Neolithic Stepping Stones : Excavation and Survey Within the Western Seaways of Britain, 2008-2014

The ‘western seaways’ are an arc of sea extending from the Channel Islands in the south, through the Isles of Scilly around to Orkney in the north. This maritime zone has long been seen as a crucial corridor of interaction during later prehistory. Connections across it potentially led, for example, to the eventual arrival of the Neolithic in Britain, almost 1000 years after it arrived on the near continent. This book’s primary focus is Early Neolithic settlement on islands within the ‘western seaways’ – sites that offer significant insight into the character of the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition in this particular maritime zone. It also explores a series of directly related, wider themes: the nature and effects of ‘island-ness’ in later prehistory; the visibility of material connections across the sea; the extent of Neolithic settlement variability across Britain; and the consequences of geographical biases in research for our understanding of the prehistoric past. At the heart of the book lie the results of three substantial excavations at L’Erée, Guernsey; Old Quay, St Martin’s (Isles of Scilly); and An Doirlinn, South Uist. Key findings include: the first major Mesolithic flint assemblage recovered from Scilly; one of the most extensively excavated and long-lasting Neolithic/Bronze Age occupation sites in the Channel Islands; the first substantial Neolithic settlement on Scilly; and the longest sequence of Neolithic/Early Bronze Age occupation on a single site from the Outer Hebrides. In order to contextualize the significance of these findings, we also present an extended discussion and broad synthesis of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology on each island group. Table of Contents 1. Introduction Introduction to the Stepping Stones project The Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Britain and Ireland: recent debates The 'western seaways': characterising palaeo-oceanographic seascapes The changing paleogeography of Britain and Ireland, c. 8000-1000 BC Early Neolithic settlement in Britain and Ireland The Mesolithic/Neolithic/EBA of the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly and Outer Hebrides An introduction to the sites: L'Erée, Old Quay and An Doirlinn Themes: island-ness, connectivity, settlement variability, different traditions of research 2. L'Eree, Guernsey Introduction to the site at L'Eree Survey and excavation strategy Results: the archaeology Pottery Flint Worked stone (polished stone ring + quern/rubber) Soils/micromorph Environmental Radiocarbon dating Discussion 3. Old Quay, St Martins, Isles of scilly Introduction to the site at Old Quay Previous work Research objectives Excavation strategy and methodology Results: the archaeology Pottery Flint Worked and utilised stone Pumice Soils/micromorph Environmental evidence Radiocarbon dating Discussion 4. An Doirlinn, South Uist Introduction to the site at An Doirlinn Survey and excavation strategy Results: the archaeology Pottery Flint Worked stone Pumice Bone Environmental Radiocarbon dating Survey of Orosay Discussion 5. Discussion Contrasting island Neolithics The Stepping Stones project: discussion Themes revisited: island-ness, connectivity, settlement variability, different traditions of research HISTORY / Europe / General Cover 1 Book Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 List of figures 8 List of tables 10 Acknowledgements 11 Chapter 1. Introduction 14 1.1. Introduction to the Stepping Stones project 14 1.2. The Mesolithic–Neolithic transition in Britain, Ireland and north-west France 14 1.3. The ‘western seaways’ 17 1.4. The changing palaeogeography of Britain and Ireland 18 Channel Islands 22 Isles of Scilly 22 Outer Hebrides 24 Summary 24 1.5. Early Neolithic settlement in Britain and Ireland 24 1.6. The Mesolithic, Neolithic and Early Bronze Age archaeology of the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly and Outer Hebrides 28 Channel Islands 28 Isles of Scilly 30 Outer Hebrides 32 1.7. Volume overview: key themes 35 Chapter 2. L’Erée, Guernsey, Channel Islands 38 2.1. Introduction 38 Geology and topography 38 Previous work at the site 41 Research objectives 41 2.2. Survey and excavation strategy 42 Survey strategy 42 Excavation strategy 42 Excavation methodology 44 2.3. Results 45 The soil sequence 45 Artefact distributions within the stratifi ed deposits 46 Archaeological features 48 2.4. Prehistoric pottery (by Anwen Cooper) 50 2.5. Chipped stone (by Anne Pirie & Donovan Hawley) 65 2.6. Worked stone (by Duncan Garrow & John Renouf) 74 2.7. Micromorphology (by Charles French) 76 2.8. Environmental analysis (by Julie Jones, Rob Scaife and Fraser