l BI 4
Level III report on the bones from Misbourne Viaduct, Gerrards Cross, Bu ck s
by Bob Wilson
Excavation Methods
The bones were recovered in hurried working conditions, · th e last nne s
The poor condjtion of t h e
being salvaged prior to destruction of the site.
first material dug up suggeste d that small bones of bird and fish wo uld not
survive.
Work
time
spent
on
sieving
soil
was
not
recomme nd e d
anrl
dn
extended recovery of larger material by hand appeared preferrable.
Stratigraphic context
Three
gravel.
general
F603
but
uneven
contained
tufaceous material.
the
feature
lowest
layers
level
of
lay
above
the
occupational
'natural'
debris
within
F602 was an intermediate level of occupational debris
of what may have been a more persistent, albeit disturbed, ground su r face.
F601
contained some
bones
but mainly
was
a
deep,
homogeneous
and
later
deposit of tufa covering and substantially separating F602 from the modern
top soil.
Abundance of bones and fragment in the collection
Bones and fragments number close to 1,000, all of them apparently from
mammals,
and
mainly
bones are few.
of disarticulated and
Fragments are often small,
Another
anciently broken.
skeleton.
Excluding
It
identifiable.
the
was,
30 or
more
latter,
as
however,
scattered
Compl e te
leached, and freshly as well as
frgments
few
elements.
as
preferred
are
12% of
to
count
from a
the
small
bones
this
mammal
would
material
be
more
systemmatically.
Fragment number counts
Newly broken fragments which could be reunited to give an identifiable
An estimate was made of the minimum
skeletal element were counted as one.
number
of
fragments
(MNF)
represented
among
the
remaining
unidentified
fragments from each bag of bones.
Number of bones and fragments in the ground
Counting
by
the MNF
fragments
which were
excluding
the
would
small.
reduce
buried
skeleton.
this
numb~r;
About 25% of
method
in
indicates
the
A more
somewhat
that
the
number
ground originally was
exhaustive
but
the
examination
gain
of
of
less
than
and
500,
the
material
information
would be
thi·~ group of bones were identified.
of
bones
Condition of bones and soil conditions
The difference between
different
methods
of
the
counting
totals
of
indicates
fragments
that
over
obtained by
half
damage from topsoil stripping and other excavation.
were
th e
two
create d
by
br e akaqes
Comparabl~
are sustained during excavation of other prehistoric and late period sites.
Fragility
fragmentation.
of
bones
a
substantial
factor
in
this
r e c e nt
Burnt bones appeared particularly fra<.Jile and this
easy to allow for
bones.
was
in estimates
of
their
percentage
abundance
is not
among
all
The results indicate that between 7 and 15% of the bones wer e but·nt
or scorched but a
more
reliable
estimate
is
probably somewhat
th~n
l es s
those given.
Leaching of bones was
were
light
preserved,
coloured
and
noticeably of
the
usual cause
often
the
badly
small
of
eroded
mammal
fragi.li ty.
but
some
skeleton.
Bone
bones
Some
s urfac~s
were
bones
bette r
i.n
three feature layers were enc~sted within limestone concretions.
all
One or
two of these bones , notably a large cuboid in F601, appear better preserved
and
they
suggest
a
change
in
the
conditions
of
preservation,
probably
during the accumulation of the tufa of F601.
The
deeply
leaching
buried,
surface ( s ) .
to
soil
of
and
bones
should
almost
have
certainly
taken
place
oc curr ed
at
before
the
they
mesolithic
wer e
ground
Leaching may be related to rainwater acidity or more dir e ctly
conditions ,
i.e.
to
inorganic
and
humic
activity
near
th e
showed
further
areas
of
mesolithic ground surface.
A
few
other
bones
in
F602
and
F603
mineralisation; probably the deposition of thin increments of iron oxide or
hydroxide which was leached from elsewhere in the ground.
Species Identification
Cattle, pig, and sheep
primigenius,
chiefly
Most of the bones of cattle are referrab l e
on
the
basis
of
the
bone
measurements,
conceivable that domesticated cattle are represented
of pig must be of Sus scrofa.
),
it
is
The bones
For this species, at least 2 large teeth, 3
large bones, and most of the others
unmodified by domestication.
(page
but
to Bas
~ppear
to represent wild stock largely
No element of sheep was postively identified
although at least one eroded tibia shaft (F601) appeared most comparable to
small sheep with th e robustness of Soay bones.
