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currentcurrent archaeologycurrent CONTENTS issue 292 (Vol.XXV, No.4) | July 2014 UP FRONT Letters Your comments, complaints, and compliments and compliments and compliments 4 News die that struck Britain’s earliest coins?; Corieltauvi capital in Leicester; New dates The die that struck Britain’s earliest coins?; Corieltauvi capital in Leicester; New dates for Vespasian’s Camp; London’s Mesolithic moments; Recently recorded Roman rarities 6 Special report The logboats in the lake 10 FEATURES I s s u e 2 9 2 | J u l y 2 0 1 4 current current THE UK’S BEST SELLING ARCHAEOLOGY MAGAZINE July 2014 Issue 292 | £4.30 July 2014 Issue 292 | £4.30 www.archaeology.co.uk www.archaeology.co.ukwww.archaeology.co.uk L o u g h C o r r i b | S o l s b u r y Hi l l | H o r t o n | I o n a | R o m a n a s p a r a g u s c u r r e nt a r c h a e ol o g y Horton's Neolithic houses Inside the homes of Britain's first farmers 001_CA292_Cover_FINAL.indd 1 NEW DISCOVERY Logboats of the lake Revealing a ships' graveyard spanning 4,000 years Revealing a ships' graveyard spanning 4,000 years Jerusalem of Jerusalem of Jerusalem of Jerusalem of the north the north Jerusalem of the north How Iona's abbey imitated the Holy City Jerusalem of Jerusalem of the north the north How Iona's abbey imitated the Holy City Issue 292 22/05/2014 16:12 ON THE COVER The Annaghkeen logboat has been dated to 2500 BC and is 12m long, making it the oldest and longest of the vessels so far discovered in Lough Corrib. CREDIT: Ciaran O Murchu REGULARS ON SOLSBURY HILL Seeing inside a hillfort Geophysical surveys of a 20ha hilltop near Bath have given an intriguing perspective on the interior of this Iron Age structure. 16 HORTON’S NEOLITHIC HOUSES Exploring a prehistoric landscape at Kingsmead Quarry Over 10 years of excavations have revealed extensive evidence of a prehistoric landscape in Berkshire, including a cluster of Neolithic houses, and a burial containing some of Britain’s earliest gold ornaments. 24 IONA Exploring Scotland’s most sacred place 1,450 years after St Columba founded his monastery on Iona, a major research project has shed new light on a tiny settlement that became one of the most influential Christian centres in Medieval Europe. ASPARAGUS IN THE ROMAN WORLD Investigating Imperial eating habits What did the Romans do for us? They introduced a number of delicacies that we take for granted, including cherries, peaches, and asparagus. With asparagus season now under way, we explore how this crop flourished in Rome’s northern provinces. did the Romans do for us? They introduced a number of delicacies that we take for granted, including cherries, peaches, and asparagus. With asparagus season way, we explore how this crop flourished in Rome’s northern provinces. way, we explore how this crop flourished in Rome’s northern provinces. way, we explore how this crop flourished in Rome’s northern provinces. 32 38 16 32 38 48 Festival of British Archaeology 42 Highlights from this year’s nationwide celebration of all things archaeological Reviews 44 A Viking Way of Life;The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of the Contemporary World;Masterpieces: Early Medieval Art;Roman Roads in North-West Wales Sherds 46 Chris Catling’s irreverent take on heritage issues Interview 48 CA talks to Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, about the role of archaeology in modern Scotland, and her vision for its future Chris Catling’s irreverent take on heritage issues Interview 48 CAtalks to Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, about the role of archaeology in modern Scotland, and her vision for its future Odd Socs 50 The Goodluck Mine Preservation Club 2 current archaeology | www.archaeology.co.uk January 2014 | July 2014 |
