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LOST LANDSCAPESOxford Archaeology Monograph No. 26
Projects supported by £8.8 million of funding from the British Government under the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) administered by English Heritage (now Historic England) have completely transformed our understanding of the Palaeolithic and contributed to our understanding of Pleistocene environments in Britain. This is a period of multiple Ice Ages interspersed with warmer periods, which forms the backdrop for human evolution. The benefits to archaeology and for the interpretation of these fragile remains from this ancient epoch have been incalculable. This volume draws together the results of this research in a series of thematic chapters and illustrated text boxes focusing on key techniques, methodologies and case studies, providing a commentary for the non-specialist. Insights obtained from projects have helped to define future priorities and milestones for Palaeolithic research.
of Palaeolithic Britainedited byMark WhitewithMartin Bates, Matthew Pope, Danielle Schreve, Beccy Scott, Andrew Shaw and Elizabeth Stafford
Figure 2.1.1 An example of a foraminifer: Elphidium excavatumFigure 2.1.2 Effects of glacials and interglacials on the 18O/16O ratio of sea waterFigure 2.1.3 Marine oxygen isotope trace from deep-sea sediment core V28-238
Figure 2.2.1 Distribution of gravel bodies in the eastern and western Solent Figure 2.2.2 Long profiles of the eastern Solent terraces using the PASHCC scheme Figure 2.2.3 Distribution of marine and fluvial sediments in the PASHCC study areaFigure 2.2.4 Elevation of marine sediments from selected sites in the PASHCC coastal plain study area Figure 2.2.5 Schematic section through the West Sussex Coastal Plain showing the main stratigraphic units recognised today from integrated studies of boreholes and published records
Figure 2.3.1 Long profile cut through a variety of sediments, Southfleet Road, north Kent Figure 2.3.2 Preparing section for traditional recording by drawing, Southfleet Road, north Kent Figure 2.3.3 Fence diagram showing deposit phases, Southfleet Road, north Kent Figure 2.3.4 Terrestrial laser survey at Hodge Ditch Figure 2.3.5 Hodge Ditch 1, 2 and 3 point data interpolated in ArcMap 10 using inverse distance weighting and displayed in ArcScene in 3D using height valuesFigure 2.3.6 A: photograph of stepped face of Hodge Ditch I used for dating
Figure 2.4.1 DC electrical survey equipment laid out along a transect at West Wittering, SussexFigure 2.4.2 EM 31 electromagnetic survey at Allhallows in the Medway Estuary, KentFigure 2.4.3 DC electrical sections from West Wittering showing conductive sediments in blue and non-conductive sediments in red/yellow. Figure 2.4.4 EM 31 electromagnetic survey results from West Street, Selsey. Contour plot of conductivity values indicate a highly conductive zone equivalent with the position of the channel Figure 2.4.5 Excavated edge of West Street, Selsey. Channel as predicted from the EM 31 conductivity surveyFigure 2.4.6 A: Electrical pseudo-section fence diagram; B: Inferred stratigraphy from Allhallows study area
Figure 2.5.1 OSL sampling and measurement from a raised beach at St Clement, JerseyFigure 2.5.2 A: OSL age estimates from Hodge Ditch I, Chard Junction, listed in stratigraphic order; B: Age-depth plot for Hodge Ditch I optical dating samples, Chard Junction. MIS curve from ODP 677Figure 2.5.3 Bayesian modelling of accepted optical age estimates within the Broom Sand and Silt Bed
Figure 2.6.1 L- and D-amino acid structure Figure 2.6.2 Plot of IcPD hydrolyzed vs IcPD free mean values, with 1 standard deviation, for shells of Bithynia tentaculata and Valvata piscinalisFigure 2.6.3 A: Lower Thames terrace stratigraphy; B: Hyd IcPD vs Free IcPD for the Thames aminostratigraphic sequence. Each point represents the overall extent of intra- crystalline protein decomposition from an individual Bithynia tentaculata opercula sample
Figure 2.7.1 Palaeogeographic map for an interglacial during the early Middle Pleistocene between 0.5 and 1 million years ago Figure 2.7.2 Ostracod range chart from the West Sussex Coastal Plain illustrating the main indicator species and their distributions
Figure 2.8.1 OSL dates from the West Sussex Coastal Plain area plotted against Marine Isotope StagesFigure 2.8.2 Regional palaeogeographical reconstructions for the PASHCC study area of the south coastFigure 2.8.3 Mr George Turton’s section drawing of the gravel deposits at Hilton, Derbyshire Figure 2.8.4 Modified transverse section through the terraces of the Middle Trent based on TVPP work showing the distribution of artefacts by terrace
Figure 2.9.1 GIS screenshot, superficial geology for the MTNT study area in the Lea ValleyFigure 2.9.2 Distribution of boreholes across the MTNT study areaFigure 2.9.3 Geoarchaeological model developed for the MTNT study areaFigure 2.9.4 GIS screenshot of the MTNT study area subdivided into different Palaeolithic archaeological zones and example of supporting data table for the HERFigure 2.9.5 GIS screenshot, zoned space in Kent for the MVPP
