Iron Age Feasting in England

News December 13, 2012

SHARE:

CHISELDON, UNITED KINGDOM—Cattle skulls and cauldrons indicate feasting was an important activity in southern England during the Iron Age. The 13 sturdy, decorative cauldrons are the largest group of such vessels ever to have been found in Europe. They had been buried together in a pit in an open area near a castle and a fort, which would have been an excellent meeting place. “Analysis of the interiors of the cauldrons has even revealed traces of animal fats, a tantalizing suggestion that these objects might have been used in cooking and serving meat-rich stews,” said Julia Farley of the British Museum. DNA testing could reveal what kind of meat had been cooked and served.

  • Features November/December 2012

    Zeugma After the Flood

    New excavations continue to tell the story of an ancient city at the crossroads between east and west

    Read Article
    Photo of Belkıs/Zeugma
    (Hasan Yelken/Images & Stories)
  • Letter from India November/December 2012

    Living Heritage at Risk

    Searching for a new approach to development, tourism, and local needs at the grand medieval city of Hampi

    Read Article
    (Gethin Chamberlain)
  • Artifacts November/December 2012

    Beaker Vessels

    Ceramic beakers were the vessels of choice for the so-called “Black Drink” used at Cahokia by Native Americans in their purification rituals

    Read Article
    (Linda Alexander, photographer, use with permission of the Illinois State Archaeological Society)
  • Digs & Discoveries November/December 2012

    The Desert and the Dead

    Read Article
    chinchorro-mummy
    (Courtesy Bernardo Arriaza)