Broughton, North Yorkshire

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2 Broughton North Yorkshire Environmental Sample Analysis Summary The Friends of Active Archaeology commissioned Archaeological Services WYAS to undertake the processing and analysis of soil samples taken during five seasons of excavation at. The results of the work provide evidence of the function of features identified as kilns or fire pits.

3 Report Information Client: The Friends of Active Archaeology Address: c/o Melanie Partlett, 22 Emerald Street, Saltburn, Cleveland TS12 1ED Report Type: Environmental Analysis Location: Broughton County: North Yorkshire Grid Reference: Period(s) of activity represented: Roman Report : 2833 Project : 6187 Site Code: BR Date of report: December 2015 Project Management: Jane Richardson PhD Report: Diane Alldritt PhD, Jane Richardson, Marina Rose BSc Authorisation for distribution: Archaeological Services WYAS 2015 Nepshaw Lane South, Morley, Leeds LS27 7JQ Telephone: admin@aswyas.com ii

4 Contents Report information... ii Contents... iii 1 Introduction Methodology Analysis of the Flots... 1 Methodology... 1 Results... 1 Discussion... 2 Conclusion Analysis of the Retents... 5 Pottery... 5 Animal and fish bone... 5 Fired clay... 5 Snails... 5 Clinker... 6 Charcoal... 6 Other Conclusions... 6 Appendices Appendix 1: Carbonised plant remains, charcoal and other material from the sample flots Appendix 2: Catalogue of material recovered from the retents Bibliography iii

5 1 Introduction Archaeological investigations as part of the community project by The Friends of Active Archaeology at Broughton revealed evidence for Roman period activity of probable 2nd to 3rd-century AD date. Excavations in Trench 3 revealed a series of possible enclosure ditches, while in Trench 4 spreads of burnt debris and a kiln or oven, perhaps associated with metalworking, were investigated. Trench 6 contained evidence for wall foundations, as well as a series of fire pits. Following a number of seasons of excavation, The Friends of Active Archaeology commissioned Archaeological Services WYAS to undertake sample processing in order to analyse the resultant flots (the floating fraction) and catalogue any finds and ecofacts from the retent (heavy fraction). 2 Methodology Bulk environmental samples were processed using a Siraf-style water flotation system (French 1971), with a 1mm mesh and a 300 micron sieve. The flots were dried before examination under a low-power binocular microscope typically at x10 magnification. The retents were also dried before sorting by eye for the recovery of artefacts and ecofacts. 3 Analysis of the Flots by Diane Alldritt A total of 33 environmental sample flots were examined for carbonised plant macrofossils and charcoal. The majority of the samples examined originated from the kiln or oven and from the fire pits. Methodology Wood charcoal was examined using a high powered Vickers M10 metallurgical microscope at magnifications to x200. The reference photographs of Schweingruber (1990) were consulted for charcoal identification. Plant nomenclature utilised in the text follows Stace (1997) for all vascular plants apart from cereals, which follow Zohary and Hopf (2000). All identified plant remains including charcoal were removed and bagged separately by type. Results The sample flots produced varying amounts of charred material largely dependent upon context type. The kiln feature and fire pits produced the highest concentrations of burnt detritus with 40ml up to 100ml recorded, mainly consisting of charcoal fragments. Other features, such as the ditches, and some of the burnt spreads contained much less, with <2.5ml to 10ml recorded, mostly crushed degraded charcoal with occasional poorly preserved cereal grain. A few samples proved sterile. The charcoal generally consisted of a large amount of crushed degraded material with occasional samples producing concentrations of 10mm- 1

