Hot rocks and the role of experimental archaeology

Exploring the possibilities of prehistoric hot stone technology, lithics and hide processing.

March 17-18th 2012.

A weekend of experimental archaeology, prehistoric cookery and lectures, hosted by Saveock Water Archaeology, Cornwall.

Introduction

Jacqui Wood (Director Saveock Water Archaeology), Matt Mossop (Council for British Archaeology South West), Sally Herriett and Graham Hill will lead a weekend of experimental archaeology and evening lectures examining some of the evidence for prehistoric lithic technology and hide processing.

Saturday 17th March

Burnt Mounds are the most commonly identified archaeological site type in Ireland. Examples have been recorded across Northern Europe, with a number recently recognised in Cornwall. Despite increasing interpretative focus, their function(s) remain enigmatic. Over the weekend Matt and Jacqui will reconstruct aspects of a burnt mound to test some of the theories.

Interpretations of burnt mound sites are increasingly concentrating on slaughter, primary butchery and associated processes amongst numerous alternatives. Their typical isolation seems likely to reflect relatively unpleasant conditions on site, probably including smells associated with decay and vermin. The treatment of hides on burnt mound sites seems a distinct possibility, with the size of hide potentially determining the distinctive trough sizes recorded.

Over this weekend Sally Herriett will use ‘Hot Stone’ technology to further explore the processing of ‘Green hide’, using a method that is at present not considered part of the hide processing technology for Prehistoric Europe.

Saturday

Daytime Programme

10.00-12.00 Excavating a new rectangular trough/Heating stones/Preparing the trough lining timbers

12.00-14.00 Constructing a wooden lining to the trough/Preparing the joints with wrappings

14.00-14.30 Boiling the water

14.30-17.00 Cooking with hot rocks

17.00-18.45 Dining al fresco

Evening Programme

18.45-19.00 Welcome and introduction from Jacqui Wood

19.00-20.00 'Lakeside developments in Co Meath, Ireland - a Neolithic burnt mound complex at Clowanstown 1' presented by Matt Mossop.

Matt Mossop MA (Hons) MGSDip MIAI, current Treasurer of the CBA SW and Director of Archaeological Consultancy Ltd. Matt has directed excavations of numerous burnt mounds over the last 12 years including Clowanstown 1, one of the earliest and best preserved burnt mound complexes from recent Irish excavations. Matt has undertaken a number of experiments investigating possible interpretations, lecturing at the World Archaeological Congress (2008) in the hot-rock technology session and National Museum of Ireland (2009) for the opening of the Clowanstown exhibits.

20.00-21.00 ‘Hide processing technology- an overview’ presented by Sally Herriett

Sally Herriett BSc (Hons), PGCE, MA. Sally is currently researching The Use of Hide, Skins and Furs in Prehistoric Europe with The University of Bristol. For over 23 years Sally has presented History and Archaeology throughout the country with her husband Colin, for Schools, Colleges, English Heritage and the National Trust. Together Sally and Colin manage ‘The Star Gun Company’ the largest privately owned ‘Black Powder Artillery Display’ in the Country. As part of this Sally also reproduces Archaeological & Historical Artifacts and Clothing. Sally has excavated with Jacqui Wood at Saveock Water; The Historic Environment Service, Cornwall; Wessex Archaeology and Time Team. She has given papers at the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) Conference in Cork on the Artifacts recovered from the Votive Pool at Saveock and at the Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) conference in Durham in 2009, where she first discussed her hide processing research.

Sunday 18th March

Prehistoric flint working in Cornwall often involves imported (black) Beer Head flint, or beach flint. Beach flints typically have many fractures and are unpredictable and difficult to work. Prehistoric flint/chert types found at Clodgy Moor and at other sites in the South West vary in colour from the known available material and may have been heat treated to facilitate their working.

After a successful re-run of Karl Lee’s experiments heat treating flint, Graham will further test the technique and provide comparative material to aid flint analysis in the South West. Graham will additionally introduce us to a range of lithic working techniques, such as grinding, polishing and pecking.

Jacqui will lead tours of the Black Patch round house reconstruction, direct the reconstruction of the burnt mound and ensure we all get a taste for prehistoric cuisine. Her dishes will include smoked fish stew, sweet bean cakes and bread cups amongst other prehistoric delicacies.

