Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (66 page)

Regional style of middle Neolithic
SIMPLE PASSAGE GRAVES
found in southwestern Scotland. Only about twelve sites are known, but all have round mounds covering one or more small single-celled chambers with a passage giving access to them.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Barker , Philip Arthur
(1920–2001)
[Bi].

British archaeologist well known for his work developing excavation methodology and recording systems. Born in Wembley, London, he left school with no significant qualifications. During WW2 he served in the RAF and subsequently trained as a schoolmaster. His first post was teaching art at the Priory Boys' School in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. It was here that he became interested in archaeology, quickly developing practical work in excavation and especially the application of his training as an artist. He was appointed first to a lectureship and later a readership in the Department of Extramural Studies in the University of Birmingham, a post he retained until retirement in 1987. He was a driving force in the establishment of
RESCUE
in the 1970s and the Institute of Field Archaeologists in the 1980s. For many years he was the archaeologist at Worcester Cathedral, but he is remembered most for his work at Wroxeter in Shropshire and Hen Domen in Montgomeryshire. His much translated book
Techniques of archaeological excavation
was first published in 1977 (London: Batsford) and has since gone through several editions.
[Obit.:
The Times
, 30 March 2001]

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Staple cereal of the Old World of the genus Hordeum. Two main groups are recognized. Two-row barley (Hordeum distichum) derives from the wild form Hordeum spontameum that was distributed from the Aegean through to the Hindu Kush, and is recorded as early as 7000 bc at
JARMO
. Six-row barley (Hordeum hexastichum) derives from the wild Hordeum distichum whose distribution extended from China westwards to Egypt. Modern barley (Hordeum tetrastichum) is a development of the original domesticated six-row types. Wild barley is of hulled form with the seed firmly held in the glume with a fragile stalk attached to the ear. Domesticated barley has a stronger spike which does not break during harvesting and includes hulled forms as well as the rather easier to thresh, so-called free threshing, naked forms.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Barley , Maurice Willmore
(1910–91)
[Bi].

British archaeologist specializing in medieval settlement and historic buildings, with a life-long commitment to socialism, working-class origins, and the study of traditional buildings and folklore. Born in Lincoln, he studied history at Reading University before becoming involved in teaching adults in the Extramural Department of Nottingham University. In 1962 he transferred to a newly created post in archaeology in the Classics Department where he stayed until retirement in 1974. From 1951 he was actively involved in the development of the Council for British Archaeology, first as a member of the Executive Committee and later as its Secretary (1954–64) and President (1964–7). Between 1957 and 1963 he was President of the Vernacular Architecture Group and between 1972 and 1990 Chairman of the York Archaeological Trust. Medieval buildings and towns were his speciality and his publications include
The English farmhouse and cottage
(1961, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul) and
Guide to British topographical collections
(1974, London: CBA).
[Obit.:
British Archaeological News
, 6.5 (1991), 60–1]

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

A defensive farmyard enclosure, usually attached to a towerhouse or
SHIEDING
, in which animals are sheltered and crops stored. In Ireland it is know as a
bawn
, an anglicized version of the Irish word
badhun or
bo-dhaingan meaning a cattle fortress.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search