Figure 2.10.1 A view of the Valdoe QuarryFigure 2.10.2 Drilling on the Upper Coastal PlainFigure 2.10.3 Excavated landsurface at the Valdoe QuarryFigure 2.10.4 Finds under excavation at the Valdoe Quarry
Figure 3.1.1 A: An early Middle Pleistocene interglacial: peninsula Britain, MIS13. B: An early Middle Pleistocene late glacial: formation of pro-glacial North Sea lake C: Late Middle Pleistocene interglacial, the formation of island Britain. D: Late Pleistocene cold stage MIS 2, landscapes of the English Channel River and Doggerland
Figure 4.2.1 Modified bones from Lynford. A) Horse molars broken during extraction of marrow from the mandibular cavity; B) Reindeer tibia fragment showing impact scars from marrow extraction; C) Partial mammoth vertebra showing attached fragment of adjacent vertebra, broken while being prised apart
Figure 5.1.1 The chalk cliff backing the Boxgrove palaeolandscape, as exposed in GTP 25aFigure 5.1.2 Handaxes from BoxgroveFigure 5.1.3 The Q1/A knapping scatter, BoxgroveFigure 5.1.4 Q1/B waterhole, Boxgrove
Figure 5.3.1 Handaxe from Welton-le-WoldFigure 5.3.2 Excavating the elephant molar from the western quarry face in 1969Figure 5.3.3 Alabaster and Straw’s original recorded section
This volume is concerned with disseminating theresults and implications of various Palaeolithic andPleistocene projects funded through the BritishGovernment’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund(ALSF), which ran from 2002 to 2011. This fundunderwrote Palaeolithic and Pleistocene research inEngland and showcased it on an international stage.A wide variety of archaeologists and scientistspartic ipated and benefited from this scheme andthis is demonstrated by the range of reports thatresulted from the fund. Some of these works havefound their way into formal publication in mono -graphs and papers while others remain in thearchive as grey literature. For these reasons thisvolume has been written and the research describedis targeted not only at the informed audience butalso at the archaeologists less familiar withPalaeolithic archaeology. The book has a major roleto play in terms of practical outcomes for conserva-tion and management, by facilitating the expansionof data on the Palaeolithic resource and nurturinggreater collaboration between various stakeholders,particularly in updating Historic EnvironmentRecords (HERs) and developing mineral plans.
The five chapters in this volume present anoverview of the results from the different projects. InChapter 1 Mark White examines the background tothe ALSF and how projects undertaken are contextu-alised within previous Palaeolithic research in theUK. There follows a series of chapters examiningcertain key themes in the work. Martin Bates andMatthew Pope (Chapter 2) consider the methodolog-ical approaches to field investigations in Palaeolithicarchaeology including techniques appropriate tofield investigation at a variety of scales. This isfollowed by an examination of the nature of themarine and marine-terrestrial transition zone byMatthew Pope and Martin Bates (Chapter 3), an areaof increasing importance today with extensive gravel
extraction in the offshore region as well as the devel-opment of the renewables sector. Danielle Schreve(Chapter 4) then considers the nature of the terres-trial landscape-based projects at the site and valleyscale. She also discusses a major flagship project ofthe ALSF, the National Ice Age Network (NIAN).Next, Andrew Shaw and Beccy Scott (Chapter 5)discuss the technology, behaviour and settlementhistory of Palaeolithic humans.
This book is written for the non-specialist andfocuses on providing a commentary on the Palaeo -lithic material record. The book uses case studies to open up to a wide audience the nature, potentialand pitfalls of the Pleistocene record. A commonlyrecurring theme throughout the volume is scale. Wehave attempted to highlight how the scale of land -scape investigations range from the pan-Europeandown to the individual site, and timescales includedeposits of varying ages. The concept of scale isimportant in the Palaeolithic, as often the results ofsite investigation provide information about thearchaeological record at a variety of scales that arehard for the non-specialist to grasp.
The final chapter has been written by Mark Whiteas an attempt to use the insights gathered throughthe ALSF projects to define future priorities andmilestones and to offer pointers for all stakeholdersregarding reasonable responses and mitigation todevelopment at different locations. He identifiesthree basic strategic aims, each of which subsumesoutreach and education:- Extending the Pleistocene record (the discovery
of new sites). This will require better predictivemodelling.
