My research areas are varied and cover later prehistory, Romano-British and medieval archaeology in the North-West of England. This broad spectrum of specialties is a consequence of my position as Consultant Archaeologist for the Poulton Research Project in Cheshire. The multi-period nature of the site covers 10,000 years, but is notable for extensive Iron Age settlement remains and a medieval chapel with associated grave yard. My background at PhD level was ceramic petrography, utilising this analytical method to investigate societal development and organisation during the Bronze/Iron Ages in the Peak District National Park. My love of pottery has stayed with me throughout my career. I also have a background in commercial archaeology, and am currently involved with community and public outreach projects. Address: James Parsons Building 3 Byrom Street Liverpool L3 3AF
This article presents the results of the radiocarbon dating programme and interpretation of a med... more This article presents the results of the radiocarbon dating programme and interpretation of a medieval chapel and graveyard in Poulton, Cheshire. The structure was associated with a lost Cistercian Abbey of 12th-13th-century date, which was relocated to Staffordshire after c. 60 years. Extensive excavation has revealed a minimum of 783 interments, interpreted as the remains of the farming community who worked the land after the monks' departure. The role of the chapel within the early Cistercian landscape has proved enigmatic, although archaeological investigation has enabled a detailed understanding of the development of this ecclesiastical structure. The radiocarbon dating programme has revealed the chronology of the graveyard. By combining this new evidence with the historical record and archaeological data, an interpretation of the changing role of the chapel within the evolving medieval landscape is presented.
This paper examines five items of Neolithic date recovered from residual contexts during the exca... more This paper examines five items of Neolithic date recovered from residual contexts during the excavation of the multi-period archaeological site in Chapel Field, Poulton. Each find is diagnostic and notable for the region, comprising a portable polissoir, bifacially worked flint, plano-convex knife, fragment of a polished axe, and a side scraper. These items combine with other finds of Neolithic date from the site, published as part of a larger assemblage of Mesolithic to Bronze Age date in volume 86 of this journal. Taken together, they characterise activity that is beyond casual loss. Not only is a sustained presence indicated, but the unusual nature of the lithics on a regional basis can be interpreted as defining specific activities that took place on the site. This assemblage, and the outstanding survival of Iron Age occupation, suggests that features of Neolithic date may well be preserved in the locality.
Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, 2021
Excavations on agricultural land at Poulton have revealed a late prehistoric lowland settlement o... more Excavations on agricultural land at Poulton have revealed a late prehistoric lowland settlement of unparalleled complexity for the region, characterised by intercutting roundhouse ditches which span the eighth to first centuries BC. A diverse finds assemblage was preserved by unusually favourable geological conditions and revealed evidence for a range of activities, long-distance connections, a mixed farming economy and ritual practices. The overall character is indicative of a settlement similar to examples east of the Pennines. The topographical and geological setting further provides a template to identify similar examples, illuminating Iron Age studies in north-west England and beyond.
North West England is important for late glacial and early Holocene studies nationally, as the re... more North West England is important for late glacial and early Holocene studies nationally, as the region includes numerous sites retaining proxy evidence of changes in climate, relative sea level, and past vegetation. These studies provide the context for early recolonization of the country and people’s adaptations to rapidly changing environments. Although there are very few known deposits that might contain evidence of early human occupation in the Lower or Middle Palaeolithic periods, there have been a few developments concerning our understanding of the Late Upper Palaeolithic during the past ten years, and several significant discoveries relating to occupation, other activities and, possibly, belief systems during the Mesolithic period.
Blinkhorn, P and Cumberpatch, C. (eds). The Chiming of Crack'd Bells, 2014
This paper attempts to reconstruct Late Bronze/Iron Age society in the Peak District National Par... more This paper attempts to reconstruct Late Bronze/Iron Age society in the Peak District National Park through a compositional analysis of ceramic paste recipes and raw material procurement from 16 sites spread across the region. Results showed a dominant preference for the selection of basic igneous rocks of basalt/dolerite for use as ceramic temper. Geological sampling showed that the inhabitants of certain sites had preferred resource locations, indicating an agreed paste recipe, but with subtle differences which could be characteristic of regional sub-groups.