Sunday

Daytime Programme

10.30-11.30 Excavating a new flint roasting pit (FRP 3) and filling it with layers of soil and flint alongside controls.

11.30-16.30 Lighting a fire over the roasting pit (FRP 3)

12.00-13.00 Excavating and recording Flint Roasting Pit 2

14.00-16.00 Excavating and recoding Flint Roasting Pit 2/ Introducing lithic working techniques including holed stones.

16.30-18.00 Dining al fresco

Evening Programme

18.00-18.15 Welcome and introduction

18.15-19.15 'The Clodgy Moor Project' presented by Graham Hill.

Graham Hill has field walked regularly from 2003 recording thousands of finds in West Penwith, especially around Clodgy Moor in the parish of Paul. His meticulous records and beautiful illustrations have facilitated the recognition of numerous archaeological sites in the wider landscape. From 2007 he has undertaken lithic experiments, making beautiful polished stone axehead and maces. In 2009 he pecked a hole through a one tonne granite boulder over 56 hours, using flaked diorite beach pebbles erecting the resultant megalith at Clodgy Moor (visible from the B3315 Lands End road out of Sheffield in West Penwith). Graham assists on archaeological excavations as well as at the Royal Cornwall Museum and his illustrations are highly valued. Graham’s work featured in British Archaeology (The Stone Collector BA113 p30-33).

19.15-20.15 ‘From green crystal eyes to Bunsen Burners, Experimental Archaeology in the 21st century’ presented by Jacqui Wood

Jacqui Wood, author of ‘Prehistoric Cooking’ and ‘Tasting the Past’ is an international authority on experimental archaeology and prehistoric cookery as well as our former secretary and director of the exciting excavations at Saveock Water. Jacqui has a portfolio of high profile reconstructions for a number of international institutions, including the Orkney Hood, a number of artefacts from the ‘Ice Man’ and of course her very beautiful and thought provoking round houses including one from Black Patch. She has featured regularly on Time Team and has presented numerous papers for the World Archaeological Congress, European Association of Archaeologists Conference and other academic institutions.

20.15-20.30 Conclusion by Matt Mossop

Please note:

Whilst we will attempt to broadly stick to the programme outlined, due to a range of factors, timescales of the daytime programme may vary considerably from those indicated. Hide processing, lithic working and tours of the Black Patch round house reconstruction will happen on a number of occasions over the weekend.

Whilst there is some shelter available this is essentially an outdoor event and as such you should come appropriately dressed for mud, rain and cold. We advise you to wear old, warm clothes- wellies are never a bad idea. Please bring suitable hot drinks and food for the day.

The ground around the experiment site is sloping and uneven and it is likely to require considerable time and help to get around if you are less mobile. Please get in contact if you are unsure.

Directions

Saveock Water Archaeology, Saveock Mill, Greenbottom, TRURO, Cornwall. TR4 8QQ.

by Bus: From Truro you can get the 18, 14 or 40 bus to the site from the bus station. Ask the driver to put you off about 100m past Tudor Lodge, Greenbottom. Take the track on the left (south) signed Saveock Mill.

http://www.archaeologyonline.org/Site%20-%20Contact%20us.html

Saveock Water

Archaeology

Hot rocks and the role of experimental archaeology. Exploring the possibilities of prehistoric hot stone technology, lithics and hide processing.

March 17-18th 2012.

Booking Form

Please print and return this form along with a cheque payable to the ‘Council for British Archaeology South West’ to: Matt Mossop, Treasurer, Council for British Archaeology South West, C/O Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, Goodagrane, Halvasso, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9BX. Regrettably places are on a first come first served basis. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Name

Address

E-mail

Telephone number

I would like to attend on Saturday 17th March Y/N (£5 suggested donation)

I would like a prehistoric meal on Saturday 17th March Y/N (£10/head)

I would like to attend on Sunday 18th March Y/N (£5 suggested donation)

I would like a prehistoric meal on Sunday 18th March Y/N (£10/head)

For further information please don’t hesitate to contact Matt Mossop at: mmossop@archaeologicalconsultancy.com / tel. 01326 341061 or on the day on mobile tel. 07807458312.