Lecture Notes: Ancient Settlements and Maritime Trade in Cornwall
Key Discoveries
Geophysical Surveys and metal detecting revealed promising archaeological features, including crop marks and ring ditches suggesting ancient structures.
Finds: Bronze Age gold, Roman coins, and diverse pottery—5th-century Turkish and African pieces—indicating an ancient trading site.
Historical Context
Ancient Mariners: Evidence suggests trade routes brought exotic goods like wine, silk, and papyrus, exchanging them for local tin and copper.
Potential Trading Site: Proximity to the Atlantic coast and the river Camel provides an ideal location.
Archaeological Investigation
Trench Openings: Two trenches opened near the beach to explore potential trading links and settlement structures.
Lower Field: Investigating anomalies that might link to ancient trade.
Upper Field: Focused on potential Iron Age roundhouses.
Settlement Analysis
Bronze and Iron Age Structures: Circular features suggest houses from the Bronze to Iron Age, possibly extending into Roman times.
Construction: Thick walls with composite layers for insulation; central hearths were common features.
Challenges and Findings
Dating Difficulties: Many artifacts found on the surface, complicating dating efforts.
Roman Finds: A Roman coin attributed to Emperor Hadrian was discovered, providing a chronological anchor.
Iron Age Evidence: Ditches and pottery provide insights into settlement structure.
Maritime Trade Hypotheses
Trading Port Feasibility: Examined the possibility of ancient ships navigating the treacherous coast.
Shifting Sands and Tides: Historical charts suggest potential for past deep-water access.
Current Excavation Results
Structural Discoveries: Large building with post-Roman pottery hints at a significant settlement period.
Field and Boundary Insights: Likely animal management and agricultural activities identified.
Continuous Exploration
New Finds: Pottery pieces and other artifacts continue to emerge, requiring detailed analysis to connect the site's timelines.
Historic Continuity: Evidence suggests long-term occupation with evolving trade functions.
Archaeological Insights
Byzantine Connections: Finds suggest extended trade links with the Byzantine Empire before decline due to overreach.
Settlement Overview: Likely evolved from a Bronze Age community to a Roman and post-Roman trade hub.
Final Discoveries
Material Evidence: Byzantine pottery and coins signify prolonged trade engagement.
Cultural Impact: The site reveals a dynamic exchange of goods and culture, indicated by diverse amphorae and a stylus (evidence of writing).
Conclusion
Archaeological Significance: The site shows potential as a significant historical trading center, with continued research needed to fully understand its importance and timeline.