Crop husbandry strategies in the North-east of England, inferred from carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur stable isotopes on archaeobotanical assemblages from corn-drying kilns from commercial palaeoenvironmental archives

This MSc by Research dissertation presents the results of stable isotope analysis on archaeobotanical assemblages associated with corn-drying kilns from four sites in the North-east of England, selected from the palaeoenvironmental archive of Archaeological Services Durham University. Nitrogen, carbon, and sulphur stable isotope analysis on carbonised cereal grains are used to understand crop growing conditions and soil amendment strategies employed in cereal cultivation from the 11th to the 15th centuries. The findings here highlight the untapped potential of legacy material from developer-funded excavations when applied to archaeobotanical research. By focusing on corn-drying kilns, this work also establishes these structures as a valuable source of well-preserved archaeobotanical assemblages and illustrate their potential in enhancing our understanding of crop cultivation in the past. Finally, the data presented in this study contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of agricultural investment and socio-economic status of past communities in the North-east, as well as provide insight into the long-term trajectories of soil health and management and traditional agriculture in Britain.