Exploring Ritual Deposits in a Well at Rothwell Haigh, Leeds

Abstract

AbstractDuring the summer of 1977, rescue excavations of a square, ditched enclosure were undertaken at Rothwell Haigh Colliery, Leeds. Relatively few discrete features were identified, but a 12.3 m-deep well situated within the enclosure was fully excavated. Pottery from the well, which was waterlogged fromc. 7 m, indicates rapid infilling most likely in the early to mid-fourth century. Waterlogged wooden objects include a yew bucket, ash spade with iron shoe and ash drinking vessels, while the disposal of complete pottery vessels, a quern disc rough-out, articulated animal parts and a human skull highlight the potential for symbolic deposition. An exploration of the apparently more mundane items shows that they deviate from the normal domestic patterns seen on local sites, suggesting that selection for ritual deposition may have covered areas of material culture not normally associated with such activity.