Chronological modelling of the mesolithic-neolithic transition in the midlands and north of England

• Main Author: Griffiths, Seren
• Published: Cardiff University 2011
• Subjects: DA Great Britain
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.567231

This thesis presents the results of analysis of the chronological evidence for the mesolithic–neolithic transition in the midlands and north of England. Over 600 pre-existing radiocarbon dates have been assessed as part of this analysis. Data have been collected from 40 historic environment records as well as published sources. Those which are robustly associated with late mesolithic or early neolithic material culture have been incorporated in Bayesian chronological models. These models estimate the currency of late mesolithic and early neolithic activity in different regions of the study area. In addition this thesis explores the chronological currency of different aspect of early neolithic material culture in regions across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. By comparing estimates for the end of the mesolithic with estimates for the start of the neolithic, this thesis provides new evidence for processes which may have been at work during the mesolithic–neolithic transition. This thesis demonstrates that aspects of late mesolithic cultural were present across England and Wales, most probably in the 41st century cal BC when early neolithic material is first present in south-east England. I demonstrate that mesolithic material culture continued to be used in England after this time, most probably for 100–300 years. The latest evidence for mesolithic material culture occurs at the time when the neolithic appears across much of the country. The earliest neolithic appears in many areas considered in this thesis in 3850– 3750 cal BC. This said, there are some distinct regional trends for the slightly earlier or later appearance of neolithic material culture or practices. In all, across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the appearance of early neolithic material culture took 200–400 years. This chronological pattering suggests that a variety of processes were important in the appearance of neolithic material culture and practices across England.