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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Duncan WrightORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).
The rising popularity of hobbyist metal detecting has provided early medieval scholars with various important new datasets, not least the concentrations of metalwork commonly known as ‘productive sites’. Awareness of these foci derives almost exclusively from archaeological evidence, yet they continue to be interpreted through a documentary lens, and are frequently labelled ‘monasteries’. Using the recently discovered site of Little Carlton, Lincolnshire, as a case study, it is argued that comprehension of metal-rich sites is significantly furthered by turning to archaeologically-orientated research agendas and terminologies. As a consequence, seventh- to ninth-century Little Carlton can be understood as one element of a high-status ‘meshwork’ within early medieval East Lindsey, in which elite power was articulated in the landscape through a number of contemporary centres. On site, archaeology indicates the presence of occupation, burial and craft working, but shows that highly symbolic indigenous practices were taking place too, including intentional deposition into a naturally-occurring pond. Evidence for activity either side of the seventh to ninth centuries also stresses the importance of long-term trajectories in shaping the character of places previously celebrated for their finds-rich phases alone.
Author(s): Willmott H, Wright DW, Daubney A, Blinkhorn P, Newman S, Townend P, Vickers G
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Antiquaries Journal
Year: 2021
Volume: 101
Pages: 181-212
Print publication date: 01/09/2021
Online publication date: 15/07/2021
Acceptance date: 26/06/2021
Date deposited: 01/08/2021
ISSN (print): 0003-5815
ISSN (electronic): 1758-5309
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003581521000160
DOI: 10.1017/S0003581521000160
Notes: Hugh Willmott, FSA and Duncan W Wright, FSA with contributions from Adam Daubney, FSA, Paul Blinkhorn, Sophie Newman, Peter Townend and Graham Vickers
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