Settlement Duration and Materiality: Formal Chronological Models for the Development of Barnhouse, a Grooved Ware Settlement in Orkney

A Grooved Ware settlement at Barnhouse, Orkney, likely began as a planned foundation in the late 32nd century cal BC and was abandoned by the early 29th century cal BC, with Structure 8 being the last element to be left. Bayesian chronological modeling based on radiocarbon dating of 62 samples revealed varied house durations and replacements, challenging previous understandings of the site's development. The pottery from Barnhouse, among the earliest dated Grooved Ware, shows remarkable consistency in design and manufacture, with notable changes including the introduction of large coarse ware vessels and applied dimpled circular pellets around 3025–2975 cal BC. This study provides significant insights into the emergence of Grooved Ware and its role in social strategies during the Late Neolithic period.

Richards, C., Jones, A. M., MacSween, A., Sheridan, A., Dunbar, E., Reimer, P., Bayliss, A., Griffiths, S., & Whittle, A. (2016). Settlement Duration and Materiality: Formal Chronological Models for the Development of Barnhouse, a Grooved Ware Settlement in Orkney. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 82, 193–225. https://doi.org/10.1017/ppr.2016.6