Feeding Stonehenge: cuisine and consumption at the Late Neolithic site of Durrington Walls

Oliver E. Craig, Lisa Marie Shillito, Umberto Albarella, Sarah Viner-Daniels, Ben Chan, Ros Cleal, Robert Ixer, Mandy Jay, Pete Marshall, Ellen Simmons, Elizabeth Wright, Mike Parker Pearson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The discovery of Neolithic houses at Durrington Walls that are contemporary with the main construction phase of Stonehenge raised questions as to their interrelationship. Was Durrington Walls the residence of the builders of Stonehenge? Were the activities there more significant than simply domestic subsistence? Using lipid residue analysis, this paper identifies the preferential use of certain pottery types for the preparation of particular food groups and differential consumption of dairy and meat products between monumental and domestic areas of the site. Supported by the analysis of faunal remains, the results suggest seasonal feasting and perhaps organised culinary unification of a diverse community.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1096–1109
Number of pages14
JournalAntiquity
Volume89
Issue number347
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Oct 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Antiquity Publications Ltd 2015.

Keywords

  • feasting
  • isotopic lipid residue analysis
  • Neolithic
  • public and private consumption
  • Stonehenge
  • UK

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