Understanding Middle Neolithic food and farming in and around the Stonehenge World Heritage Site: An integrated approach

A shift away from cereal cultivation, possibly concurrent with increased pig farming, began in the Middle Neolithic around the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. This is evidenced by the absence of cultivated plants in newly excavated pits at West Amesbury Farm and other contemporary sites, alongside zooarchaeological data showing a rise in deposited pig bones relative to cattle. Strontium isotope analysis suggests local cattle husbandry, including dairy exploitation, while consistent butchery practices indicate shared food preparation methods across sites. The study integrates bioarchaeological, radiocarbon, and archaeobotanical evidence, offering new insights into Middle Neolithic subsistence strategies in southern England.

Worley, F., Madgwick, R., Pelling, R., Marshall, P., Evans, J. A., Lamb, A. L., López-Dóriga, I. L., Bronk Ramsey, C., Dunbar, E., Reimer, P., Vallender, J., & Roberts, D. (2019). Understanding Middle Neolithic food and farming in and around the Stonehenge World Heritage Site: An integrated approach. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 26, 101838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.05.003