A Time Capsule of a Time Capsule: A Charcoal Filled Pit within Poulton Chapel Graveyard, 2021
A stone capped pit filled with domestic waste was discovered during excavation of a later medieva... more A stone capped pit filled with domestic waste was discovered during excavation of a later medieval graveyard at Poulton, Cheshire. A combination of ceramics and radiocarbon dating established this as the first feature which was contemporary with a lost Cistercian Abbey in the area. Environmental analysis of the charcoal rich fill and varied finds assemblage provided a regionally important picture of life during the 11/12th century in Cheshire.
North-west England has traditionally been viewed as a sparsely populated, peripheral landscape du... more North-west England has traditionally been viewed as a sparsely populated, peripheral landscape during the Iron Age –but excavations in rural Cheshire have revealed an unexpected Iron Age and Romano-British settlement that could revolutionise this picture. Kevin Cootes, Rea Carlin, Janet Axworthy, Matt Thomas, Roxanne Guildford, and David Jordan reveal more.
The interment of stillborn infants in later medieval burial grounds stands at odds with Catholic ... more The interment of stillborn infants in later medieval burial grounds stands at odds with Catholic Church Law, which forbade the inclusion of unbaptised children within consecrated ground. When perinatal remains occur within graveyards, their interpretation can be problematic. Did they live to be baptised, or do such examples represent clandestine burials? Historical documents indicate that some parents disobeyed the Church and secretly buried their offspring within consecrated ground. Proving such actions in the archaeological record, however, is another matter. This paper therefore investigates the discovery of a perinatal burial (Sk953) within a rural graveyard at Poulton in Cheshire, England, placed in a small household box. A multifaceted approach was used to interpret the varying strands of evidence. These comprised church law, the birth, container, orientation of the corpse, local topography, date of burial, and status of the graveyard when the infant was interred. The authors interpret the evidence as characteristic of a clandestine burial, and a rare expression of grief and love visible in the archaeological record. K E Y W O R D S Britain, Cheshire, later medieval, infant baptism, clandestine burial, grief, love
Farm View, Landican, consists of a small complex of three structures; one two story house attache... more Farm View, Landican, consists of a small complex of three structures; one two story house attached without access to a stone and brick-built barn, and connected ‘lean to’. A survey was conducted at the request of the owner Miles Duncan, in advance of the submission of a planning application to demolish the habitation and ‘lean to’ due to their poor condition, whilst preserving the barn. Recording was done to English Heritage Level 2 standard, with photographs and notes made on site. Due to the settlements character as a well-preserved medieval farming settlement of archaeological and historical significance, it was deemed necessary to establish if the two structures comprised a heritage asset.
The combination of desk-based, and visual survey clearly established that the barn was the earliest structure in the complex, with the ‘lean-to’ constructed between 1870 and 1912. Whilst Farm View also post-dates the barn, the exact date of construction cannot be established. The 1847 Tithe Map records an outbuilding and croft on the site of the present structure, likely referencing the brick-built habitation and sandstone wall extension. The general character of the building and dating evidence from the barn therefore suggests a late 18th/early 19th Century construction date.
It is concluded that both the house and ‘lean-to’ do not form an archaeological asset, although a watching brief should be present to identify any rock cut features beneath the structure. Mr. Duncan’s intention to rebuild Farm View to the original design and specifications, whilst leaving the barn intact, further negates any concerns regarding the impact on the visual character of Landican.
Detailed compositional and technological analysis of a large assemblage of prehistoric ceramics f... more Detailed compositional and technological analysis of a large assemblage of prehistoric ceramics from numerous sites situated within the Peak District National Park has been used to explore the settlement patterns, societal structure, mobility and interaction of the populations that inhabited this area during the Early Bronze Age to Early Iron Age. A surprising pattern emerges of the widespread dominance of a single, geographically restricted temper type, which appears to have been transported and mixed with locally procured clay and used to produce pottery at numerous different sites. The distribution of this and several other compositional groups are defined via thin-section petrography and compared to raw material field samples. The resulting patterns are used to assess the validity of previous theories about prehistoric life in this region during the third to first millennia BC.
