Crop husbandry strategies in the North-east of England, inferred from carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur stable isotopes on archaeobotanical assemblages from corn-drying kilns from commercial palaeoenvironmental archives

Abstract

This MSc by Research dissertation presents the results of stable isotope analysis on archaeobotanical
assemblages associated with corn-drying kilns from four sites in the North-east of England, selected from the
palaeoenvironmental archive of Archaeological Services Durham University. Nitrogen, carbon, and sulphur
stable isotope analysis on carbonised cereal grains are used to understand crop growing conditions and soil
amendment strategies employed in cereal cultivation from the 11th to the 15th centuries. The findings here
highlight the untapped potential of legacy material from developer-funded excavations when applied to
archaeobotanical research. By focusing on corn-drying kilns, this work also establishes these structures as a
valuable source of well-preserved archaeobotanical assemblages and illustrate their potential in enhancing our
understanding of crop cultivation in the past. Finally, the data presented in this study contribute to a more
comprehensive understanding of agricultural investment and socio-economic status of past communities in the
North-east, as well as provide insight into the long-term trajectories of soil health and management and
traditional agriculture in Britain.