Deer
The
largest bones
incomplete
astragalus
from
showed
morphological
differences
cattle.
deer
Red
complications
of
the
similarity
indicate
presented
bone
site were compared with elk.
no
erosion
that
real
of
size
this
and
form
Only an
but
minor
bone
is
best identi Ei e d
as
difficulties
of
identification
hut
probably
prevented
the
recognition
of
additional bones of roe.
Beaver
This
species
is
unmistakably
represented
by
an
ma nd ib l < ~
e rod e d
incisor.
Small carnivores
The form and grooving of a canine is distinctive for cat,
presumably wild cat Felis sylvestris sylvestis.
other tiny fragments of a crushed mandible.
The tooth was
found with
Also readily recognisable are
teeth and other pieces of a leached mandible and a better preserve d radius
of badger.
An eroded shaft of a
small carnivore tibia is open to doubt as being
of otter but the curvature and minor morphology appear to eliminate other
small sized species.
mandible
compares
A toothless anterior part of another small carnivor e
best
to marten or polecat -
cat is excluded since
alveoli demonstrate a continuous
toothrow of incisors and premolars.
overlap
pine
in
the
identification
size
range
uncertain
of
but
the
marten
size
of
and
the
polecat
alveoli
made
suggest
a
the
The
closer
that
pine
marten is represented.
Spatial distribution of bones
The frequencies of bones (MNF tallies ) in the 1m grid squares of the
trench
are
given
for
the
most
important
classes
of
bones.
Figure
presents the overall totals for the excavation and of the three constituent
layers.
The
overall
distribution
of
abundant in the northern area of
bones
is
uneven
the trench.
and
they
were
most
This pattern and localised
concentrations of bones are found in all three layers except for a greater
concentration
boundaries
results
in
and
the
western
pedological
indicate a
area
of
distinctions
continuity rather
F603.
which
Despite
have
the
been
than dis continuity of
stratigraphic
described,
the
the spread of
bones among the layers.
Figure 2 shows the distribution of the burnt bones and those of small,
medium,
and large sized species: respectively,
roe deer;
of pig and red deer; and of cattle.
chosen because: -
of the small carnivores and
These classes of bones were
Total number s of bone fragme n ts (MNF)
3
1
2
-
4
-
2
1
3
-
5
4
5
4
3
2
3
2
5
6
2
6
4
3
6
34
23
2
9
10
19
6
14
4
7
-
3
-
14
18
-
-
Fra gments
1
-
-
6
-
2
15
-
it-. F "Ol
-
-
- -
-
2
-
1
2
-
2
3
4
5
1
1
3
Fragme nts in F602
17
12
27
-
-
-
2
3
1
2
-
3
-
2
1
3
-
2
6
14
5
-
-
10
3
2
5
4
3
2
1
2
3
5
1
-
-
3
1
1
4
6
4
9
1
Fragments in F603
3
7
3
2
-
3
5
1
. . .
(14-)
2
-
-
-
3
18
18
4
-
15
3
3
7
1
4
1
1
-
1
10
-
2
3
-
2
6
Fig 1.
2
4
16
12
24
6
12
4
Spatial di s tribution of bone fragments per s quare metre of the excavation trench
from salvaqe contexts (dots) c ould not be plotted]
[s ome
ll
1
-
4
Burnt bo"''e.S
3
2
3
5
18
2
2
Small bones of carnivores and roe(sheep
-
3
-
2
8
2
2
-
Deer and pig bones
2
-
2
3
2
-
-.
-
1
.
6
3
b
Cattle {lane s
2
2
2
-
-
1
-
3
1
2
1
2
-
1
1
2
3
-
3
3
-
2
-
1
5
3
2
1
2
2
Fig 2.
Spatial distribution of burnt bone fragments, and bones of sma ll, medium, and large size d species per square
metre of the exca vation trench
F601
2
F602
18
3
3
2
2
5
F603
6
2
2
2
Fig 3.
Spatial distribution of burnt bone fragments per squa re metre in the features of the excavation trench
.·
F601
F602
F603
3
3
2
2
2
3
3
Fig 4.
