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From Constantinople to Cornwall (Padstow, Cornwall) | S15E10 | Time Team

Time Team Classics・2 minutes read

Geophysical survey in Cornwall uncovers Bronze Age gold, Roman artifacts, and evidence of trade with distant lands, hinting at early trading hubs on the Atlantic coast and a thousand years of settlement activity. Despite ongoing excavation, conclusive evidence of a port or village remains elusive, with the discovery of structures, pottery, and post-Roman artifacts shedding light on the area's historical significance and potential as a trading site.

Insights

  • Geophysical survey in Cornwall revealed Bronze Age gold, exotic pottery, and evidence of ancient mariners trading wine, silk, and papyrus, indicating a potential early trading site.
  • Discoveries in the investigation include structures with composite walls, Roman artifacts, and evidence of industrial activity spanning over a thousand years, suggesting a complex settlement with links to the Mediterranean and possible Dark Ages occupation.

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Recent questions

  • What were the intriguing results of the geophysical survey in the field?

    The geophysical survey in the field revealed Bronze Age gold, pottery from various origins like Cornwall, Turkey, and Africa, and evidence of ancient mariners trading exotic goods like wine, silk, and papyrus, possibly indicating an early trading site.

  • Where did the investigation focus on along the Atlantic coast in Cornwall?

    The investigation focused on the Atlantic coast in Cornwall, near the river Camel mouth and Padstow, where circular features in the field hinted at possible houses and prehistoric settlements.

  • What were some of the discoveries made during the excavation in the fields?

    Discoveries during the excavation included Bronze Age and Roman artifacts, Roman coins, exotic pottery from the fifth and sixth centuries, structures with composite walls, evidence of industrial activity like slag, and a Roman coin dating back to the second century A.D.

  • What did the pottery finds suggest about the settlement's link to the Mediterranean?

    The pottery finds, including native courseware and imported exotics from Turkey, suggested a link to the Mediterranean in the fifth or sixth centuries, indicating possible trade connections with the region.

  • What challenges were faced in determining the presence of a port or village in the area?

    Despite promising finds like an Iron Age floor and central hearth, conclusive evidence of a port or village remained elusive, with ongoing excavations and investigations due to the difficulty in deciphering the settlement's layout and the uncertainty surrounding the archaeology in the two fields.

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Summary

00:00

Ancient Trade and Settlements in Cornwall

  • Geophysical survey revealed intriguing results in a field, including a bit of Bronze Age gold and pottery from various origins like Cornwall, Turkey, and Africa.
  • Evidence suggests ancient mariners traded exotic goods like wine, silk, and papyrus in the area, possibly indicating an early trading site.
  • The investigation, limited to three days, focuses on the Atlantic coast in Cornwall, near the river Camel mouth and Padstow.
  • Circular features in the field hint at possible houses, with one showing a central hearth, possibly indicating prehistoric settlement.
  • Trenches are opened in two fields, one over a large geophysical anomaly possibly linked to ancient trade, and the other investigating an Iron Age roundhouse.
  • Discoveries include Bronze Age and Roman artifacts, Roman coins, and exotic pottery from the fifth and sixth centuries, hinting at a thousand years of activity.
  • Structures with composite walls and evidence of industrial activity like slag are found, with a Roman coin dating back to the second century A.D. discovered.
  • Pottery finds, including native courseware and imported exotics from Turkey, suggest a link to the Mediterranean in the fifth or sixth centuries.
  • A large building with charcoal, burnt materials, and post-Roman artifacts like amphora fragments is uncovered, possibly illuminating the Dark Ages.
  • Despite promising finds, including an Iron Age floor and central hearth, conclusive evidence of a port or village remains elusive, with ongoing excavations and investigations.

16:34

Iron Age settlement reveals surprising discoveries

  • The pottery found is of good quality, potentially from the second century BC.
  • Ditches surrounding the house indicate the settlement's layout and phasing.
  • Discovery of an Iron Age hut predating Roman arrival, as expected from previous findings.
  • Evidence suggests a gap of a couple of hundred years between the archaeology in two fields.
  • Evidence of industry, trade, and a possible post-Roman roundhouse found in the settlement.
  • The location's dangerous waters make it an odd place for a harbor, challenging for ships.
  • Historical navigation charts suggest the possibility of a harbor in the area.
  • Exploration for signs of occupation between the Dark Age house and the beach continues.
  • Iron Age pottery and a spindle whirl found, indicating human occupation and activities.
  • Confusion arises as a settlement ditch is lost, but an Iron Age roundhouse is discovered.

31:51

Ancient Port Discovery Unravels Trade History

  • The bay could have served as a deep water port for vessels.
  • Uncertainty exists regarding whether the archaeology in the two fields is part of the same village or the settlement's duration.
  • Search for Bronze Age farmers in one field and Dark Age traders in another.
  • Difficulty in deciphering the house's layout, with hopes to complete it soon.
  • Geoff's discovery between the house and the harbor raises questions about its purpose.
  • The site near Padstow likely had a port in prehistoric times, with Iron Age round houses and post-Roman structures found.
  • Geophysical findings suggest small-scale industrial activities like workshops or boat building.
  • Evidence of trade with foreign traders exchanging goods for tin and copper found.
  • The sudden halt of lucrative trade in the sixth century due to the Byzantine Empire's financial strain.
  • Discovery of a drove way, stockyard, and arable fields hint at a thousand years of settlement on the hillside.
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