Editing Banjo enclosure

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In [[archaeology]], a '''banjo enclosure''' is the name of a type of [[enclosure (archaeology)|archaeological feature]] of the [[United Kingdom|British]] Middle [[Iron Age]]. It is so named because in plan it consists of a small round area with a long entrance track leading inward from one direction. This layout gives it the appearance of a [[frying pan]] or [[banjo]]. The enclosure is defined by a low bank and ditch. The earthworks at the end of the track are sometimes turned outward, creating a funnel effect. The enclosure used to be thought of as a small farming settlement occupied around 400 BC to AD 43; however, because of the lack of finds relating to settlement it is currently thought to be a seasonal ritual centre where feasting occurred.

==Sources==
* {{cite journal |author=Winton, H. |year=2003 |title=Possible Iron Age 'banjo' enclosures on the Lambourn Downs |journal=Oxoniensia |volume=LXVIII}}
* {{cite report |last=McOmish |first=Dave |orig-date=May 2011 |date=July 2018 |title= Banjo Enclosures |series=Introductions to Heritage Assets |edition=v&nbsp;1.1 |id=HEAG 198 |place=Swindon, UK |publisher=English Heritage |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/iha-banjo-enclosures/heag198-banjo-enclosures/}}
* {{cite report |last=Hingley |first=R. |date=June 1987 |title=Banjo Enclosure |series=Monument Class Description |department=Monuments Protection Programme |publisher=English Heritage |url=http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/bje.htm |access-date=11 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410163650/http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/bje.htm |archive-date=10 April 2012}}
* {{cite report |author=Fasham, P. |year=1987 |title=A banjo enclosure in [[Micheldever Wood]], Hampshire |series=Hampshire Field Club Monograph |volume=5 |place=Winchester, UK |publisher=Hampshire Field Club}}

[[Category:Iron Age Britain]]
[[Category:Archaeological features]]


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