2
Spatial distribution of cattle bones per square metre in the featur es of th e exca ·Jation t:r<?nch
a)
burnt and small fragments,
and the bones of small species,
t e nd to be
variously associated with central areas of settlement occupation, wi t h
hearths,
internal
building
contexts,
floor
layers,
domestic
and
kitchen areas, and;
b)
large fragments and bones of larger species are more associated with
peripheral areas of occupation and external contexts,
as well as non
domestic buildings.
These patterns are variously encountered at sites of Iron Age, Roman o British,
Saxon and medieval sites
in
the Midland
region and
elsewh e r e 1 .
Such cross-cultural patterning may assist the recognition and location of
both general and specialised mesolithic activity.
In Figure
2 the
burnt fragments
are
seen
places toward the eastern areas of the trench.
to cluster
in on e
or
two
Remains of cn.ttle shan.'
rl
similar range but are more abundant in the north e rn and western parts of
the trench.
Bones of the small and medium sized species indicate no maj or
differences with the spread of the other two classes of bones.
Figures 3 and 4 show the distribution of burnt frag ments and c a ttle
bones in the three feature layers.
that
few
burnt
fragments
were
The chronological pattern indicated is
associated
with
the
mor e
numerous
cattle
bones in F603 while the more diffuse scatter of burnt debris in the upper
two layers were associated with relatively few cattle bones.
Generally the
location of fires appears
the disposal of carcass bones
to the east and north , with
being concentrated in
the
north and west.
The location of fires may have shifted into the area of the tre nch in the
second and third phases of occupation.
large
bones
appears
more
evident
in
Butchery or rubbish clearance of
the
locality
of
the
trench
at
the
earliest phase.
These
varied
associations
of
particular
classes
of
bones
with
different human activity , and the small number of bones collected from t h e
layers, indicate that species representation in each stratigraphic or phase
group is
not necessarily reliable
for
site interpretation.
However
the
small total should be more representative of general mesolithic activity.
Species and skeletal element distributions
Classifications of the bones and fragments into species and skeletal
elements
are
given
in Tables
and
2.
In Table
the
frequencies
of
species of different sized bones given tend to correlate with the presence
of burnt debris in the layers as previously described, especially if bones
of red deer were to be grouped with cattle,
the smaller species.
and those of pig grouped with
Tab·le 1:
Frequencyof species bonesa fromMisbourneVIaduct, Bucks, in
stratlgr~hlc groups.
Cattleb
She€?
601
602
603
2
11
23
less
Tota l
stratif i ed
7
71
Pig
3
Red deer
Roe
43
35.0
71
o.8
5
13
6
27
11
10+A
9
31
25.4
6+2A
13
10.7
2
3
Rabbit
1C
o.8
Beaver
o.8
\tll ld cat
o.8
Otter
o.8
Badger
2
2
Pl nemarten/
po lecat
0.8
Identified
7?
32
52
31
122
Unl dent I f I ed
53
93
142
77
365
Tota l
60
125
194
108
487
Tota l burnt
37
31
6
A=
a
75
Ant ler base or fragment
Fragment frequencies are based on counts of Mi nimum Numbers
of Fragments I n each bag of bones (see text)
b Catt le refers o lmost certa i n I y to ourochs Bos pr l ml genlus
c
Exc l ud i ng ske leton of juven l.le rabbit or posslb l y of hare
<see text ) . These bones are a lmost certa i n! y Intrusive.
Table 2:
Frequency of skeleta l e leme nts among the four commonest sp eci es
Cattle
Pig
Antler
JC
CranIum
Red deer
lc
JCJd
Roe
2d
ld
Maxi I Ia
Mandible
JCJd
JCJd
Tooth
Vertt:lbra
1a3b5c1d
2b
2a3b5c3d
4bJCJd
Jb2C2d
1b
Ia
Pe lvi s
Sc~u
JbJC
JbJC
JC
Humerus
Femur
JC
Radius
JC
JC
2b3c
JC
2bJd
JC
JC
Ulna
Tibia
Jb2C
1d
JbJCJd
Jd
Ia
Patella
3c1d
Carpal jol nt
JC
Jb
1bJd
JC
JC
Jd
JC
Ia
Jb
Calcaneum
Astragalus
Cuboid
Jd
Metacarp a I
2CJd
Jd
Jd
Jd
Metatarsa l
JbJ C2d
JC
JC
2d
1st phalanx
2CJd
2nd pha I a nx
JC
3rd phalanx
lbJC
43
a
= F601
b
F602
c
= F603
d
Less strat i f ied
2C
Jb
27
31
13
The
distribution
of
skeletal
elements
in
Tabl e
2
does
unusual although the absence of whole crania and cattle bones
not
appea r
i s no ti ce abL e
but is not necessarily significant.
