Monument record MLI42788 - Early Neolithic Settlement Site, Tattershall Thorpe

Summary

Early Neolithic settlement site at Tattershall Thorpe

Type and Period (7)

  • (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
  • (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
  • (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
  • (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
  • (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
  • (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
  • (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

A Neolithic and early Bronze Age settlement site on the gravel terrace of a river bank was located from a fieldwalking survey of the area. It was excavated in 1981 and in 1984-85 by P. Chowne and North Lincolnshire Archaeological Unit prior to gravel extraction. Early Neolithic pits containing pottery bowls, unfinished leaf-shaped arrowheads, knapping debris and unweathered blades and some burnt cereal grains were uncovered. A late Neolithic/early Bronze Age grooved ware pot rim and some small grog-tempered sherds were also found as well as lithics and late Bronze Age/early Iron Age plain pottery. {1}{2}{3}{4} Excavations in 1981 and trial trenching in 1984 revealed an early Neolithic settlement site, with features comprising circular pits, postholes and hearths. Several isolated pits and one group of four pits were recorded, containing flints and flint-knapping debris, early Neolithic pottery, charcoal and carbonised hazelnut shells (radiocarbon-dated to 3776-3390 cal. BC). A conjoining core and flake were found in two of the grouped pits, indicating that the pits were open at the same time, and flint-knapping appears to have taken place in the immediate vicinity, with evidence for possible heat-treatment. Evidence for cutting meat, cutting and scraping dry hide, and whittling and cutting seasoned wood was observed during microwear analysis. Postholes seemed to be randomly scattered across the site, with post-Neolithic destruction preventing the identification of buildings. However, one alignment of at least five postholes were found set into a foundation trench which continued as a soilmark and shallow depression. A post found burnt in situ was carbon-dated to 4893-4530 cal. BC, suggesting late Mesolithic clearance prior to early Neolithic building - the trench may be the corner of an early Neolithic structure. Further postholes to the north-west may be part of the same structure, although not stratigraphically linked. Two types of hearth were identified: two clay-built structures, and a circular depression packed with fire-cracked flint and river pebbles. {5}

Sources/Archives (5)

  •  Bibliographic Reference: Peter Chowne and Frances Healy. 1985. TATTERSHALL THORPE. pp.25-31.
  •  Article in Serial: A.J. White (ed.). 1982. 'Archaeology in Lincolnshire, 1981' in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. vol.17, pp.74-5.
  •  Index: Peter Chowne. 1982. EAST MIDLANDS ARCHAEOLOGICAL BULLETIN. vol.13, p.12.
  •  Index: NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD. TATTERSHALL THORPE. TF 26 SW: 19, 1992, Wilkinson, J.O..
  •  Article in Monograph: Peter Chowne and Frances Healy. 1992. ‘The excavation of the Neolithic settlement site at Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire’ in Excavations on Redgate Hill, Hunstanton, Norfolk, and at Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire. pp.81-117.

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Location

Grid reference Centred TF 2376 6088 (364m by 365m) Centre
Civil Parish TATTERSHALL THORPE, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE
Civil Parish TUMBY, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

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Record last edited

Sep 21 2021 1:16PM

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