Medieval Archaeology 20

The existence of a lagoon, previously believed to have been a primary reason for the siting of the port, was disproved by sedimentary analysis. Timber buildings included oblong structures with wall posts set in continuous trenches; one structure had an extra room raised on ground cills. Two bow-sided buildings, a pit with corner posts, a keyhole-shaped iron smelting furnace and bowl hearth are also discussed. Trade connections and the town's status are considered. Au(adp)

TL 381007. Reports excavations on a range of 14th century rooms of the Augustinian abbey butting up against the W side of the 12th century claustral buildings. Pre-conquest remains are interpreted as a rectangular late Viking turf-walled hall of aisled construction, possibly associated with Cnut's minister Tovi. Earlier pits, gullies and a ditch are probably 9th century. Pottery runs from 9th to 17th centuries and includes imported wares, other finds include gilded silver and bronze ornaments, bone objects, medieval floor tiles, building materials, jettons etc, food debris and an Anglo-Saxon alphabet inscribed on lead. Au(adp)

The faceted garnet in this cross cannot be an original part of the jewel, since James Douglas' account in Nenia Britannica of its finding records an empty sockct; moreover AS garnets never had multiple facets.

Brief gazetteer of thirty-seven sites with stone crosses, hogbacks and other carved stonework; this adds twenty-six religious sites to the eleven already known from documentary or architectural evidence in the area. Some preliminary implications are discussed, but detailed analysis is proceeding.

The desertion of Barton Blount (Derbyshire) was attributed by the excavator to climatic deterioration, but there is ample documentary evidence from the area to show that economic reasons may at least have contributed to, if not been the main cause of, the decline. In particular there was a marked shift from arable to pastoral farming in 14th century Derbyshire. Archaeologists in general tend to rely too much on climatic reasons and fail to use the relevant historical evidence.

Proposes a terminology designed to be as free of ambiguity and typological overtones as possible. At the first level of hierarchical description the combs are single or double sided, simple or composite. The next level defines parts - end, teeth (fine or coarse), base etc; Geometric terms are used to describe the shape of any part, and styles and zones. See also 77/4607.