6 20mm identifiable fragments. Fire pit fill (6115) was notable for containing a large amount of charcoal with fragments up to 20mm-30mm in size. Unfortunately many of the samples were extremely silty, and were not adequately processed, particularly from the earlier seasons, and sample 33 (4362), which consisted of three bags of black silt, would benefit from being re-processed. Modern material was present in all of the samples but mainly in low amounts from <2.5ml up to 10ml. Small quantities of snail shell were recorded in some of the samples. The results are given in Appendix 1 and discussed below. Discussion The environmental samples produced evidence for a large amount of burning activity, in particular focused around the fire pits in Trench 6 and around the kiln or oven in Trench 4. The majority of burnt material identified is fuel waste in the form of charcoal, with evidence also for the cutting of peatlands for fuel indicated by finds of heather stems and rhizomes. A large amount of clinker-type burnt material from (4325) suggested charcoal or other fuel burnt to very high temperatures during industrial activities. Small amounts of cereal grain were recorded, mainly from Trench 4, and it is possible some agricultural activity in the form of cereal drying in kilns or ovens was also taking place at the site. Trench 3 Three samples taken from ditch features in Trench 3 produced small quantities of crushed and degraded charcoal and cereal grain, possibly re-deposited or dumped from burning activity in the vicinity. Sample 1 (3012) consists of traces of highly degraded cereal grain, with Triticum spp. (wheat) and Hordeum vulgare sl. (barley) identified. Sample 2 (3017) also contains degraded barley and indeterminate grain, together with a few fragments of Prunoideae (cherry) type charcoal, possibly Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) but it is too poorly preserved to accurately identify. Sample 3 (3026) is sterile. All three samples contained modern seeds indicating bioturbation of these deposits. Trench 4 Twenty samples were examined from Trench 4 with some of the kiln deposits and related spreads producing high concentrations of charcoal. Sample 4 (?) from around the kiln is sterile, whilst similarly sample 6 (4302) from the backfill of furnace/kiln 4310 contains only crushed trace burnt detritus. Sample 11 (4311), the burnt material in kiln 4310, consists of a high concentration of Quercus (oak) charcoal, in sizes 10-20mm, probably the main source of fuel in this feature. Sample 10 (4301) from the backfill of 4312 consists of a very silty, poorly processed flot, but it was possible to identify a few fragments of Corylus (hazel) and a Calluna (heather) stem in amongst the degraded detritus. Sample 25 (4314) a burnt deposit associated with the kiln, consists of heather fuel waste, with some thick twisted roots probably indicating digging of 2

7 peat. Sample 35 (4363) was described as backfill of oven and again produced similar fuel waste in the form of oak charcoal and a few rhizomes. Fire debris (4370) contains crushed charcoal and highly degraded Avena sp. (oat) and barley grains, probably trampled or scattered from nearby burning. The fill (sample 7, 4308) of feature 4227 produced fuel waste in the form of rhizomes and heather stems, with a small amount of poorly preserved oak and hazel charcoal. Sample 19 (4325) is similar but with generally much better preserved material. This deposit (4325) produced a large amount of industrial burnt residue in the form of clinker, together with a small amount of oak and heather, probably fuel from smithing or other activity requiring high heat. This fuel is mixed with grains of Triticum spp. (wheat) including Triticum spelta (spelt wheat) and seeds of Vicia faba (broad bean) suggesting some mixing with agricultural waste, or perhaps the multi-purpose use of the kiln and oven features. The fill of the kiln below the smithing debris sample 28 (4346) contains Coniferous-type charcoal and a concentration of Vicia faba (broad bean). The latter was probably being dried for storage. Samples 30 (4305) and 32 (4353) appear to have been associated with the kiln and again produced fuel waste including oak charcoal and heather stems, along with a degraded barley grain. No context information was available on sample 5 (4294) which produced a small amount of burnt waste including rhizomes and heather stems along with some very degraded cereal grain. Five grains were identified as Triticum spp. (wheat) and are possibly a mixture of bread and spelt wheat type. This deposit is probably waste from cereal processing/drying. No information was available on sample 22 (4315), but again this is probably trace fuel waste, consisting of heather stems with crushed degraded iron panned charcoal. Possible decayed wood sample 23 (4305) is not wood, but probably a smear of hearth fuel waste, consisting of oak charcoal and a degraded barley grain. Hearth sample 24 (4266) consists of a single indeterminate cereal grain mixed with modern material. Stake-hole sample 26 (4347) produced oak charcoal, perhaps the remains of the stake burnt in situ, along with traces of degraded Avena sp. (oat) and Triticum spp. (wheat). Sample 33 (4362), the burnt residue from [4361] (kiln/oven?), was poorly processed, consisting of three bags of silty soil containing small amounts of charcoal. This sample would benefit from longer in the flotation tank, or a smaller sieve size being used. It was possible to pick out a few fragments of charcoal, identified as a mixture of oak and hazel, probably all fuel waste. Red ash sample 17 (4249) and burnt deposit 27 (4344) are sterile. Trench 6 Ten samples from Trench 6 produced concentrations of oak charcoal, mainly focused in the fire pit features. Sample 46 (6073), the basal fill of a fire pit, consists of all oak charcoal, crushed into slivers and in chunks up to 20mm in size. Sample 48 (6006), also the base of a fire pit, and fire pit 3

