Historic England Research Reports

Tree-ring analysis of timbers from the bellframe (dated by inscription to 1682) confirmed this date for the construction.

This report provides a brief introduction, guide and commentary to the Dartmoor air photo survey project that used manual transcription methods to interpret and map all archaeological features visible on aerial photographs onto 1:10,560 map overlays. The corpus of maps, lists and record forms were created over the period 1 December 1984 - 29 November 1985 by staff from the Air Photography Unit of the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (now part of the English Heritage Remote Sensing Team). A summary of the archaeological background is followed by an outline of the objectives and methods of the project, together with sections and appendices defining the quality and limitations of the resulting evidence. The report concludes with a number of broader archaeological observations, although it is recognized that the limited terms and resources of the project did not permit a definitive analytical assessment.

A series of environmental samples were taken during the 1981 excavations at Fiskerton Causeway. Some of the samples from this wetland site were examined, mainly for pollen and seeds, but there are also some results from beetle remains produced by Peter Osborne. There is a large wetland flora which is probably indicative of what was growing in the immediate surroundings of the site. A few dry land plants indicate open land and grassland. Others are indicative of scrub which seems to have replaced alder carr at about the same time that the site was used. The plant and insect evidence seems to agree with ideas that the site was used as a cattle droveway in connection with a crossing of the River Witham at that point.

Three small samples of human bone from this site were examined. Two of the samples consisted entirely of skull fragments, both most probably from adults. The third sample contained parts of the skull and lower body of an infant.

Four brooches were analysed qualitatively by XRF. The results and analytical parallels are provided.

Over 50 crucibles and crucible sherds were examined under a low-power microscope and the metal-rich depositson them analysed qualitatively by X-Ray fluorescence. The results show that a range of copper alloys, silver and gold were all being worked. Most of the crucibles were small, hand-made thumb pots but fragments of a few other forms including 'heating trays' were also noted.

Over 200 non-ferrous metal medieval dress fittings were analysed. A quantitative microanalysis system was used to analyse four gold rings, but qualitative X-ray fluorescence was used to analyse the other objects. No sample preparation was used in either case. The compositions of the copper and lead/tin alloy objects are described in terms of broad alloy types and comments are made about the alloys used for particular groups of objects. Some groups were found to have fairly consistent compositions (within the limits of the method used). Among the copper alloy objects these included bells, headdresses and mounts all of which were consistently brass. Of the lead/tin objects, bells, studs and strap ends were generally tin, whereas mirror cases and brooches were pewter. Other groups were of variable composition and the interpretation of the results may be clearer when more archaeological and typological information is available. Qualitative analysis (subject to the uncertainties introduced by lack of surface preparation) of the gold rings are given. In three cases the gold was heavily debased by silver and copper giving an alloy containing about 45%-55% gold. The mount on the fourth ring was of similar composition but the ring itself was less debased (about 75% gold).

Both waterlogged and dry deposits were sampled for plant remains, the former yielding fairly rich assemblages of plant microfossils, the latter small amounts of carbonised grain. The seed assemblages from the waterlogged contexts were remarkably similar, comprising mainly seeds from waste and disturbed ground, a typical urban 'background' flora. This supports the interpretation that the deposits were dumped and, taken in conjunction with evidence from earthworm egg capsules and the sometimes sandy matrix of the deposits, suggests that soil from waste ground was being incorporated into the deposits. A small component of seeds probably originated with hay , and a few fruit stones and seeds represent food debris and plants of economic significance, some probably imported. Garden soil may be a component of one or two of the deposits, while a fairly high aquatic component in some of the lower levels may evidence periods of flooding.

Two amphorae sherds from Furzey Island, Dorset, probably belonging to a Dressel 1 amphora (or amphorae). They suggest a first century B.C. date.

Identification of a small group of amphorae from Catterick. These included a number of sherdsin the 'black sand' fabric characteristics of Campania, in particular the area around Pompeii and Herculaneum. A shoulder sherd amongst this group belongs to the Dressel 2-4 wine amphora type, while a rim and handle sherd may belong to a new type previously noted in northern Campania and possibly dated to the second century A.D. or later. A number of Gauloise 4 sherds were also noted.