Sturt) 78 2.9. Radiocarbon dating (by Duncan Garrow & Seren Griffiths) 82 2.10. Discussion: Mesolithic to Bronze Age occupation at L’Erée 82 Chapter 3. Old Quay, St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly 88 3.1. Introduction 88 Geology, topography and environment 88 Previous work at the site 91 Research objectives 92 3.2. Excavation strategy and methodology 92 3.3. Results 94 The soil sequence 94 Artefact distributions 95 Archaeological features 95 3.4. Prehistoric pottery (by Henrietta Quinnell with Roger Taylor) 104 3.5. Worked flint, chert and quartz (by Martin Tingle & Hugo Anderson-Whymark) 110 3.6. Worked stone (by Henrietta Quinnell with Roger Taylor) 127 3.7. Pumice (by Katharine Sawyer) 133 3.8. Environmental analysis (by Julie Jones, Ceren Kabukcu & Fraser Sturt) 134 3.9. Radiocarbon dating (by Duncan Garrow & Seren Griffiths) 140 3.10. Discussion: Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age and Romano-British occupation at Old Quay 141 Chapter 4. An Doirlinn, South Uist, Outer Hebrides 147 4.1. Introduction 147 Geology, topography and environment 147 Previous work at the site 152 Research objectives 153 4.2. Excavation strategy and methodology 154 4.3. Results 156 Phase 1: Hebridean Neolithic 156 Phase 2: Grooved Ware 163 Phase 3: Beaker 166 Phase 4: Modern 169 4.4. Prehistoric pottery (by Mike Copper) 170 4.5. Chipped stone (by Anne Pirie) 186 4.6. Worked and utilised stone (by Hugo Anderson-Whymark) 198 4.7. Pumice (by Elise Fraser) 204 4.8. Bone (by Duncan Garrow with Jaco Weinstock) 204 4.9. Environmental evidence (by Ceren Kabukcu, Julie Jones & Fraser Sturt) 207 4.10. Radiocarbon dating (by Duncan Garrow & Seren Griffiths) 213 4.11. Discussion: Early Neolithic to Early Bronze Age occupation at An Doirlinn 215 Chapter 5. Discussion: ‘insular connectivity’ across the western seaways 220 5.1. Introduction: ‘islandness’ – a context-specific concept 220 5.2. Differential traditions of research 221 5.3. Settlement variability 221 5.4. Material signatures of connectivity and ‘islandness’ 222 5.5. Summary: ebbs and flows, contrasts and contradictions, connections and separations 224 Appendix 1. Chipped stone post-excavation analysis sampling strategies 226 Bibliography 228 The 'western Seaways' Are An Arc Of Sea Extending From The Channel Islands In The South, Through The Isles Of Scilly Around To Orkney In The North. This Maritime Zone Has Long Been Seen As A Crucial Corridor Of Interaction During Later Prehistory. Connections Across It Potentially Led, For Example, To The Eventual Arrival Of The Neolithic In Britain, Almost 1000 Years After It Arrived On The Near Continent. This Book's Primary Focus Is Early Neolithic Settlement On Islands Within The 'western Seaways'--sites That Offer Significant Insight Into The Character Of The Mesolithic-neolithic Transition In This Particular Maritime Zone. It Also Explores A Series Of Directly Related, Wider Themes: The Nature And Effects Of 'island-ness' In Later Prehistory; The Visibility Of Material Connections Across The Sea; The Extent Of Neolithic Settlement Variability Across Britain; And The Consequences Of Geographical Biases In Research For Our Understanding Of The Prehistoric Past. At The Heart Of The Book Lie The Results Of Three Substantial Excavations At L'erée, Guernsey; Old Quay, St Martin's (isles Of Scilly); And An Doirlinn, South Uist. Key Findings Include: The First Major Mesolithic Flint Assemblage Recovered From Scilly; One Of The Most Extensively Excavated And Long-lasting Neolithic/bronze Age Occupation Sites In The Channel Islands; The First Substantial Neolithic Settlement On Scilly; And The Longest Sequence Of Neolithic/early Bronze Age Occupation On A Single Site From The Outer Hebrides. In Order To Contextualise The Significance Of These Findings, We Also Present An Extended Discussion And Broad Synthesis Of Mesolithic, Neolithic And Bronze Age Archaeology On Each Island Group--publisher Description. Introduction: Introduction To The Stepping Stones Project -- L'erée, Guernsey, Channel Islands -- Old Quay, St. Martin's, Isles Of Scilly -- An Doirlinn, South Uist, Outer Hebrides -- Discussion: Insular Connectivity Across The Western Seaways -- Appendix 1: Chipped Stone Post-excavation Analysis Sampling Strategies. Edited By Duncan Garrow And Fraser Sturt. Includes Bibliographical References. Scope and content: "The 'western seaways' are an arc of sea extending from the Channel Islands in the south, through the Isles of Scilly around to Orkney in the north. This maritime zone has long been seen as a crucial corridor of interaction during later prehistory. Connections across it potentially led, for example, to the eventual arrival of the Neolithic in Britain, almost 1000 years after it arrived on the near continent. This