Spears in context : typology, life-cycles and social meanings in Bronze Age Italy
This research explores the phenomenon of Bronze Age spearheads between the Middle and Final Bronze Age (18th century-9th century B.C.) in Italy. It will explore how these objects change over time and analyse patterns of distribution as well as changes in depositional context. The thesis consists of a catalogue of examples from the Italian Peninsula which are analysed in two ways: first, a typological sequence has been constructed, in order to identify differences in form, appearance and dimension, in order to analyze chronological and regional variation. Second, edge-wear analysis is conducted on a sample of objects in order to gain an appreciation of how this method can inform the archaeological interpretation of artefact biographies. The premise of such a study is rooted in a theoretical framework which argues that objects embody fundamental aspects of peopleâs social lives. As weapons for both hunting and warfare, spears embody rich symbolism which was drawn upon by Bronze Age communities, in many different ways. The biographical approach reveals close connections between these objects and the lives of individuals, the places they lived in as well locales which were of ritual importance to them. The edge-wear
Bruno, Arianna
Italian spearheads ; Bronze Age ; role of materials ; edge-wear study
Spears in context : typology, life-cycles and social meanings in Bronze Age Italy. This research explores the phenomenon of Bronze Age spearheads between the Middle and Final Bronze Age (18th century-9th century B.C.) in Italy. It will explore how these objects change over time and analyse patterns of distribution as well as changes in depositional context. The thesis consists of a catalogue of examples from the Italian Peninsula which are analysed in two ways: first, a typological sequence has been constructed, in order to identify differences in form, appearance and dimension, in order to analyze chronological and regional variation. Second, edge-wear analysis is conducted on a sample of objects in order to gain an appreciation of how this method can inform the archaeological interpretation of artefact biographies. The premise of such a study is rooted in a theoretical framework which argues that objects embody fundamental aspects of peopleâs social lives. As weapons for both hunting and warfare, spears embody rich symbolism which was drawn upon by Bronze Age communities, in many different ways. The biographical approach reveals close connections between these objects and the lives of individuals, the places they lived in as well locales which were of ritual importance to them. The edge-wear
context typology life social_meaning bronze_age italy explores phenomenon bronze_age spearhead middle final bronze_age italy explore object change_time analyse pattern_distribution well change depositional_context consists catalogue example italian_peninsula analyse two_way first typological sequence construct order_identify difference form appearance dimension order analyze chronological_regional variation second edge wear_analysis conduct sample object order_gain appreciation method inform_archaeological interpretation artefact biography premise study root theoretical_framework argues object embody fundamental_aspect people social_life weapon hunt warfare spear embody rich symbolism draw_upon bronze_age community many_different way biographical reveals close_connection object life individual place_live well ritual importance them edge wear