Sigwells
Encyclopedia
Sigwells is hamlet located in an area rich in archaeology remains, overlooking Cadbury Castle
in Somerset
, England.
It was the target of research by the South Cadbury Environs Project, which produced significant Early Bronze Age
and Middle and Late Iron Age
archaeology. Of national importance was the identification of the earliest known metalworking
building in Britain, dated to Middle Bronze Age (12th century BC). It has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument
(No:199838).
, Cadbury Castle
, was the site of early excavations by one of the fathers of modern archaeology, General Augustus Pitt Rivers
(then Lane Fox), in 1877. A geophysical survey
that was part of a pilot study by the South Cadbury Environs Project revealed that the three Early Bronze Age
barrows he explored were at the centre of a complex, multi-period landscape, which has since been the subject of test pitting and excavation. The most important discovery was the earliest known bronze casting building and associated enclosure in Britain. It has also made an important contribution to Late Iron Age ceramic studies through providing clear evidence that Dorset Black-burnished ware
was distributed well beyond its area of production before the 1st century AD.
The outstanding geophysical survey results provide the main data set for an important archaeological application of computerised network analysis.
.
The latter was explored again in 1995 and 2005, the second of these excavations revealing that its ring ditch cut through an earlier ditch, one of at least four parallel long linear boundaries identified by the geophysical survey. This places the origins of the linear boundary system as Early Bronze Age
or, possibly, Neolithic
, hence one of the earliest such systems in mainland Britain.
Excavations carried out between 2000 and 2005 showed that it had been used and backfilled several times between the 15th and 12th centuries BC. Part of the floor of a circular building in the north of the enclosure was heavily burnt and shallow scoops on the periphery of the building, as well as postholes within it, contained mould fragments from objects of what had been regarded as the later Bronze Age Wilburton metalworking tradition.
Most notable of the fragments were those subsequently refitted to a sword in the Somerset County Museum
, which had been found in the 19th century 25 miles north of Sigwells. Cereal grains found in the scoop have been dated to the 12th century BC—the Middle Bronze Age
—the earliest date for that tradition, Though Bronze objects have been found that are around a millennium older, the building is the earliest metalworking site in Britain.
Other finds from the site are in the Eton College
museum.
It is one of three large pit groups on high ground overlooking Cadbury Castle
. Within the enclosure whole and partial animal and human burials and Iron Age metalwork deposits were found immediately to the east of a rectangular structure that was interpreted as a shrine comparable with successive structures on the hill fort. recent carbon dating
(unpublished) suggests that the activity dates from the 2nd century BC to the first years of the 1st century AD. The dating is of special importance to later Iron Age
ceramic studies because it shows that Dorset Black-burnished ware
(BB1) was circulating well beyond its area of production by around 100BC. Some researchers had assumed that it did not reach Somerset until after the Roman conquest of Britain
, leading to problems in dating a violent episode on Cadbury Castle. The pits and enclosures had been abandoned before the conquest, although an enclosure 200m to the south may have replaced them during the Late Iron Age. This enclosure may also have been abandoned before or during the conquest but it was in use again by the 2nd century AD.
Cadbury Castle, Somerset
Cadbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort in the civil parish of South Cadbury in the English county of Somerset. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and associated with King Arthur.-Background:...
in Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England.
It was the target of research by the South Cadbury Environs Project, which produced significant Early Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and Middle and Late Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
archaeology. Of national importance was the identification of the earliest known metalworking
Metalworking
Metalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large scale structures. The term covers a wide range of work from large ships and bridges to precise engine parts and delicate jewelry. It therefore includes a correspondingly wide range of skills,...
building in Britain, dated to Middle Bronze Age (12th century BC). It has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
(No:199838).
Archaeological research at Sigwells
Sigwells, a rural plateau overlooking the Somerset hill fortHill fort
A hill fort is a type of earthworks used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some were used in the post-Roman period...
, Cadbury Castle
Cadbury Castle, Somerset
Cadbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort in the civil parish of South Cadbury in the English county of Somerset. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and associated with King Arthur.-Background:...
, was the site of early excavations by one of the fathers of modern archaeology, General Augustus Pitt Rivers
Augustus Pitt Rivers
Lieutenant-General Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt Rivers was an English army officer, ethnologist, and archaeologist. He was noted for his innovations in archaeological methods, and in the museum display of archaeological and ethnological collections.-Life and career:Born Augustus Henry Lane-Fox at...
