Middle Bronze Age
Middle Bronze Age (1500 - 1250 BC)
An increased production of goods for exchange is thought to have brought about the growth of an ordered landscape, with the first field systems, during the Middle Bronze Age.
Middle Bronze Age at Northfield Farm
The field system at Northfield Farm is believed to be Middle Bronze Age. The field system covers a large area incorporating earlier barrows into the enclosed landscape.
Several Bronze Age cremation urns were found in one corner of an enclosure in the 19th century. Excavations have been unable to confirm a date.
Traces of similar field systems have been found at:
- Mount Farm, by the Thames in Dorchester
- Big Rings henge and at Fullamoor Farm
- Appleford, west of the Wittenhams
Middle Bronze Age Field Systems
Most of the Middle Bronze Age field systems have only limited evidence of domestic activity. This suggests that occupation was only at intevals, say once every few years, or at most, only seasonal visits, probably for the harvest.
Middle Bronze Age Finds at Round Hill
A Middle Bronze Age cremation urn has been excavated below Round Hill, and is now in Reading Museum. Burial was usually in cremation urns at this time, and this is the earliest evidence of the use of the hill top area for burial.
The landscape would have consisted of openings along the river, and well-known tracks through the wood.
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