Tag Archives: flint

Lockdown Archaeology: accidental fieldwalking

By Matt Parker Wooding, Heritage Research Manager

As the lockdown from the Covid 19 pandemic continues, taking breaks from managing the heritage research team, and seeing the outside world physically rather than through the window, takes on all sorts of importance – physical wellbeing and mental resilience being the main two.

However, this has also been a valuable exercise in getting to know the place where I moved at the start of autumn last year and have not yet had the opportunity to explore. I now live in a rural area containing a multitude of public walks direct from my doorstep, with no driving required, a massive bonus right now.

One of the unexpected pleasures of this, with my distinct leanings towards prehistoric archaeology, has been the chance to do a bit of fieldwalking along the public rights of way which are ploughed. An opportunity which has only slightly affected the choice of routes for my daily walks. The finds have been expanding not only my knowledge of the area but have also been reported to the local HER with photos of each (with scale) and their grid reference.

Whilst this has been a welcome relief from the current problems, archaeology has to compete against the other distractions, which include red kites and grass snakes, and some beautiful views and sunsets, which do sometimes make it difficult to concentrate on the ground! Looking up at the views and skies is something I think we all need to do in the present circumstances, simply for the break from the computer or TV screen, and managing the work-life balance, which can be difficult when working from home.

‘A cooler than average sedimentary rock’

As part of studying for my degree in Conservation at the University of Lincoln I took the opportunity to work on placement at Allen Archaeology. I was keen to work with Allen after my interest in archaeology was sparked during my second year studies at a time where I was working on excavated Anglo-Saxon burial finds. I’ll admit however, like (most) archaeologists I have now met, I was initially exposed to archaeology through watching countless episodes of ‘Time Team’ as a child with my father!

So for six weeks I have been diving into a world of pottery, CBM, human remains, tonnes of mud, and of course plenty of tea and biscuits. The majority of my time has been spent ensuring that the site finds have been sufficiently cleaned along with marking and repackaging them ready for archiving and dispatch onto various museums. One type of find that I have found particularly interesting while working here is flint, which I really enjoyed getting the chance to examine and research further into.

Invasively worked ‘knife’

Flint is a cooler than average sedimentary rock and a form of the mineral quartz. It was an invaluable material through the majority of the prehistoric period. Flint has a unique cryptocrystalline molecular structure which is what makes it so hard and durable, and when this stone is struck, it fractures easily and cleanly into uniform flakes with a very sharp edge, capable of even cutting flesh. It’s definitely a clear winner over other kinds of rock which just break uselessly. Plus, the stone-age folk didn’t want to labour away wasting time and resources crafting a tool out of a softer rock that wouldn’t even be able to last! They realised that flint was tough enough to be used over and over, but was also workable, breaking predictably, allowing skilled, reliable tool making techniques to emerge.

A site of Allen’s in Norfolk yielded many lithic artefacts and tools which I got to inspect, including an ‘end and side scraper’ and an ‘invasively flaked knife’. Flint tools come in numerous variations such as scrapers, knives, arrowheads, piercers, awls, microliths and many more, which were used in all matter of tasks through day to day life.

Upon close examination, both the scraper and knife show signs of reworking in the form of tiny uniform chips along several edges, along with rippling which radiates like shock waves from the original strike point. These features distinguish them from naturally occurring flint and allow us to determine that they were in fact modified by ancient man. The function of a scraper tool was likely for stripping fat from skins in hide working or for working wood, and could have been either held by hand or attached to a handle. Similarly, a knife may have been used for cutting through flesh or simply as a multipurpose tool.

Flint scraper

These finds, which appear to have been manufactured during the late Neolithic, give a fascinating insight into what life in the period was like. Archaeology allows us to reconnect with our past and for me it’s a privilege to handle objects such as these which may have once served as crucial elements of survival. I personally love to speculate about the life and story behind archaeological finds and envision our younger world and its people. It makes it all very real!

This placement has definitely reinforced my passion for the subject, and I and can’t wait to further my knowledge and experiences.

Baku and Bifaces

By Rupert Birtwistle, Project Supervisor

Welcome to my first blog post, which considering I’ve been at the company 4 years now is probably a little overdue. Despite delays, it is now my pleasure to report on my current research trip in Azerbaijan. Over the next three months I will be taking you on a journey across Eastern Europe to the far away mountainous region of the Caucasus, for reasons which I assure you are (mostly) academic.

Rupert in his natural environment

In addition to being a Project Supervisor here at Allen Archaeology Ltd I live a double life as a PhD student at University of Leicester. As part of my PhD program I am turning my attention to Palaeolithic Azerbaijan, specifically the transition from the Lower to Middle Palaeolithic. ‘Why Azerbaijan?’ you may ask, and for that I should thank my old university lecturer Keith Wilkinson, University of Winchester, who taught me that the most important factor in determining a research area is not just the archaeology, but the quality of the local wine. Hence (mostly) academic.

