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The Miniliths of Exmoor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2013

Mark Gillings ,
Joshua Pollard  and
Jeremy Taylor
Mark Gillings
Affiliation:
School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH
Joshua Pollard
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UU
Jeremy Taylor
Affiliation:
School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH
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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a programme of research on an unusual group of prehistoric stone settings located on Exmoor, south-west England. Taking a variety of semi-geometric and apparently random forms, a total of 59 settings have been identified, with new discoveries taking place on a regular basis. These stone settings are remarkable for their diminutive size, with component stones often standing to heights of 100 mm or less, a factor which has led to their being termed ‘minilithic’. Through reference to the results of a programme of geophysical survey and small-scale excavation targeted upon a particularly rich cluster of settings around the upper reaches of Badgworthy Water, issues of morphology, dating, relationships, and the implications of the Exmoor miniliths for developing understandings monumentality are discussed.

Résumé

Cette étude présente les résultats d'un programme de recherches sur un groupe inhabituel d'arrangements de pierres situé sur Exmoor, dans le sud-ouest de l'Angleterre. Adoptant diverses formes semigéométriques et apparemment fortuites, un total de 59 ensembles a été identifié, de nouvelles découvertes survenant régulièrement. Ces groupements de pierres sont remarquables par leur taille minuscule, certaines des composantes se dressant à une hauteur de 100 mm ou moins, un facteur qui a conduit à leur appelation de minilithes. Nous référant aux résultats d'un programme de relevés géophysiques et de fouilles sur une petite échelle concentrées sur un groupe particulièrement riche d'arrangements autour des rives supérieures de Bagdworthy Water, nous discutons des questions de morphologie, datation, relations et de la portée des minilithes d'Exmoor sur le développement de notre compréhension de la monumentalité.

Résumen

Este estudio presenta los resultados de un programa de investigación realizado sobre un grupo inusual de colocaciones de piedras prehistóricas situados en Exmoor, al sudoeste de Inglaterra. Se han identificado un total de 59 colocaciones, aunque nuevos descubrimientos se producen con regularidad, que adoptan una variedad de formas semi-geométricas y al parecer aleatorias. Estas colocaciones de piedras son notables por su tamaño diminuto, pues las piedras que los componen a menudo no sobrepasan una altura de 100 milímetros o menos, un factor que ha llevado a que se les denomine “minilíticas”. A través de la referencia a los resultados de un programa de prospección geofísica y de excavación en pequeña escala concentrada en un conjunto de colocaciones de piedra particularmente rico situado en el tramo superior de Badgworthy Water, el trabajo estudia cuestiones de morfología, datación, las relaciones, y las implicaciones de los minilitos de Exmoor para desarrollar una comprensión de la monumentalidad.

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Beitrag legt die Resultate eines Forschungsprogramms vor, das sich einer ungewöhnlichen Gruppe prähistorischer Steinanlagen im Exmoor, Südwestengland, widmete. Bei der Untersuchung einer Vielfalt von semi-geometrischen und augenscheinlich unregelmäßigen Formen konnten insgesamt 59 Anlagen identifiziert werden, wobei regelmäßig neue Entdeckungen gemacht werden. Diese Steinanlagen sind bemerkenswert aufgrund ihrer geringen Größe; oft erreichen verwendete Steine nur eine Höhe von 100 mm oder weniger, weshalb sie mittlerweile als “minilithisch” bezeichnet werden. Auf der Basis von Ergebnissen eines Forschungsprogramms, das geophysikalische Surveys und kleinräumige Ausgrabungen umfasste und auf eine besonders reiche Gruppe von Anlagen im oberen Bereich von Badgworthy Water ausgerichtet war, werden Fragen der Morphologie, Datierung, räumlichen Beziehungen ebenso diskutiert wie die Bedeutung der Exmoor Minilithen für ein besseres Verständnis von Monumentalität.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 76 , 2010 , pp. 297 - 318
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 2010

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