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Food for the Living: a Reassessment of a Bronze Age Barrow at Buckskin, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

Michael J. Allen ,
Michael Morris ,
R.H. Clark ,
Barbara Applin ,
A.M. ApSimon ,
Andrew C. King ,
M. Newbury ,
M.J.G. Russell ,
Rachael Seager Smith  and
I.K. Whitbread
Michael J. Allen
Affiliation:
Trust for Wessex Archaeology, Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury
Michael Morris
Affiliation:
Chester Archaeology, 27 Grosvenor St., Chester
R.H. Clark
Affiliation:
Countryside Planning & Management, Cirencester
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Abstract

The analysis of Bronze Age barrow sites excavated as long ago as 25 years can provide information on more significant and wide ranging topics than basic funerary rites. At Buckskin no primary burial rite was recorded nor any high status artefacts found. The analysis, of stored soil samples and animal bones however, produced evidence for ceremonial activity and feasting prior to the construction of the barrow mound. This encourages discussion on both the role of this barrow and the primary function, other than interment, of similar monuments, especially from the evidence of environmental data. Study of both land Mollusca and faunal remains enabled a greater explanation of the cultural history of this monument and aided the site phasing.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 61 , 1995 , pp. 157 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 1995

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References

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