Re: Tufa /Neolithic Mendip | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Jodie Jan 10, 2006 18:04:30

Replying to jimit

Yup - unfortunately ghastly price of £33.00 (ISBN: 1841718807). Does not seem to have been put on the BAR website yet (http://www.archaeopress.com) but it has literally only been out for about 2 weeks.
I know many Mendip cavers (especially Wessex Caving Club and UBSS) - you're all mad :)... I think the swallets are fascinating and archaeologically they seem to have been used as a focus for ritual deposition in the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods (have you seen the article I published in http://capra.group.shef.ac.uk/2/issue2.html. ?). I have heard a few weird stories relating to them today from speaking to locals (I used to live in Priddy) and certainly some were used as boundary markers in Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods. Facsinating stuff.
Jodie

FourWinds Jan 10, 2006 18:10:20

Replying to Jodie

I love swallets too. There are two areas of Ireland where tombs seem to be clustered around large examples. I don't think this can be by coincidence, but nobody has ever really considered them here.

moss Jan 10, 2006 18:37:20

Replying to Jodie

I must admit I want to get your book, even though the price is steep but I have been waiting for it to come out. I also came across you in a ref. in another article this week - Churches in the Prehistoric landscape, two churches on the Polden hills - this part of the world definitely needs more exploration, and thinking about, and of course protecting.
Moss

baza Jan 10, 2006 19:01:08

Replying to Jodie

B.A.R. books are distributed by Hadrian Books:

http://www.hadrianbooks.co.uk/

It's on the front page at present.

jimit Jan 11, 2006 09:14:10

Replying to Jodie

"I used to live in Priddy".. My fraternal grandmother was born there and married a man from Blagdon. I've explored Swildon's "my fave cave" many times.

Back on topic..Aveline's Hole is considered to be one of the earliest cemetaries in the country.
Jim.

Tufa found in the wellow valley