8 fill (6126) contained oak. Sample 49 (6151) contained degraded barley grain along with rhizomes, possibly suggesting this fire pit was used for cooking or drying cereal grain. Fire pit sample 56 (6115) contains different fuel types to the above with mainly Alnus (alder) and Corylus (hazel) identified, perhaps waste from activities requiring lower heat to that produced by oak. Pit fill (6194) contains small amounts of hazel. Sample 47 (6064), the layer around the fire pits, consists only of oak, probably scattered detritus from the nearby fire pit activity. No information was available on sample 40 (6023), which contains crushed degraded charcoal, or sample 62 (6078) which contains only a single rhizome. The layer over wall foundation [6041] sample 43 (6048) is sterile. Conclusion The flots from five seasons of archaeological investigations produced evidence for intensive burning activity located in kiln or oven features in Trench 4 and in the fire pits in Trench 6. The bulk of burnt material recorded from the samples was found to be charcoal, with the fire pits indicating the use of oak as the primary fuel. In Trench 4, the kiln or furnace feature [4325] contained a large concentration of clinker from industrial-type burning. Small amounts of cereal grain were present in Trench 4 and suggested ovens or kilns were used for various activities. The cereal grain was mostly found to be wheat type, with some identifiable as spelt wheat, together with smaller amounts of barley and traces of oat. This would be broadly concurrent with a Late Iron Age or Roman date. Diversification of agriculture is indicated by the presence of large numbers of beans, perhaps grown as animal fodder or for human consumption. Charcoal was mostly oak in both the fire pits and kiln features, and this was probably the primary fuel for industrial burning, or activity requiring high levels of heat, as evidenced by (4305), (4311) and (4362) in Trench 4 and (6006), (6064) and (6073) in Trench 6. Fire pit fill (6115) was slightly different in that it contained alder and hazel, perhaps indicating a different activity occurring here. The use of peat resources for fuel was indicated by finds of heather stems and rhizomes. The association of these remains with deposits also containing cereal grain suggest peat was probably used for cereal drying and cooking, particularly (4294). 4