Skeleton of juvenile lagomorph: bones of rabbit or hare
Bones
final
of a
salvage
differe n t
lagomorph
grab
bags
skeleton were
(salvage
ref.
vertebral
epiphyses.
K1 ) .
The
at
0. 7m
bones
and
limb
d e pth
had
but matching and complementary eleme nts
them to be of a single individual.
cranial,
found
been
or
d uri ng
th e
plac e d
into
fragme nts
s h ow
At least 30 bones are pres e nt in c lu d in g
elements,
the
last
showing
only
unfused
Pieces of rib were not counted.
These bones rna tch best with those of rabbit but possibly could be of
hare.
Their
lengths
of
juvenile
the
state
immature
creates
humerus,
this
fe mur,
uncertainty.
and
tibia
The
are
36,
approximat e
4 7 and
48mm
respectively.
These small bones,
especially the tiny unfused epiphyses,
a nd th e rib
fragments which have a breadth of about 1mm, are in an unusually good state
of
preservation
compared
to
the
other
leached
bones
in
the
colle c tion.
These small bones do not appear
to have been subjecte d to leaching.
This
conclusion
generally
late
and,
of
course,
the
accepte d
e vidence
of
the
introduction of the rabbit to Britain and to this region in post- Roman and
probably in medieval times 2 strongly suggest that
these bones are a
intrusion
burrowing
into
individuals.
the
deposits,
probably
due
to
and
late
nesting
The same conclusion is drawn about the well preserved f e mur
of a larger immature rabbit which was found in F601A.
Articulated bones
Three vertebrae of red deer
lumbars
and probably originate
grid references 53-321
each
other.
complete
this
A
3rd
series
appear
from
the
identifiable as
same
2nd,
4th and 5th
They occur at
individual.
(F60 2 ), .50- 319 (F603) and 51-319 ( F603 ) within 3m of
lumbar
of
vertebra
bones,
and,
from
by
an
two
unlabelled
points
of
bag
cross
appears
to
matching
of
bones, is probably from 50 - 319 and F603.
A lunate and magnum of
F603 are
almost certainly
cattle at 52 - 313 and 52 - 316 respective ly in
from
the same
left carpal
salvaged from the adjacent area ( salvage ref J
joint.
A cuneiform
'below tufa') also fits well
with the above bones.
Two first and second phalanges of cattle in F603 at 52-316 appear once
articulated, and with a 3rd phalanx at 50 - 313 of F603.
Two incisors of red deer, an I1 and I2/I3, at 52 - 313 we re lab e ll e d as
F602 and F603 but are probably from the same mandibl e .
These associated or articulating elements sugg e st that so me bones ·.ve r e
not broken up and scattered far from where butchery rubbi s h was droppe d o r
thrown.
Relationships between feature groups of bones
Evidence in the section above also suggests
that a clear distin c t io n
can not be made between all of the material deposite d in layers F60 2 and
F603.
This inability may have been brought about by the difficulti e s
excavating
features
archaeological
or
information
individual
about
the
bones,
or
deposits.
represents
The
latter
of
genuin e
a l tern a t i ve
appears supported by the general spatial spread of bones but less by mor e
detailed differences in the location of certain cla s s e s of bones.
Thus
although
the
three
feature
successive pedological formations,
deposits
undoubte dly
r e pres e nt
it is pass ible that the bones represPn t
only one or two phases of relatively coherent human occupation rather than
the three periods of activity implied by the stratigraphic division of the
bones .
Minimum numbers of individuals
Comparison of
fragments
of each element in the collection shows
presence of at least three aurochs;
the
two each of pig, red deer and roe deer;
and one each of the remaining species,
except for
two of rabbit which is
held to be intrusive.
Bone · measurements
Nearly all of the specifications of bones measurements listed in Table
3 are given by Van den Driesch3.
and breadth of a
Also listed are the outer circumference
loose 4th .incisor or canine of pig, and,
for cattle,
the
diaphysial width of the metacarpal and the height of the third phalanx.