Hundreds of skeletons recovered during the excavation of a medieval cemetery in Cheshire are help... more Hundreds of skeletons recovered during the excavation of a medieval cemetery in Cheshire are helping to tell the story of a poor farming community who served a Cistercian Abbey for generations.
Hunting for the Gatherers and Early Farmers of Cheshire An Investigation of Prehistoric Land Use in Chapel Field, Poulton, 2017
This paper examines a residual assemblage of flint, chert and stone tools recovered
during the ex... more This paper examines a residual assemblage of flint, chert and stone tools recovered during the excavation of a multi-period site located within Chapel Field, Poulton. Analysis has revealed early Mesolithic activity on the plateau overlooking the floodplain of the Pulford Brook and River Dee in the form of seasonal hunter-gatherer camps. The presence of possible late Mesolithic, early Neolithic and Bronze Age tools indicates reuse of the site. Further finds of a Neolithic polished stone axe and decorated stone plaque are notable for their rarity in this part of Cheshire. The level of interpretation that can be attained is limited by the absence of stratified material but is nevertheless important given that the nature of early prehistoric land use is still poorly understood in lowland Cheshire. The outstanding survival of later occu - pation suggests that better quality evidence of early prehistoric activity may be preserved elsewhere in the field, presenting the opportunity to increase our under - standing of these elusive human groups.
This article presents the results of the radiocarbon dating programme and interpretation of a med... more This article presents the results of the radiocarbon dating programme and interpretation of a medieval chapel and graveyard in Poulton, Cheshire. The structure was associated with a lost Cistercian Abbey of 12th-13th-century date, which was relocated to Staffordshire after c. 60 years. Extensive excavation has revealed a minimum of 783 interments, interpreted as the remains of the farming community who worked the land after the monks' departure. The role of the chapel within the early Cistercian landscape has proved enigmatic, although archaeological investigation has enabled a detailed understanding of the development of this ecclesiastical structure. The radiocarbon dating programme has revealed the chronology of the graveyard. By combining this new evidence with the historical record and archaeological data, an interpretation of the changing role of the chapel within the evolving medieval landscape is presented.
This paper examines five items of Neolithic date recovered from residual contexts during the exca... more This paper examines five items of Neolithic date recovered from residual contexts during the excavation of the multi-period archaeological site in Chapel Field, Poulton. Each find is diagnostic and notable for the region, comprising a portable polissoir, bifacially worked flint, plano-convex knife, fragment of a polished axe, and a side scraper. These items combine with other finds of Neolithic date from the site, published as part of a larger assemblage of Mesolithic to Bronze Age date in volume 86 of this journal. Taken together, they characterise activity that is beyond casual loss. Not only is a sustained presence indicated, but the unusual nature of the lithics on a regional basis can be interpreted as defining specific activities that took place on the site. This assemblage, and the outstanding survival of Iron Age occupation, suggests that features of Neolithic date may well be preserved in the locality.
Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, 2021
Excavations on agricultural land at Poulton have revealed a late prehistoric lowland settlement o... more Excavations on agricultural land at Poulton have revealed a late prehistoric lowland settlement of unparalleled complexity for the region, characterised by intercutting roundhouse ditches which span the eighth to first centuries BC. A diverse finds assemblage was preserved by unusually favourable geological conditions and revealed evidence for a range of activities, long-distance connections, a mixed farming economy and ritual practices. The overall character is indicative of a settlement similar to examples east of the Pennines. The topographical and geological setting further provides a template to identify similar examples, illuminating Iron Age studies in north-west England and beyond.
North West England is important for late glacial and early Holocene studies nationally, as the re... more North West England is important for late glacial and early Holocene studies nationally, as the region includes numerous sites retaining proxy evidence of changes in climate, relative sea level, and past vegetation. These studies provide the context for early recolonization of the country and people’s adaptations to rapidly changing environments. Although there are very few known deposits that might contain evidence of early human occupation in the Lower or Middle Palaeolithic periods, there have been a few developments concerning our understanding of the Late Upper Palaeolithic during the past ten years, and several significant discoveries relating to occupation, other activities and, possibly, belief systems during the Mesolithic period.
