Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 56

A map made by F N Hayward shows that the Lower Pal site of Baker's Hole was not at the location suggested by modern authors, which opens the possibility that modern techniques could be used at the true location to date the material recovered in 1909. Au (abr)

Lithic materials collected over five years of fieldwork are analysed in terms of geography, raw material, reduction sequences, manufacturing technology, and chronological typology. The transition to agriculture is argued as largely resulting from indigenous development, from the continuities seen in technology and settlement. Particular note is taken of the first prehistoric barley from the region, a 14C date in the Neolithic, prehistoric pottery, a rhyolite quarry, and several rich lithic assemblages (see also 91/364).

The general nature of explanations for the Meso-Neo transition in Britain and the current support for the notion of indigenous change are noted. The need for a more regional view of the transition is argued with reference to the upper Kennet valley and surrounding chalk downland in N Wiltshire. Problems in the recovery and presentation of later Meso settlement are discussed. A model of later Meso exploitation of the area from camps or bases outside it leads to the view that, whatever the cultural identity of those involved, there was a genuine agricultural colonization of the valley, involving new adaptations and new skills. Such infill is unlikely to have belonged to the primary phase of the establishment of agricultural settlement, and other possible cases of secondary infill in southern England and western Europe are noted. Au

Two basic groups are identified among the sources of the hammerstones imported to the Pike o'Stickle axe quarries. They have largely distinct distributions among the quarries, raising the possibility that different parts of the stone source could have been used by people coming from different areas of the surrounding lowlands. This has implications for the social importance of axe production on these sites - ie there may have been control of the resource. Au(amp)

The site was revealed through erosion of a hill path; excavation recovered two cordoned urns (one with repair holes), a fragment of bronze ?razor, and an associated cremation of a male of c 20 years. An impression of emmer wheat on one of the vessels tends to confirm pollen evidence for cultivation nearby.

More detailed planning has amplified the survey of this small island done by W F Grimes forty years ago. It is shown that the absence of med and later settlement has allowed the preservation of an almost undisturbed prehistoric landscape over two-thirds of the island. Small pounds and habitation sites have now been recorded at 1:100, and the fields were planned with the help of air photographs. Cairns, dams, and possible sweathouses are noted, and five loose groupings of settlements examined; they could date anywhere in the four millennia BC but probably represent a brief (100 year?) occupation, the island being difficult of access and having little fuel. Spatial analysis at hut, pound, and island level is briefly covered.

Discussion of recent books by Renfrew (1987) and Mallory (1989) on the IndoEuropean problem leads to the view that attempts by both authors to seek congruence between archaeological and linguistic evidence are mistaken. The two types of evidence require separate specialisms, and in particular the importance and independence of archaeological evidence is reaffirmed.