Barrows and buildings, ditches and dwellings : the appropriation of prehistoric monuments in early to middle Anglo-Saxon settlements
The appropriation of prehistoric monuments in the early to middle Anglo-Saxon period is a phenomenon that has been studied by archaeologists for some decades. Prehistoric earthworks were reused as the foci for burial, as the locations of churches and pre-Christian shrines, and as places of political assembly. As such, a variety of theories have been put forward regarding the meanings of these landscape features and their significance amongst communities in Anglo-Saxon England. What is striking is that fifth- to ninth-century settlements have not featured in these discussions. There are a few exceptions, the most notable being Richard Bradley's (1987) reassessment of the 'palace' site of Yeavering. However, these studies have often led to the assumption that monument reuse in settlements was out of the ordinary, and restricted to late sixth- and seventh century high-status sites. In order to redress the balance, this thesis has reviewed the Anglo-Saxon settlement evidence from central England, demonstrating that monument appropriation did take place in settlements between the fifth and the ninth centuries. It has revealed that a variety of prehistoric monuments were reused, including Bronze Age round barrows
Crewe, Vicky A.
Barrows and buildings, ditches and dwellings : the appropriation of prehistoric monuments in early to middle Anglo-Saxon settlements. The appropriation of prehistoric monuments in the early to middle Anglo-Saxon period is a phenomenon that has been studied by archaeologists for some decades. Prehistoric earthworks were reused as the foci for burial, as the locations of churches and pre-Christian shrines, and as places of political assembly. As such, a variety of theories have been put forward regarding the meanings of these landscape features and their significance amongst communities in Anglo-Saxon England. What is striking is that fifth- to ninth-century settlements have not featured in these discussions. There are a few exceptions, the most notable being Richard Bradley's (1987) reassessment of the 'palace' site of Yeavering. However, these studies have often led to the assumption that monument reuse in settlements was out of the ordinary, and restricted to late sixth- and seventh century high-status sites. In order to redress the balance, this thesis has reviewed the Anglo-Saxon settlement evidence from central England, demonstrating that monument appropriation did take place in settlements between the fifth and the ninth centuries. It has revealed that a variety of prehistoric monuments were reused, including Bronze Age round barrows
barrows building ditch dwelling appropriation prehistoric_monument early_middle anglo_saxon settlement appropriation prehistoric_monument early_middle anglo_saxon_period phenomenon study archaeologist decade prehistoric earthwork reuse foci burial_location church pre_christian shrine place political assembly variety theory put_forward regard meaning landscape_feature significance amongst community anglo_saxon_england strike fifth ninth_century settlement discussion exception notable reassessment palace site however study often lead assumption monument reuse settlement ordinary restrict high_status site order redress_balance review anglo_saxon settlement evidence central england demonstrate monument appropriation take_place settlement fifth ninth_century reveal variety prehistoric_monument reuse include bronze_age round barrow