The Post Track is an ancient causeway in the valley of the River Brue on the Somerset Levels, England. It dates from around 3838 BCE,[1] making it some 30 years older than the Sweet Track in the same area.[2] Various sections have been scheduled as ancient monuments.[3][4][5][6]
The timber trackway was constructed of long ash planks, with lime and hazel posts spaced along three-metre intervals. According to Coles, the heavy planks of the Post Track were seldom pegged. [7][8] The track follows closely in line with the Sweet Track and, before the planks were dated, it was posited that it served as a construction platform for the Sweet Track.[9][10] It is speculated that it led to places of spiritual significance. It is likely that the route was intended to be a permanent fixture, with the track being updated, maintained, and eventually replaced as it succumbed to the elements.[11] Some of the wood planks also were reused in the Sweet Track when it was built making the specific dating more complex.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Sweet Track". Severn Estuary Levels Research Committee. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ Brunning, Richard (2006). "A window on the past – The prehistoric archaeology of the Somerset Moors". In Hill-Cottingham, Pat; Briggs, Derek; Brunning, Richard; King, Andy; Rix, Graham (eds.). The Somerset Wetlands: An ever changing environment. Wellington, Somerset: Somerset Books. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-0-86183-432-7.
- ^ Historic England. "Sections of the Sweet Track, the Post Track and associated remains 500m north east of Moorgate Farm (1014438)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ Historic England. "Sections of the Sweet Track and Post Track, 240m south west of Sunnyside Farm (1014440)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ Historic England. "Sections of the Sweet Track and Post Track, 250m ESE of Station House (1014831)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ Historic England. "Sections of the Sweet Track and Post Track, 650m east of Canada Farm (1014439)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ Coles, Bryony and John (1986). Sweet Track to Glastonbury: The Somerset Levels in Prehistory. New York: Thames and Hudson. pp. 46–47. LCCN 85-51949.
- ^ Novel Guide – Trackways and Boats Archived 22 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Brunning, Richard – Neolithic and bronze-age Somerset: a wetland perspective Archived 24 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "10740: Post Track, Shapwick Heath". South West Heritage Trust. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ A. W. R. Whittle Europe in the Neolithic: the creation of new worlds; pg. 236
- ^ Coles, J.M.; Coles, B.J. (1990). "Dendrochronology of the English Neolithic : Part 11: the Sweet Track date" (PDF). Antiquity. 64 (243): 216–.