Causewayed enclosure

A causewayed enclosure is a type of large prehistoric earthwork common to the early Neolithic period of Europe. These enclosures are characterized by one or more concentric rings of ditches with causeways across them, which are gaps in the ditches that allow access to the interior. The purpose of these structures is still debated, but they are thought to have served as communal gathering places, centers for trade, or ritual sites.

Description

Causewayed enclosures typically consist of one or more roughly circular or oval ditches, with the earth from the ditches piled up to form an internal bank. The ditches are interrupted by numerous causeways, which are evenly spaced gaps that allow passage into the interior. The size of these enclosures can vary significantly, with diameters ranging from 20 meters to over 300 meters.

The construction of causewayed enclosures required significant communal effort, suggesting that they were important to the societies that built them. The ditches were often dug using antler picks and other primitive tools, and the earth was moved using baskets or other simple means.

Function

The exact function of causewayed enclosures is not definitively known, but several theories have been proposed:

• Ritual and Ceremonial Sites: Some archaeologists suggest that these enclosures were used for ritual purposes, possibly related to seasonal festivals or other communal ceremonies.
• Trade and Exchange Centers: The enclosures may have served as centers for trade and exchange, where different groups could come together to trade goods and share information.
• Defensive Structures: Although the ditches and banks could have provided some defensive advantage, the presence of multiple causeways suggests that defense was not the primary purpose.
• Settlement Sites: Some enclosures show evidence of temporary or permanent settlement, indicating they may have been used as living spaces.

Distribution

Causewayed enclosures are found throughout Europe, with notable concentrations in the British Isles, France, and Germany. They are among the earliest large-scale constructions in these regions, dating from around 4000 to 3000 BCE.

Archaeological Significance

The study of causewayed enclosures provides valuable insights into the social and economic structures of early Neolithic communities. The effort required to construct these sites suggests a high degree of social organization and cooperation.

Excavations of causewayed enclosures have uncovered a variety of artifacts, including pottery, flint tools, and animal bones, which help archaeologists understand the daily lives and practices of the people who built and used these structures.

Also see

• Neolithic Europe
• Henge
• Earthworks (archaeology)
• Prehistoric Britain
• Archaeological site