Pillow Mounds: A Bronze Age Legacy of Cremation?

September 28, 2024 Trebor2510

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Previous Blog
3 Further Reading
4 Other Blogs

Introduction

Pillow mounds have traditionally been interpreted as medieval rabbit warrens, but recent archaeological discoveries suggest a far older and more significant role tied to Bronze Age cremation rituals. Evidence uncovered in recent excavations, combined with historical parallels from other sites, points to these mounds being used for cremation or as places for the burial of ashes, later repurposed during the medieval period for rabbit farming. Below, we explore the evidence from recent excavation reports that supports this hypothesis, showing how discolored soil, charcoal remains, and burial practices align with Bronze Age funerary rituals.

Excavation Reports Supporting the Cremation Hypothesis

1. Linga Fiold, Orkney (Bronze Age Cremation Evidence)

Excavations at Linga Fiold on Orkney provide a compelling comparison to the pillow mounds found at Dartmoor. At Linga Fiold, archaeologists uncovered cremation pyres beneath mounds, with clear evidence of burnt earth and charcoal, alongside cremated human remains. These pyres were constructed directly on the ground with minimal superstructures, similar to the earthworks observed in Dartmoor’s pillow mounds.

The soil beneath the mounds at Linga Fiold showed clear signs of discoloration, indicating that it had been exposed to high temperatures from intense fires. Charcoal deposits and ash layers found in the soil provide direct evidence of burning. These features closely resemble those found in some pillow mounds on Dartmoor, where discolored soils and charcoal layers have been interpreted as remnants of funeral pyres.

In the Linga Fiold excavation, the mound structure and the associated cremated remains suggest a ritualistic function tied to Bronze Age funerary practices, supporting the idea that these mounds were not just for rabbit warrens, but rather cremation sites. The discolored soil and layers of burnt material found at Dartmoor reflect this same ritual use of fire, hinting at a broader cultural practice.

2. Trowlesworthy Warren, Dartmoor (Burnt Layers and Soil Discoloration)

The Mystery of Pillow Mounds — **Trowlesworthy Warren** is a massive Prehistoric Site with no barrows – Pillow Mounds: A Bronze Age Legacy of Cremation?

The Trowlesworthy Warren site on Dartmoor is home to over 64 pillow mounds. Excavations of these mounds have revealed significant evidence of soil discoloration, similar to what has been found at recognized Bronze Age burial sites. The soil under some of these mounds has distinct layers of charcoal and burnt earth, suggestive of cremation pyres.

During the excavation of one mound, archaeologists discovered a layer of charcoal that radiocarbon dating placed in the Bronze Age, well before the introduction of rabbits to Britain. The charcoal remains were associated with human activity, indicating that fires had been deliberately set. The burnt soil beneath the mound is consistent with the intense heat required for cremation. The placement of these mounds near paleochannels further supports the theory of ritualistic use, as water often played a key role in Bronze Age funerary rites.

3. Bryn Cysegrfan, Wales (Evidence of Cremation Under Mounds)

At Bryn Cysegrfan in Wales, excavations revealed mounds that were initially thought to be medieval earthworks but were later confirmed to be prehistoric. These mounds contained burnt soil, layers of charcoal, and evidence of human cremation. The discovery of cremated human bones beneath the mounds helped redefine their purpose as Bronze Age funerary structures, challenging their original classification as medieval agricultural features.

Pillow Mounds: A Bronze Age Legacy of Cremation?

The burnt material in these mounds mirrored the findings at Dartmoor, where charcoal and burnt soil were found in layers under the mounds. At Bryn Cysegrfan, the cremated remains were intentionally buried beneath a memorial mound, built in much the same way as pillow mounds. This reinforces the idea that the Dartmoor pillow mounds could have similarly been constructed as memorials to cremated individuals.

4. Bronze Age Orkney (Burnt Soils and Ritual Use of Fire)

Further support for the cremation hypothesis comes from Bronze Age sites in Orkney, where archaeologists have found extensive use of fire in burial practices. Excavations at Mousa Broch revealed cremation sites beneath mounds, where the soil had been heavily discolored by intense heat. Layers of charcoal and burnt earth are common across these sites, suggesting a widespread ritual use of fire in burial practices.

The charcoal layers and burnt soil found at Trowlesworthy Warren bear a striking resemblance to the cremation pyres of Orkney. The burning of bodies and subsequent burial of ashes within or beneath the mounds are consistent with the Bronze Age tradition of constructing mounds as funerary memorials.

5. Radiocarbon Dating Evidence of Bronze Age Activity

At several of these sites, including Trowlesworthy and Bryn Cysegrfan, radiocarbon dating has provided clear evidence that the burnt material and soil discoloration found beneath the mounds dates back to the Bronze Age. This further suggests that these structures were originally built as funerary mounds or cremation sites, long before they were repurposed as rabbit warrens in the medieval period.

The layers of burnt material and charcoal deposits found beneath some of the Dartmoor mounds have been dated to 2000-1500 BCE, well within the Bronze Age. These findings, alongside the discolored soils, indicate that the mounds were used for funerary practices long before their presumed medieval use.

