Star Carr
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Star Carr is a Mesolithic archaeological site in North Yorkshire, England. It is around five miles south of Scarborough (grid reference TA02798100).[1]
It belongs to the early Mesolithic Maglemosian culture, evidence for which is present across the lowlands of Northern Europe, and is a Maglemosian type site.[1] It was occupied from around 8770 BC until about 8460 BC, possibly with a period of abandonment between 8680 BC and 8580 BC.[2] It was discovered in 1947 during the clearing of a field drain.
Star Carr's main feature is a birch brushwood platform which stood on the edge of former Lake Pickering.[3] The platform would have been laid down to consolidate the boggy water's edge.
Hearths found further away from the water indicate temporary settlement. It was visited seasonally by Mesolithic hunters chasing red and roe deer, elk, aurochs and wild boar.[2] Analysis of the animal bone indicates that the site was occupied between spring and autumn. The mud of the lake has preserved items dropped into it and the hunter's tools such as flint scrapers used to clean animal skins and worked bone and antler have been found. The most striking examples are 21 perforated part skull and antlers of red deer.
A fragment of a wooden oar implies that the people who occupied the site also built boats, probably coracles or simple canoes used to travel or fish. Beads made from stone and amber suggest personal adornment. Remains of a dog are indication of the animal's domestication during this period.
The flint came from the Yorkshire Wolds further south. A type of axe, new to Britain, was made from it at Star Carr. It was sharpened during its life by simple transverse blows which made it more adaptable.
The most famous find is the top part of a stag skull, complete with antlers. The skull had two holes perforated in it and it has been suggested that it was used as a hunting disguise, or in some form of ritual or story-telling..
Excavations at Star Carr are currently being undertaken by a team from the University of Manchester, led by leading expert Dr. Chantal Conneller. During August 2008 extensive excavations will be undertaken, extending the trenches dug by Grahame Clark, who remains an authority on the site.
[edit] References
[edit] Bibliography
- Scarre, Chris (ed) (2005). The Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-28531-4.
