Dear all
I have recently been working on some CPR from sites in Northern England and have consistently come across charred tubers of onion couch (Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum). It has been found in a number of different contexts, i.e. pits, ditches, burials, often with charred weed seeds and cereal grains. The period of the sites range from the Bronze Age through to the Medieval but the main concentration appears to be during the Iron Age.
I have seen it referred to on several occasions and it has been associated with cremations (i.e. ritually? deposited), for use as food, and an indicator of turf material. I was wondering if anyone had any other explanations for its consistent presence in such a wide range of contexts.
I look forward to any replies
Dr. Denise Drice
Oxford Archaeology North
Storey Institute
Meeting House Lane
Lancaster
LA1 1TF
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