Cornish Archaeology / Hendhyscans Kernow (51)

A systematic programme of mapping archaeological sites in Cornwall visible on aerial photographs, carried out as part of English Heritage's National Mapping Programme, has resulted in the discovery of a large number of enclosures, most of which are presumed to date from the late Iron Age and Romano-British period. In the area around the Camel estuary this work has led to a fivefold increase in the number of known enclosures. This paper presents a detailed typological analysis of enclosures in the Camel estuary hinterland based on their size, shape and complexity. It reviews the evidence for internal features such as round and oval houses and associated features such as field systems. It also examines the distribution of the enclosures and considers what information this provides about the pre-medieval landscape. The paper highlights other parts of Cornwall where comparable numbers of enclosures have been recorded and outlines the potential for future research.

During April 2005 Cornwall County Council's Historic Environment Service undertook a programme of excavation in the grounds of Penlee House, Tregony, prior to development. A geophysical survey showed the presence of a rectilinear ditched enclosure and various pit-type anomalies. Excavation revealed a possible funerary enclosure of the Romano-British period. Two pottery vessels containing cremated human remains were recovered. Subsequent analysis showed that they belonged to a single individual, an elderly female, who had lived and died in the second century AD. This was the first modern excavation of a Roman-period cremation from Cornwall. Pits within and adjacent to the enclosure were found to contain evidence of burning, charcoal and large quantities of charred cereal grains, and are interpreted as corn dryers. A post-Roman radiocarbon date was obtained from grain within one of the pits.

Geophysical survey in advance of development at Penmayne, Rock, identified a series of curvilinear anomalies thought to represent late prehistoric settlement. Targeted evaluation trenching revealed three ring gullies associated with roundhouses of probable Middle Iron Age date. Three smaller structures superimposed upon the ring gullies indicated a later phase of Iron Age settlement. The work also discovered an Early Neolithic pit, associated with sherds of carinated bowl pottery and providing two radiocarbon dates in the mid-fourth millennium cal BC. The investigation has added further information about the character of Early Neolithic occupation in north Cornwall and is particularly important for providing close dating for carinated bowl pottery in the south west. A third determination of 380-190 cal BC came from a hearth associated with a small assemblage of broadly Middle Iron Age pottery. The archaeological recording has provided another late prehistoric unenclosed settlement site for comparison with others in lowland Cornwall.

An archaeological watching brief undertaken by Cornwall County Council Historic Environment Service on the route of a china clay pipeline identified evidence of a former field system, mining remains, a scatter of worked flint and an elongated burnt pit packed with charcoal. The latter feature produced late Roman'“early post-Roman radiocarbon determinations. The report discusses other similar features recently identified in Cornwall and the wider range of evidence for settlement and occupation in the late Roman'“early medieval period.

This short paper presents some images from a recently discovered set of black and white photographs of the prehistoric Try menhir and cairn excavation of 1958 and 1962, and from the colour archive collection from barrow excavations on the St Austell granite in the early 1970s. Details of each site are given and the photographs are described, focusing for the St Austell images on the use of 'yellow clay' in the construction of the barrows. The exercise serves to highlight the enduring value of excavation archives. LD

Short summaries of fieldwork and broader projects undertaken within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in 2010 and 2011. Historic Environment Projects, Cornwall Council have worked on the following sites and projects: Academy for Innovation and Research building and car park 4, Tremough, Penryn; Manor Tannery, Grampound; walled gardens at Restormel Manor, Lostwithiel; water supply, Antony House; Newquay sewer pipeline; Parknoweth Close, St Newlyn East; Chyverton, Mawnan Smith; Carveth Farm household waste recycling centre, Mabe; Bennett's Cottages, Penryn; Halt Road, St Newlyn East; Ford Farm, St Ive; Carne Hill, Trewoon; Mount's Bay School, Penzance; Pendennis Place, Penzance; Lanhydrock water main; Carnkie, Carn Brea; Geevor underground, St Just; Caradon Hill Area Heritage Project; Trengwainton Carn, Madron; piggery, Godolphin House, Breage; the 'shell seat' in Gyllyngdune Gardens, Falmouth; Tregew, Feock; the Lyonesse Project in the Isles of Scilly; Scheduled Monument Management: Conserving Cornwall's Past; Lanyon Farm, Madron; Lansallos to Polruan electricity supply trenching; Bosiliack, Madron; Wacker Quay trail, Antony; Siblyback reservoir, St Cleer; Higher Bal, St Agnes; Moorswater, Liskeard; Pengersick Castle, Breage; Parkyn's Shop, Newquay airport; Higher Trencreek, Newquay; Penare to Hemmick pipeline, St Goran; St Stephen's Hill, Newport, Launceston; Lower Bodiniel, Bodmin; Pentewan, St Austell; Stratton School, Bude; electricity supply, Lanhydrock; Clodgy Moor, Paul; Codda farmhouse, Altarnum; Tuckingmill weir, Warbstow; Trewavas, Breage; farm outbuildings at Gwills, Gunwalloe; Duchy Palace, Lostwithiel; Archaeological Skills and Training Project, Isles of Scilly; and a pilot field boundary characterisation project for the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Bristol and Region Archaeological Services undertook work at: 2 and 4 Fore Street, Copperhouse, Hayle; Trevaster Farm, Porth Kea, Kea; Greylake Barns, Camelford; Ford Farm, St Ive; Trefinnick Farm, Bray Shop, Callington; West Ditchen Farm, North Tamerton; and Poldory View, Carharrack. Cotswold Archaeology undertook work at: Harvey's Foundry, Hayle, and Tregunnel Hill, Newquay. John Moore Heritage Services conducted investigations at: Alexander House, 6 College Ope, Penryn, and Tregolls Road, Truro. LD