Medieval Archaeology 42

Excavation at the site of two medieval fishing platforms on the edge of Whittles Mere in Cambridgeshire recovered a substantial assemblage of fish remains, pottery and lead weights. Although no structures survived due to peat shrinkage, distribution patterning of the finds enabled a reconstruction of activity and deposition on the site through time. These interpretations can also be placed in a wider context of medieval fisheries and fish consumption with particular reference to this part of the Fens. Includes `The pottery assemblage' by David Hall (26-- 32), `The lead weights' by Val Fryer (32--7), `Fish remains' by Brian Irving (37--40) and `Appendix: a note on the stratigraphy of Holme Fen' by C A I French (43--4).

A hoard of Roman gold and silver coins is described and a consideration made of the local context.

Whilst whale bone objects are known from early medieval sources, evidence for whale hunting is scarce. it is concluded that much of the bone came from cetaceans stranded on the shore. Two partially butchered whale skeletons have recently been discovered.