Liz Herbert

The aim of the session is To provide you with an overview of current perspectives on the Mesolithic-Neolithic Transition in Britain.

Introduction Theoretical perspectives The Problems Neolithic Package Models for Change Transition Conclusion

The debate: Population Replacement versus Indigenous adoption Relative importance of Social, economic & environmental factors Time-scales involved Degree of regional Variations in process of change

Culture-historical model (Piggott 1954) Neolithic marked by intrusive agrarian population arranged in various regional and cultural groups. Fieldwork concentrated on Southern parts of Britain Bias created by contemporary perceptions and assumptions as much as about apparent archaeological richness of the south. Advances Radiocarbon dating, Aerial photography extended distributions

Processual archaeology 1960’s- 1980’s. Concern with culture decreased Research into individual monuments & artefact types remained plentiful. A focus on a combination of expansive economy, growing populations and changing social structure dominated research. Concerns about subsistence lead to better recovery of bone and plant remains. Earlier ideas of shifting agriculture & shifting settlement generally disregarded

Post-processual from early 1980’ Questioned the sedentary nature of Neolithic peoples Dominant role of agriculture challenged Meanings of monuments & associated practices emphasised. Material culture seen as an active agent in promoting individual & secular interest rather than solely as a reflector of group affiliation. Conceptual and symbolic importance of domestication emphasised Interest in agency & independence of Neolithic populations viewed social actors encouraging new consensus of continuity from Mesolithic to Neolithic replacing colonisation model, but allowed for social change to be variable Taversoe Tuick

Since 1980 more work in the North, monuments and monument complexes in Eastern Scotland, Orkney & the Western isles. Different approaches Evolutionary assumption cultural & other change leads to social complexity & differentiation Social dynamic driving change Competition for power or social pre- eminence. More engendered archaeology: shared values/ideals Midhowe chambered cairn Callanish standing stones

The Problems Limited direct evidence Existing evidence available can support variety of interpretations New evidence is not conclusive, contradictory & points in a number of directions

Neolithic Package Domesticated plants Domesticated animals Polished stone tools Pottery Monumental Architecture

Models for Change One favoured model: proposes motivation as economic, demographic or both leading to recasting of lifestyles to alleviate pressure on resources Another model: Social competition as the spur to change (Ertebølle comparison) Another: A change in character in the Neolithic making it suitable as a means through which personal and social identities could be constructed and maintained.

Rapid Transition Simultaneous with Ireland & Southern Scandinavia Similarities in Material culture over wide geographic areas Apparent contrast with growing evidence for economic diversity Colonisation versus adoption?

Was Britain Isolated? Awareness of Neolithic material Culture (Mesolithic)? Movement of small groups European agriculturists? Colossal movement of population from continent? Adoption by indigenous populations common consensus Became Neolithic from BCE

Mesolithic-Neolithic transition is complex Caution over generalisations based on evidence from single sites, single data sets or small samples Transition from mobile Mesolithic-mobile Neolithic Continuity & Change Neolithic material culture spread throughout the British Isles

Anderson, E. (1993) Fishing for answers in E. Shee Twohig & M, Ronayne (eds.), Past perceptions 16-24) Bradley, R. (1993) Altering the Earth: the origins of monuments in Britain and Continental Europe, Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series 8. Hodder, I. R. (1982) Symbols in Action, Cambridge: CUP Thomas J. (2005) Current debates on Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Britain & Ireland in Documenta Praehistoria XXX1 Tilley, C. (1994) A phenomenology of landscape: places, paths & monuments, Oxford: Berg Whittle, A. (2008) ‘The Neolithic Period c /2200 BC’, In Hunter, J. & Ralston, I. (eds.) The Archaeology of Britain: An Introduction from the Upper palaeolithic to the Industrial Revolution, London: Routledge Zvelebil, M. (1994)’Plant use in the Mesolithic & its role in the transition to farming, Proccedings of the Prehistoric Society 60, 35-74

Any Questions?