The colour and composition of early Anglo-Saxon copper alloy jewellery
Copper alloy artefacts are amongst the most prolific material remains from the early Anglo-Saxon period (450-650 CE). This research attempts to circumvent the limitations of previous disparate and unconnected typological and metallurgical approaches to these objects by investigating copper alloy jewellery from a holistic interdisciplinary approach. In particular, colour is used as a major new variable, a characteristic that would have been relevant to the Anglo-Saxons as craftsmen and as consumers. This method can reveal the choices that faced Anglo-Saxon craftsmen in the manufacture of these objects and in the use of their materials according to variables relevant and appropriate to their world. All past quantitative composition data relating to this period are reanalysed collectively, to interpret and model metal supply dynamics and recycling traditions. A visual context for copper alloys is created using linguistic frequency analysis of Old English colour words alongside a discussion of other Anglo-Saxon coloured material culture. The application of quantitative colour measurement to archaeological material and the factors affecting colour in various copper alloys on a structural level is also delineated,
Baker, Jocelyn Margaret
The colour and composition of early Anglo-Saxon copper alloy jewellery. Copper alloy artefacts are amongst the most prolific material remains from the early Anglo-Saxon period (450-650 CE). This research attempts to circumvent the limitations of previous disparate and unconnected typological and metallurgical approaches to these objects by investigating copper alloy jewellery from a holistic interdisciplinary approach. In particular, colour is used as a major new variable, a characteristic that would have been relevant to the Anglo-Saxons as craftsmen and as consumers. This method can reveal the choices that faced Anglo-Saxon craftsmen in the manufacture of these objects and in the use of their materials according to variables relevant and appropriate to their world. All past quantitative composition data relating to this period are reanalysed collectively, to interpret and model metal supply dynamics and recycling traditions. A visual context for copper alloys is created using linguistic frequency analysis of Old English colour words alongside a discussion of other Anglo-Saxon coloured material culture. The application of quantitative colour measurement to archaeological material and the factors affecting colour in various copper alloys on a structural level is also delineated,
colour composition early_anglo_saxon copper_alloy jewellery copper_alloy artefact amongst prolific material_remain early anglo saxon_period attempt limitation previous disparate unconnected typological metallurgical approach object investigate copper_alloy jewellery holistic interdisciplinary approach particular colour use major new variable characteristic would relevant anglo craftsman consumer method reveal choice face anglo_saxon craftsman manufacture object use material accord variable relevant appropriate world past quantitative composition data relate period collectively interpret model metal supply dynamic recycle tradition visual context copper create use linguistic frequency analysis old_english colour word alongside discussion anglo_saxon colour material_culture application quantitative colour measurement archaeological_material factor_affect colour various copper_alloy structural level also delineate