The Bronze Age in the Severn Estuary

Martin Bell author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Council for British Archaeology

Published:31st Oct '13

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Bronze Age in the Severn Estuary cover

Archaeological fieldwork in the inter-tidal zone of the Severn Estuary over the past twenty years has revealed a rich landscape of prehistoric settlement. This latest volume by Professor Martin Bell presents the evidence for the Bronze Age, focusing on sites at Redwick and Peterstone in the Gwent Levels.

At Redwick, a settlement of four rectangular buildings, defined by well-preserved timber posts dating to the middle Bronze Age (1600–940 cal BC), is surrounded by footprint-tracks of animals and humans. Peterstone and other locations in the estuary have revealed a variety of wood artefacts and structures, and features such as fish traps, trackways and sites of seasonal encampments.

The relationship between the wetland and dry ground settlements around the estuary is explored in detail, through artefacts, pollen and stable isotope analysis. The author concludes that there is clear evidence for transhumance throughout the Bronze Age. In the final chapters the author compares the Severn Estuary with other coastal sites of the Bronze Age in Britain and continental Europe.

The discussion themes are familiar (erosion, landscape exploitation, seasonality) but are enhanced by recent developments in scientific research into the diets of the people and their animals (lipids and isotopes). -- British Archaeology British Archaeology

ISBN: 9781902771946

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

416 pages