Summary by area for Earlier Neolithic: 3500-2500bc
Summary of points for the South West
the evidence for the south west area comes from 7 single disposal sites, 20 multiple similar, and 20 multiple varied disposal sites
the multiple disposal sites of both types cluster in the Cotswold-Severn-Mendip region, and the
single disposal sites fall largely south of the Mendips. The heavy concentration of the former, and
their monumentality and communal nature suggest an organised and possibly powerful community
in action
although cremation appears on a significant minority of sites, it is very much the minority process
on such sites, and therefore inhumation is the predominant method overall
even the very small sample of single disposal sites provides evidence for much variety of disposal
practice
the multiple disposal sites of both types provide strong evidence for both single phase rites
(successive burial) and multiple phase rites (primary burial or exposure followed by communal
burial), sometimes both types being in evidence on the same site
the two rite types implicitly encompass different processes in different locations
ritual activity appears in a variety of forms, unconnected with the disposal, connected with the
disposal, and connected with the monument. On non-disposal sites recorded, there is ritual activity
or deposition similar to that on the disposal sites
domestic refuse, animal bone, potsherds, flint, all appear in combination in relatively frequent
associations, suggesting a significance for such material in disposal practice
domestic and wild food stock bones occur in quantity on the multiple disposal sites suggesting on or
off-site consumption or offering as part of the ritual, as well as giving strong indications of the
environment and the subsistence method of the people
the multiple varied disposal sites appear to have more evidence for personal grave good deposits
(but few in clear individual associations) than the multiple similar disposal sites
the multiple varied disposal sites appear to be designed to provide for more discrete small group
burials in the communal context
the grave goods evidence in the multiple varied disposal sites, with its roots in society or economy,
suggests greater recognition of the individual, and may indicate later phases of the communal rite,
perhaps anticipating growth in the individuality of burial
the personal decorative grave goods, taken with the animal remains and tools, also appear to
indicate that the economy depended heavily on hunting and stock management
where the sex can be identified with associated grave goods, there seems little differentiation
the causewayed enclosures may bear a relationship to the burial monuments
radiocarbon dates for disposal sites are recorded in the range 3250-2440bc
Summary of points for South
the evidence for the south area comes from 14 single disposal sites, 13 multiple similar, and 15
multiple varied disposal sites, an even distribution of types
the sites lie in a broad oval on the Hambledon Hill-Windmill Hill axis, with some outliers. This
suggests a community focusing in that area, as with the Cotswold-Severn-Mendip area communities
cremation appears on a small number of sites and even then is not always dominant on the site.
Inhumation is the predominant disposal method overall, and more so than in the south west
the sample of single disposal sites is larger in this area than the south west, they are in more
structured formal settings, and are more widely distributed, intermingled with the other types. They
show a similar variety of ritual activity
round barrows and a henge appear in relatively high numbers for this period in this area
the multiple similar disposal sites appear to use a multiple phase rite, but the multiple varied
disposal sites provide examples of both single (successive) disposal processes and multiple
processes, in part depending on the scope offered by the site itself (more accessible sites having
more clear evidence for multiple processes)
ritual activity appears in a great variety of forms, unconnected with the disposal, connected with the
disposal, and connected with the monument. On non-disposal sites recorded, there is ritual activity
or deposition similar to some of that on the disposal sites
very significant effort went into construction of some sites physically resembling disposal sites but
empty of human disposals
mortuary areas or houses appear either to be incorporated in monuments or abandoned. In the latter
case they survive as completely emptied, and in the former case they may be similarly emptied or
enclosed, as if still in full use. This suggests some complexity of mortuary processes
the south area provides many examples on all three disposal site types of ritual concerned with the
handling and arrangement of human bones, especially skulls and the larger bones, and in a few
cases of significant part bodies
pits and ditches are a particular focus for activity on different monument types
domestic refuse (animal bone, potsherds, and flint), all appear in combination in relatively frequent
associations, suggesting a significance for such material in disposal practice in this area just as in
the south west
the animal bone, where is it described, contains a mixture of wild and domesticated food stock, as
well as a little from working animals, with deer bone more in evidence than in the south west area.
The contexts were similar to those at south west sites
whole animals were deliberately deposited at one site (goat, pig and dog) but this, as in the south
west area, is a rare event
the multiple varied disposal sites as a group are only similar to those of the south west where they
border geographically on the Cotswold sites. Otherwise they range considerably in style and
content, and are very rich in evidence for ritual activity and process
simple grave goods occur at a few single disposal sites, none at multiple similar disposal sites in
clear associations, and only 9 of the 15 multiple varied disposal sites had goods in clear association
(again simple goods)
the causewayed enclosures may bear a relationship to the burial monuments, as in the south west,
but in the south they appear to have been in several cases the foci for both permanent and possibly
also transient disposal of human remains
radiocarbon dating of disposal sites covers the range 3230-2160bc
Summary of points for the South East
the evidence for the south east area comes from 15 single disposal sites, 10 multiple similar, and 15
multiple varied disposal sites
the sites tend to cluster in two groups, in the north centring on Abingdon, and in the south on the
South Downs, but multiple varied disposal sites are more widely spread
cremation appears on a minority of sites, and is intensively used at several at Abingdon, and one in
Kent. Inhumation is nonetheless the most frequent disposal method overall, but is clearly not quite
as dominant as in the other areas
the sample of single disposal sites is (as with the south area) larger in this area than in the south
west. They are also in more structured formal settings, but are not evenly distributed, tending to
cluster in the north of the area. Female burials are more frequently identified. They show a similar
variety of ritual activity, and favour both single and multiple phase rites
oval and round barrows occur, and hengiform causewayed cemeteries
the multiple similar disposal sites appear to use both single and multiple phase rite, as do the
multiple varied disposal sites
ritual activity appears in a great variety of forms as elsewhere, unconnected with the disposal,
connected with the disposal, and connected with the monument. On non-disposal sites recorded,
there is ritual activity or deposition similar to some of that on the disposal sites, but it seems
slighter, as in the south west
mortuary areas or houses are infrequent occurrences, but are used
the south east provides examples over all disposal site types of ritual centring on handling and
arrangement of human bones, especially skulls and the larger bones, but not quite to the levels of the
south area
ditches and pits continue to be a particular focus for activity on different monument types
domestic refuse (animal bone, potsherds, and flint), appears in relatively frequent associations,
suggesting a significance for such material in disposal practice in this area just as in the south and
south west
the animal bone, where is it described, contains a mixture of wild and domesticated food stock, as
well as a little from working animals. The contexts were similar to those at south and south west
area sites
the multiple disposal sites of both types range considerably in style and content, and a new type, the
causewayed cemetery is added
simple grave goods occur at most single disposal sites, a few at multiple similar disposal sites in
clear associations, and 10 of the 15 multiple varied disposal sites had personal grave goods in clear
association (some with simple goods like tools and beads, but a few with fine or symbolically
significant implements)
causewayed enclosures may bear a relationship to the burial monuments, as in the south and south
west areas
the causewayed cemetery and the designed cremation cemetery are new types of monument and
usage not found in other areas. They seem designed for cremation deposits as alternatives to
multiple inhumation sites of mounded or chambered types, sites more favoured in other areas
radiocarbon dating of disposal sites covers the range 3415-2495bc