The deer hunters: Star Carr reconsidered

Abstract

Abstract Star Carr, the Mesolithic site excavated thirty years ago, has been considered a classic example of a winter season base camp until recently reinterpreted as a specialized industrial locale. By focusing on site formation processes, we present an alternative interpretation that Star Carr was a hunting and butchering site occupied frequently for very short periods at various times of the year. Our argument considers how recent ethnoarchaeological, taphonomic and site formation studies support this interpretation. We examine seasonality, the length of visits, and major ecofact and artefact classes, including animal bone, flaked stone tools, and antler points. We review previous interpretations.