- Enhancing the Pleistocene record (creation of anup-to-date online national database of collectionsand archives).
- Engaging with the Pleistocene record (engagingwith stakeholders across a variety of forums).
Summary
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Sommaire
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Cette publication est axée sur la disséminationdes résultats et implications des différents projets derecherche du Paléolithique et du Pléistocène,exécutés entre 2002 et 2011 et financés par le FondsALSF (Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund) dugouvernement britannique. Ce financement asécurisé la recherche sur le Paléolithique et lePléistocène britannique et l’a exposée sur la scèneinternationale. Divers archéologues et scientifiquesont participé à et bénéficié de ce programme, illustrépar un ensemble de rapports permis par ce finance-ment. Certains de ces travaux ont donné lieu à despublications officielles sous forme de monographieset d’articles, tandis que d’autres demeurent encoreau stade d’archive comme rapport de diagnostic.C’est pour ces raisons que ce volume a été créé : larecherche décrite cible non seulement un publicaverti, mais aussi les archéologues moins familiersavec l’archéologie du Paléolithique. Cet ouvrage aun rôle majeur à jouer en matière de résultatspratiques pour la conservation et la gestion, toutd’abord en facilitant l’expansion des données sur lePaléolithique, mais aussi en encourageant une plusgrande collaboration entre les diverses partiesprenantes, plus particulièrement en actualisant lesregistres HER (Historical Environment Records) et endéveloppant des plans miniers.
Les cinq chapitres de ce volume présentent unevue d’ensemble des résultats de ces projets distincts.Dans le chapitre 1, Mark White examine les antécé-dents du ALSF et la manière dont les projets mis enœuvre s’insèrent dans de précédentes recherches duPaléolithique en Grande-Bretagne. Puis s’ensuit unesérie de chapitres sur certains thèmes clés du projet.Martin Bates et Matthew Pope (chapitre 2) étudientl’approche méthodologique de la recherche Paléo -lithique de terrain, dont des techniques appropriéesà cette recherche à différentes échelles. Ceci est suivipar l’examen par Matthew Pope et Martin Bates(chapitre 3) de la nature de la zone de transitionmarine et marine-terrestre, zone aujourd’hui d’uneimportance grandissante avec l’extraction intensivede gravier dans les régions offshore et le développe-
ment du secteur des énergies renouvelables.Danielle Schreve (chapitre 4) considère ensuite lanature des projets basés sur l’aménagement dupaysage terrestre à l’échelle du site et de la vallée.Elle évoque aussi le projet emblématique du ALSF:National Ice Age Network (NIAN). Andrew Shaw etBeccy Scott, quant à eux (chapitre 5), analysent latechnologie, le comportement et l’histoire de l’étab-lissement de l’humanité au Paléolithique.
Rédigée pour le non spécialiste, cette publications’attache à commenter les témoignages matériels duPaléolithique. Il y est fait usage d’études de caspermettant d’exposer à un public large la nature, lepotentiel et les écueils des archives du Pléistocène.La notion d’échelle constitue un thème récurrentdans cet ouvrage. Nous avons tenté d’attirer l’atten-tion sur la façon dont l’envergure des investigationsvarie du paneuropéen à l’échelle du site-même, ainsiqu’à travers une série de périodes. Le conceptd’échelle est important pour le paléolithique; lesrésultats de recherche sur le terrain renseignentfréquemment le relevé à des échelles variables, diffi-ciles à appréhender par le novice.
Le chapitre final, rédigé par Mark White, tented’utiliser les connaissances amassées au fil desprojets du Fonds ALSF à la fois pour définir les prior-ités et étapes futures, mais aussi pour conseillertoutes les parties intervenantes sur des réponsessatisfaisantes et une atténuation du développementen divers emplacements. Ce dernier chapitreidentifie trois objectifs stratégiques de base, chacunenglobant une dimension de sensibilisation et d’édu-cation :- Augmenter les archives du Pléistocène (décou-
verte de nouveaux sites), ce qui nécessitera unemeilleure modélisation prédictive.
- Mettre en valeur les archives du Pléistocène(création d’une base de donnée nationale descollections et des archives mise à jour et acces-sible via internet).
- S’efforcer de comprendre les archives duPléistocène (en collaborant avec les différentsacteurs sur une variété de forums).
