Early Neolithic pit group, Wellington Quarry, Herefordshire

The associated pottery assemblage comprised nearly 1000 sherds, weighing almost 10 kg. The majority was present in two of the pits, with approximately 10 vessels in one and about 6 in the other. Three others also produced limited quantities. The pottery is in a quartz tempered fabric with variable quantities of temper present (Gibson 2002). The vessels represented are open and carinated bowls with wide rim diameters. A small closed or hemispherical form cup was also present. The rims are all rounded or rolled forms in two cases with faint but deliberate radial fluting on the top of the rim. The bowl forms are typical of the traditions of the early to middle 4th millennium BC, and are widespread over Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

The pits rich in pottery also included broken quartz pebbles, some apparently burnt and crushed. These closely resembled the principal temper used. This raises the potential that pottery was manufactured at the site, a possibility supported by presence of three stone burnishers or smoothers.

Ten of the pits also contained flint, the total assemblage comprising 443 pieces and numerous unquantified spalls from sieved samples. Most of the flint was good quality material which, allied to a paucity of core preparation flakes, suggests that prepared cores might have been imported to the site (Bellamy 2002). Diagnostic retouched forms include leaf-shaped arrowheads, a serrated flake, scrapers and flake knives, which are consistent with the dating, provided by the pottery. The assemblage provides evidence of a range of activities including flint knapping, hunting, the preparation of foodstuffs and the working of other materials.

Although conditions of preservation for animal bone were poor, cattle, pig and sheep or goat were represented in small quantities. Charred plant remains were also present, including numerous hazelnut shell fragments and small but significant quantities of cereal, which where identifiable was emmer wheat.

Pit groups and associated assemblages represent an important class of site with a high potential to contribute understanding of the function and role of such features and material culture in Neolithic society and of regional patterns of use and practice. Current interpretations suggest that they are liable to have been associated with transient settlements, but, were unsuitable for storage and rarely contain deposits which can be interpreted as straightforward domestic refuse (Thomas 1999, 64-74).

The Wellington pit group provides the first example of these characteristic features to have been excavated in Herefordshire. The finds indicate that there is a strong domestic component, however, ceremonial or ritual practice is also implied since the material deposited appears to have been carefully selected. Analysis of the distribution, form and fill characteristics of the pits will provide a depositional context for consideration of the associated artefactual and environmental data. This has the potential to provide important evidence relating use and function of both the pits and associated remains as well as related economic and social practices reflected by the material and patterns of deposition. Material has been submitted from within the pits for radiocarbon dating (charred plant remains) and will help refine out understanding of the period of use of these features and associated artefacts.

Wellington therefore provides an important site type for this region and has particular potential for comparison with the Middle and Later Neolithic pit groups investigated only 30km away in the Walton Basin (Gibson 1999). The importance of the pit group and other early prehistoric activity at Wellington is reflected by inclusion of an article about the site in the recently compiled Regional Research Framework Seminar Papers covering this period (http://www.arch-ant.bham.ac.uk/wmrrfa/sem1.htm)

References

Bellamy, P, 2002  The flint. In Jackson, R & Edwards, R, 2002  Wellington Quarry, Marden, Herefordshire (1986-96): assessment and updated project design. Worcestershire County Archaeological Service, P1564, unpublished typescript

Gibson, A, 1999  The Walton Basin Project: excavation and survey in a prehistoric landscape (CBA Res Rep 118)

Gibson, A, 2002  The Neolithic pottery. In Jackson, R & Edwards, R, 2002  Wellington Quarry, Marden, Herefordshire (1986-96): assessment and updated project design. Worcestershire County Archaeological Service, P1564, unpublished typescript

Jackson, R & Edwards, R, 2002  Wellington Quarry, Marden, Herefordshire (1986-96): assessment and updated project design. Worcestershire County Archaeological Service, P1564, unpublished typescript

Thomas, J, 1999  Understanding the Neolithic (London: Routledge)