Medieval Archaeology 16

Continuous fieldwork since 1966 has been concerned with discovering the total settlement-pattern of the area from Mesolithic times until the present day. Already more than 100 occupation sites have been discovered in an area of c 5 sq m, and since the rate of discovery does not abate, the project cannot be regarded as anywhere near completion. Nevertheless it is felt that sufficient is now known of Saxon and medieval settlement and land-use in this area to offer an outline of development as follows: 1, c AD 350-450, growth of large nucleated settlements at the expense of isolated farmsteads; 2, 450-900, establishment of villages, often on hill tops, as principal concentrations of population; 3, 900-1000, shift to new locations, often in valley bottoms, but some original villages continuing; 4, 1000-1400, gradual expansion and new colonisation of waste; 5, 1400-1800, localised changes only. Au(adp)

Some facets of rural settlement morphology within the county are examined, and the way in which all villages involve particular combinations of universal structural components is demonstrated. This provides grounds for a logical classification and a framework within which to explore the origins of some of the identifiable plan-types. Close analysis of the most regular series, the two-row plans, indicates a strong measure of deliberate ordering; documentary and other evidence suggests that some villages first mapped in 19th century possess a plan-type that developed before 1200. Furthermore there may be traces of village-regulation (cf. Scandinavia - G C Homans). A possible date for the imposition of this regularity would be the years immediately after the widespread devastations in the north at end 11th century. Au(adp)

An attempt to assess the extent to which Chinese porcelain was available in Europe before 16th century. A catalogue of finds is presented; only two are earlier than mid-14th century. It seems that although leading families sometimes acquired porcelain vessels by gift or purchase, such vessels were always rare and costly before 16th century.

TQ 852284. Documents and fieldwork suggest the strong possibility that the outer earthworks at Newenden, Kent, represent both the half-made fort mentioned in Anglo-Saxon Chronicle s.a. 892 and the first fort, Eorpeburnan, of the Burghal Hidage list.

[ST 4299]. A 20-inch-high diabolo-shaped stone with a bowl hollowed out of its top is identified as an ecclesiastical lamp-holder, datable between 1070 and 1150, and probably from a monastic foundation at Llangwm known from documents.

The article discusses a series of radiocarbon dates from medieval structures near Harwell. Two are analysed in detail, and it is suggested that the later 13th century dates for these buildings, derived very precisely from the radiocarbon determinations, should be seen to be in accord with typological dating. PWD

Ambiguity has occurred in recent discussions of longhouses, and the plea is that the term "longhouse" be used only in the sense "house-and-byre"; for excavated sites this means only when there is positive evidence of a byre. See also 74/2542.