The Archaeology of Britain: An introduction from ... - waughfamily.ca

The Iron Age
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which represented the main focus of
communities, they were noticeably
more frequent. These periodic rituals
must have played an important social
role, reaffirming the obligations
between different sectors of the
population. Religious beliefs were
influential in the laying out of sites:
both roundhouse and enclosure
entrances are often oriented directly
towards either the equinox or the
midwinter solstice.
During the Late Iron Age,
recognizable shrines and sanctuaries
appear in much of southern Britain
(Figure 7.7). These range from
isolated examples like Harlow (Essex)
and Hayling Island (Hampshire) —
which with their associated offerings
of brooches and coins resemble early
Gallo-Roman temples —to
rectangular buildings within
settlements identified as shrines
because they differ from normal
domestic structures, as at Danebury,
Heathrow (Middlesex) and Stansted
Airport (Essex). Many shrines within
settlements probably remain unrecognized,
because at the time of
Figure 7.7 Plans of Iron Age shrines (A) and sacred enclosures (B).
excavation such structures were not anticipated; examples have been claimed at Baldock and
Kelvedon (Essex).
Many archaeologists prefer ritual deposition as the explanation for the spectacular early firstcentury
BC precious metal torc hoards found within a large polygonal enclosure at Snettisham
(Norfolk), amounting to over 30 kg of gold (Stead 1991). Other cult enclosures include Fison
Way (Norfolk), Gosbeck’s, Colchester, and Folly Lane, St Albans. At Folly Lane, a mass of burnt
material including chain mail and horse harness was found in a pit beside a shaft at the centre of
the enclosure. A cult role must also be inferred for the many water springs that have produced
concentrations of Iron Age coins such as Wanborough (Surrey) and Essendon (Hertfordshire),
where weapons accompanied the coins. Late Iron Age metalwork finds from lakes and bogs
reflect the same general trends, although the objects selected as offerings vary regionally. Amongst
the most spectacular votive deposits are the weaponry, horse harness and vehicle fittings from
Llyn Cerrig Bach in Anglesey (Fox 1946).
The dead were mainly disposed of by excarnation, or by scattering their cremated remains.
The principal exceptions both have strong continental affinities. In the Arras tradition of East
Yorkshire, inhumations were placed under small barrows defined by rectangular ditched
enclosures, often grouped in large cemeteries like Burton Fleming-Rudston. A few high status
graves were accompanied by two-wheeled carts (Figure 7.8), as at Wetwang Slack (Dent 1985).
These traits were originally interpreted as evidence of Early La Tène immigrants from northern