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Dieser Band befasst sich mit den Ergebnissenmehrerer paläolithischer und pleistozäner Projekte,die vom Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) inder Zeit von 2002 bis 2011 durchgeführt und von derBritischen Regierung finanziert wurden. DieFinanzierung hatte das Ziel paläo lithische und pleis-tozäne Forschung in England zu unterstützen undder internationalen Öffentlichkeit zu präsentieren.Eine Vielzahl Archäologen und Wissen schaftlernahmen an dem Vorhaben teil und profitiertendavon, dies wird durch die zahlreichen Doku -mentationen und Ergebnisse untermauert. EinigeArbeiten wurden in Monographien und Artikelnpubliziert, während andere in der grauen Literaturarchiviert wurden. Aus diesem Grunde wurde dervorliegende Band geschrieben und die darinvorgestellten Forschungsergebnisse sollen nicht nurden Fachleuten, sondern auch Archäo logen, die mitder paläolithischen Forschung weniger vertraut sind,erreichen. Das Buch wird bei der Verbreitungpaläolithischer Informationsquellen eine Hauptrolleim Bereich des Denkmalschutzes und der Ver -waltung einnehmen und die Zusammen arbeitverchiedener daran interessierter Personen fördern,besonders beim Aktualisieren der “HistoricEnvironment Records” (HERs) und beim Erarbeitenvon Mineralplänen.
Die fünf Kapitel in diesem Band geben einenÜberblick der Resultate der geförderten Projekte. Imersten Kapitel untersucht Mark White denHintergrund der ALSF und wie die durchgeführtenProjekte im Kontext der paläolithischen Forschungin Großbritannien eingeordnet werden können.Dem folgen einige Kapitel, welche die Haupt -themat iken der Arbeiten untersuchen. Martin Batesund Matthew Popes (Kapitel 2) prüfen die method-ologische Vorgehensweise der Feldarbeit in derpaläolithischen Archäologie, inklusive Grabungs -techniken, die bei einer Vielzahl von Projektenangewandt werden kann. Darauf folgt eineBetrachtung der Eigenschaften der marinen undmarine-terrestrischen Transitzonen von MatthewPope und Martin Bates (Kapitel 3), ein Bereich derzunehmend wichtiger wird im Angesicht vonumfang reichem Kiesabbau auf offener See und derEntwicklung erneuerbarer Energien. Danielle
Schreve (Kapitel 4) untersucht im Weiteren denCharakter terrestrischer landschaftsraum basierterProjekte sowohl im Kleinen, auf Grabungsgröße, alsauch bezogen auf ganze Täler. Sie erörtert außerdemein bedeutendes Projekt des ALSF, das “National IceAge Network” (NIAN). Danach befassen sichAndrew Shaw und Beccy Scott mit der Technologie,der Lebensweise und der Siedlungsgeschichtepaläolithischer Menschen.
Dieses auch für den Laien verfasstes Buch zieltdarauf ab die paläolithischen Hinterlassenschaftenvorzustellen und zu bewerten. Das Buch nutztFallstudien um einem breiten Publikum Wesen,Potential und Schwierigkeiten der Forschung über das Pleistozän nahezubringen. Ein wieder -kehrendes Thema in diesem Band ist der Umfangder behandelt wird. Wir haben versucht deutlich zumachen, dass einige Untersuchungen gesamteu-ropäisch einzuord nen sind, sich andere auf indivi -duelle Grabungen beziehen und auch dieZeitspannen der Ablager ungen variieren. Maßstäberichtig zu erfassen ist bei der Betrachtung desPalälithikums von großer Bedeutung, da Resultatevon Grabungen oft Informationen auf einer Vielzahlvon Skalen wiedergeben, die für den Laien schwerzu erfassen sind.
Das letzte Kapitel wurde von Mark Whitegeschrieben als ein Versuch die Einblicke die durchALSF gesammelt wurden zu nutzen und zukünftigePrioritäten und Meilensteine zu definieren, es sollinteressierten Personen helfen passende Strategienzu entwerfen um die Auswirkungen von Entwick -lungsprojekten an diversen Standorten zu vermin-dern. Er identifiziert drei wesentliche strategischeZiele, welche alle Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Bildungumfassen.- Das pleistozäne Schriftgut erweitern (neue
Fundstätten entdecken). Dies erfordert einebesser vorausschauende Modellierung.
- Das pleistozäne Schriftgut verbessern (Herstell -ung einer aktuellen online- Datenbank allerKollektionen und Archive)
- Sich mit dem pleistozänen Schriftgut beschäft -igen (Austausch mit Interessierten durch eineVielzahl von Foren).
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Zusammenfassung
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The Lost Landscapes of Palaeolithic Britain projectwas funded by English Heritage (now HistoricEngland) and formed a key component of theNational Heritage Protection Plan, specificallyActivity 3A3, ‘Deeply Buried/Subterranean Pleisto -cene and Early Holocene Archaeology’. The projectwas monitored for English Heritage by HelenKeeley and Jonathan Last.
