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Round Barrow(s)
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Extensive excavations were carried out at Gwithian/Godrevy during the 1950s. The excavations finds and records have recently been re-evaluated by Cornwall CC Historical and Environmental Service. Regarding Bronze Age occupation, here is an extract from the www.cornisharchaeology.org.uk website:
"For the Bronze Age sites (GMX, XI, XV etc) recent radiocarbon dates show that the earliest settlement dates to 1800 cal BC with cultivation taking place within terraced fields and enclosures. The true extent of these early fields is unknown but plough-marks were found scored into the earliest land surface revealing well-developed farming and horticulture practices. Barley was grown (Hordeum sp.). Land snails indicated a broadly open local landscape and fragments of marine shells found mixed into the earliest soils with other organic matter, shows active manuring and composting. The ground plan of a remarkable round wooden building – a probable single homestead – set within a stake-built enclosure was found. Another major phase of settlement (dating to c 1500 - 1200 cal BC) was marked by evidence for extensive cultivation, great areas of criss-cross furrows found in small fields, and animal husbandry. A number of human cremations were buried alongside field walls indicating ownership and a powerful bond with the land. The final phase of settlement, which dates c 1300 – 900 cal BC, is more complex in character. In areas where there had earlier been fields, a small nucleated village was established made up of circular post-built buildings. Some were dwelling houses but some were probably animal shelters and workshops. The land around was still divided into fields many of which had been laid out generations before. Evidence for a wide variety of industry and craft activities was found: pottery manufacture, leather and bone working, fishing and small-scale metalworking. The demise of this exceptionally long settlement history was marked by the abandonment of the village and its burial under tons of settlement rubbish. The Bronze Age story at Gwithian over perhaps up to 20 generations of farmers is very much a story of people and land."
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Posted by thesweetcheat
17th January 2009ce
Edited 2nd November 2019ce
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