Close to the Edge: Excavations of Five Cornish Coastal Barrows

By (author) Andy M. Jones

Book cover: Close to the Edge: Excavations of Five Cornish Coastal Barrows

Extent: 194 pages

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing

Subjects: European Prehistory

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(December 2024)

ISBN: 9781803278155

8.07 x 11.42 inches

Price: $56.00

In stock

A report of recent excavation of five Early Bronze Age barrows undertaken by Cornwall Archaeological Unit. All are complex monuments revealing episodes of remodelling and reuse. Despite being broadly comparable with similar radiocarbon determinations, there are major differences in both the form and intensity of activity between the barrows.


Close to the Edge reports upon the recent excavation of five Early Bronze Age barrows undertaken by Cornwall Archaeological Unit. Three of the five sites are located close to the coast and two are located in an elevated inland ridge with sea views. All are complex monuments which reveal episodes of remodelling and reuse, stretching from the first half of the second millennium BC into the Iron Age, with one site producing evidence for activity in the Roman period. A notable feature of the investigated barrows is the range of practices associated with them. Interestingly, only one of the barrows seems to have had a primary function as a place of burial, with others containing only token amounts of human bone, or none at all. Despite being broadly comparable monuments with similar radiocarbon determinations, there are also major differences in both the form and intensity of activity between the barrows, and there are significant contrasts in practices associated with them. The volume presents the results from each of the excavated barrows. A final synthetic section then reviews some of the major themes which have emerged from the excavations.

Summary

Chapter 1: In sight of the sea: The evidence from five Bronze Age barrows

Chapter 2: A barrow on Godrevy headland

Chapter 3: Two downland barrows with a sea view

Chapter 4: An enclosure barrow behind the dunes

Chapter 5: A platform cairn overlooking the bay

Chapter 6: Some themes from the investigation of five coastal barrows

Bibliography

Appendices

  • By (author) Andy M. Jones

"'This report is brought to life by the actions of people in the past, which are vividly illustrated in descriptions... These details convey the tangible and colourful material world of Bronze Age populations. This publication is rich in data, well-supported by colour photographs, and well-versed in current ideas and literature. Overall, it makes a valuable contribution to Bronze Age studies and is a welcome addition to literature about the prehistory of South-West England.' - Jodie Lewis (2025): Current Archaeology 422"

‘This report is brought to life by the actions of people in the past, which are vividly illustrated in descriptions… These details convey the tangible and colourful material world of Bronze Age populations. This publication is rich in data, well-supported by colour photographs, and well-versed in current ideas and literature. Overall, it makes a valuable contribution to Bronze Age studies and is a welcome addition to literature about the prehistory of South-West England.’ Jodie Lewis (2025): Current Archaeology 422