Huge prehistoric rubbish heaps, known as middens, are giving archaeologists fresh insight into the feasting habits of communities living in Britain more than 3,000 years ago.
These mounds of discarded bones, broken pottery, and other debris were created at large gatherings during the Late Bronze Age, and new research shows just how far people traveled to take part.
In the largest study of its kind, researchers from Cardiff University analyzed animal bones from six midden sites in Wiltshire and the Thames Valley.
Using isotope analysis—a scientific method that can reveal where animals were raised—they uncovered evidence of long-distance travel and large-scale social events.
The findings were published in the journal iScience.
Some of the middens were vast. At Potterne in Wiltshire, for example, the remains cover an area about the size of five football pitches and contain up to 15 million bone fragments.
Here, pork was the favored meat, with pigs brought in from many different regions, including northern England. This suggests Potterne was not just a local gathering but a hub for communities spread across the country.
In contrast, the midden at Runnymede in Surrey showed a strong preference for cattle, also sourced from far away.
Meanwhile, East Chisenbury in Wiltshire—just ten miles from Stonehenge—was dominated by sheep bones. Unlike the other sites, isotope evidence showed most of these animals came from the immediate surroundings, indicating this site relied on local farming.
Dr. Carmen Esposito, who led the research while at Cardiff and is now at the University of Bologna, explained that each midden had its own unique character. “Some were filled with locally raised sheep, while others featured pigs or cattle from across Britain. This shows each midden played a different role, shaping regional economies and identities during a period of major change.”
That change came as the value of bronze declined and communities shifted their focus toward farming. Feasting became a way to maintain social bonds and strengthen networks in uncertain times.
Professor Richard Madgwick, a co-author of the study, described the period as a possible “age of feasting.” He said, “At a time of climate and economic instability, these gatherings helped to build and reinforce relationships. The scale of the feasts is astonishing and shows communal consumption on a level rarely seen in prehistory.”
The study highlights how isotope analysis can act like a time machine, tracing the origins of animals that were eaten thousands of years ago. More importantly, it shows that these feasts were not just about food but about connection, community, and resilience in the face of change.
