Cornish Archaeology 3737-8 (38)

Archaeological investigations along the South West Water pipeline between Engelly and Sevenmilestone took place during the winter of 1995--1996. The results from a geophysical survey near to the Callestock Veor cider farm, led to the rescue excavation of a long-lived LBA circular structure which dated between approximately 1100 and 700 BC. The structure was situated within an artificial hollow approximately 8m in diameter, with a long porch extending from its southern side. The discovery of the structure has added another type to the range of excavated BA buildings in lowland Cornwall. The structure did not seem to have been used as a domestic dwelling, but instead appears to have fulfilled a `ritualistic' function. Its excavation provided further evidence for the elaborate processes associated with the abandonment of BA buildings in Cornwall. In particular an important, though small, LBA ceramic assemblage was uncovered during the excavation which appears to demonstrate evidence for the long term curation and structured deposition of artefacts. There are notes on

Geophysical survey prompted by the discovery of a BA ditch in July 1996 revealed the circuit of the ditch was much larger than first thought. Secondary recording work in December 1996 found the ditch to be the oldest feature on the site and sherds of MBA pottery plus two radiocarbon dates ranging between 1396 and 840 BC. The site represents a rare large enclosure site of the period. There are specialist notes on:

Excavation in advance of commercial development recognized three enclosure ditches. The inner ditch had been recut but there were no other stratigraphic relationships between the ditches or with any other features. One large group of intercutting postholes surrounded by a ring-gully was recognised in the interior, with a group of intercutting pits and a straight alignment of postholes just to its north-east. Phasing was hampered by severe truncation. Artefactual and radiocarbon dating suggested occupation in at least the third and fourth centuries AD, with some evidence for earlier activity.

made on taking the fifteen objects to a meeting of the Lithic Studies Society in 2002.

Five new inscibed stones plus clearer readings of three others.

Youlstone no. 2 (Warbstow), Trefanck Cross (St Clether), and Tregrylls Cross (St Michael Lesnewth).

SMR, church archaeology, and numerous separately authored reports on other sites.