BIOLOGICAL REMAINS FROM EXCAVATIONS AT NORTH CAVE, N. HUMBERSIDE.
Author(s): E P Allison
Analysis of plant macrofossils and insects was undertaken for a series of pit- and ditch-fills and other deposits of Iron Age and Romano-British date at North Cave, North Humberside. Despite the prevalence of iron slag and other evidence of human activity, there was remarkably little indication from the biota for concentrated or persistent human occupation. Though annual weeds were the best-represented group amongst the plant remains, there was also a consistent component of perennial plants typical of the scrub or woodland margin habitats that would be likely to become prevalent after occupation or ceased or where it was perhaps only seasonal. The insect faunas were rich and diverse, indicating a range of natural and semi-natural habitats; there were no strong synanthropes. None of the Iron Age and Roman pit-fills produced more than traces of biological evidence that could be used to infer their use and it seems likely that the pits served initially as water-holes and later filled by natural means. There was evidence for charred cereal grains and spikelet fragments from some deposits associated with late Roman kilns which may indicate these were used at some stage as corn-driers.
- Report Number:
- 105/1990
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 130
- Keywords:
- Insect Plant Remains
