A re-interpretation of the late Bronze Age metalwork hoards of Essex and Kent
Recent works have offered an alternative to traditional archaeological classification, particularly in the field of ceramic studies. These use theories of human categorisation processes derived from other areas of research, in particular psychology and linguistics. The purpose of this thesis was - through reference to the advances made in studies of this kind - to re-interpret a body of metalwork evidence, in particular the 'founder's hoards' of the 'Carp's Tongue' Complex in Essex and Kent. These hoards include a wide range of artefact categories, often surviving in fragmentary condition, and have traditionally been interpreted as an inevitable by-product of the metalworking process. By examining the nature of the contents and the structure of these hoards, and by making a detailed appraisal of the manner in which each of the individual artefact categories included was treated prior to its inclusion in the hoard, it was possible to establish that there was indeed a strong association with the metalworking process. It also became apparent that regularised methods of destruction were employed upon the artefact categories included in these hoards, and that specific selection processes operated during the accumulation
Turner, C. E. Louise
CC Archaeology
A re-interpretation of the late Bronze Age metalwork hoards of Essex and Kent. Recent works have offered an alternative to traditional archaeological classification, particularly in the field of ceramic studies. These use theories of human categorisation processes derived from other areas of research, in particular psychology and linguistics. The purpose of this thesis was - through reference to the advances made in studies of this kind - to re-interpret a body of metalwork evidence, in particular the 'founder's hoards' of the 'Carp's Tongue' Complex in Essex and Kent. These hoards include a wide range of artefact categories, often surviving in fragmentary condition, and have traditionally been interpreted as an inevitable by-product of the metalworking process. By examining the nature of the contents and the structure of these hoards, and by making a detailed appraisal of the manner in which each of the individual artefact categories included was treated prior to its inclusion in the hoard, it was possible to establish that there was indeed a strong association with the metalworking process. It also became apparent that regularised methods of destruction were employed upon the artefact categories included in these hoards, and that specific selection processes operated during the accumulation
re_interpretation late_bronze_age metalwork hoard essex kent recent_work offer_alternative traditional archaeological classification particularly field ceramic_study use theory human categorisation process derive area particular psychology linguistics purpose reference advance_make study kind interpret body metalwork evidence particular founder hoard tongue complex essex kent hoard include wide_range artefact_category often survive fragmentary condition traditionally interpret inevitable product metalworking process examine nature content structure hoard make detailed appraisal manner individual artefact_category include treated prior inclusion hoard possible establish indeed strong_association metalworking process also become_apparent method destruction employ upon artefact_category include hoard specific selection process_operate accumulation