Farming - c200BC
Archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of Iron Age settlement in the vicinity of the original focus of Holt parish, the parish church. During that period the settlement probably consisted of a clearing in the otherwise all covering forest. The river would have formed the main means of movement and communication across the landscape. Despite the well established use of domestic crops and livestock, the forest was still a major source of materials and sustenance. Trees would have been pollarding and coppicing to maintain an output of suitable timber for construction, fuel or fodder.
Within the cleared area field boundaries were either wattle fencing or live hedges. The land alongside the Severn would probably have been used for meadows with hay making in the summer and water meadow grazing in the winter. Fields around the settlement were cultivated by either digging by hand, or ploughing using cattle drawn ploughs. All crops were sown by hand and then raked or harrowed to cover the seed.
Several varieties of wheat were grown, including Emmer, Einkhorn, Rivet and Spelt. Wheat and rye was grown for the production of bread, and the excess traded out for luxury goods. Oats were grown mainly for animal feed. Two varieties of barley were grown and one of them, a six-row barley, was used to make malt for the brewing of beer. The crop was harvested with either a sickle or by breaking off the ripe heads by hand. Primitive varieties of peas, Celtic beans, onions, garlic, carrots, and cabbage were also grown.
Wild-gathered foods included mushrooms, Hazel Nuts, Sloes, Blackberries and Crab Apples.
Woad, Madder and Weld were grown for the production of blue, red and yellow dyes respectively. In addition wild and cultivated herbs were used for food and medicines.
The nearest similar cattle breeds to Iron Age cattle are the Dexter and the Highland. The cattle were used for motive power for pulling ploughs and carts, as well as for production of dairy goods and meat. Cattle were highly prized and represented a person's status and wealth.
Highland Cow - similar to Celtic cattle
In the early Iron Age the sheep were small and hardy with wool that was plucked off every year, very similar to the Soay sheep of today. By the late period (pre Roman) larger sheep had been bred, with longer wool that required shearing. Goats were kept for milk and meat. It is usually difficult to distinguish the difference between early sheep and goats in the archaeological record.
Soay Sheep - similar to Iron Age Sheep
A recently domesticated form of the Wild Boar was kept in the Iron Age. It was a hardy animal and was herded through the woods where it foraged for fruit, nuts and roots.
A number of different types of dog were kept ranging in size from terriers to wolfhounds. They would have served as an aid to hunting and as protection from Wolves.
One of the most important animals was the horse. They were highly prized and were used for riding and pulling war chariots. There was even a goddess (Epona) of the horse who appeared in human form. It is suggested that the British love of the horse and general distain for eating its flesh dates from this early period when horses were valuable and revered.
Assorted birds were kept, from hunting hawks, to chickens, ducks and geese.
In addtion the forest held Red and Roe Deer, Wild Boar, Brown Hare and birds. The Aurochs (Wild Ox) was extinct in Britain by the Iron Age, and Fallow Deer and Rabbits were yet to be introduced in to Britain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E-mail