The creation of monuments: Neolithic causewayed enclosures in the British Isles.

Malone, Caroline

Alastair Oswald, Martyn Barber & Carolyn Dyer. The creation of monuments: Neolithic causewayed enclosures in the British Isles. xii+172 pages, 132 figures. 2001. Swindon: English Heritage; 1-873592-42-6 paperback 30 [pounds sterling].

MARTYN BARBER, DAVID FIELD & PETER TOPPING. The Neolithic flint mines of England. xiv+95 pages, 46 figures, 1 table. 1999. Swindon: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England; 1-873592-41-8 paperback 25 [pounds sterling].

There is a new and welcome trend in the publication of books on the British Neolithic. In part it is led by an excellent series from English Heritage (EH) and its partner, the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) (RCHM). So far, two titles have been published, Flint mines and Causewayed enclosures, and more are in production (although delayed by the recent merger of the two organizations). Future titles may include Henges and Barrows.

For too long, Neolithic studies have been characterized by speculative summaries dominated by ritual, or by short papers in collected volumes which, by their nature, are also summaries. Here, at last, we have some really excellent presentations of Neolithic sites and themes, carefully organized, and profound in their treatment of both detail and generalities. Each volume explores one class of site on a national scale, and examinse their definitions and background, their past history and the development of research. In Flint mines, the raw material, use, location and nature is discussed and presented against the solid background of new field survey, before an analysis of the `Role of flint mines in Neolithic society'. Of the many potential sites (54), only 10 were found to be genuinely Neolithic mines, a fact that may confound traditionalists. The Conclusions are followed by useful appendices containing a site gazetteer and radio carbon dates. Causewayed enclosures follows a similar structure, focusing on definitions and understanding of the constructional elements that underlie the many forms of site across Britain. The distribution patterns and topography of enclosure sites fill a chapter amply illustrated by plans and diagrams. The final three chapters develop analysis of the difficult areas of `making sense of the human landscape', the `uses and meanings' of enclosures and `the afterlife of causewayed enclosures', with discussion of the evidence and possible functions. An appendix of all 138 possible, definite and rejected sites follows. Both volumes have excellent bibliographies and indexes, ensuring that study of the books is satisfying and efficient.

This is an excellent beginning of what is clearly going to be the definitive statement on Neolithic sites and landscapes for Britain for many years to come. In the tradition of the RCHM studies, but now combining the accessibility of English Heritage publications, these books provide clarity of description and definition, accompanied by wonderful new survey plans and photographs. The texts are finely crafted lucid accounts offering the reader much food for thought without indulging in an excess of words. Discussion skilfully weaves between detail and interpretation, balancing the many views and approaches. These studies are far more than the traditional lists and accounts of the RCHM county studies or EH site monographs. They set new standards of expression that archaeologists steeped in the `newspeak' of trendy theory would do well to adopt, and they combine the ideas and researches of many specialists over decades, managing to assess and evaluate the evidence into widely applicable models. Everyone with an interest in early landscapes, Neolithic studies and, indeed, technology and society will find something in these volumes, and more importantly perhaps, new directions. The authors make clear where the weaknesses in data and evidence lie, they specify what new work should be undertaken and where, and they modestly present their spare but handsome volumes as a present statement of research at the turn of the millennium.

CAROLINE MALONE
Department of Prehistory & Early Europe
British Museum