Donyatt, in Somerset, has been the site of continuous pottery production from the 13th century. Its products had a wide distribution, throughout the west country, to London and beyond. This comprehensive account of the Donyatt industry includes a thorough study of the pots and their changing styles and decoration, the development of their kilns, the lives and working conditions of the potters, and their migrations to and from other potteries. It is based on the author's extensive excavations and on study of rich documentary sources, and combines two sorts of information rarely so adequately available for any site or industry.
The Archaeology of Martin's Hundred explores the history and artifacts of a 20,000-acre tract of land in Tidewater, Virginia, one of the most extensive English enterprises in the New World. Settled in 1618, all signs of its early occupation soon disappeared, leaving no trace above ground. More than three centuries later, archaeological explorations uncovered tantalizing evidence of the people who had lived, worked, and died there in the seventeenth century. Part I: Interpretive Studies addresses four critical questions, each with complex and sometimes unsatisfactory answers: Who was Martin? What was a hundred? When did it begin and end? Where was it located? We then see how scientific detective work resulted in a reconstruction of what daily life must have been like in the strange and dangerous new land of colonial Virginia. The authors use first-person accounts, documents of all sorts, and the treasure trove of artifacts carefully unearthed from the soil of Martin's Hundred. Part II: Artifact Catalog illustrates and describes the principal artifacts in 110 figures. The objects, divided by category and by site, range from ceramics, which were the most readily and reliably datable, to glass, of which there was little, to metalwork, in all its varied aspects from arms and armor to rail splitters' wedges, and, finally, to tobacco pipes. The Archaeology of Martin's Hundred is a fascinating account of the ways archaeological fieldwork, laboratory examination, and analysis based on lifelong study of documentary and artifact research came together to increase our knowledge of early colonial history. Copublished with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Excavations in advance of housing development at Longforth Farm, Wellington revealed limited evidence for late prehistoric settlement, but the principal discovery was the remains of a previously unknown high status medieval building complex. This is thought to have been a manor house and though heavily robbed, key elements identified include a hall, solar with garderobe and service wing. A forecourt lay to the north and a service yard with at least one ancillary building and a possible detached kitchen to the south. To the east was a complex of pits, enclosure and field ditches and a pond. ere was a restricted range and number of medieval finds, but together these suggest that occupation spanned the late 11th or 12th century to probably the 14th century. There was a notable group of medieval floor tiles and roof furniture, but documentary research has failed to identify the owners and any records relating specifically to this important building. One possibility is that it belonged to the Provost of Wells cathedral, and was perhaps abandoned in the 14th century when the Bishops may have established their court within the nearby and then relatively new market town of Wellington.
This book provides an introduction to the Shapwick Project's objectives, geographical background and previous work in the Somerset. It deals with excavations in the outlying parish and focuses on work in the village at Shapwick House.
THIS BOOK CONTAINS THE RESULTS OF TWO INDEPENDENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES CONDUCTED IN THE HEART OF GLASTONBURY TOWN CENTRE AT 11 HIGH STREET, NOW THE FOOTPRINT OF THE BUSY DOUBLE AWARD-WINNING GAUNTLET SHOPPING THOROUGHFARE. The studies were commissioned by the Developer and Landlord/owner Doug Hill between 2005-2007. They were request ed as a pre-condition for planning by Somerset CountyCouncil as it was considered imperative to document the history of the site, the development of which offered a unique opportunity prior to the commencement of the building works. This is a Grade 2 listed building positioned in the centre of a conservation area in the heart of Glastonbury (adjacent to the Tri - bunal, a Grade 1 Listed building) and as such is considered to be of great importance. The land at 11 High Street was stripped, mapped and the artefacts logged. The broad spectrum of finds were subsequently donated to the Somerset Museum, Taunton. Two Archaeological Reports INTRODUCED BY DOUG HILL The Gauntlet, Glastonbury THE TREASURE BENEATH OUR FEET Doug Hill THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK IS COMPREHENSIVE. BOTH REPORTS PRESENT DE TAILED, ACCURATELY ASSEMBLED DOCUMENTED RECORDS, WHICH I AM SURE YOU WILL FIND FASCINATING. The Gauntlet, Glastonbury THE TREASURE B E N E AT H O U R F E E T See our websites: DougHillBooks.com thegauntletshoppingthoroughfare.co.uk thegauntletshoppingthoroughfare.com TheGauntletShoppingArcade.co.uk TheGauntletShoppingArcade.com Also visit: thegauntletglastonbury.com glastonburyradio.com glastonburytown.co.uk
Excavations in 1979 on the fringes of Saxon Warminster produced the only substantial archaeological and palaeoenvironmental sequences so far recovered from the town. The report charts the development of early Warminster from its Saxon origins to the post-medieval period, providing evidence for ironforging, butchery and probably leatherworking in this back street area. An important assemblage of medieval Crockerton pottery was recovered.
Chris Gerrard looks at the people and excavations that have been important in medieval archaeology and the core theory and methodology used, creating an essential text for all medieval archaeologists.