My project is directed towards the transition between the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic and the development of Levallois techniques (prepared core technologies) in the region between 400,000 and 200,000 years ago. To do this I will be analysing material from four previously excavated sites, Azykh cave, Shish-guzey, Gadir-dere and Gayaly, the latter three all being open air sites.

The Caucasus is a mountainous region that stretches from the Black Sea Coast in the east and the Caspian Sea in the west. It was an important migratory corridor for hominins during Palaeolithic times as it offered a link between Africa, Asia, and Europe. The comparative absence of archaeologists working in Azerbaijan has left a large gap in the Palaeolithic record for the region, exacerbated by Azerbaijan being the least mountainous of all the Caucasian countries, which has left it out in the cold as researchers have favoured cave environments, specifically in Armenia. Together with disputes between the neighbouring countries, the Palaeolithic potential of Azerbaijan has never been explored by an international researcher.

The National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan

So at the beginning of August I put away my work clothes and hung up my trowel (for now) to embark on a Palaeolithic journey across Europe to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, my new home. I was soon into my work at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (pictured above). The assemblages and environment were tricky to get to grips with initially and I had to draw upon all my experience as an archaeologist when after my first visit to the bathroom I was faced with a squat toilet.

Hard at work assessing an assemblage

During August I have focused on analysing material from Shish-guzey (pictured above) and Azykh Layer V. Analysis of both assemblages has characterised the material as Late Acheulean, although I have also been able to identify elements of Levallois technology amongst the cores, tools and flaking habits of the hominins. This is very exciting news indeed. The stone tools from both assemblages are made from various types of volcanic rock, basalt and andesite, with the occasional exotic, non-local material thrown in, flint, chert and obsidian (see images below).

One interesting element is that although the assemblages are Late Acheulean, there appears to be a considerable lack of handaxes, the so-called hallmark of the Acheulean. It seems the hominins had already started to explore the use of prepared core methods as the tools kits evolved to become more reliant on flaked tools, rather than the Palaeolithic ‘Swiss army knife’ approach. Furthermore, and much to my complete surprise, I have discovered evidence that hominins were using bone to fashion tools. This is rare in the Lower Palaeolithic, and is an activity thought to represent behavioural modernity in Homo sapiens. Nonetheless, the evidence here is compelling and will be published during the coming year.

From top to bottom: 3 non-Levallois points, a small biface, Levallois core, and a retouched blade

It’s been busy, hectic at times, and a learning curve to some of the problems of studying or working in a foreign country. I have been attending Russian classes twice a week in the evenings, and have managed to expand my vocabulary by 6 words “where is the real toilet located”?

I must be doing something right as I managed to receive a decent haircut and the first time of asking, although I though 50 minutes for essentially a military short, back and sides was a little excessive, but I pleased I came through unscathed. Thankfully hairdressing technology has evolved somewhat since the Palaeolithic…

Editor’s note: We look forward to seeing the (unfermented) fruits of Rupert’s ongoing research.

Find of the Month, May – Early Neolithic arrow head

By Cova Escandon, Archives Project Supervisor

This month we have chosen this beauty! It is an Early Neolithic leaf-shaped arrow head and it comes from a site we are currently working on in Grantham.

Early Neolithic leaf-shaped arrow head from a site in Grantham

Arrow heads were manufactured by using a small antler tine to push tiny pieces off a bigger stone; a technique known as pressure-flaking. They were then used as projectile points mounted on the tip of a wooden shaft. We are not sure if they were propelled by a bow or were part of a spear as wooden artefacts don’t survive very often.

These leaf-shaped arrow heads dominated the Early Neolithic era (4,000-3,200BC), becoming less common in the Mid Neolithic and scarce in Late Neolithic. Later arrow heads followed designs with ‘barbs’, that made them more effective, but these leaf-shaped ones were easier to make.

Some are incredibly thin and delicate, too fragile to be used for hunting or violence, and some scholars believe that they were status symbols, as they required an immense amount of skill to make. But it is not that simple, as some of these very delicate arrow heads show traces of having been used…

But why do these Early Neolithic groups start manufacturing these new arrow heads? The Neolithic Revolution had begun! The clearance of the woodland in order to get it ready for harvesting had drastically changed the environment, and it was more difficult for the hunter to get close to the prey. One theory suggests that this type of arrow head offered a more aerodynamic and effective killing tool with an increased range and penetration.

This alteration of the environment was already happening during the Mesolithic. But the Neolithic saw massive deforestation to make room for farmland, dramatically transforming the landscape.

This Neolithic Revolution not only brought economic and technological change, it also saw deep social transformation. Knapping tools changed from being a survival skill learnt by everyone, to an artisan trade done by specialists in the community. The groups settled in territories, and the foundations of new social hierarchies were established.