Comparing to the Pillow Mounds

The evidence from Bryn Cysegrfan, Orkney, and other Bronze Age cremation sites shows a clear pattern of burnt soil, charcoal remains, and cremated bones beneath mounds that were later misinterpreted as agricultural features. This is exactly the scenario unfolding with pillow mounds at sites like Trowlesworthy Warren. The combination of burnt layers, discolored soil, and radiocarbon dating suggests that these mounds served as cremation sites or memorial mounds long before their possible repurposing in the medieval period.

The Cultural Significance of Cremation Mounds

In the Bronze Age, cremation was a common funerary practice across Britain. The dead were often burned on funeral pyres, and the ashes were either scattered or buried under mounds. These mounds served as memorials, marking the resting place of the deceased in a highly visible way. The use of fire in these rituals was symbolic, representing the passage of the soul into the afterlife.

The presence of pillow mounds in landscapes associated with prehistoric activity, particularly near paleochannels and other natural features, suggests that they were part of a larger ritual landscape. The burnt material and discolored soil found beneath many of these mounds are consistent with the Bronze Age practice of constructing cremation mounds, rather than the later rabbit farming explanation.

Conclusion: Reinterpreting Pillow Mounds as Bronze Age Cremation Sites

The growing body of archaeological evidence, including excavation reports from sites like Bryn Cysegrfan, Linga Fiold, and Trowlesworthy Warren, increasingly supports the hypothesis that pillow mounds are not merely medieval rabbit warrens but may have originally been used for Bronze Age cremation practices. The presence of burnt soil, charcoal remains, and cremated bones beneath these mounds, combined with radiocarbon dating to the Bronze Age, suggests that these structures served as cremation pyres or burial mounds long before their potential repurposing in later periods.

This reinterpretation not only challenges the traditional understanding of pillow mounds but also opens up new perspectives on the ritual use of fire and burial practices in Bronze Age Britain. Further excavation and study of these mounds could provide even more evidence to support their role as funerary monuments, adding to the rich tapestry of prehistoric ritual landscapes across the British Isles.Pillow mounds have long been identified by archaeologists as rabbit warrens—structures built during the medieval and post-medieval periods to manage rabbit populations for fur and meat. These long, low earthworks, often equipped with drainage ditches, were thought to provide ideal conditions for rabbits to burrow and breed. The case of Trowlesworthy Warren on Dartmoor is a well-known example, where there are now believed to be 64 pillow mounds spread across a 5 km area. However, recent archaeological findings and a closer look at the logistics of large-scale rabbit farming in this landscape challenge the established interpretation.

This blog will explore the traditional reasons archaeologists classify pillow mounds as rabbit warrens while presenting new evidence—including the scale of the site, environmental challenges, and the discovery of radiocarbon-dated materials—that casts doubt on this interpretation.

Previous Blog

1. Traditional Interpretation: Rabbit Warrens

The identification of pillow mounds as rabbit warrens originates from medieval records describing the practice of rabbit farming, introduced to Britain by the Normans after the 11th century. Rabbits were a valuable resource for both their meat and fur, and the creation of controlled environments for breeding—called warrens—became widespread. Pillow mounds, typically rectangular and accompanied by drainage ditches, resemble natural rabbit burrows and were strategically placed in areas unsuitable for crop farming, such as Dartmoor.

At Trowlesworthy Warren, the extensive number of mounds spread across a large area appeared to reflect the large-scale management of rabbit populations, supporting this traditional view.

2. Characteristics of Pillow Mounds

pillow mounds 3 — Pillow Mounds: A Bronze Age Legacy of Cremation?

The pillow mounds at Trowlesworthy Warren follow a typical form—long, narrow mounds constructed of earth, often measuring 20 to 50 meters in length and 5 to 10 meters in width. These mounds are often associated with shallow ditches designed to prevent waterlogging, which is essential for rabbits to thrive. Some mounds even feature stone-lined burrows or tunnels, leading archaeologists to interpret them as deliberately constructed habitats to encourage rabbit breeding.

3. Estimating Rabbit Populations Based on Mound Size

Historically, archaeologists estimated that each average-sized mound could support up to 100 rabbits. However, given the presence of larger mounds at Trowlesworthy, some as long as 50 meters and 10 meters wide, this estimate needs adjustment. Larger mounds could potentially support around 400 rabbits each.

Given that Historic England now recognizes 64 pillow mounds at the site, with an average of 400 rabbits per larger mound, the total rabbit population at Trowlesworthy Warren could have been as high as 25,600 rabbits. This indicates a massive scale of rabbit farming, far beyond the scope of a single small operation. Such an immense population would have required a complex system of management, including trapping, breeding control, and predator management.

