The neglect of northern England’s Neolithic and Early Bronze Age structures in the archaeological literature of Britain

Abstract

For many years, it has been noted, from my own personal observations and from literature referring to the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age (N/EBA) structures in northern England, that there has been a neglect in referencing these sites. Nevertheless, there are numerous impressive monuments and landscapes in northern England. These include seventy Cumbrian stone circles, 1500 Bronze Age barrows in Yorkshire, amazing Northumbrian rock art, and henge and cursus complexes, as well as Neolithic round and long mounds in North Yorkshire.
The earliest antiquarians were fascinated by southern Britain’s prehistoric structures. They have assumed that these monuments are the best and the most interesting examples or type-sites in Britain. Although northern sites have provided early dates and new archaeological material and information, many British archaeologists have not referenced these structures. In fact, even in books and articles about northern England’s prehistoric structures, the author(s) often provide comparisons of structures within southern Britain, rather than presenting their data in its own right or comparing it with another site elsewhere.
While the Wessex and Orkney monuments are awe-inspiring, some of their sites have been under continual scrutiny, investigation and constant publication, with some archaeologists unable to see the magnificence beyond. Despite many references to this disparity, for example, Barclay (2001, 13) or Harding (2013, 1-2), the situation continues. In fact, this issue has been unresolved for forty years (Miket 1976, 113).
This thesis was therefore undertaken to see whether this could or could not be proven, by analysing various syntheses from a national perspective. Books written about the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, with Britain in the title, would be studied. The variety and complexity of northern England’s structures within their N/EBA landscapes will be discussed ideas will be offered for future research.