Cattle
Although the size of individual elements varies greatly , all of th e
measurements
taken
other
authors
there
is
e.g.
a
for
appear
Bas
to fit
the
primigeni~s
in
range
of
Britain
size overlap with measurements
measurements
and
discuss e d
elsewhere 4 ,
by
although
of Neolithic domes tic cattle,
the dimensions of 1st and 2nd phalanges from F603 and a
3rd phalanx
from F602.5
Some of the observed size variability must be due to sexual dimorphism
but the evidence is too little to be discussed.
Table 3:
Bone measurements (mml
Catt le
Radl us ·
Lunate
Magnum
Astragalus
Cuboid
Metllcarp a l
Bd
G8
G8
GL1
Bd
G8
~
Bd
DI ap h. w.
Metatarsa I
1st pha Ianx
Bp
Glpe
~
Bd
2nd ph a Ianx
Q_
~
3rd phalanx
Pig
4th Incisor
Loose
3rd molar
CT .w.s.c >
UI nil
Astrllgll lu s
ClliCMeum
2nd phalanx
(poster ! or)
Bd
DLS
Height
MBS
Ld
102e7c
35c
47c & 41c
*80e7c
*5 17
74a
68d(M4 l
*84c
*74c
55b
*66c
*43c & 38c
*39C
*49c
*37c
*31c
*707b & *95e7c
*37b
*39ec
*36C
*60eb
*72ec
* 150c
Outer cf rc.
*20c
Breadth
*43c
Length near
(30
)
base of crown
*40c
Length at
crest
78c
LO
41ec
Glm
Q_
100eC
Q_
*30 b
*18e7b
Bd
Red deer
--Magnum
Astragalus
Metatarsus
Roe deer
Antler base
Humerus
Astraga lu s
Metacarp a I
Metatarsa l
Badger
Radius
Bp
nd<s >
"') 3ed <M 2 l
"?Oed(M2 l
*3 3ed (t~2)
35c
(41)
(40)
Bd
GL 1
GLm
Bd
Bd
Bd
*7 ad<P2>
*64d (P2l
28ec
32ac
3QC
*21c
23d<R >
24d(R2l
G3
GL1
GLm
Bd
12.5b
Most spec i f i cat ions of bone measurements are give n
by vo n den Driesch (1976)- see text.
a-d r e fer respectively to F601, F602, F603 a n:J lus s
strat ifi ed bones from the s it e.
e
Is a c lose estimate
e? Is a less accurate but useful estimate
* measurements of each single e lement I lsted
.
..
. ··" \
•
~
Pig
The
measurements
indicate
that
the
pigs
were
larger
than
most
of
few measurements of red deer indicate the presence of small
to
Neolithic and later prehistoric periods6
Deer
The
moderate
sized
absent.
individuals?
but
do
not
prove
that
large
ones
wer e
Both smaller and larger roe deer appear represented.
Age data on animal mortality
No
fragments
a
well
mandibles
or
maxillae
were
sufficiently
in tact
to
The only tooth data are a 3rd molar (rna) of pig at T.w.s. c 8
retain teeth.
and
of
worn
1st
molar
of
the
fragmented
badger
mandibl e .
LoosP
deciduous incisors indicate the presence of immature pigs.
Data of epiphysial
fusion
least that both mature and
epiphyses of pig and
roe
given in Table
immature
cattle are
deer are present.
is
4
A
limited
but shows
represented.
juvenile
at
few fused
A
metatarsal
shaft
fragment cannot be postively identified as of roe.
Seasonability
died
A part antler,
betwen March
seasonal
data.
and
The
pedicle and frontal of roe indicate the deer
An
December.
juvenile
cattlejred deer astragalus
antler
roe/sheep
tine
of
metatarsal
red
shaft
deer
and
gives
a
no
juvenile
( not listed elsewhere ) indicate spring or summer
deaths.
This information is insufficient to say whether the site was occupied
temporarily, intermittently, or all year round.
Pathology Notes
Cattle
Slight non
Scapula
pathological outgrowth
of
bone
near
tuber
scapulae.
F602
1st
phalanx
Incomplete
leached
specimen
with
a
small
lesion
enlargement of the surrounding. bone on the medial volar surface.
a healed penetration wound.
and
Possibly
Salvage ref Q2.
