Understanding the inhabitation of the Stonehenge environs : the interpretative potential of ploughsoil assemblages
This thesis has two main objectives. The first is to develop our understanding of the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age inhabitation of the Stonehenge landscape. This is attempted principally through the analysis of the ploughsoil assemblage collected by the Stonehenge Environs Project. Concurrently the second objective is to explore the interpretative potential of ploughsoil assemblages. Current approaches to the Stonehenge Environs are critiqued and it is suggested that they share a tendency to focus upon contexts of ritual action, which create the appearance of a highly structured landscape. A consequence of this is that the interpretation of monuments is often prioritised whilst ploughsoil assemblages arc neglected. It is also suggested that the Stonehenge Environs Project's attempt to rectify this situation through the analysis of surface collected material was hampered by its lack of depth. Accordingly this project is aimed at discovering what a detailed metrical and technological analysis of the ploughsoil assemblages can reveal. This approach is complimented by a comparison of field survey projects in southern Britain, which provides a regional context of inhabitation. Ultimately the analysis shows that
Chan, Benjamin Tun-Yee
Understanding the inhabitation of the Stonehenge environs : the interpretative potential of ploughsoil assemblages. This thesis has two main objectives. The first is to develop our understanding of the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age inhabitation of the Stonehenge landscape. This is attempted principally through the analysis of the ploughsoil assemblage collected by the Stonehenge Environs Project. Concurrently the second objective is to explore the interpretative potential of ploughsoil assemblages. Current approaches to the Stonehenge Environs are critiqued and it is suggested that they share a tendency to focus upon contexts of ritual action, which create the appearance of a highly structured landscape. A consequence of this is that the interpretation of monuments is often prioritised whilst ploughsoil assemblages arc neglected. It is also suggested that the Stonehenge Environs Project's attempt to rectify this situation through the analysis of surface collected material was hampered by its lack of depth. Accordingly this project is aimed at discovering what a detailed metrical and technological analysis of the ploughsoil assemblages can reveal. This approach is complimented by a comparison of field survey projects in southern Britain, which provides a regional context of inhabitation. Ultimately the analysis shows that
inhabitation environs interpretative potential assemblage two_main objective first develop neolithic_early_bronze_age inhabitation landscape attempt principally analysis assemblage collect environs project concurrently second_objective explore interpretative potential assemblage current_approach environs critique suggest share tendency focus_upon contexts ritual_action create appearance highly structured landscape consequence interpretation monument often prioritise whilst assemblage arc neglect also_suggest environs project attempt rectify situation analysis surface collect material hamper lack depth accordingly project_aim discover detailed metrical technological_analysis assemblage reveal compliment comparison field_survey project southern_britain provide regional_context inhabitation ultimately analysis_show