The osteological remains of what is currently considered to be cow (likely the predominant bos longifrons), were discovered in the lower context of the terminal of a ditch in Trench B.  The remains consisted of several disarticulated vertebrae, as such, it is unclear whether the deposition of these remains are comparable in nature to those that have surfaced previously in the lowermost contexts of pits. The processing of the bones will reveal any evidence of butchery that could indicate human consumption or a rite of propitiation.  The bones, in situ, do appear to have been slumped in a decomposed state.  Other features across the two trenches continue to reveal elements of the viscerocrania of cattle and horses, with mandible being highly represented among the finds.   In Trench A, the remains of three sub-adult pigs were excavated from the loose chalky fill of a pit.

So far the blog has considered the species composition of the accumulating assemblage of animal bones from the two trenches, more particularly, whether certain remains reflect propitiation or domestic refuse.  It important to be aware that these deposits can only indicate species slaughtered at the site.  Emphasis on these remains alone may encourage bias with regards to species composition and population numbers in the wider context of an agrarian settlement.

The investigation of land use at other Iron Age sites across Southern Britain would suggest that agrarian subsistence strategies increased in intensity through time.  With this, a growing demand for manuring arose, which essential in fertilising soil for optimum crop growth. This drove the rearing of greater sheep populations as they are low maintenance compared with cattle. As such, increasing proportion of sheep to cattle in assemblages across arable sites can be observed.

Perhaps as more geophysical surveying is undertaken, the extent and nature of the settlement may be characterised and in particular, its relation to the banjo enclosure and curvilinear ditch systems excavated in previous seasons.