| Abstract: |
Report on Phase 1 of extensive excavations of a development site south-west of Reading, Berkshire, which located Neolithic, Late Bronze Age and Roman settlement and activity. This is one of the first sites whose discovery, excavation and publication were completely funded by the developer as a result of the local authority's archaeological policy. The Neolithic activity is characterised by pits, postholes and flintwork, with a notable absence of pottery. The specialised forms of artefacts point to resource-specific activity rather than normal domestic activity. A cattle burial, common on ceremonial sites, was found. Two of the four Late Bronze Age settlement foci were excavated, revealing the largest number of LBA round houses so far discovered in the south of England. Semi-circular segmented buildings, four- and six-post structures and two-post supports were also found. One area showed a high degree of organisation, with paired houses apparently arranged in line, a large open space and an activity/storage area. A line of flax retting pits flanked a trackway. Extensive associated field systems were partially examined. Further investigations are beginning to demonstrate the density of LBA sites in the Kennet valley. For the Roman period lst-century AD enclosures were partially examined, although the principal areas of occupation were not uncovered. Other features of 2nd- to 4th-century date were part of enclosures and linear boundaries, probably field systems, and peripheral activities associated with another site to the west. There are specialist reports on the artefacts:\\bold{} `The prehistoric pottery' (63--82), by Melanie `Insect Remains from two Late Bronze Age waterlogged features' (112--16), by Mark Robinson. |
