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Building Stonehenge? An alternative interpretation of lipid residues in Neolithic Grooved Ware from Durrington Walls

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 July 2019

Lisa-Marie Shillito
Lisa-Marie Shillito*
Affiliation:
School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Lipid residues identified in Grooved Ware pottery from Durrington Walls have been interpreted as evidence for large-scale feasting associated with the construction of Stonehenge, around 2500 BC. While a function related to food consumption is possible, other explanations may be equally plausible. An alternative interpretation not previously considered is that these residues may be related to a non-food use of animal resources, such as in the production of tallow. Such an interpretation would support the ‘greased sled’ theory for the transport of the megaliths for Stonehenge.

Keywords

Neolithic BritainDurrington WallsStonehengelipid residues
Type
Debate
Information
Antiquity , Volume 93 , Issue 370 , August 2019 , pp. 1052 - 1060
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2019 

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