4. Logistical Challenges of Large-Scale Rabbit Farming

While the estimated capacity of 25,600 rabbits suggests that Trowlesworthy Warren could have been an industrial-scale rabbit farm, several key logistical challenges make this interpretation difficult to support. Chief among these is the lack of infrastructure. Large-scale rabbit farming would have required roads or well-maintained tracks to transport rabbits from the remote Dartmoor landscape to nearby markets or towns. However, there is no visible evidence of roads or transportation infrastructure around the site.

Additionally, a warren of this size would have required a significant labor force, yet there are no substantial remains of warreners’ lodges or other structures to house workers. In smaller warrens, the warrener often lived on-site to manage the rabbits and prevent predators from attacking them, but the sheer size of Trowlesworthy Warren implies that a single person could not have managed such an extensive operation.

5. Environmental Unsuitability for Rabbit Warrens

An even more significant issue is the unsuitability of the landscape for rabbit warrening. Many of the pillow mounds at Trowlesworthy Warren are located near paleochannels—ancient riverbeds that are prone to seasonal flooding. Rabbits require dry conditions for burrowing and breeding, and any prolonged exposure to waterlogged soil would be detrimental to their health. The positioning of many mounds near these paleochannels makes them highly vulnerable to flooding during the wet season, raising serious questions about whether these mounds were truly designed for rabbits.

The drainage ditches around the mounds, often cited as evidence of their use as rabbit warrens, are not connected to nearby streams or natural watercourses, meaning they would likely become waterlogged themselves, further exacerbating the problem.

6. Alternative Interpretation: Ritual or Funerary Landscape

Given the unsuitability of the land for rabbit farming, it is worth considering an alternative interpretation. The location of many pillow mounds near paleochannels suggests that these mounds could have served a ritual or funerary purpose. In prehistoric and early historic Britain, water was often associated with rituals and funerary practices, and waterways were seen as symbolic gateways to the afterlife.

The elongated shape of the pillow mounds could be interpreted as excarnation platforms—places where bodies were laid out to decompose naturally before their bones were collected and buried. The proximity to water in the form of paleochannels could have added a spiritual or ceremonial dimension to these activities. In this context, the pillow mounds may have served as burial markers or cremation platforms.

7. Radiocarbon Dating of Earlier Activity

Recent excavations at Trowlesworthy Warren have uncovered evidence that challenges the medieval rabbit warren theory even further. Beneath one of the pillow mounds, archaeologists discovered a hearth containing charcoal that was radiocarbon dated to the Iron Age—long before the introduction of rabbits to Britain. This finding suggests that the site was in use for other purposes well before the construction of the pillow mounds.

The Iron Age activity at the site may indicate that the pillow mounds were built on top of a much older ritual landscape, possibly repurposing prehistoric structures for medieval uses. This layered history raises the possibility that the mounds were originally constructed for ritual purposes and were later either adapted for rabbit farming or remained purely ceremonial.

8. Misinterpretation of Structural Features

The structural features of the mounds themselves—particularly the drainage ditches—may have been misinterpreted. While these ditches are often cited as evidence that the mounds were designed for rabbit warrening, they may have served other purposes, such as controlling water flow in a ritual landscape. In prehistoric cultures, the management of water was a significant aspect of both ceremonial and agricultural activities, and the presence of drainage ditches does not necessarily indicate medieval rabbit farming.

9. No Direct Evidence of Rabbits

Although pillow mounds are typically associated with rabbit warrening, not all excavated mounds have produced direct evidence of rabbits, such as bones, droppings, or other remains. The absence of such evidence at some of the mounds at Trowlesworthy Warren raises the possibility that not all of the mounds were used for rabbit farming. Some may have had different, possibly ritual or funerary functions, particularly those located near paleochannels.

10. Reconsidering the Scale and Purpose of the Site

While the traditional interpretation of pillow mounds as rabbit warrens remains plausible for many sites, the scale, layout, and environmental challenges of Trowlesworthy Warren suggest a more complex history. The lack of infrastructure, the unsuitability of the landscape for rabbits, and the discovery of Iron Age activity all indicate that these mounds may have been part of a ritual landscape long before the medieval period.

11. Alternative Use: Cremation or Excarnation Sites

The proximity to paleochannels and the radiocarbon dating of pre-medieval activity beneath some mounds point to the possibility that Trowlesworthy Warren was used for cremation or excarnation practices. The mounds could have served as funerary platforms, where bodies were laid out to decompose or be cremated before being deposited in burial sites. The location and shape of the mounds fit this hypothesis, as does their association with ancient watercourses, which often played a significant role in prehistoric ritual practices.

12. Conclusion: A Complex Legacy of Land Use

While pillow mounds are traditionally identified as rabbit warrens, the case of Trowlesworthy Warren demonstrates that these structures likely have a more complex history. The large scale of the site, the lack of infrastructure, and the unsuitability of the land for rabbit farming suggest that the mounds may have originally been constructed for ritual purposes in the prehistoric period, only later being adapted for or interpreted as medieval warrens. As more evidence emerges, including radiocarbon dating and further excavations, the true purpose of these enigmatic structures continues to evolve, offering a glimpse into the multilayered history of Dartmoor’s landscape.