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Substantial settlement in the European Early Mesolithic: new research at Star Carr

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Chantal Conneller ,
Nicky Milner ,
Barry Taylor  and
Maisie Taylor
Chantal Conneller*
Affiliation:
Archaeology (SAHC), University of Manchester, Mansfield Cooper Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK (Email: chantal.conneller@manchester.ac.uk; barry.taylor1@manchester.ac.uk)
Nicky Milner
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP, UK (Email: nicky.milner@york.ac.uk; maisietaylor7@gmail.com)
Barry Taylor
Affiliation:
Archaeology (SAHC), University of Manchester, Mansfield Cooper Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK (Email: chantal.conneller@manchester.ac.uk; barry.taylor1@manchester.ac.uk)
Maisie Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP, UK (Email: nicky.milner@york.ac.uk; maisietaylor7@gmail.com)
*
*Author for correspondence
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Extract

The authors rewrite the character of Early Mesolithic settlement in Europe with their new research at one of its most famous sites. The picture of small mobile pioneering groups colonising new land is thrown into contention: far from being a small hunter-gatherer camp, Star Carr in 9000 cal BC extended for nearly 2ha and involved the construction of an estimated 30m of lakeside waterfront and at least one post-built house. With some justice, they suspect that the ‘small groups’ of Early Mesolithic Europe may have their rationale in the small excavations of archaeologists.

Keywords

EuropeStar CarrEarly Mesolithicsettlementhutplatformwetlandworked timber
Type
Research article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 86 , Issue 334 , December 2012 , pp. 1004 - 1020
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2012

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