9 4 Analysis of the Retents Material from the retents has been catalogued by finds category in Appendix 2, and a brief summary of each category is given here. Pottery A total of six sherds of pottery were recovered from the retents. These were all small fragments of undiagnostic body sherds which were on average 25mm in length by 15mm in width. Two of the sherds (context 6023 and 4305) could be Roman in date, while the others are undated but probably later. These sherds may supplement the information gained by analysis of the pottery recovered from the site, but they are unlikely to provide any new information. Animal and fish bone The majority of the bones are tiny undiagnostic fragments, some of which are cremated. A few identifiable fragments were recovered including a frog limb bone and vole tooth from 3012 (ditch), a sheep tooth from 3017 (ditch), fragments of a dog tooth from 3026 (ditch), a cremated fish vertebra from 4363 (oven), a cremated pig second phalanx from 6006 (fire pit), a sheep tooth from 6023 and cremated sheep/goat remains (vertebrae, ribs, third phalanx and horncore) from As with the pottery from the retents, these remains are likely to supplement the information recovered from the hand-collected material, but not add to it significantly. Fired clay A large amount fired clay fragments were present within the retents. The majority of these were tiny scraps that will not add to the information gained by analysis of the hand-collected material. Some of the larger fragments did exhibit features such as wood impressions and possible edge pieces (contexts 4305, 6006, 6073 and 6204) which may add to indicate structural form. Fragments from 6073 (fire pit) and 6233 also showed finger impressions now preserved in the fired clay. All of the larger fragments from context 6233 were distinct in displaying both oxidised and reduced surfaces suggesting that they were subject to high temperatures and may have been close to the seat of a fire. Analysis of the larger fragments of fired clay specifically those that exhibit preserved features and evidence of use may supplement information gained form the hand-collected material but is unlikely to add to it significantly. Snails The majority of the snail shell were tiny fragments too small to provide any meaningful information, but a portion of complete examples may prove useful as ecological indicators. Fragments of common garden snails were also present, as well as two examples of burrowing types (contexts 3012 and 4363) which should be seen as intrusive in the archaeological deposits. 5

10 Clinker The largest concentration of clinker material was from context 4311 (kiln) and this supplements the information gained from the analysis of the flots from this feature. A significant amount was also recovered from context 3026 (ditch) indicating the disposal of waste material into the ditch from a nearby kiln. Context 4294 also contained a small amount of clinker. Charcoal The charcoal present within the retent was of smaller fragment size than those analysed from the flot and are unlikely to add anything to the identification of taxa or interpretation of the associated features. Other Fragments of flint were found in contexts 3012 and These were all small scraps of sharp angular flint with no evidence of being worked. These are considered to be naturally occurring and do not require further analysis. One small fragment of slag was recovered from context 4311 (kiln). This alone does not add any information to the interpretation of the feature. Larger hand-collected fragments with diagnostic features would be more useful to determine the nature of industrial processes occurring on the site. One very small fragment of glass was recovered from 4347 (stake-hole). The size of this fragment may indicate that it was intrusive. A large amount of material was classed as unidentified, but further investigation shows the majority to be fossilised shell fragments and are of no archaeological importance. 5 Conclusions The analysis of the environmental remains has provided valuable information as to the nature of the features excavated, specifically those with evidence of in situ burning. The most informative results are gained from the flot analysis where the types of fuel and carbonised plant remains have been identified. The use of different wood species as fuel would have allowed greater control of temperature within the potential kilns with peat used where lower temperature was needed as in the case of corn drying and cooking. The burnt animal bone is also potential evidence of domestic cooking activities with the waste food scraps thrown into the fire. Inclusion of spent fuel (charcoal and clinker) and burnt bone within the ditch fills suggests that the fire pits and kilns were cleaned out and reused. Potentially the most informative of the retent finds are the fragments of fired clay that include impressions of structural wood, finger marks left during formation and oxidation/reduction of the clay caused by high temperatures. 6

11 Appendix 1: Carbonised plant remains, charcoal and other material from the sample flots Sample Context Area T3 T3 T3 T4 T4 T4 T4 Feature ditch ditch ditch kiln kiln fill of 4227 Total CV 5ml 5ml ml <2.5ml 20ml Modern 2.5ml 2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml 5ml 5ml 10ml Carbonised Cereal Grain Common Name Triticum spp. wheat 2 5 Hordeum vulgare sl. barley 2 2 Indeterminate cereal grain (+embryo) Charcoal Quercus oak 1 (0.12g) Corylus hazel 1 (0.06g) Prundoideae cherries 3 (0.54g) Coniferous Type conifer Indeterminate 1 (0.01g) Carbonised Wild Resources Rhizomes 1 (0.11g) 5 (0.20g) Calluna stems heather 1 (0.11g) 10 (0.32g) Other Remains Non-marine mollusc (snail) shell Modern seeds Sample Context Area T4 T4 T4 T4 T4 T4 Feature kiln kiln 4310 ash smithing debris wood? Total CV 20ml 40ml 0 10ml 2.5ml 10ml Modern <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml Carbonised Cereal Grain Common Name Triticum spelta spelt wheat 1 Triticum spp. wheat 2 Hordeum vulgare sl. barley 1 Charcoal Quercus oak 15 (2.29g) 2 (0.31g) 3 (0.14g) Corylus hazel 3 (0.31g) Alnus alder Prundoideae cherries Coniferous Type conifer Indeterminate 2 (0.11g) Carbonised Wild Resources Rhizomes 1 (0.02g) Calluna stems heather 1 (0.06g) 1 (0.02g) 2 (0.07g) Carbonised Weeds Vicia faba broad bean 3 Other Remains Clinker (industrial residue) 50+ Non-marine mollusc (snail) shell Modern seeds 1 1

