The Social Context of Technology : Non-Ferrous Metalworking in Later Prehistoric Britain and Ireland / Leo Webley, Sophia Adams, and Joanna Bruck.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Webley, Leo, author.

Adams, Sophia, author.

Brück, Joanna, author.

Series:

Prehistoric Society research paper ; Volume 11.

Prehistoric Society Research Paper ; Volume 11

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Metal-work, Prehistoric--Social aspects--Great Britain.

Metal-work, Prehistoric.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 270 pages) : illustrations.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Oxford, England : Oxbow Books, [2020]

Summary:

"The Social Context of Technology explores non-ferrous metalworking in Britain and Ireland during the Bronze and Iron Ages (c. 2500 BC to 1st century AD). Bronze-working dominates the evidence, though the crafting of other non-ferrous metals - including gold, silver, tin and lead - is also considered. Metalwork has long played a central role in accounts of European later prehistory. Metals were important for making functional tools, and elaborate decorated objects that were symbols of prestige. Metalwork could be treated in special or ritualised ways, by being accumulated in large hoards or placed in rivers or bogs. But who made these objects? Prehistoric smiths have been portrayed by some as prosaic technicians, and by others as mystical figures akin to magicians. They have been seen both as independent, travelling 'entrepreneurs', and as the dependents of elite patrons. Hitherto, these competing models have not been tested through a comprehensive assessment of the archaeological evidence for metalworking. This volume fills that gap, with analysis focused on metalworking tools and waste, such as crucibles, moulds, casting debris and smithing implements. The find contexts of these objects are examined, both to identify places where metalworking occurred, and to investigate the cultural practices behind the deposition of metalworking debris. The key questions are: what was the social context of this craft, and what was its ideological significance? How did this vary regionally and change over time? As well as elucidating a key aspect of later prehistoric life in Britain and Ireland, this important examination by leading scholars contributes to broader debates on material culture and the social role of craft"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover

Title

Copyright

Contents

List of Figures and Tables

Authors

Abstracts

Acknowledgements

1. Introduction: non-ferrous metals in context

2. Non-ferrous metalworking: techniques and materials

3. The Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, c. 2450–1550 BC

4. The Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age and Earliest Iron Age, c. 1550–600 BC

5. The Iron Age, c. 600 BC–AD 100

6. Conclusion: the social context of non-ferrous metalworking in later prehistoric Britain and Ireland

Bibliography

Appendices

Appendix 1: Excavated sites of Bronze Age and Iron Age date that have produced metalworking tools and residues

Appendix 2: One-piece stone moulds of Early Bronze Age date

Appendix 3: Bivalve stone moulds c. 1700–600 BC

Appendix 4: Bronze Age bronze moulds from Britain and Ireland

Appendix 5: Coin pellet mould finds Generated by AI.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Part of the metadata in this record was created by AI, based on the text of the resource.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (EBook Central, viewed June 11, 2025).

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781789251777

178925177X

9781789251791

1789251796

OCLC:

1430661130