Monument record MLI87018 - Late Bronze Age riverbank activity, Washingborough
Summary
A late Bronze Age brushwood platform on the north bank of the river Witham was the seasonal site of feasting, trading and ritual activities as well as metal working and other crafts until the river moved and it became flooded.
Type and Period (9)
- DITCH (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
- PLATFORM (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
- PIT (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
- BRONZE WORKING SITE (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
- HEARTH (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
- WATER TANK (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
- INDUSTRIAL SITE (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
- ARTEFACT SCATTER (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
- CEREMONIAL PLATFORM (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 801 BC)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
PRN 63537
Trial trenching was undertaken on sections 11 and 16, Washingborough Pumping Station and Sandbeck Beck, River Witham. Late Bronze Age to early Iron Age activity was recorded, including late Bronze Age pottery, animal bone and tools. Vertical stakes were uncovered which suggests that a possible structure or causeway was located here. {1} {2}
Following trial excavations (see above) five trenches were excavated in 2004-05. Remains of raised brushwood platforms stabilised with roundwood posts, which must have originally covered an area approximately 50m by 25m, were discovered. In places the platform had been covered with a stone surface. The site was in use in the late Bronze Age 1100-800BC, a date supported by radiocarbon dates and pottery styles. It appears to have gone out of use when the river moved to the northeast and flooded it. It was originally on the north bank of the river, a wetland area with reed swamp which was cleared prior to construction of the platforms. Bones of young sheep and cattle suggest it was used seasonally in the spring/summer. It would have been accessible from land or from the river, by log boat. No other structural remains were uncovered. Evidence of metal working was discovered including crucible fragments, parts of a mould for making pin heads, and a bronze bar. No casting waste was discovered, suggesting that the actual metal-working was taking place close by, but not in the excavated area. Other crafts including the working of flint, leather, wood, shale (to make bracelets), bone and antler also appear to have taken place on or near the site. A bone weaving implement suggests textile production. There was also evidence for cereal processing taking place in the vicinity on a fairly large scale, probably to produce surplus for exchange. The presence of barley also suggests brewing. Also, animal rearing was taking place for meat, dairy products and wool. Residues from a meat and vegetable stew were discovered on the insides of some of the pottery. Bones of house mice were discovered – this is the earliest occurrence of these animals in this country. They would have been associated with crop processing and storage over a length of time. A wooden tank was discovered, which would have been lined with skins. Heat-cracked stones were also found, which could have been used to heat water in the tank, possibly for brewing or cooking. Bridle fittings were found (see also PRN 60612) suggesting the presence of horses which would have been important status symbols. A large assemblage of pottery (almost 2000 sherds) was recovered. This was of post Deverel Rimbury plainware type, and included remains of over 250 vessels, some of unusual forms. Few were decorated. Many had a black-burnished finish giving an appearance similar to bronze. The tempering used in the pottery suggests a local source. It is suggested that the pottery is associated with feasting and was deliberately deposited. A wooden bowl in a form similar to the pottery was also found. Some disarticulated human bones were discovered (see also PRN 60612), including part of the skull of a young woman. It seems likely that these represent some kind of ritual deposit. It seems likely that this site was an important gathering place, where people including high-status elite met for feasting and drinking, rituals, gift-exchange and trading. Metal working, which would have been an arcane process using rare materials, also took place. These events would have reinforced the status of the elite, and reinforced ideas of boundaries and territories. The location of the site in a marshy area by the river, a liminal space, would have made it particularly suitable for such activities. {3}{4}
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SLI9764 Report: Pre-Construct Archaeology. Jul 2004. Trial tenching on sections 11 and 16, Washingborough Pumping Station and Sandhill Beck, River Witham. LWES04.
- <2> SLI9765 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeology. Jul 2004. Trial tenching on sections 11 and 16, Washingborough Pumping Station and Sandhill Beck, River Witham. LCNCC 2011.464.
- <3> SLI12726 Bibliographic Reference: Pre-Construct Archaeology. 2009. Exchange and Ritual at the Riverside: Late Bronze Age Life in the Lower Witham Valley at Washingborough, Lincolnshire. WPSE 04.
- <4> SLI12728 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeology. 2009. Excavations at Washingborough Pumping Station 2004-5. LCNCC 2005.2.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 0422 7129 (301m by 300m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | WASHINGBOROUGH, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (2)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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