Red deer
Lumbar
vertebra,
probably
5th,
with
slight
osteophytic
lipping
on
the
ventral side of posterior epiphysis •. Slightly similar disturbance shows on
the anterior epiphysis.
F603
Butchery notes
i
Poor preservation of
marks difficult.
bone
surfaces made
the
recognition
of
butchery
Tab I e 4:
Epiphysial fusIon record
Total
u
F
Cattle
Fused:
Proxima I:
Unfused:
Distal:
Proxima I:
scb, 2 phlb, ph2b, tid
mcb, rae
feC, tiC
Dl stal:
mcb, 2 mtd
7
5
Pig
Fused:
Proxima l:
Dl sta I:
rae, ph2b
u I (ol )C, caC
4
Red deer
Fus ed :
Proxima I:
3
Unfus ed :
Dl sta l :
2 phlb,c, hue
f eb
Fused:
Proximal:
Roe
Badger
Table 5:
Fused:
Aurochs
Pig
Proxima I:
rab
(- )
6
(- )
Site compar ison of fragment number percentages from four meso llthlc
sites (following Gr lg son, 1983, Tab le 2)
Starr
Carr
n
Dl st<!! l:
cac , tid
hub, hue, mcd, mtd
Thatch am
Cherh Ill
Definite
probable
meso II th I c
116
216
Mlsbourne
1112
288
%
%
%
%
%
16
2
15
39
40
3
34
56
37
17
83
Red deer
51
44
15
16
29
Roe
10
18
14
9
14
Elk
20
ii
A scapula of cattle is split through the glenoid cavity in the pla ne
of the scapula spine and may result from preparation of
iii
working,
or
doubtfully
butcher .
F603
from
disjointing
of
the
the bone
shoulde r
fat·
durin g
The ilium of a red deer pelvis appears chopped obliquely through ne ar
the
acetabulum.
F602.
Other
bones
appear
delibe rately broke n
bu t
this is difficult to confirm.
iv
A calcaneum of red deer bears
two diagonal cuts marking th e an ter i o r
lateral side above th e articulation.
v
F602.
The few vertebrae appear to retain relative ly comple te hodi.< 'S and
iH P
largely unmarked by butchery.
Worked
bone
None
of
the
bones
was
certainly
of
mdterial
work e d
for
implements or ornaments.
Comparison with other sites: fragment number problems
There
is
Mesolithic
little
to add generally to a wide ranging survey
Britain 9 except that clearly Misbourne provide s
in
information for
southern England and for
given by the recent publication of
the
of
the
useful
late period as als o
is
North Wiltshir~ 10 •
the Cherhill site,
Table 5 brings the site comparative evidence up to date.
Cherhill
contrast to
where
elk
and
the
and
abundant.
Misbourne
have
the
most
similar
overall
results
and
two earlier Mesolithic sites of Starr Carr and Tha tcham
red
There
deer
was
were
relatively
however
great
abundant
sample
and
aurochs
variability
at
is
l es s
Cherhill,
particularly with the representation of the medium sized mammals
(pig and
roe) and of small fragments which predominated in the soil layer.
In part
the differences were attributed to differential retrieval and differential
degradation especially trampling.
Differential degradation appears an unlikely explanation.
The greater
probability of better bone preservation in the ditches and in the tufd at
Cherhill is associated with a predominance of aurochs and red deer, that is
of
robust
reduces
bones
any
postulation
elsewhere
fragmented
which
usually
explanation
of
on
a
that
debris
greater
site.
of
of
survive
best
diff~rential
fragmentation
This
smaller
of
assumes
species
can
This
anyway.
degradation
the
that
be
bones
a
to
of
gr e ater
identifi e d
association
require
smaller
mammal s
proportion
than
fragmented bones, an assumption which is at least questionable.
the
for
of
less
Amongst such debris
readily identifiable a nd survive
loose teeth are
well, but these were not included in the Cherhill results,
relatively
However,
greater
abundance
sur vi val
of
other
skeleta 1
at least in conditions of severe degradation 11,
elements,
e.g.
epiphyses,
less
disintegrate
robust
identified
elements.
the most fragil e
those of the cranium and the vertebrae, as well as unfused
and
counts are supplemented by
the
and
~
thus implying
bones
less
of
disappear,
so
that
unless
fragment
number
those of loose teeth it would be expected tho t
smaller
frequently
animals
than
those
will
of
survive
the
less
largest
be
i'm d
species.
