Papers by Catherine Douglas
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2021
This article presents a holistic and reflexive process for archaeological fieldwork from inceptio... more This article presents a holistic and reflexive process for archaeological fieldwork from inception to publication. The opportunities afforded by maturing digital techniques allowed fundamental rethinking of field and laboratory practice paradigms. A number of normally unquestioned aspects of archaeological praxis were examined with the goal of reorganizing information dynamics. Instead of a series of disparate processes in the field and field laboratory and during study and publication phases, a heterarchically-organized common information framework bonded all aspects of work traditionally only brought together in post-excavation processing, replacing disparate datasets and encompassing ongoing processes such as excavation recording, finds processing, and final analyses. Recording uses a common interface based on the iDig iPad app, and analyses use 3D GIS, based on comprehensive photogrammetry and an underlying allencompassing data engine. The development and application of the process are described with reference to the excavations, study, and publication of EBA sites on Keros, Cyclades, Greece.
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2021
This article presents a holistic and reflexive process for archaeological fieldwork from inceptio... more This article presents a holistic and reflexive process for archaeological fieldwork from inception to publication. The opportunities afforded by maturing digital techniques allowed fundamental rethinking of field and laboratory practice paradigms. A number of normally unquestioned aspects of archaeological praxis were examined with the goal of reorganizing information dynamics. Instead of a series of disparate processes in the field and field laboratory and during study and publication phases, a heterarchically-organized common information framework bonded all aspects of work traditionally only brought together in post-excavation processing, replacing disparate datasets and encompassing ongoing processes such as excavation recording, finds processing, and final analyses. Recording uses a common interface based on the iDig iPad app, and analyses use 3D GIS, based on comprehensive photogrammetry and an underlying all-encompassing data engine. The development and application of the process are described with reference to the excavations, study, and publication of EBA sites on Keros, Cyclades, Greece.
London Archaeologist, 2017
Between August and November 2013, Archaeology South-East carried out an archaeological investigat... more Between August and November 2013, Archaeology South-East carried out an archaeological investigation at Goresbrook Village, Dagenham, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (National Grid Reference TQ 46950 83760). The work comprised the excavation of thirteen evaluation trenches and two open-area excavations, in advance of development involving the construction of residential dwellings.
The site is located 1.5km north of the River Thames, on an area of post-diversionary river terrace deposits, above the London Clay. The area has been seen as a focus of activity throughout the prehistoric periods, with settlement focused on the gravel terrace and seasonal exploitation of the alluvial floodplain to the south. The investigation of the site has provided evidence of archaeological activity spanning some two millennia, including Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age structured deposition, Bronze Age peripheral settlement activity and evidence of further occupation into the Early Iron Age with the discovery of a pit containing pottery and burnt bone. An 18th century routeway and two 20th century pits were also recorded. Full details of the site archive are accessible from London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC) logged under site code GOR13.
Books by Catherine Douglas
SpoilHeap Publications, 2023
‘The secret Weald’ of Puck’s Song (Kipling 1906) is manifest not just in the physical environment... more ‘The secret Weald’ of Puck’s Song (Kipling 1906) is manifest not just in the physical environment of the region but also in the time depth apparent in the area’s countryside. The Weald comprises one of the most important historic landscapes in southern England, but until recently the archaeology of the area has been little understood or trialled through excavation. That is now changing, and the sites presented here are key in that process. Their results show remains of settlement dating back to the Bronze Age; however, even older artefacts were recovered, belonging to the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods.
In terms of the geographical areas covered, sites were excavated in the depths of the Low Weald at Billingshurst and Southwater as well as on the region’s boundary with the Greensand Ridge at Hurstpierpoint. At Penlands Farm, Haywards Heath, the excavation was located on the edge of the High Weald. Collectively, these investigations demonstrate increasing levels of settlement during prehistory, followed by a Roman period characterised by initial continuity and subsequent Romanisation. The medieval evidence is illustrative of a Saxo-Norman and high medieval reconquest of the Weald following an early medieval seasonal phase of
settlement that is difficult to detect archaeologically.
The continuing phenomenon of a historic landscape showing enduring alignments of field boundaries and trackways is explored.
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Papers by Catherine Douglas
The site is located 1.5km north of the River Thames, on an area of post-diversionary river terrace deposits, above the London Clay. The area has been seen as a focus of activity throughout the prehistoric periods, with settlement focused on the gravel terrace and seasonal exploitation of the alluvial floodplain to the south. The investigation of the site has provided evidence of archaeological activity spanning some two millennia, including Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age structured deposition, Bronze Age peripheral settlement activity and evidence of further occupation into the Early Iron Age with the discovery of a pit containing pottery and burnt bone. An 18th century routeway and two 20th century pits were also recorded. Full details of the site archive are accessible from London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC) logged under site code GOR13.
Books by Catherine Douglas
In terms of the geographical areas covered, sites were excavated in the depths of the Low Weald at Billingshurst and Southwater as well as on the region’s boundary with the Greensand Ridge at Hurstpierpoint. At Penlands Farm, Haywards Heath, the excavation was located on the edge of the High Weald. Collectively, these investigations demonstrate increasing levels of settlement during prehistory, followed by a Roman period characterised by initial continuity and subsequent Romanisation. The medieval evidence is illustrative of a Saxo-Norman and high medieval reconquest of the Weald following an early medieval seasonal phase of
settlement that is difficult to detect archaeologically.
The continuing phenomenon of a historic landscape showing enduring alignments of field boundaries and trackways is explored.
The site is located 1.5km north of the River Thames, on an area of post-diversionary river terrace deposits, above the London Clay. The area has been seen as a focus of activity throughout the prehistoric periods, with settlement focused on the gravel terrace and seasonal exploitation of the alluvial floodplain to the south. The investigation of the site has provided evidence of archaeological activity spanning some two millennia, including Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age structured deposition, Bronze Age peripheral settlement activity and evidence of further occupation into the Early Iron Age with the discovery of a pit containing pottery and burnt bone. An 18th century routeway and two 20th century pits were also recorded. Full details of the site archive are accessible from London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC) logged under site code GOR13.
In terms of the geographical areas covered, sites were excavated in the depths of the Low Weald at Billingshurst and Southwater as well as on the region’s boundary with the Greensand Ridge at Hurstpierpoint. At Penlands Farm, Haywards Heath, the excavation was located on the edge of the High Weald. Collectively, these investigations demonstrate increasing levels of settlement during prehistory, followed by a Roman period characterised by initial continuity and subsequent Romanisation. The medieval evidence is illustrative of a Saxo-Norman and high medieval reconquest of the Weald following an early medieval seasonal phase of
settlement that is difficult to detect archaeologically.
The continuing phenomenon of a historic landscape showing enduring alignments of field boundaries and trackways is explored.