Animals and Cotswold-Severn Long Barrows: a Re-examination

Abstract

In this paper new collaborative research is presented following a re-examination of the faunal remains and architectural evidence from a selected number of Cotswold-Severn long barrow sites. Five different loci of deposition are considered: ‘pre-barrow’ contexts; the chambers; the superstructure of the barrow and the ditches; the forecourt; and blocking material. These spatial locations were chosen following research that has demonstrated that these areas are likely to represent different temporal, as well as spatial, patterns of activity. While the faunal remains are diverse in character, common themes observed at the sites include: the deposition of complete or partial remains of foetal and young animals within chambers; the use of teeth and cranial elements within blocking material; and, within each temporal context, the absence of clear evidence for feasting and the importance of cattle, and the small but constant inclusion of wild mammals. This complexity of practice has the potential to mature our thinking regarding the nature of human–animal relationships within the early Neolithic of Britain and provide a secure foundation of evidence for subsequent interpretations.