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www.archaeology.co.uk www.facebook.com/currentarchaeologymag twitter.com/currentarchaeo visit us online at www.archaeology.co.uk WELCOME An 11th-century jaunt across Lough Corrib, Co. Galway, in a sleek logboat ended in disaster. A mishap cracked the hull open, forcing the crew to abandon both their boat and the Viking-style war axes stowed on board. Now survey of the Lough has revealed that this vessel was neither the first, nor the last to be swamped by its waters. Archaeologists are discovering a lost fleet of vessels – ranging from Bronze Age logboats to Victorian pleasure craft – preserved in its depths. by its waters. Archaeologists are discovering a lost fleet of vessels – ranging Survey also yielded spectacular results on Solsbury Hill, where it virtually peeled back the turf to reveal a hillfort interior in startling clarity. The riot of features within betray the presence of a thriving settlement, but how are they to be interpreted, and what can they tell us about the hillfort’s role in the wider landscape? Excavation plans of Kingsmead Quarry, Horton, are on a scale normally associated with survey. Over a decade of excavation has laid bare almost 34 hectares of a palimpsest landscape. Among its field systems and farmsteads lay at least four Early Neolithic houses. These remarkable survivals are shedding new light on life within them, right down to the sweepings of their house-proud inhabitants. On Iona, monastic table-scraps from around the time of St Columba have been on the archaeological menu. Typical high-status fodder such as venison shared kitchen space with a more local dish: seal. The monastery’s design, though, fed off more exotic archetypes. New research reveals how the brethren set out to build Jerusalem among Iona’s dark, panoramic hills. Our contributors this month LOGBOATS IN THE LAKE KARL BRADY Karl works in the Underwater Archaeology Unit of Ireland’s National Monuments Service. He has responsibility for the management of the Shipwreck Inventory of Ireland, and has undertaken surveys of several wrecks. IONA PETER YEOMAN Peter leads research and archaeology for major projects within Historic Scotland’s Properties in Care estate. Before working at Iona, he led the project that informed the award-winning redisplay of the Renaissance Palace in Stirling Castle. ASPARAGUS IN THE ROMAN WORLD STEFANIE HOSS Stefanie is a postexcavation specialist in Roman metal in the Netherlands. Her research interests include Roman food and dining habits, subjects she pursues both academically and practically. | Issue 292 archaeologycurrent Editorial Editor: Dr Matthew Symonds matt@archaeology.co.uk Tel: 020 8819 5580 Contributing editor: Christopher Catling chris@archaeology.co.uk Art editor: Mark Edwards mark.edwards@currentpublishing.com Designer: Lauren Gamp lauren.gamp@currentpublishing.com Assistant editor: Carly Hilts carly@currentpublishing.com Sub editor: Simon Coppock Editor-in-chief: Andrew Selkirk 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX andrew@archaeology.co.uk Tel: 020 8819 5584 Managing director: Robert Selkirk Commercial Advertising sales manager: Mike Traylen mike@currentpublishing.com Tel: 020 8819 5360 Managing editor: Maria Earle maria@currentpublishing.com Business manager: Erin Goodin erin@currentpublishing.com Marketing manager: Emma Watts-Plumpkin emma@currentpublishing.com Tel: 020 8819 5575 Commercial director: Libby Selkirk Current Publishing Lamb House, Church St, London W4 2PD Tel: 020 8819 5580 (office hours) Fax: 020 8819 5589 Web: www.archaeology.co.uk Subscriptions Current Archaeology is published monthly for a subscription of £45 for 12 issues. Foreign subscriptions £55. Subscriptions should be sent to: Current Publishing, Lamb House, Church St, London W4 2PD Tel: (office hours) 020 8819 5580 Fax: 020 8819 5589 Subscription queries to: subs@archaeology.co.uk or online at: www.archaeology.co.uk Back issues: £5 each / £6 non-UK Binders: (hold 12 copies) £15 / £20 Slip Cases: (hold 12 copies) £15 / £20 Printed in the UK by William Gibbons Unauthorised reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently or where it has proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue. 210514190 www.archaeology.co.uk | current archaeology 3

