Information for record number MWA801:
Bronze Age pits and hearths associated with a settlement

Summary The site of Bronze Age pits and hearths possibly associated with a settlement or funeral pyres. The site lies 500m east of Frizmore Hill, Harbury.
What Is It?  
Type: Settlement, Pit, Hearth, Funeral Pyre
Period: Late Bronze Age - Iron Age (2500 BC - 700 BC)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Harbury
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 35 61
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

 
Source Number  

1 Bronze age pits and hearths were identified at Sharmer Farm in 1972. It is suggested the features represent either a pot boiling site or funeral pyres (WA 7440).
2 No positive dating was recovered during excavation but two radiocarbon samples gave dates to c. 1000 BC.
3 Plan and section.
4 Field survey.
5 Letter from Mr Ellis in 2000 to Time Team proposing further investigation,
 
Sources

Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: WMFRS
Author/originator:
Date: 1972
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Bronze Age pits, Harbury
Author/originator: Shotton F
Date: 1972
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Bronze Age Pits, Harbury
Author/originator: Ellis, N.B.
Date: 2000
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Plan
Title: Sharmer Farm, Harbury
Author/originator: Ellis N B
Date: 1972
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: Harbury
Author/originator: Ellis, N.B.
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
back to top

Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Field Survey The term ‘field survey’ is used to describe all work that does not disturb archaeological deposits below the ground through an excavation. Field survey techniques involve recording measurements that help archaeologists draw plans or diagrams of archaeological features. There are a variety of different field survey techniques, including geophysical survey, building recording survey, field walking survey, landscape survey and earthwork survey. back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
more ->
back
period Bronze Age About 2500 BC to 700 BC

The Bronze Age comes after the Neolithic period and before the Iron Age.

The day to day life of people in the Bronze Age probably changed little from how their ancestors had lived during the Neolithic period. They still lived in farmsteads, growing crops and rearing animals.

During the Bronze Age people discovered how to use bronze, an alloy of tin and copper (hence the name that has given to this era). They used it to make their tools and other objects, although they continued to use flint and a range of organic materials as well. A range of bronze axes, palstaves and spears has been found in Warwickshire.
more ->
back
period Iron Age About 800 BC to 43 AD

The Iron Age comes after the Bronze Age and before the Roman period. It is a time when people developed the skills and knowledge to work and use iron, hence the name ‘Iron Age’ which is given to this period. Iron is a much tougher and more durable metal than bronze but it also requires more skill to make objects from it. People continued to use bronze during this period.
more ->
back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument SETTLEMENT * A small concentration of dwellings. back
monument FUNERAL PYRE * A structure consisting of combustible material, typically wood, on which a body is placed and then cremated, sometimes with accompanying grave goods. Use only when evidence of structure exists. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument PIT * A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known. back
monument HEARTH * The slab or place on which a fire is made. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record