Re: Setting | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

The Thornborough Henges 71

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Setting

BrigantesNation Feb 23, 2006 00:07:38

Replying to nigelswift

For the sake of clarity of understanding I feel I should point out that the "thin scatter" was exactly what all of us to find from a set of trenches positioned so as to be on the very edge of the settlement area.

EH did not design this last excavation to assess the importance of the archaeology - they knew that from the first bit of work. EH wanted to know its extent - which is why they put in such large trenches well away from the core of the settlement.

Tarmac of course have portrayed this as being representative of the site - which is why they were so keen to get people to go round and see there was so little there.

They have also protrayed everybody - EH, NYCC officers and at least one councillor, myself, Dr Jan Harding, the CBA, FoT and no doubt anyone else that values this site as being disonourable.

FourWinds Feb 23, 2006 07:14:06

Replying to BrigantesNation

Now then. You've come across a very interesting point. If you want to save the archaeology at Ladybridge Farm then why harp on about the henges? Surely it should be a 'Save Ladybridge Farm' campaign! Doing a save the henges campaign just gives Tarmac room to say "We ain't anywhere near the henges!"

I know you are campaigning to save the whole area, but a lot of the time it doesn't read that way. I also know that the relationship to the henges is very important, but they are safe and people will see them as the main concern.

Anyway, back to your point. What is Ladybridge's setting? Can it have one if it's part of the setting for something bigger? i.e. would it be there if it wasn't for the henges? One is most likely the cause of the other's presence. Again, saving the key site is the most important, which as you rightly say could actually be the pit alignments, not the henges or anything else. The setting of any site that is there purely because of an earlier site is 'the other site' and nothing more. Then the original site's setting comes in to play.

Great care must be taken to stress how important all the sites are as a whole. That's why I like the sound of <i>Archaeological Complex</i> - it sounds ... well erm ... complex! And therefore important :-)