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www.archaeology.co.uk www.facebook.com/currentarchaeologymag twitter.com/currentarchaeo visit us online at www.archaeology.co.uk

WELCOME

An 11th-century jaunt across Lough Corrib, Co. Galway, in a sleek logboat ended in disaster. A mishap cracked the hull open, forcing the crew to abandon both their boat and the Viking-style war axes stowed on board. Now survey of the Lough has revealed that this vessel was neither the first, nor the last to be swamped by its waters. Archaeologists are discovering a lost fleet of vessels – ranging from Bronze Age logboats to Victorian pleasure craft – preserved in its depths.

by its waters. Archaeologists are discovering a lost fleet of vessels – ranging

Survey also yielded spectacular results on Solsbury Hill, where it virtually peeled back the turf to reveal a hillfort interior in startling clarity. The riot of features within betray the presence of a thriving settlement, but how are they to be interpreted, and what can they tell us about the hillfort’s role in the wider landscape?

Excavation plans of Kingsmead Quarry, Horton, are on a scale normally associated with survey. Over a decade of excavation has laid bare almost 34 hectares of a palimpsest landscape. Among its field systems and farmsteads lay at least four Early Neolithic houses. These remarkable survivals are shedding new light on life within them, right down to the sweepings of their house-proud inhabitants.

On Iona, monastic table-scraps from around the time of St Columba have been on the archaeological menu. Typical high-status fodder such as venison shared kitchen space with a more local dish: seal. The monastery’s design, though, fed off more exotic archetypes. New research reveals how the brethren set out to build Jerusalem among Iona’s dark, panoramic hills.

Our contributors this month

LOGBOATS IN THE LAKE KARL BRADY Karl works in the Underwater Archaeology Unit of Ireland’s National Monuments Service. He has responsibility for the management of the Shipwreck Inventory of Ireland, and has undertaken surveys of several wrecks.

IONA PETER YEOMAN Peter leads research and archaeology for major projects within Historic Scotland’s Properties in Care estate. Before working at Iona, he led the project that informed the award-winning redisplay of the Renaissance Palace in Stirling Castle.

ASPARAGUS IN THE ROMAN WORLD STEFANIE HOSS Stefanie is a postexcavation specialist in Roman metal in the Netherlands. Her research interests include Roman food and dining habits, subjects she pursues both academically and practically.

| Issue 292

archaeologycurrent

Editorial Editor: Dr Matthew Symonds matt@archaeology.co.uk Tel: 020 8819 5580 Contributing editor: Christopher Catling chris@archaeology.co.uk Art editor: Mark Edwards mark.edwards@currentpublishing.com Designer: Lauren Gamp lauren.gamp@currentpublishing.com Assistant editor: Carly Hilts carly@currentpublishing.com Sub editor: Simon Coppock Editor-in-chief: Andrew Selkirk 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX andrew@archaeology.co.uk Tel: 020 8819 5584 Managing director: Robert Selkirk

Commercial Advertising sales manager: Mike Traylen mike@currentpublishing.com Tel: 020 8819 5360 Managing editor: Maria Earle maria@currentpublishing.com Business manager: Erin Goodin erin@currentpublishing.com Marketing manager: Emma Watts-Plumpkin emma@currentpublishing.com Tel: 020 8819 5575 Commercial director: Libby Selkirk

Current Publishing Lamb House, Church St, London W4 2PD Tel: 020 8819 5580 (office hours) Fax: 020 8819 5589 Web: www.archaeology.co.uk

Subscriptions Current Archaeology is published monthly for a subscription of £45 for 12 issues. Foreign subscriptions £55. Subscriptions should be sent to: Current Publishing, Lamb House, Church St, London W4 2PD Tel: (office hours) 020 8819 5580 Fax: 020 8819 5589 Subscription queries to: subs@archaeology.co.uk or online at: www.archaeology.co.uk Back issues: £5 each / £6 non-UK Binders: (hold 12 copies) £15 / £20 Slip Cases: (hold 12 copies) £15 / £20 Printed in the UK by William Gibbons Unauthorised reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently or where it has proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue. 210514190

www.archaeology.co.uk | current archaeology

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