Overton Down

Last updated October 03, 2019

Overton Down Experimental Earthwork (often referred to simply as Overton Down) is a long-term project in experimental archaeology in Wiltshire, England. In 1960 an earthwork was built to simulate such ancient structures.^[1] Various objects were placed in it. Since then, periodic examinations of the site have been made, providing valuable insights into taphonomy. The experiment is designed to continue for 128 years.^[2]^[3]

Experimental archaeology Archaeological sub-discipline

Experimental archaeology is a field of study which attempts to generate and test archaeological hypotheses, usually by replicating or approximating the feasibility of ancient cultures performing various tasks or feats. It employs a number of methods, techniques, analyses, and approaches, based upon archaeological source material such as ancient structures or artifacts.

Wiltshire is a county in South West England with an area of 3,485 km². It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. The county town was originally Wilton, after which the county is named, but Wiltshire Council is now based in the county town of Trowbridge.

Taphonomy is the study of how organisms decay and become fossilized. The term taphonomy was introduced to paleontology in 1949 by Soviet scientist Ivan Efremov to describe the study of the transition of remains, parts, or products of organisms from the biosphere to the lithosphere.

Reports on various aspects of the site have already added significantly to the knowledge of archaeological site formation.^[4] Early in the project's history, the complexity of stratification of degraded ditch walls and their asymmetrical character was noted and examined.^[5] The excavation after thirty-two years provided information on decay rates and patterns of deposited objects, which are of use to forensic scientists.^[6] Nonintrusive examination of the ditch has indicated that in this particular environment (exposed chalky hill), after about ten years the general appearance no longer makes rapid changes in appearance and can be considered relatively stable.^[6]

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References

↑ Jewell, P. A. (ed.) 1963, The Experimental Earthwork on Overton Down, Wiltshire, 1960 (British Association for the Advancement of Science).
↑ "a Dictionary of Archaeology". De.scribd.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
↑ Jewell, P. A. and G. W. Dimbleby, 1966, "The Experimental Earthwork on Overton Down, Wiltshire, England," Papers of the Prehistoric Society 32:313-342
↑ Fowler, P. J. and S. W. Hillson, 1996 The Experimental Earthwork Project 1960-1992
↑ Crabtree, K. (1971). "Overton Down Experimental Earthwork, Wiltshire 19668," Proceedings, University of Bristol Spaelogocial Society 12 (3): 237-244" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-15.
1 2 "British Archaeology, no 17, September 1996: Features". Archaeologyuk.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2012-11-15.

Coordinates: 51°26′05″N1°48′51″W / 51.4348°N 1.8143°W / 51.4348; -1.8143

Geographic coordinate system Coordinate system

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[1] Jewell, P. A. (ed.) 1963, The Experimental Earthwork on Overton Down, Wiltshire, 1960 (British Association for the Advancement of Science).

[2] "a Dictionary of Archaeology". De.scribd.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.

[3] Jewell, P. A. and G. W. Dimbleby, 1966, "The Experimental Earthwork on Overton Down, Wiltshire, England," Papers of the Prehistoric Society 32:313-342

[4] Fowler, P. J. and S. W. Hillson, 1996 The Experimental Earthwork Project 1960-1992

[5] Crabtree, K. (1971). "Overton Down Experimental Earthwork, Wiltshire 19668," Proceedings, University of Bristol Spaelogocial Society 12 (3): 237-244" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-15.

[archaeologyuk1-6] 1 2 "British Archaeology, no 17, September 1996: Features". Archaeologyuk.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2012-11-15.