Abstract

Conference organised by Current Archaeology, British Museum. The value of returning to ‘old’ material with fresh eyes and new techniques has long been accepted in archaeology. In addition to the valuable insights gained from re-dating Neolithic human remains, a further range of new information has recently been derived from re-analysing a number of earlier Neolithic skeletal assemblages using a variety of modern standards and techniques. Whilst some previously held ideas have been reinforced, others have been modified or overturned in addition to other, entirely new avenues of thought which have opened up. This paper presents a broad overview of a range of such new data that include evidence regarding diet, mortuary practices, disease and conflict. In combination with recent re-dating projects these new analyses are helping to build a more full and rounded picture of earlier Neolithic life than was previously possible and (as always) lead on to further questions.