ABSTRACT
The famous Barnack stone quarries are shown to have formed an extended zone rather than the single locale of the ‘Hills and Holes’. Their chronology is explored. There was, we suggest, no systematic post-Roman, pre-Viking exploitation of this special resource; early Anglo-Saxon sculpture locally being characterized by re-cycling of Roman stone. Re-opening of the quarries occurred in the later 10th century, promoted by the refoundation of Peterborough Abbey and broadly coincident with the creation of a major manorial centre at Barnack and the erection of St John’s church there. Peterborough’s assertive continuing association with this stone industry, through tithes and tolls, is seen as symbolic rather than commercial, and part of the abbey’s self-identification as regional heir and representative of St Peter and Rome.