book's primary focus is Early Neolithic settlement on islands within the 'western seaways'--sites that offer significant insight into the character of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in this particular maritime zone. It also explores a series of directly related, wider themes: the nature and effects of 'island-ness' in later prehistory; the visibility of material connections across the sea; the extent of Neolithic settlement variability across Britain; and the consequences of geographical biases in research for our understanding of the prehistoric past. At the heart of the book lie the results of three substantial excavations at L'Erée, Guernsey; Old Quay, St Martin's (Isles of Scilly); and An Doirlinn, South Uist. Key findings include: the first major Mesolithic flint assemblage recovered from Scilly; one of the most extensively excavated and long-lasting Neolithic/Bronze Age occupation sites in the Channel Islands; the first substantial Neolithic settlement on Scilly; and the longest sequence of Neolithic/early Bronze Age occupation on a single site from the Outer Hebrides. In order to contextualise the significance of these findings, we also present an extended discussion and broad synthesis of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology on each island group"--Publisher description The ‘western seaways’ are an arc of sea extending from the Channel Islands in the south, through the Isles of Scilly around to Orkney in the north. This maritime zone has long been seen as a crucial corridor of interaction during later prehistory. Connections across it potentially led, for example, to the eventual arrival of the Neolithic in Britain, almost 1000 years after it arrived on the near continent. This book’s primary focus is Early Neolithic settlement on islands within the ‘western seaways’ – sites that offer significant insight into the character of the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition in this particular maritime zone. It also explores a series of directly related, wider themes: the nature and effects of ‘island-ness’ in later prehistory; the visibility of material connections across the sea; the extent of Neolithic settlement variability across Britain; and the consequences of geographical biases in research for our understanding of the prehistoric past. At the heart of the book lie the results of three substantial excavations at L’Erée, Guernsey; Old Quay, St Martin’s (Isles of Scilly); and An Doirlinn, South Uist. Key findings include: the first major Mesolithic flint assemblage recovered from Scilly; one of the most extensively excavated and long-lasting Neolithic/Bronze Age occupation sites in the Channel Islands; the first substantial Neolithic settlement on Scilly; and the longest sequence of Neolithic/Early Bronze Age occupation on a single site from the Outer Hebrides. In order to contextualise the significance of these findings, we also present an extended discussion and broad synthesis of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology on each island group. The 'western seaways' are an arc of sea extending from the Channel Islands in the south, through the Isles of Scilly around to Orkney in the north. This maritime zone has long been seen as a crucial corridor of interaction during later prehistory. Connections across it potentially led, for example, to the eventual arrival of the Neolithic in Britain, almost 1000 years after it arrived on the near continent. 0This book's primary focus is Early Neolithic settlement on islands within the 'western seaways' - sites that offer significant insight into the character of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in this particular maritime zone. It also explores a series of directly related, wider themes: the nature and effects of `island-ness' in later prehistory; the visibility of material connections across the sea; the extent of Neolithic settlement variability across Britain; and the consequences of geographical biases in research for our understanding of the prehistoric past. At the heart of the book lie the results of three substantial excavations at L'Eree, Guernsey; Old Quay, St Martin's (Isles of Scilly); and An Doirlinn, South Uist.0Key findings include: the first major Mesolithic flint assemblage recovered from Scilly; one of the most extensively excavated and long-lasting Neolithic/Bronze Age occupation sites in the Channel Islands; the first substantial Neolithic settlement on Scilly; and the longest sequence of Neolithic/Early Bronze Age occupation on a single site from the Outer Hebrides. In order to contextualise the significance of these findings, we also present an extended discussion and broad synthesis of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology on each island group