12 Sample Context Area T4 T4 T4 T4 T4 T4 Feature hearth kiln stakehole deposit kiln kiln Total CV <2.5ml 2.5ml 2.5ml <2.5ml 30ml 15ml Modern <2.5ml 2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml Carbonised Cereal Grain Common Name Avena sp. oat 1 Triticum spp. wheat 1 Hordeum vulgare sl. barley 1 Indeterminate cereal grain (+embryo) 1 Charcoal Quercus oak 3 (0.12g) 5 (0.52g) Corylus hazel Coniferous Type conifer 4 (0.33g) Indeterminate Carbonised Wild Resources Calluna stems heather 5 (0.41g) Carbonised Weeds Vicia faba broad bean 15 Other Remains Non-marine mollusc (snail) shell Modern seeds Sample Context Area T4 T4 T4 T4 T6 T6 oven backfill fire debris over wall Feature charcoal kiln/oven? Total CV 5ml 20ml 10ml 20ml <2.5ml 0 Modern <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml Carbonised Cereal Grain Common Name Avena sp. oat 3 Hordeum vulgare sl. barley 3 Indeterminate cereal grain (+embryo) Charcoal Quercus oak 8 (0.75g) 4 (0.36g) Corylus hazel 2 (0.45g) Alnus alder Prundoideae cherries 1 (0.14g) Indeterminate Carbonised Wild Resources Rhizomes 1 (0.02g) Calluna stems heather 4 (0.05g) Other Remains Non-marine mollusc (snail) shell Modern seeds

13 Sample Context Area T6 T6 T6 T6 T6 Feature fire pit fire pit fire pit fire pit fire pit Total CV 25ml 2.5ml 15ml 5ml 100ml Modern 10ml <2.5ml <2.5ml 2.5ml <2.5ml Carbonised Cereal Grain Common Name Hordeum vulgare sl. barley 1 Indeterminate cereal grain (+embryo) Charcoal Quercus oak 15 (1.74g) 4 (0.28g) 10 (1.20g) Corylus hazel 4 (1.76g) Alnus alder 6 (5.67g) Indeterminate Carbonised Wild Resources Rhizomes 6 (0.30g) Other Remains Non-marine mollusc (snail) shell Modern seeds Sample Context Area T6 T6 T6 Feature fire pit fire pit Total CV 25ml 5ml 5ml Modern <2.5ml <2.5ml <2.5ml Charcoal Quercus oak 2 (0.04g) Corylus hazel 1 (0.16g) Indeterminate 2 (0.21g) Carbonised Wild Resources Rhizomes 1 (0.11g) 1 (0.05g) Calluna stems heather Other Remains Non-marine mollusc (snail) shell Modern seeds

