General Themes: Settlement evolution
Definition
This theme will involve more focussed investigation of the processes of settlement shift, nucleation and desertion (B2, C2), whilst more specific functional aspects of settlements can be expected to emerge - mineral extraction sites, ritual foci, 'elite' residences (A2, C3) etc.. Finally the relationship between such settlements and the landscape contexts defined in Theme II can be investigated, for example medieval villages and their associated field systems (C1).
Methods
- Detailed topographical and geophysical survey will clarify surface configurations, structural characteristics and so forth (though NB previous remarks on the potential of LIDAR recording here)
- Campaigns of augering and chemical survey will define settlement extent, nature of fall-off at site peripheries and intra-site functional variations.
- Test pitting will confirm details of topographical organisation, augment functional indications via finds assemblages, and provide a basis for full-scale intervention by facilitating deposit mapping and hence modelling. In addition, the recovery of charred plant remains may help to determine the extent of occupation or disposal areas, and thus the nature and position of any site peripheries suggested by (2).
- Full excavation may be required in critical instances to develop each of the afore-mentioned spheres
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This site was last updated on March 2nd 2004 at 14:35 GMT.