Medieval Archaeology 32

An assessment of previously unstudied animal bones from the site shows evidence of local exchange of livestock. The hillfort, though not operating within a subsistence framework, may not have been a centre for long-distance trade. C M H

Excavation of a moated site which 14C dates suggest was of Dark Age date. The site was probably a fortress and other similar sites are discussed, some of them also documented battle sites, Welsh and Mercian. There may have been a line of English forts along Offa's Dyke. C M H

Survey and excavation of a group of pillow mounds in association with four buildings. Below the earthen mounds, on the former ground surface, were alignments of flat stones found to cover a network of artificial burrows for rabbits. A 14C date from burnt vegetation beneath one mound provided a date of ad 1375 + 60. The buildings were found to be of typical Welsh upland form. A note is appended on pillow mounds in the Dolaucothi mining complex (description and survey) by G A M Gerrard. Au (abr CMH)

The author defends his account of Houndtor, Hutholes and Dinna Clerks (see abstract 80/7306) against suggestions (85/2053, 86/1746) that (i) the 8th century or later turf buildings did not exist, (ii) that the excavated settlement at Houndtor was 13th century. C M H

A cast bronze bell with hexagonal body and ring-and-dot decoration has close parallels from pagan Viking graves in Iceland and Britain. F B

A jug in Scarborough Museum is identified as 19th century Provençal, rather than of local medieval origin. F B