

Discusses definitions of 'cemetery' in the megalithic context and demonstrates that the four principal passage tomb cemeteries - Boyne Valley, Loughcrew, Carrowkeel, and Carrowmore - exhibit formalized and repetitive spatial arrangements within defined areas, thus justifying the use of the term 'ritual landscape'. The large focal tombs were deliberately sited (and sized) to dominate, and the aggrandisement of these extra-large cemeteries took place from 3800 to 2900 BC, though they continued as dominant foci long afterwards. A dozen smaller cemeteries of three-twelve passage tombs each, and groups of other tomb types, are also considered.

Offers a strategy to ensure that history, including archaeology, will play a constructive and critical role in the formation of a new European identity. In particular archaeology needs to become fully incorporated in environmental policy, as is currently happening in Denmark. Archaeology during the last generation has become too local in scope and too narrow in outlook; a European archaeology needs new fora for cooperation (journals, conferences, etc), more training in heritage and political aspects, common minimum standards of legislation and funding, and the retention of long historical perspectives in school curricula and environmental programmes.

Basic radiography and CT (computed tomography) scanning techniques were used to locate precisely areas of gut within the abdomen and then to sample the gut with minimal destruction of surface tissues. Photographic and computer disc records were made. The food debris contained combined cereal and weed seeds, possibly eaten as gruel.

Excavations on the island of Tintagel confirmed the existence of a terrace below Site C and located two walls and sherds of B ware, while coincidental improvement of visitor access revealed a very rich midden deposit with A and B wares. Preliminary survey at the Haven, including underwater work, was also done. Work on Tintagel churchyard is briefly described (see 91/667 for a fuller report.)