Project design and management was undertakenby Elizabeth Stafford for Oxford Archaeology, withsupport and advice from Klara Spandl and AnneDodd. Julia Meen carried out the majority of thework collating the artefact database together withGary Jones. Dr Peter Marshall of Historic England isthanked for his input into Box 2.5. Danielle Schrevegratefully acknowledges English Heritage (historicEngland) and Natural England (through theAggregates Levy Sustainability Fund) for supportingthe National Ice Age Network project, whichhighlighted many of the issues raised in Chapter 4.The late David Keen, Simon Buteux, Andy Howard,Alex Lang and Barbara Silva are thanked for muchfruitful scientific discussion and fieldwork compan-ionship during the NIAN project. Beccy Scott would
like to thank Dr Nick Ashton and Dr Rob Hosfield fortheir input and the Calleva Trust (Pathways toAncient Britain Project) for ongoing support.
This monograph has been copy-edited by RebeccaNicholson and indexed by Chris Hayden. Theprincipal illustrator was Julia Collins, with additionalsupport from Hannah Kennedy, Magdalena Wachnikand Elizabeth Stafford. French and Germansummaries have been translated from English byCharles Rousseaux, Nathalie Haudecoeur-Wilks andMarkus Dylewski. Peter Lorimer designed andproduced the illustration for the front cover.Typesetting was undertaken by Charlie Webster ofProduction Line, Oxford.
We would like to warmly thank the very manycolleagues and institutions who have providedadvice and data, supplied images and allowed usthe use of copyright material detailed below. As awork of synthesis, this volume draws informationfrom many published reports, monographs andgrey literature sources. Every effort has been madeto present the information as accurately as possibleand any remaining errors are the responsibility ofthe authors.
Acknowledgements
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Where illustrations that have been sourced fromworks cited in the main text of the volume, therelevant publication is identified in the followinglist by a short reference and full details can be foundin the bibliography. Full references are only given inthis list for works which are not otherwise cited inthe main text.
Figures within BoxesFig. 2.1.3 adapted from Lowe and Walker 1997 fig6.5, after Shackleton and Opdyke, 1973 with permis-sion from Pearson Education Inc; Fig. 2.2.1 fromBates et al. 2007 fig. 3 and Briant et al. 2012, fig. 2courtesy of Martin Bates, Fig. 2.2.2 after Briant et al.2012 with permission; Fig. 2.3.4 after Bates et al.2010, fig 9; Fig. 2.3.5 after Bates et al. 2010, fig 2; Fig.2.3.1 and 2.3.2 courtesy of Martin Bates; Fig. 2.3.3Oxford Archaeology; Fig. 2.3.4 –2.3.6 from Brown2012 courtesy of T Brown and L Basell; Fig. 2.4.1 and2.4.2 courtesy of Martin Bates; Box 2.4.3 after Bateset al. 2004, 2007a; Fig. 2.4.4 from Bates et al. 2009with permission from the Quaternary ResearchAssociation; Fig. 2.4.5 courtesy of Martin Bates; Fig.2.4.6 from Bates et al. 2007b; Fig. 2.5.1 courtesy ofMartin Bates; Fig. 2.5.2 from Basell et al. 2007 withpermission from the Quaternary ResearchAssociation; Fig. 2.5.3 from Hosfield et al. 2011 with
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Illustration credits
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permission from the Quaternary Research Assoc -iation; Fig. 2.6.1-2.6.2 and 2.6.3 B. from Penkman etal. 2008; Fig. 2.6.3 A. adapted from Bridgland 1994fig. 4.3; Fig. 2.7.1 from Hijma et al. 2012 with permis-sion from Elsevier; Fig. 2.8.1 from Bates et al. 2010fig. 16; Fig. 2.8.2 from Bates et al. 2010 fig. 17; Fig.2.8.3 reproduced courtesy of the Derby Museumand Art Gallery; Fig. 2.9.1 and 2.9.4 adapted fromBates and Heppell 2007, figs 5, 9, 12 and 21); Fig.2.10.1-2.10.5 courtesy of Matt Pope; Fig. 4.2.1 fromBoismier et al. 2012 reproduced with permissionfrom Historic England; Figs 5.1.1-5.1.4 courtesy ofMatt Pope and the Boxgrove project; Fig. 5.2.1image courtesy of Laura Basell; Fig. 5.3.2Photograph by Alan Straw; Fig. 5.3.3 Reproducedfrom Alabaster and Straw 1976, Proceedings of the