14 Appendix 2: Catalogue of material recovered from the retents Site Code Context Sample Sieve size Pottery Bone Fired Clay Snails Clinker Charcoal Unidentified Other Notes BR >4mm Fragments of animal bone, signs of butchery. Small pieces and scraps of fired clay, no features. Fragments of snail shell. Two small pieces of charcoal too small to identify. Three small pieces of flint. Also included various small pieces of stone. BR >2mm Small fragments of animal bone including possible small rodent bones. Tiny scraps of fired clay. Snail shell including burrowing types. Charcoal too small to identify. Unidentified includes quartz and stone frags. BR >4mm Fragments of animal bone including tooth. Fragments of snail shell. Charcoal large enough for identification. Four small fragments of flint. Unidentified is fossil shell. BR >2mm Very small bone frags but may include small rodent bones. Tiny scraps of fired clay. Fragments of snail shell. Charcoal small fragments. Unidentified is fossil shell. BR? >2mm Some tiny fragments of bone mixed in with fossil shell. Two tiny scraps of fired clay. Small fragment of charcoal with possible seeds. Fragments of snail shell. BR? >4mm Small fragment of undiagnostic grey pottery with large white inclusions. Fragments of animal bone including teeth. Fragments of charcoal possibly large enough to identify. BR? >2mm Some small frags of animal bone mixed in with fossil stone. Two tiny scraps of fired clay. Frags of snail shell. Charcoal too small to identify. BR Small undiagnostic fragments of fired clay. BR One small fragment of clinker c. 1.5cm BR? >2mm One small scrap of animal bone. Tiny scraps of fired clay. Unidentifiable frags of charcoal. Unidentified includes fossil shell. BR? >4mm 1 2 One small scrap of snail shell. Unidentified is fossilised shell. BR Small bone fragments including burnt. BR Labelled as slag, these are possible clinker frags.

15 Site Code Context Sample Sieve size Pottery Bone Fired Clay Snails Clinker Charcoal Unidentified Other Notes BR >2mm Small scraps of fired clay. One small snail shell. Charcoal too small to identify. Unidentified is fossil shell. BR >4mm 1 10 One burnt fragment of animal bone. Fired clay scraps, no features. BR >4mm One scrap of fired clay. Two frags of snail shell. Charcoal mixed in with stone etc. Unidentified is fossil shell. (one bag marked animal bone is stone) BR >2mm Tiny scraps of animal bone too small to identify. Tiny scraps of fired clay. Two tiny scraps of snail shell. Charcoal is more a bag of stone. Unidentified is fossil shell. BR frags Probable daub fragments in various sizes some showing wattle and lath impressions. Three fragments of burnt bone. BR? >4mm One small sherd of pottery, dark fabric with large white inclusions. Three fragments of burnt bone mixed in with fossil stone. Undiagnostic scraps of fired clay. Charcoal too small to identify. Unidentified is small fragments of quartz. BR >2mm Small fragments of animal bone, most burnt, undiagnostic. Tiny scraps of fired clay. Small fragments of shell. Tiny scraps of charcoal. Two bags of unidentified fossil shell. BR >4mm Two sherds of pottery different fabrics, body sherds. Fragments of animal bone, some burnt, recognisable bits. Scraps of fired clay, no features. Charcoal mixed in with stone. Unidentified is fossil shell. BR? >4mm Two small fragments of undiagnostic burnt bone. Scraps of fired clay, no features. Shell is fossil shell. Charcoal maybe large enough to identify. One small fragment of slag. BR? >2mm Three small scraps of bone, all burnt. Scraps of fired clay. One small snail shell. Charcoal too small to identify. BR? >2mm Very small bone frags, unidentifiable. Tiny scraps of fired clay. Three small snail shell frags. Small frags of charcoal, unidentifiable. Unidentified bag is possible fossilised shell.

