Waylands Smithy II Cairn
Waylands Smithy II Cairn North Annex · Waylands Site
Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE)·Late Neolithic·🇬🇧 Oxfordshire, Ashbury, United Kingdom
About
About Waylands Smithy II Cairn
Waylands Smithy II Cairn in Oxfordshire, Ashbury, United Kingdom is a Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE) megalithic attributed to Late Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal chamber 6 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 51.5670N -1.5950E controls access to Oxfordshire resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey megalithic for Oxfordshire, Ashbury, illustrating Late Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3300–2800 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Neolithic
- Purpose
- Collective burial and territorial marker for agro-pastoral community
- Rediscovered
- 1972 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3300–2800 BCE
Initial construction of Waylands Smithy II Cairn main structure
c. 1912
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1972–2017
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Waylands Smithy II Cairn) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
51.5670° N · 1.5950° W · 164 m · 4 mapped features
Waylands Smithy II Cairn — Main Structure
structurePrincipal megalithic — Chamber 6 × 2 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
51.5678° N · 1.5941° WWaylands Smithy II Cairn — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
51.5660° N · 1.5957° WWaylands Smithy II Cairn — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with cup marks and alignment
51.5685° N · 1.5938° WWaylands Smithy II Cairn — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
51.5654° N · 1.5961° W