mini mum numbers
relationships between fragment numbers and
we 11
The
i nd.i vi duals
of
at other site::; support this expectation. 12
Consequently
Ditch,
and
medieval
demonstrated
degradation
thus
at Cherhill,
Hardings
adequately,
can
be
and
it
species differences
other
Field
appears
discounted
supporting the
at
as
a
sites
where
that
major
e.g.
intrasite
the
effect
expla nati.on
contention of Grigson
Iron
of
Age Mingi es
variabili ty
of
is
d .i fferen t.i
such
for Cherhill that
d
l
results 1 3,
the
observed
require at least in part other ecological or cultural
explanations.
It is known that intrasite variability is related to feature
especially to spatial relationships
human activities
the
soil
'domestic'
at
(pages
Cherhill
or
).
be
between
4
closely
activities.
ditches and the tufa should be
distances
and
20
bones with
the
location
of
former
Thus the presence of smaller sized debris ·in
should
hearths ide
of
type and
less
metres.
associated
The
coarser
with
debri s
the
th ere
related to such activity,
It
thus
is
centres
arguable
of
fro m the
probably by
that
a
more
representative group for inter-site comparison should use all th e available
mesolithic and probable
mesoli c.hic c.ata
of
species
from Cherhi ll
on
the
grounds that the summed results are probably more typical than those of the
contributing groups.
use
the more
Further discussion in the next section does, however,
restricted phase . information so that ecological or
cultural
inferences are drawn in part from the same information.
Since
the aurochs
bones
at Misbourne are associated with some
debris, though no definite hearths were excavated,
are
relatively
closely
associated
with
the
it is evident that they
centres
of
occupation
therefore comparisons with Cherhill bones appear fairly valid,
qualified
by
the
small
sample
probable mesolithic group,
to Misbourne but with a
deer at Misbourne.
size.
burnt
Overall at Cherhill,
and
though still
including
the
the percentages of the main species are similar
lesser percentage of pig and a greater one of red
Interestingly horse was
also present at Cherhill
pine marten, badger, otter and wild cat were absent d1ere.
but
The Environment of Misbourne
Compared
w.i th
sites
of
Neolithic
and
later
prehistoric
periods
.in
the
6'
region 1 4,
there
is
likely to have
an
overwhelming
predominance
of
remains
yf
co-existed with wooded or semiwooded habitats
mamma l s
namely,
a nd
mainly, aurochs, pig, and red and roe deer. The ecology of mesol.ithic,
a nd
indeed neolithic species is, of course, open to debate.
extent
to
which
successfully
aurochs
inhabit
was
open
a
woodland
landscapes.
species
It is
or
For example on th e
to
which
doubtful,
red
however,
mesoli thic context that local woodland was extensively cleared.
possible
meagre
exception
of
sheep,
which
may
have
species which are characteristic of open landscapes,
been
dee r
in
th e
With
the
misidentifi e d,
e.g. horse and har e ,
are noticeably absent although occasionally are present at other mesoU thic
and neolithic sites.
not
commonly
found
Whereas
at
the small carnivores and beaver,
later
sites,
are
conspicuously
represented despite poor preservation and
the small sample
badger,
marten
wildcat,
and
the
probable
pine
which
and
which
diver s ely
size;
are
ar e
notnbly
most
useful
indicators of abundant plant cover, particularly woodland.
Forest clearance
may
have
occurred intermittently
expected .in the vicinity of human occupation.
be
character is tic
deliberately
indicate
fired
of
occasionally.
scrubland
Interestingly,
impermanent
these
regeneration
species
sites
or
were
places
whatever
abundant
Cherhill where hare was present also.
perhaps
to
he
Regenerating woodland would
High percentages
from
as
in
where
vegetation
of pig and
form
one
roe
clearance
group
or
was
could
took
phase
at
Pig and roe were abundant and horse
and possibly hare were present at Thatcham w~ere woodland succession was
probably incomplete.
By contrast,
at least the markedly lower percentage
of pig at Misbourne might suggest more heavily wooded surroundings as does
the high percentage of aurochs.
Wetland habitats are indicated by beaver and otter and even by aurochs
and pig,
yet the extent of ponding,
marsh or other wetland appears small
compared to Thatcham or Starr Carr where beavers were profi lie and water
fowl were present.