(then Lane Fox), in 1877. A geophysical survey
Geophysical survey
Geophysical survey is the systematic collection of geophysical data for spatial studies. Geophysical surveys may use a great variety of sensing instruments, and data may be collected from above or below the Earth's surface or from aerial or marine platforms. Geophysical surveys have many...
that was part of a pilot study by the South Cadbury Environs Project revealed that the three Early Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
barrows he explored were at the centre of a complex, multi-period landscape, which has since been the subject of test pitting and excavation. The most important discovery was the earliest known bronze casting building and associated enclosure in Britain. It has also made an important contribution to Late Iron Age ceramic studies through providing clear evidence that Dorset Black-burnished ware
Black-burnished ware
- Overview :Black-burnished ware is a type of Romano-British ceramic. It comprises wheel-thrown grey or black sand-tempered wares, typically everted-rim jars with burnished lattice decoration, bead-rim and plain dishes....
was distributed well beyond its area of production before the 1st century AD.
The outstanding geophysical survey results provide the main data set for an important archaeological application of computerised network analysis.
Early Bronze Age barrow and linear system
Pitt Rivers excavated two over lapping Early Bronze Age round barrows and a single round barrowRound barrow
Round barrows are one of the most common types of archaeological monuments. Although concentrated in Europe they are found in many parts of the world because of their simple construction and universal purpose....
.
The latter was explored again in 1995 and 2005, the second of these excavations revealing that its ring ditch cut through an earlier ditch, one of at least four parallel long linear boundaries identified by the geophysical survey. This places the origins of the linear boundary system as Early Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
or, possibly, Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
, hence one of the earliest such systems in mainland Britain.
Middle Bronze Age metalworking enclosure
The enclosure was discovered by the geophysical survey, formed by a rectangular ditch adjoining the south side of one of the earlier linear boundaries. Excavation in 1994 uncovered fragments of clay moulds for the casting of a late Bronze Age socketed spear, a sword and a socketed axe.Excavations carried out between 2000 and 2005 showed that it had been used and backfilled several times between the 15th and 12th centuries BC. Part of the floor of a circular building in the north of the enclosure was heavily burnt and shallow scoops on the periphery of the building, as well as postholes within it, contained mould fragments from objects of what had been regarded as the later Bronze Age Wilburton metalworking tradition.
Most notable of the fragments were those subsequently refitted to a sword in the Somerset County Museum
Somerset County Museum
The Museum of Somerset is located in the 12th century great hall of Taunton Castle, in Taunton in the county of Somerset, England. The museum is run by Somerset County Council and includes objects initially collected by the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society who own the...
, which had been found in the 19th century 25 miles north of Sigwells. Cereal grains found in the scoop have been dated to the 12th century BC—the Middle Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
—the earliest date for that tradition, Though Bronze objects have been found that are around a millennium older, the building is the earliest metalworking site in Britain.
Other finds from the site are in the Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
museum.
Middle to Late Iron Age enclosures
By the Middle Iron Age an extensive patchwork of small, ditch-bounded paddocks and larger fields on the east of the Sigwells plateau were served by a substantial double-ditched track and branches from it. They were separated by two possible roundhouses in an open area from a sequence of enclosure, re-cuts and extensions and several hundred pits to the north west.It is one of three large pit groups on high ground overlooking Cadbury Castle
Cadbury Castle, Somerset
Cadbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort in the civil parish of South Cadbury in the English county of Somerset. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and associated with King Arthur.-Background:...
. Within the enclosure whole and partial animal and human burials and Iron Age metalwork deposits were found immediately to the east of a rectangular structure that was interpreted as a shrine comparable with successive structures on the hill fort. recent carbon dating
Radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating is a radiometric dating method that uses the naturally occurring radioisotope carbon-14 to estimate the age of carbon-bearing materials up to about 58,000 to 62,000 years. Raw, i.e. uncalibrated, radiocarbon ages are usually reported in radiocarbon years "Before Present" ,...
(unpublished) suggests that the activity dates from the 2nd century BC to the first years of the 1st century AD. The dating is of special importance to later Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
ceramic studies because it shows that Dorset Black-burnished ware
Black-burnished ware
- Overview :Black-burnished ware is a type of Romano-British ceramic. It comprises wheel-thrown grey or black sand-tempered wares, typically everted-rim jars with burnished lattice decoration, bead-rim and plain dishes....
(BB1) was circulating well beyond its area of production by around 100BC. Some researchers had assumed that it did not reach Somerset until after the Roman conquest of Britain
Roman conquest of Britain
The Roman conquest of Britain was a gradual process, beginning effectively in AD 43 under Emperor Claudius, whose general Aulus Plautius served as first governor of Britannia. Great Britain had already frequently been the target of invasions, planned and actual, by forces of the Roman Republic and...
, leading to problems in dating a violent episode on Cadbury Castle. The pits and enclosures had been abandoned before the conquest, although an enclosure 200m to the south may have replaced them during the Late Iron Age. This enclosure may also have been abandoned before or during the conquest but it was in use again by the 2nd century AD.