Northborough, Peterborough A Neolithic cathedral? Sunday 30 January, 5pm
Huge circular cropmarks, visible only from the air, mark the existence of some intriguing archaeological remains in a field near Peterborough, on the edge of the Fens. Archaeologists believe the two concentric circles are what they call a causewayed enclosure, dating from the Neolithic era.
Large ditches mark out the circles, which could be as much as 6,000 years old – more than 2,000 years older than the main structures at Stonehenge. In the bottom of the ditches, which have been undisturbed by later human activity, there could be all sorts of finds – human and animal bones, pottery, waste and ritual offerings. Some archaeologists believe that these circles are enclosures connected with early farming activity; others believe that they represent some kind of religious or ritual sites.
Time Team's expert on prehistoric Britain, Francis Pryor (fresh from his TV successes presenting Britain AD and Britain BC), joined the team for this programme. Together with the rest of the team and other experts, he hoped to cast fresh light on the purposes of these ancient structures.
The web pages to accompany this programme are now live at:
quote:Originally posted by Steve Platt: Huge circular cropmarks, visible only from the air... Archaeologists believe the two concentric circles are what they call a causewayed enclosure, dating from the Neolithic era.
Large ditches mark out the circles,
Cant understand why they are digging here if they have an idea of what is there already.... (ho ho ho)
Cant understand why they are digging here if they have an idea of what is there already.... (ho ho ho)
Ouch! If you want me to elaborate on my arguement about last weeks' dig I will, but I'm going to assume that you're 'aving a larf. I still stand by my comment in the other thread though.
"One more time around Peterborough Circus Time Team follow that ditch" with aplolgies to Roger Whittaker or whoever.
Were these structures referred to as Causewayed Camps at one time? e.g. Windmill Hill. To pre-suppose a definition is, IMHO, rather silly. It could very easily date to the Bronze Age being similar to Maiden Castle at Thwing. From the brief description anyway..
Oh! And I almost forgot. An unknown 'surgeon' has already excised one of my literary endeavours [relating to the G woman]. Hope he leaves the above effort alone.
But, for those among us who have not come across the Time Team Drinking Game before, the simple rules are explained at the University of Sheffield website here.
As Francis Pryor is tonights' expert, we can assume a high use of the word 'ritual'. Hence the advice to either suspend play on the game, or to use something non-alcoholic!
I am so tempted to have a go.... and when I get into trouble I can blame Lesley.
Heres the rules.. (the live rules are particularly impressive)
A game that gives you a good reason to get drunk and argue about archaeology!
Preparation:
Assemble a group of mates in front of the TV just before 'Time team' begins. (Alternatively, video a few episodes and have a mammoth session; be warned, this may cause psychological damage.)
Make sure that all the necessary equipment is present. You will require:
* alcohol -- strong spirits have the best results, but beer is more authentic; (If you're feeling adventurous, why not join in with the 'Time team' by matching the alcohol to the period being investigated. You could even brew your own using traditional methods. This is interactive TV.) * assorted snacks, mixers, and ice cubes (for sustenance and variety); * glasses; * archaeology reference books -- for research and refutation purposes.
Ensure that everyone is seated comfortably.
The Game:
Everyone must have a drink to hand. Then, merely watch the programme, taking the required number of sips as events unfold!
Take 2 sips if:
* they open another trench. * Tony Robinson interrupts someone else in the middle of a sentence or train of thought, or obviously isn't listening. * resistivity meters or magnetometers are shown. * people working feverishly on computers to no obvious end are shown. * Tony steps into a recently cleaned trench. * Phil frets until he is allowed to do some digging. * volunteers and non-team members are seen trowelling. * volunteers are seen using spades, mattocks or shovels. * the historical re-enactment group are shown. * sweeping generalisations are made. * archives are shown or mentioned.
Take 3 sips if:
* the inflatable tent is used * the local archaeologist is asked to comment on the excavation. * 'Time team' members are seen digging. * the historical re-enactment group recreate one of the artefacts found on site or otherwise associated with the dig. * the geophysics results are amazingly clear and beautiful. * we see the 'Time team' 'discussing the day's events' in a pub or round a fire (with alcohol). * someone gets to go for a jolly in the helicopter. * members of the public are involved in events at the site. * celebrity guests attempt to dig or understand the archaeology. * artefacts or costumes or the site are recreated in great detail on computer from a few fragments or ideas.
Take 5 sips if:
* anyone is shown planning or otherwise recording a trench or feature. * any of the volunteer diggers is referred to or questioned. * the preliminary summary of what they expect to find is proved to be completely wrong. * any major questions are answered by the 3 days' excavation. * any member of the team is dressed in 'traditional period costume' at some point in the programme. * any of the team is injured, ill or incapacitated during the programme (hangovers count in this category). * deturfing is done manually by members of the team. * any exotic technique is used during the course of the excavation (eg diving, dowsing).
Take 7 sips if:
* the 'Time team' actually finish and backfill the site at the end of the programme. * you see a context sheet at any point in the programme. * Tony makes a valid point.
Extra points for 'Time team' live editions:
2 sips everytime:
* the screen goes black. * anyone manages to finish a sentence (except Tony). * they rush off to another area without satisfactorily explaining events at the first. * main points are repeated during each programme. * walkie-talkies do not work.
5 sips if:
* a camera manages to focus adequately on any mentioned find or feature.
quote:Originally posted by Ian G.: Were these structures referred to as Causewayed Camps at one time? e.g. Windmill Hill. To pre-suppose a definition is, IMHO, rather silly. It could very easily date to the Bronze Age being similar to Maiden Castle at Thwing. From the brief description anyway..
Causewayed camps and causewayed enclosures are one and the same (the latter is the preferred term among archaeologists today). They date from the Neolithic, not the Bronze Age, although Bronze Age burial mounds may be found within the enclosures, as at Windmill Hill. The enclosures are also often reused or developed in later periods, such as the construction of the Iron Age fort at Maiden Castle (4th century BC). The Windmill Hill causewayed enclosure dates from c 3700BC; the one at Maiden Castle from c 3500BC.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by D: I am so tempted to have a go.... and when I get into trouble I can blame Lesley.
Heres the rules.. (the live rules are particularly impressive)
A game that gives you a good reason to get drunk and argue about archaeology!
I have just had a quick practice at the drinking game while watching a tape of an earlier show ."Hic" "Hic" Roll on tonights episode "hic" Hic". promise I will sober up
Can anyone tell me if the Aurochs bone was located within the inner or outer series of the "interrupted ditch enclosure" (a much better term in describing this type of structure)as this wasn't clear from the program unfortunatly.
quote:Originally posted by Chris Walker: Can anyone tell me if the Aurochs bone was located within the inner or outer series of the "interrupted ditch enclosure" (a much better term in describing this type of structure)as this wasn't clear from the program unfortunatly.
If that is the case then that is interesting and goes someway to support the theory of inner ditches being about domestication, home, familiar, life - and the outer being about wild, outside, unfamiliar and death. Some more finds would have been good tho' as it was only ONE bone. But interesting.
woman]. Hope he leaves the above effort alone.
