Monument record 8077/0/1 - Possible Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic Tree Clearance

Archaeological investigation at Latimer Park identified a number of irregular tree holes. A single radiocarbon date of the late 5th millenium BC suggests tree clearance took place during the late Mesolithic/early Neolithic transition

{1} Phase 1 comprised 15 irregular tree holes, which suggested prehistoric woodland clearance in the area, though not certain whether this took place as a single event. Evidence of burnt material was found in only 7 of the 15 holes. Only one yielded sufficient for a c14 date, which was late 5th millenium BC. None of the features provided any other artefactual or dating evidence. Description of each Phase 1 feature given.
The first phase appears to have represented clearance of wood or scrub land by a combination of pulling, felling and burning trees. It is unlikely that all of the tree holes were entirely contemporary, as burnt material might in that case be expected to have found its way into all of the holes. The frequency of burnt material across the site however, does point to deliberate clearance rather than chance lightening strikes or similar. Only one radiocarbon date was acquired from the tree throws, between 4904 and 4714 BC, which suggests that the clearance took place during the transitional period between the late Mesolithic and the early Neoltihic period.

<1> Foundations Archaeology, 2000, Latimer Park, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation, 2000, p.11-12 (checked) (Report). SNN100497.

Record last edited

Jul 4 2019 12:09PM