Ancient Britons travelled from all across the country to come together for "meat feasts" more than 2,000 years ago.
Through analysing animal bones at ancient rubbish tips, researchers have uncovered proof that large numbers of cattle and pigs were habitually transported hundreds of miles away to the same spots by Bronze Age Britons.
Professor Richard Madgwick, an archaeological scientists from Cardiff University, said: "At a time of climatic and economic instability, people in southern Britain turned to feasting."
He added that the communal feasts may have been a way that ancient Britons built bridges with one another and improved relations.
Analysis of animal bones unearthed at ancient rubbish tips indicates people travelled great distances to gather for large communal meat feasts
|CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Prof Madgwick said: “I’m pretty sure these gatherings would have had a really important role to play in creating some degree of community cohesion at a time of trouble.”
The findings at the ancient rubbish tips, also known as middens, hint that the feasting sites were distinct from one another and each had their own unique characteristics.
The most extensive site studied, at Potterne near Devizes in Wiltshire, was found to be filled with debris from large communal feasts, including bone fragments up to 15 metres long.
Researchers discovered the most commonly eaten meat at the Potterne feast was pork, with pigs transported from a broad region spanning Wales, Cornwall and Devon, as well as northwest and central northern England.
The findings at the ancient rubbish tips, also known as middens, hint that the feasting sites were distinct from one another
|CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
However, a separate Bronze Age feasting site uncovered in Runnymede in Surrey significantly differed, with beef being the most popular choice.
Welsh, Cornish and Devon cows were all brought in for the feast.
At East Chisenbury, roughly 10 miles from Stonehenge, an abundance of sheep bones suggested that mutton was the likely preferred meat, with most of the animals appearing to have been sourced locally.
Britain, during the time of these large feasts, was undergoing a challenging period, which saw wetter weather and a decline in the prominence of bronze.
Prof Madgwick suggested the ancient communities at Potterne and Runnymede may have responded to the gloomy times by hosting the large gatherings and welcoming outsiders, while East Chisenbury’s residents focused on local resources.
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Prof Madgwick suggested the ancient communities at Potterne and Runnymede may have responded to the gloomy times by hosting the large gatherings and welcoming outsiders
|CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
He noted: "Each little community is reacting to this time of instability differently."
To carry out the examinations on the animal bones, the team of researchers used cutting-edge multi-isotope analysis.
Because the chemical composition of soil and water varies by region, these differences are absorbed by the plants and animals that live there.
Over time, the unique chemical fingerprints become embedded in animal bones, allowing scientists to trace the origins of the livestock hundreds of years later.
The archaeological scientist described the prehistoric rubbish tips as being massive with an astonishing amount of material.
He added: “We’re talking about millions and millions of bone fragments, potentially hundreds of thousands of animals.”
Britain's Bronze Age spanned from around 2500 BC until 700 BC.
Alongside meat, it is thought that the inhabitants of the ancient populations had a diet consisting of various plants alongside the meat gorged on at the feasts.
During this time, numerous crops and vegetables were grown, including beans, peas and spelt, in early permanent fields.