Blinkhorn, P and Cumberpatch, C. (eds). The Chiming of Crack'd Bells, 2014
This paper attempts to reconstruct Late Bronze/Iron Age society in the Peak District National Par... more This paper attempts to reconstruct Late Bronze/Iron Age society in the Peak District National Park through a compositional analysis of ceramic paste recipes and raw material procurement from 16 sites spread across the region. Results showed a dominant preference for the selection of basic igneous rocks of basalt/dolerite for use as ceramic temper. Geological sampling showed that the inhabitants of certain sites had preferred resource locations, indicating an agreed paste recipe, but with subtle differences which could be characteristic of regional sub-groups.
A Time Capsule of a Time Capsule: A Charcoal Filled Pit within Poulton Chapel Graveyard, 2021
A stone capped pit filled with domestic waste was discovered during excavation of a later medieva... more A stone capped pit filled with domestic waste was discovered during excavation of a later medieval graveyard at Poulton, Cheshire. A combination of ceramics and radiocarbon dating established this as the first feature which was contemporary with a lost Cistercian Abbey in the area. Environmental analysis of the charcoal rich fill and varied finds assemblage provided a regionally important picture of life during the 11/12th century in Cheshire.
North-west England has traditionally been viewed as a sparsely populated, peripheral landscape du... more North-west England has traditionally been viewed as a sparsely populated, peripheral landscape during the Iron Age –but excavations in rural Cheshire have revealed an unexpected Iron Age and Romano-British settlement that could revolutionise this picture. Kevin Cootes, Rea Carlin, Janet Axworthy, Matt Thomas, Roxanne Guildford, and David Jordan reveal more.
The interment of stillborn infants in later medieval burial grounds stands at odds with Catholic ... more The interment of stillborn infants in later medieval burial grounds stands at odds with Catholic Church Law, which forbade the inclusion of unbaptised children within consecrated ground. When perinatal remains occur within graveyards, their interpretation can be problematic. Did they live to be baptised, or do such examples represent clandestine burials? Historical documents indicate that some parents disobeyed the Church and secretly buried their offspring within consecrated ground. Proving such actions in the archaeological record, however, is another matter. This paper therefore investigates the discovery of a perinatal burial (Sk953) within a rural graveyard at Poulton in Cheshire, England, placed in a small household box. A multifaceted approach was used to interpret the varying strands of evidence. These comprised church law, the birth, container, orientation of the corpse, local topography, date of burial, and status of the graveyard when the infant was interred. The authors interpret the evidence as characteristic of a clandestine burial, and a rare expression of grief and love visible in the archaeological record. K E Y W O R D S Britain, Cheshire, later medieval, infant baptism, clandestine burial, grief, love
Farm View, Landican, consists of a small complex of three structures; one two story house attache... more Farm View, Landican, consists of a small complex of three structures; one two story house attached without access to a stone and brick-built barn, and connected ‘lean to’. A survey was conducted at the request of the owner Miles Duncan, in advance of the submission of a planning application to demolish the habitation and ‘lean to’ due to their poor condition, whilst preserving the barn. Recording was done to English Heritage Level 2 standard, with photographs and notes made on site. Due to the settlements character as a well-preserved medieval farming settlement of archaeological and historical significance, it was deemed necessary to establish if the two structures comprised a heritage asset.
The combination of desk-based, and visual survey clearly established that the barn was the earliest structure in the complex, with the ‘lean-to’ constructed between 1870 and 1912. Whilst Farm View also post-dates the barn, the exact date of construction cannot be established. The 1847 Tithe Map records an outbuilding and croft on the site of the present structure, likely referencing the brick-built habitation and sandstone wall extension. The general character of the building and dating evidence from the barn therefore suggests a late 18th/early 19th Century construction date.
It is concluded that both the house and ‘lean-to’ do not form an archaeological asset, although a watching brief should be present to identify any rock cut features beneath the structure. Mr. Duncan’s intention to rebuild Farm View to the original design and specifications, whilst leaving the barn intact, further negates any concerns regarding the impact on the visual character of Landican.
