Wells, R. (2022). Land west of Grice Court Staindrop County Durham: post-excavation analysis. Archaeological Services Durham University. https://doi.org/10.5284/1100895. Cite this using datacite

Title
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Title:		 Land west of Grice Court Staindrop County Durham: post-excavation analysis
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Series:		 Archaeological Services University of Durham unpublished report series
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Downloads:
archaeol3-509578_191618.pdf (8 MB) : Download
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DOI
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.5284/1100895
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Publication Type:		 Report (in Series)
Abstract
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Abstract:		 Radiocarbon dating, updated analyses of artefacts and palaeoenvironmental evidence, discussion of site with regard to regional context. The excavation was centred on a low oval mound that was found to be natural in origin. A small group of features comprising 2 small pits/ postholes and 1 larger midden pit were found on the southern edge of the mound and were dated to the Early Neolithic (c.3720-3370 cal BC). These are interpreted as the remains of transient domestic activity, possibly a temporary structure similar to those found in the Milfield Basin. A ring gully was identified encircling the mound, dating to the Early Bronze Age (3470-2240 cal BC). Although a Middle Iron Age date was also obtained for this feature, this is considered to be intrusive. 2 pits, one inside and one outside the ring gully, were also dated to this phase. This in interpreted as a possible open area ceremonial site, and could be related to funerary or domestic activity, or a mixture of the two. A further pit, dating to the Middle Bronze Age (1420-1260 cal BC) was also recorded outside the ring-gully. This represents transient activity and demonstrates recurrent use of the site throughout the early prehistoric period. 4 lithic artefacts, comprising 3 flakes/ blade fragments and a crested blade were recovered. These were typologically dated to the Mesolithic/ Early Neolithic period. The 3 flakes/ blades were recovered from the Early Neolithic midden pit, while the crested blade was recovered from the Early Bronze ring gully. The blade is considered intrusive from earlier activity due to its typology. The palaeoenvironmental evidence is consistent with transient activity, and could be either domestic or funerary. It shows a distinct change in wood fuel use, from oak and hazel in the Early Neolithic, to alder and ash in the Bronze Age features. This reflects an increasingly damp climate and is consistent with evidence from across the region. The regional research framework (Petts & Gerrard 2006) contains an agenda for archaeological research in the region, which is incorporated into regional planning policy implementation with respect to archaeology. In this instance, the archaeological resource addresses agenda items: Palaeolithic and Mesolithic: Miv. The Mesolithic/Neolithic transition; Neolithic and Early Bronze Age: NBi. Early settlement in an upland/lowland context; NBii. Settlement chronology; NBiii: Monumentality.
Author
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Author:		 R Wells
Publisher
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Publisher:		 Archaeological Services Durham University
Year of Publication
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Year of Publication:		 2022
Locations
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Locations:
Parish: Staindrop
District: County Durham
Country: England
County: Durham
Grid Reference: 413599, 520219 (Easting, Northing)
Subjects / Periods
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Subjects / Periods:
ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS (Event)
MOUND (Monument Type England)
NONE MOUND (Tag)
OVAL ENCLOSURE (Monument Type England)
EARLY BRONZE AGE OVAL ENCLOSURE (Tag)
PIT (Monument Type England)
EARLY NEOLITHIC PIT (Tag)
PIT (Monument Type England)
EARLY BRONZE AGE PIT (Tag)
PIT (Monument Type England)
MIDDLE BRONZE AGE PIT (Tag)
POST HOLE (Monument Type England)
EARLY NEOLITHIC POST HOLE (Tag)
CRESTED BLADE (Object England)
EARLY NEOLITHIC CRESTED BLADE (Tag)
BLADE (Object England)
EARLY NEOLITHIC BLADE (Tag)
FLAKE (Object England)
EARLY NEOLITHIC FLAKE (Tag)
EARLY BRONZE AGE (Historic England Periods)
MIDDLE BRONZE AGE (Historic England Periods)
EARLY NEOLITHIC (Historic England Periods)
NONE (Historic England Periods)
Identifiers
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Identifiers:
OASIS Id: archaeol3-509578
Report id: 5767
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Created Date
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Created Date:		 21 Nov 2022