Prehistoric land use in the Clyst valley : excavations at Hayes Farm, Clyst Honiton, 1996-2012

• Published in: Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society pp. 1 - 56
• Main Authors: Hart, Jonathan, Wood, Imogen, Barber, Alistair, Brett, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2014
• ISSN: 0305-5795

Excavations between 1996 and 2012 on two adjacent sites in advance of quarrying and the construction of a distribution warehouse recorded significant prehistoric remains, along with limited evidence for later activity. Of particular note was an Early Neolithic pit containing a broad mixture of items apparently selected for special deposition amongst which was an assemblage of unused baked clay objects that are likely to have been loom weights. Evidence for Early Neolithic textile production in the British Isles has been restricted to only one loom weight prior to this discovery, and the site therefore contributes significantly to discussion about Neolithic textile technology. Other features of note included a nearby ring ditch of probably Early Bronze Age date, which was succeeded by Middle Bronze Age fields and enclosures together with the remains of two burnt mounds. Later features included a penannular gully dating to the later part of the Early Iron Age, and at least two early medieval pits, without artifacts but dated by radiocarbon to the seventh/eighth and 11th/12th centuries. [Publication Abstract]