The theory and methodology of classifications of the fifth and sixth centuries A. D. in Anglo-Saxon England with reference to great square-headed brooches
This thesis seeks to establish how to set up chronologically reliable classifications of fifth- and sixth-century metalwork, using square-headed brooches as the principal example. The problem arises from the absence in this period of the usual, more reliable, dating tools such as documents, coins and pottery. As a primary dating tool metalwork is therefore unsupported, and it is crucial that classification is carried out with great rigour and objectivity. The first half of this thesis (chapters 2 to 7) discusses various requirements which need to be met if classification is to be rigorous and objective. The overall conclusions are that: - existing classifications, not just of square-headed brooches but of all fifth- and sixth-century metalwork, may be unreliable; - reliance on existing chronologies, not just of square-headed brooches but of all fifth- and sixth-century metalwork, should be suspended for the time being; - the entire system should be re-assessed from first principles. The first stages of such a re-assessment are attempted in the second half of the thesis. Chapter 8 attributes much of the faulty existing methodology to a misunderstanding of the method devised and practised by Montelius in the
Brooks, D. A.
Archaeology
The theory and methodology of classifications of the fifth and sixth centuries A. D. in Anglo-Saxon England with reference to great square-headed brooches. This thesis seeks to establish how to set up chronologically reliable classifications of fifth- and sixth-century metalwork, using square-headed brooches as the principal example. The problem arises from the absence in this period of the usual, more reliable, dating tools such as documents, coins and pottery. As a primary dating tool metalwork is therefore unsupported, and it is crucial that classification is carried out with great rigour and objectivity. The first half of this thesis (chapters 2 to 7) discusses various requirements which need to be met if classification is to be rigorous and objective. The overall conclusions are that: - existing classifications, not just of square-headed brooches but of all fifth- and sixth-century metalwork, may be unreliable; - reliance on existing chronologies, not just of square-headed brooches but of all fifth- and sixth-century metalwork, should be suspended for the time being; - the entire system should be re-assessed from first principles. The first stages of such a re-assessment are attempted in the second half of the thesis. Chapter 8 attributes much of the faulty existing methodology to a misunderstanding of the method devised and practised by Montelius in the
theory classification anglo saxon_england reference great square headed brooch seek_establish set chronologically reliable classification metalwork use square headed brooch principal example problem_arise absence period usual reliable date tool document coin pottery primary date tool metalwork therefore crucial classification carry great rigour objectivity discuss_various requirement need meet classification rigorous objective overall conclusion exist classification square headed brooch metalwork may unreliable reliance exist chronology square headed brooch metalwork suspend time entire system re_assessed first principle first stag re_assessment attempted second_half thesis attribute much faulty exist misunderstand method devise