Detailed compositional and technological analysis of a large assemblage of prehistoric ceramics f... more Detailed compositional and technological analysis of a large assemblage of prehistoric ceramics from numerous sites situated within the Peak District National Park has been used to explore the settlement patterns, societal structure, mobility and interaction of the populations that inhabited this area during the Early Bronze Age to Early Iron Age. A surprising pattern emerges of the widespread dominance of a single, geographically restricted temper type, which appears to have been transported and mixed with locally procured clay and used to produce pottery at numerous different sites. The distribution of this and several other compositional groups are defined via thin-section petrography and compared to raw material field samples. The resulting patterns are used to assess the validity of previous theories about prehistoric life in this region during the third to first millennia BC.
Hundreds of skeletons recovered during the excavation of a medieval cemetery in Cheshire are help... more Hundreds of skeletons recovered during the excavation of a medieval cemetery in Cheshire are helping to tell the story of a poor farming community who served a Cistercian Abbey for generations.
Hunting for the Gatherers and Early Farmers of Cheshire An Investigation of Prehistoric Land Use in Chapel Field, Poulton, 2017
This paper examines a residual assemblage of flint, chert and stone tools recovered
during the ex... more This paper examines a residual assemblage of flint, chert and stone tools recovered during the excavation of a multi-period site located within Chapel Field, Poulton. Analysis has revealed early Mesolithic activity on the plateau overlooking the floodplain of the Pulford Brook and River Dee in the form of seasonal hunter-gatherer camps. The presence of possible late Mesolithic, early Neolithic and Bronze Age tools indicates reuse of the site. Further finds of a Neolithic polished stone axe and decorated stone plaque are notable for their rarity in this part of Cheshire. The level of interpretation that can be attained is limited by the absence of stratified material but is nevertheless important given that the nature of early prehistoric land use is still poorly understood in lowland Cheshire. The outstanding survival of later occu - pation suggests that better quality evidence of early prehistoric activity may be preserved elsewhere in the field, presenting the opportunity to increase our under - standing of these elusive human groups.
Hillforts of the Cheshire Ridge: investigations undertaken by the Habitats and Hillforts Partnership Scheme 2009–2012 by Dan Garner and others., 2017
Cheshire is not traditionally a region that occupies the minds of researchers investigating the l... more Cheshire is not traditionally a region that occupies the minds of researchers investigating the late Bronze and Iron Ages of the British Isles. A brief review of the national literature will reveal only passing comments for north-west England. Cunliffe’s 2005 edition of Iron Age communities in Britain devotes a mere paragraph to the area west of the Pennines, whilst Haselgrove et al (2001) describe the region as a ‘black hole’ in Iron Age studies. Although researchers such as Matthews (2001) have challenged this assumption, a systematic programme of investigation has been desperately lacking. This void has finally been redressed through the HLF-funded investigation of six hillforts across the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. The primary aims of this project were to produce a comprehensive understanding of their chronology, role in the wider landscape and the effects of modern land use practices.
This thesis explores the nature of late prehistoric society in the Peak District National Park by... more This thesis explores the nature of late prehistoric society in the Peak District National Park by the compositional analysis of 237 ceramic fragments, recovered from 23 archaeological sites. For the Early-Middle Bronze Age, a range of funerary vessels was sampled from 16 sites spread across the two main landscape zones of the study area. Pottery from the lowlands of the White Peak demonstrated a range of paste recipes which mostly reflected the geology of the local area. In contrast, sherds from sites on the higher land of the Gritstone Uplands contained non-plastic inclusions sourced entirely from the White Peak, indicating close links between the two regions. Variation demonstrated in the base clays and temper indicated a non-centralised mode of production was being practiced.
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The combination of desk-based, and visual survey clearly established that the barn was the earliest structure in the complex, with the ‘lean-to’ constructed between 1870 and 1912. Whilst Farm View also post-dates the barn, the exact date of construction cannot be established. The 1847 Tithe Map records an outbuilding and croft on the site of the present structure, likely referencing the brick-built habitation and sandstone wall extension. The general character of the building and dating evidence from the barn therefore suggests a late 18th/early 19th Century construction date.
