Book Chapter Details
Mandatory Fields
Rynne, Colin
2018 Unknown
The Oxford Handbook of Later Medieval Archaeology in Britain
Water and wind power
Oxford University Press
Oxford
Published
1
Optional Fields
Watermill Windmill Dams Weirs Mill ponds Millraces Machinery Millstones
The inhabitants of most urban and rural communities in both Britain and Ireland during the later medieval period would have lived a relatively short distance from either a watermill or windmill. This chapter examines the most recent archaeological evidence for water- and wind-powered mills in later medieval Britain. The use of water power, in particular, was widespread in the later medieval period for a wide range of industrial activities. However, during this same period nearly all of the grain harvest was processed in either wind- or water-powered mills. The archaeological record also demonstrates a large degree of continuity, from the late Roman and early medieval periods, in the design of waterwheels and the mechanisms they actuated.
Gerrard, Christopher; Gutiérrez, Alejandra
9780198744719
491
510
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198744719.013.22
Grant Details