Further Excavations At Langtoft. Lincolnshire www - Archaeology ...

environments not dissimilar to those observed in F.1038 from the 2007 excavations.
The samples should be analysed by a malacologist for more detailed interpretations.
Interestingly, fragments of sea mussels were found in the heavy residues of both
F.1009 and F.1060. They, along with the marine silt snail Hydrobia ulvae found in
F.1288, can be added to those found in 2007 showing the use of marine resources.
The latter snails were grey, either from burning or from their habitat in marine silts.
Their abundance in the Middle Bronze Age pits F.1038 and F.1203 suggests that
F.1288 is of the same period.
Faunal Remains Vida Rajkovaca
Introduction
A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered from the Langtoft Glebe site
during the excavations carried out in 2008. The assemblage elicited 78 fragments
recovered from 15 features scattered across the site. The bones have been hand
collected and does not include sieved remains.
The assemblage is predominantly made up of livestock species, but also includes
some remains of the wild species (Red deer) typical of sites of this period in this type
of the environment (Higbee 1998b). The assemblage represented a continuation of
archaeological investigation in the area (Higbee 1998, 1999; Hall 1998; Patten 2003;
Webley 2004 a, b; Hutton 2007) and builds on zooarchaeological research executed
by Higbee (1998b), Swaysland (2004a, b); Seetah (2007) and Rajkovaca (2008).
The majority of material has been recovered from the features dated to Middle Bronze
Age with very little material coming from the features dated to Iron Age. Based on the
chronology of the material, two sub sets were created and quantified in separate tables
in order to study the site: Middle Bronze Age and Iron Age. Of 78 bones recorded, 76
(97%) were assigned to element and only 27 (34%) to species. This report provides a
brief outline of the results following zooarchaeological analyses of the material.
Method
The zooarchaeological investigation followed the system implemented by
Bournemouth University with all identifiable elements recorded (NISP: Number of
Identifiable Specimens) and diagnostic zoning (amended from Dobney & Reilly
1988) used to calculate MNE (Minimum Number of Elements) from which MNI
(Minimum Number of Individuals) was derived. Identification of the assemblage was
undertaken with the aid of Schmid (1972) and reference material from the Cambridge
Archaeological Unit. Where possible, the measurements have been taken (Von den
Driesch 1976). Taphonomic criteria including indications of butchery, pathology,
gnawing activity and surface modifications as a result of weathering were also
recorded when evident.
Preservation details
The assemblage exhibited quite poor overall preservation. Of 33 contexts studied 28
showed 'quite poor' to 'poor' preservation with signs of extensive weathering and
bone surface exfoliation. Only five contexts were of 'moderate' preservation. Bones
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