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Persistent Places in the Mesolithic Landscape: an Example from the Black Mountain Uplands of South Wales

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

R.N.E. Barton ,
P.J. Berridge ,
M.J.C. Walker  and
R.E. Bevins
R.N.E. Barton
Affiliation:
Anthropology Unit, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 OBP
P.J. Berridge
Affiliation:
Colchester and Essex Museum, The Castle, Colchester, Essex CO1 1TJ
M.J.C. Walker
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Wales, Lampeter, Dyfed SA48 7ED
R.E. Bevins
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF1 3NP
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Abstract

Evidence for the early Postglacial use of upland environments in the Mesolithic in various parts Britain has been known for a long time. However, until relatively recently such evidence had been remarkably absent from upland south Wales, which includes some of the highest mountain ranges in southern Britain. In this paper we report on new work at the upland location of Waun Fignen Felen which consists of discrete Early and later Mesolithic artefact scatters on the edge of a former lake basin. In describing this example, we focus on the timing of Mesolithic movements into the interior uplands and examine the relationship between humans and the landscape, particularly in respect to the long distance transport of materials and factors likely to have influenced the choice of site location. Some comparative observations are made on the use and perception of landscapes by ethnographic hunter-gatherers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 61 , 1995 , pp. 81 - 116
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 1995

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References

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