Carbonised seed, crop yield, weed infestation and harvesting techniques of the Iron Age

Author(s): Peter J. Reynolds

Year: 1985

Summary

The article from 1985 describes the experiment of reconstructing and agricultural field from the Iron Age at the Butser Ancient Farm. The experiment had a few issues, such as the climate which was not the same in the 20th century, compared to the Iron Age. The climate can have major influences on the harvests and the results of the experiment. It has to be debated and treated critically. Another difference of the Iron Age and the 20th century is the soil. The soil might have been a lot different, richer or poorer, which influences the crops and the results. The article presents the results of the years 1973-1980 and gives a analysis of the harvest outcomes. A third fact which complicated this experiment are the tools and harvest techniques which can not be isolated for the Iron Age only.

All in all, the experiment faced major issues with agricultural experiments but also delivered results of harvests and problems Iron Age people had to work and live with.

Cite this Record

Carbonised seed, crop yield, weed infestation and harvesting techniques of the Iron Age. Peter J. Reynolds. Les Techniques de Conservation des Grains a Long Terme. 3 (1): 397-403. 1985 ( tDAR id: 414471) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8M61NT6

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

URL: http://butser.org.uk/


Keywords

Material
Macrobotanical

Site Type
Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex

Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview • Environment Research

General
Agriculture • Experimental Archaeology

Geographic Keywords
England • NORTHERN IRELAND • Scotland • Wales

Temporal Keywords
Iron Age

Spatial Coverage

min long: -10.898; min lat: 49.876 ; max long: 2.109; max lat: 59.251 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 720

Notes

Rights & Attribution: Christine Shaw contributed a copy of this document to the collection. EXARC thanks her for her dedication for preserving the Butser Ancient Farm Archive.

General Note: More information about the Butser Ancient Farm Archive and this document can be found at Butser.org.uk.

General Note: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.

File Information

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carbonised--crop-yields_1985.pdf 830.14kb Sep 25, 2017 1:12:32 AM Public