The attachment to the land brought an increase in violence as control of the territory was key in order to survive.

Examples of these bloody episodes have been seen at archaeological sites such as Belas Knap Long Barrow in Gloucestershire and Wayland’s Smithy in Oxfordshire, where there is evidence of blows to the head or arrow wounds in dead deposited there, and at Hambledon Hill in Dorset, there is evidence of the defensive palisades being burnt. Leaf-shaped arrow heads are the most commonly found artefact in British Neolithic tombs. As usual, we end up with more questions than answers. Why did society change? Farming requires much more work than hunting-gathering and one so why did they change their way of living?

Whilst Britain was still in the Late Mesolithic, a big part of Southern Europe was already embracing the Neolithic Revolution. Can we attribute the beginning of the Neolithic in the UK to sea-borne colonialists from continental Europe, or to the influence of locals who were in touch with the continent?

This is certainly a beautiful artefact, no doubt about that. But it is also a window to a fascinating and mysterious time of change.

Find of the month March – a selection of finds chosen by our work experience student, Matt.

By Matt and Yvonne Rose (Archive Project Supervisor)

For February, just for a change, there’s a slight twist to “Find of the Month”. For the past three Thursdays the finds and archiving team has been joined by work experience student Matt. He’s been busy washing the usual assortment of pottery, tile and animal bone, so to make the days more interesting we’ve shown him an array of the more exciting finds from past excavations. We asked him to choose two of his favourite finds, along with a few other questions, so that we could find out a bit more about Matt and his interests. Here are the results:

How long have you been interested in archaeology?

Since I was around 7 years of age (10 years ago).

How did you become interested in archaeology?

I became interested in history by watching Time Team on the TV in my own time. It encouraged me to go outside and try it for myself. Ever since I started finding actual finds of importance I enjoyed it more and more, up to this day. Now I wish to continue further with a regular job in either archaeology or palaeontology.

What is your favourite period in history?

Probably Roman.

Which finds have you liked the most, and why?

The Roman face pot (nicknamed Marion) because it is a very nice pot from my favourite period in history. I would also like to do some research on it at some point in the future.

I like the Palaeolithic flint blade due to the fact that it is very old (around 10 000 years). I also like to think about the many different ways it could have been used. I love the history behind it.

Palaeolithic flint blade

The Roman face pot (Marion)

What would you like to find in the future?

A hoard of Roman coins or something gold!

We wish Matt well in his remaining weeks with us and hope he finds that gold one day!

Best site hut biscuit with Jedlee

Jedlee Chapman Welcome to the first post in a series where we meet some of the AAL staff and ask the important question of which biscuit is best!

What is your job role?
Project Archaeologist – I dig and record archaeology to the best standard possible

How long have you worked for Allen Archaeology?
Nearly 3 years

How would describe your excavation technique?
God like – controlled to get a good understanding of the archaeology I’m excavating and not to injure myself

How long have you been working in archaeology?
Almost 14 years

How did you get into archaeology?
My uncle was kind enough to get me on a job he was working at the time when I was 15 (16, I mean 16!) and I’ve been doing it ever since

What is the best thing about your job?
Archaeology is just like other jobs most days; but then you have those days out in the field where you come across something special, like an upper Palaeolithic blade. Those days make the wait till pay day or home time seem inconsequential!

Specialist skills?
I don’t really have a specialist skill; I’m more of an all-rounder, I know a bit of this and a bit of that!

Best site hut biscuit?
The hobnob (or the last biscuit in the pack!)

Hello World

Welcome to the first Allen Archaeology blog! We are going to be posting every Friday afternoon little bits and pieces for people to enjoy in their tea breaks. These blogs are going to include exciting things that are going on at the company, profiles of our staff, stories from some of our sites and the things that we do as a commercial unit.

The blogs will give you the chance to hear from staff across the company, from our Trainees to the Directors, and to find out about what it is like to be an archaeologist from the people who are, quite literally, on the ground. We hope to start a conversation about what’s going on in the commercial world, at Allen Archaeology and further afield, so please engage with us!

If you’ve not visited us before why not have a click around our fancy new website and check out who we are and what we do! If you have found your way here then here are some pictures of what we’ve been getting up to this week.

Our directors checking out the video of our excavations at University of Lincoln, made by the Lincoln School of Journalism click here to see it for yourself

Josh is getting started on the Lithics from the Mesolithic site in the centre of Lincoln

Josh Hogue is getting started on the Lithics from the Mesolithic site in the center of Lincoln

Charlotte and Gavin have been out and about undertaking an earthwork survey in Worcestershire

Look at this beautiful (modern) stratigraphy from Lidl's development site in Dartford

Look at this beautiful stratigraphy from Lidl’s development site in Dartford

Chris has been mapping pottery distributions from one of the North Killingholme sites