Repton-Barrow Stratigraphy Essay Example

4 from West are the same buried soil. We can assume that this is the first layer on top of the chalk layer. From this point forward is where it becomes interesting. We know that in 1136, they inhabitants of Rupptowne created a pathway through the western end of the barrow.

During the creation of this pathway, they found the tomb of St. Vincent. In Figure 3. 3, 7 and 9 are both silt. Since silt is caused by erosion, we can assume that the “pockets” were originally ditches and were filled in with silt, dirt, and other debris over time. This also accounts for 6 and 8 in Figure 3. 3. In Figure 3. 3, in the section labeled 5, I found a coin from 288 – 337 A. D. Because this section was a mixture of chalk rubble and topsoil and by the date of the coin, we can conclude this section is back fill from the building of the pathway in 1136.

Having already noted the chalk for both figures are the same and 4 from West is the same as 6 from East, we also notice that 9 and 13 from East are the same silt as 7 and 9 from West. We can assume the same conclusion regarding the “pockets” being ditches that were filled in with silt by erosion. This can be further proven with the antler pick found in layer 13 East, as this tool was used to build the burial mound. On this side of the barrow, there was an excavation of the Priestess’s Barrow in 1744.

Knowing that they found bits of bronze

metal and a glass Chalice, we can conclude that layer 7 West is back fill from this excavation because I found bronze and glass dating from the first century in this layer. Layer 8 East matches the top layer of soil. This can be accounted for by erosion prior to the excavation in 1744. Along with the back fill from layer 7, layer 10 matches layer 7, so we can conclude that this is also back fill. Due to a penny, dated 1739, found in layer 2, we can conclude that this layer is also back fill from the excavation in 1744. We can assume the penny fell off of one’s person.

Looking at the core of the barrow on the East end, we find the burial site. A human femur was found in layer 5, which is flanked by the matching layers of 11 and 12. The layers of 11 and 12 are filled with black soil with wood fragments. Based on this information, we can conclude that these “pits” were some sort of fire pits for ceremonial purposes. On top of layer 5 is layer 4. This layer covers 5 and is part of the original burial mound. This is concluded because of this layer being made up of piles of turves, as well as the stone axe I found, which would have been used to create the burial mound.

The layer 3 in each figure is made up of the same materials. They are both sterile chalk rubble and flint nodules. We can conclude by the chalk rubble in this layer that they are from the digging of the ditches.

Based on the order of the layers, it seems the ditches were dug after the burial mound was created. Finally, we come to the top layer of each section. Each top layer is labeled 1 and they are the same modern top soil, which tells us there has been no recent, major excavation that would have disrupted the terrain.

In conclusion, by examining the artifacts and different layers of strata on each end of the Repton Barrow, we were able to determine and reconstruct the processes and events that occurred in order for us to see it as we do today. Because of different excavations or changes done to each end, we can see similarities and differences that these occurrences caused to the burial mound and how it affected each side of the barrow. I found it interesting to use this process in order to figure out what happened to an area.