It is concluded that both the house and ‘lean-to’ do not form an archaeological asset, although a watching brief should be present to identify any rock cut features beneath the structure. Mr. Duncan’s intention to rebuild Farm View to the original design and specifications, whilst leaving the barn intact, further negates any concerns regarding the impact on the visual character of Landican.
surprising pattern emerges of the widespread dominance of a single, geographically restricted temper type, which appears to have been transported and mixed with locally procured clay and used to produce pottery at numerous different sites. The distribution of this and several
other compositional groups are defined via thin-section petrography and compared to raw material field samples. The resulting patterns are used to assess the validity of previous theories about prehistoric life in this region during the third to first millennia BC.
during the excavation of a multi-period site located within Chapel Field, Poulton.
Analysis has revealed early Mesolithic activity on the plateau overlooking the
floodplain of the Pulford Brook and River Dee in the form of seasonal hunter-gatherer
camps. The presence of possible late Mesolithic, early Neolithic and Bronze Age
tools indicates reuse of the site. Further finds of a Neolithic polished stone axe and
decorated stone plaque are notable for their rarity in this part of Cheshire. The level
of interpretation that can be attained is limited by the absence of stratified material
but is nevertheless important given that the nature of early prehistoric land use is
still poorly understood in lowland Cheshire. The outstanding survival of later occu -
pation suggests that better quality evidence of early prehistoric activity may be
preserved elsewhere in the field, presenting the opportunity to increase our under -
standing of these elusive human groups.
The combination of desk-based, and visual survey clearly established that the barn was the earliest structure in the complex, with the ‘lean-to’ constructed between 1870 and 1912. Whilst Farm View also post-dates the barn, the exact date of construction cannot be established. The 1847 Tithe Map records an outbuilding and croft on the site of the present structure, likely referencing the brick-built habitation and sandstone wall extension. The general character of the building and dating evidence from the barn therefore suggests a late 18th/early 19th Century construction date.
It is concluded that both the house and ‘lean-to’ do not form an archaeological asset, although a watching brief should be present to identify any rock cut features beneath the structure. Mr. Duncan’s intention to rebuild Farm View to the original design and specifications, whilst leaving the barn intact, further negates any concerns regarding the impact on the visual character of Landican.
surprising pattern emerges of the widespread dominance of a single, geographically restricted temper type, which appears to have been transported and mixed with locally procured clay and used to produce pottery at numerous different sites. The distribution of this and several
other compositional groups are defined via thin-section petrography and compared to raw material field samples. The resulting patterns are used to assess the validity of previous theories about prehistoric life in this region during the third to first millennia BC.
during the excavation of a multi-period site located within Chapel Field, Poulton.
Analysis has revealed early Mesolithic activity on the plateau overlooking the
floodplain of the Pulford Brook and River Dee in the form of seasonal hunter-gatherer
camps. The presence of possible late Mesolithic, early Neolithic and Bronze Age
tools indicates reuse of the site. Further finds of a Neolithic polished stone axe and
decorated stone plaque are notable for their rarity in this part of Cheshire. The level
of interpretation that can be attained is limited by the absence of stratified material
but is nevertheless important given that the nature of early prehistoric land use is
still poorly understood in lowland Cheshire. The outstanding survival of later occu -
pation suggests that better quality evidence of early prehistoric activity may be
preserved elsewhere in the field, presenting the opportunity to increase our under -
standing of these elusive human groups.
Age communities in Britain devotes a mere paragraph to the area west of the Pennines, whilst Haselgrove et al (2001) describe the region as a ‘black hole’ in Iron Age studies. Although researchers such as Matthews (2001) have challenged this assumption, a systematic programme of investigation has been desperately lacking. This void has finally been
redressed through the HLF-funded investigation of six hillforts across the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. The primary aims of this project were to produce a comprehensive understanding of their chronology, role in the wider landscape and the effects of modern land use practices.