East of Avebury: Investigations outside the henge

East of Avebury: Investigations outside the henge
A collaborative project with the National Trust and the universities of
Bristol and Central Lancashire
Pilot project: Bristol training excavations, Rough Leaze, Avebury, June 2007
Joshua Pollard (University of Bristol)
David Robinson (University of Central Lancashire)
Rosamund Cleal and Nicola Snashall (Alexander Keiller Museum, the
National Trust)
Source: Flash Earth
Satellite view of Avebury
showing location of the
field at the east of the
large henge monument.
Rough Leaze
Rough Leaze is a field
abutting the southern portion
of the eastern entrance at
Avebury. Geophysical
survey undertaken by Talits
found a number of features,
allowing us to target our
excavations.
Geophysical survey
Before the Henge?
This research investigates activities to the east of the Avebury Late Neolithic
Henge monument. The first season excavated a series of features just outside the
eastern entrance. Excavations found these to be pit features with evidence of
Mesolithic and Early Neolithic activity. These pits appear to have been tree
throws, some perhaps modified since one example has a posthole at its base.
These features show that Avebury was an important place long before the
construction of the henge.
Continuing outside Avebury…
View east from Rough Leaze
Future research will continue to investigating outside the henge, looking at
land-use, material culture, and other facets of both prehistoric and historical
times to develop more detailed understandings of the Avebury surroundings.
This project includes
collaborations with
National Trust staff,
university students,
and a group of
dedicated volunteers.
Geophysical survey
performed by Talits
(http://www.talits.co.uk)
For further information contact:
[email protected]