|
See attachments toGRO004 (as Kingston Memory Files) for the ‘Importance
of Springs during Later Prehistory’ – a general
account of the characteristic features, ethnology,
chronology and selected bibliography of burnt
mounds.
Burnt mounds are crescentic or circular mounds of
fire cracked , reddened sandstone. They vary in size
from 4m to 18m diameter and can be more than 2m
above present ground level.
In the Eastern Dales, their regular distribution at
springs at 1-2km intervals on the Dale Sides may
represent the distribution of contemporary transient
settlements with which they were associated.
They are numerous throughout Britain and their distribution is
not limited to the Uplands. Their use as sweat house
saunas seems most probable in the absence of any
evidence for cooking. Radiocarbon dates from burnt
mounds have been obtained from as early as 2400CalBC
to around 800 CalBC, most are of Middle Bronze Age
date.
References
Laurie,T.C. 2003. Researching the Prehistory of
Wensleydale, Swaledale and Teesdale, in ‘The
Archaeology of Yorkshire-an
assessment at the beginning of the twenty first
century’. Leeds:
Y.A.Soc Occ Pap 3, 223-34.
Laurie , T.C. 2004. ‘Burnt mounds in Wensleydale
and Swaledale’. Leeds: Y.A.Soc Occ Pap 2,79-88.
Laurie,T.C 2007 ‘ Enigma excavations - The
Sturdy Springs Burnt Mounds, October
2006’.Conservation Update. Defense Estates.
|
