The Early Neolithic Architecture of the South Downs (British Archaeological Reports (BAR) International S.)

The primary aim of this volume is to summarize and assess for the first time all available primary evidence for the earliest forms of monumental architecture built within a geographically discrete area of the British Isles – the chalk landscapes of Central South-eastern England. This extremely detailed study includes all the significant mounds, land cuts, flint workings, and monumental architecture (4500-1500 BC) of the South Downs in context, including Blackpatch, Cissbury, and Harrow Hill. Front Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Table of Contents Preface 1. Setting the scene 2. Understanding Neolithic Monumental Architecture 3. Setting the current research agenda 4. Structuring the dataset 5. Horizontal land cuts 6. Vertical Land Cuts 7. Structured Mounds (Linear) 8. Deconstructing Horizontal Land Cuts 9. Deconstructing Vertical Land Cuts 10. Deconstructing Linear Mounds 11. The meaning of mounds 12. The meaning of vertical land cuts 13. The meaning of horizontal land cuts 14. Early Neolithic Monumental architecture of the South Downs in context 15. Bibliography Appendix 1: All potential Early Neolithic monument types assessed within the study area Appendix 2: Radiocarbon dating tables Illustrations A study of the early forms of Neolithic monumental architecture based on the author's thesis, with evidence taken from the results of excavations and surveys, published and unpublished material and antiquarian accounts. The evidence is divided into various monument types: horizontal and vertical land cuts, linear mounds, shafts and pits and various ditch and bank enclosures. Russell explains his research agenda, methodology, presents the evidence and questions the functional attributes and classification systems for many of the monuments. Miles Russell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 117-133).