16 Site Code Context Sample Sieve size Pottery Bone Fired Clay Snails Clinker Charcoal Unidentified Other Notes BR? >4mm Scraps of fired clay. Charcoal including twig frags possible big enough for identification. Unidentified is possible fossilised shell. BR? >4mm Scraps of fired clay, no features. Charcoal possibly large enough to identify. BR? >2mm Scraps of fired clay. Small fragments of charcoal. Unidentified is fossil shell. BR? >2mm Large bag of charcoal maybe not all contained dis charcoal. Tiny scraps of fired clay. Bag of unidentified is possible fossilised shell. BR? >4mm 100+ Large amount of charcoal. Identifiable pieces. BR >2mm Some small scraps of animal bone mixed in with possible stone. Small scraps of fired clay. Large amount of possible charcoal, possible mixed bag. Unidentified is possible fossilised shell. One small frag of glass. Possibly modern. BR >4mm Fairly large fragments of animal bone, straight end on one shows butchery. Fairly large identifiable sized charcoal. BR? >2mm ? 50+ Some tiny fragments of bone mixed in with fossil shell. Scraps of fired clay. Clinker is more stone fragments maybe one or two frags contained. Charcoal too small to identify. BR? >4mm 2 Two tiny charcoal frags and two bits of stone BR? >2mm Two tiny charcoal scraps, small frags of charcoal and unidentified BR >4mm 6 One flat piece others appear to be small scraps of clinker. BR >2mm Tiny scraps of fired clay. Charcoal very small frags. Tiny frag of snail shell. Unidentified includes possible fragments of burnt bone. BR >4mm Small fragments of bone including burnt fish vertebra. Mixed sizes of fired clay none have visible features. Charcoal frags, one big enough for identification.

17 Site Code Context Sample Sieve size Pottery Bone Fired Clay Snails Clinker Charcoal Unidentified Other Notes BR >2mm Four tiny fragments of bone, unidentifiable. Small scraps of fired clay. Bag labelled as slag is also fired clay. Snail shell includes one burrowing. Lots of charcoal flecks probably too small for identification. Unknown bag possible fossilised shell. BR >4mm 2 Tiny bone fragments mixed with stone. BR >4mm 4 Undiagnostic scraps BR >4mm 10 Small fragments of charcoal mixed with scraps of fired clay BR >4mm 10 Unidentified, possible very small bone and shell frags mixed with stone. BR >2mm 10 Tiny charcoal fragments mixed with burnt clay and stone. BR >2mm 6 Shell frags BR >2mm 30+ Possible tiny bone frags, shell and stone frags BR Small fragments size on the cusp of identifiable BR Most look burnt. Scrap but some identifiable. BR Medium to large identifiable fragments BR Mixed sizes one possible edge piece possible wood impressions BR BR One tiny scrap with a thin wall, red surfaces and grey inside possibly unidentifiable. One larger grey sherd quite thin, fabric possibly identifiable. BR Possible large enough for identification, includes one possible shell fragment. BR Three small scraps two are burnt. One small mammal tooth. BR Fragments of garden snail BR Burnt bone includes identifiable pieces. BR small flat snail shells BR Fossil. Spiral shape

18 Site Code Context Sample Sieve size Pottery Bone Fired Clay Snails Clinker Charcoal Unidentified Other Notes BR Small fragments on the cusp of identifiable BR Large white inclusions within the clay. Some possible wood impressions but they are not distinct. One thumb impression and one possible edge piece. BR Burnt. One possible identifiable BR Assorted size fragment. Some large enough for iditification BR Small fragments. No visible features. BR Small fragments. Some large enough for possible identification. BR Very small fragments. BR Mixed collection. Two possible clinker frags with thin fragments of carbonised material and a carbonised shell fragment. BR Twig fragments BR Mainly flat pieces. Identification may be possible on a few pieces. BR Labelled as Pottery. This is fires clay. Possible lath impression on one piece. BR Small to large fragments of fired clay. Distinct oxidised external and reduced internal parts. Large inclusions within the clay including shell. No visible wood impressions but a possible thumb impression on one piece BR Assorted size fragments. Some large enough for identification. BR09? 4 4 Fossilised shell fragments

19 Bibliography French, D.H., 1971, An Experiment in Water Sieving, Anatolian Studies Schweingruber, F.H., 1990, Anatomy of European Woods. Paul Haupt Publishers Berne and Stuttgart Stace, C., 1997, New Flora of the British Isles. 2nd Edition Zohary, D. and Hopf, M., 2000, Domestication of Plants in the Old World. 3rd Edition