Deptford culture

The Deptford culture (800 BCE—700 CE) was characterized by the appearance of elaborate ceremonial complexes, increasing social and political complexity, mound burial, permanent settlements, population growth, and an increasing reliance on cultigens.

Definition and range

Deptford is named for the Deptford area near Savannah, Georgia. The culture is defined by the presence of sand-tempered pottery decorated with the impressions of carved wooden paddles that were pressed against the vessels before they were fired. The sand-tempering distinguishes Deptford ceramics from the fiber-tempered ceramics of the late-Archaic Stallings Island/St. Simons, Orange, and Norwood cultures that preceded it. Other contemporary cultures of the southeastern United States also produced paddle decorated ceramics.(Milanich 1973, p. 51)(Milanich 1994, pp. 111–12)

The Deptford culture was oriented to the coast. From northern Georgia it spread along the Atlantic coast, reaching Cape Fear, North Carolina to the north and the mouth of the St. Johns River to the south. The Deptford culture also spread along the Gulf of Mexico coast, reaching from the Perdido River on the western border of Florida to Tampa Bay on the lower west coast of Florida. Deptford culture appeared in Florida around 500 BCE. The Deptford culture in the Gulf region (Florida Panhandle, southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia) evolved into the Swift Creek and Santa Rosa-Swift Creek cultures around 200 CE, while the culture in the Atlantic coastal region continued until about 700.(Milanich 1973, p. 51)(Milanich 1994, pp. 112, 114–15, 142–44)

Deptford

Coordinates: 51°28′41″N 0°01′35″W / 51.4780°N 0.0265°W / 51.4780; -0.0265

Deptford (/ˈdɛtfəd/) is an area of South-East London, England, located mainly within the London Borough of Lewisham and partly within the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

From the mid-16th to the late 19th century, Deptford was home to Deptford Dockyard, the first Royal Navy Dockyard. The area declined as the Royal Navy moved out and commercial docks shut; the last dock, Convoys Wharf, closed in 2000.

Historically a part of Kent, Deptford became a Metropolitan Borough in 1900. This became part of Inner London in 1965, within the newly created county of Greater London.

History

Deptford began life as a ford of the Ravensbourne (near what is now Deptford Bridge DLR station) along the route of the Celtic trackway which was later paved by the Romans and developed into the medieval Watling Street. The modern name is a corruption of "deep ford". Deptford was part of the pilgrimage route from London to Canterbury used by the pilgrims in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and is mentioned in the Prologue to the "Reeve's Tale". The ford developed into first a wooden then a stone bridge, and in 1497 saw the Battle of Deptford Bridge, in which rebels from Cornwall, led by Michael An Gof, marched on London protesting against punitive taxes, but were soundly beaten by the King's forces.

Deptford Market

Deptford Market (also known as Deptford High Street Market) is a fruit & vegetable and antiques and bric-a-brac market located in Deptford, south east London.

History

One of south London's busiest, the Deptford market has been in Deptford High Street for centuries. London's first railway, from London to Greenwich was built through Deptford in 1836. Christopher Marlowe, the playwright was murdered nearby.

Many of the stalls have passed from one generation to the other.

Economy

A collection of new and used goods, with a prominence of food stalls spread out on the side streets and pavements, this vibrant market is filled with a diverse range of stallholders.

Details

The market takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from around 7am until 4pm, in Deptford High Street, Douglas Way and the junction with Giffin Street. To see the whole range of stalls it is best to visit before midday as some stallholders pack up early.

There is a broad mix of stalls selling items from fresh fish, foods, groceries, to antiques, second hand clothes and collectibles. Many of the stalls sell ethnic goods, including African, Indian and Chinese foodstuff.