The intentional destruction and deposition of Bronze Age metalwork in South West England
The intentional destruction of Bronze Age metalwork prior to deposition is frequently recognised within assemblages, but rarely forms the focus of study. Furthermore, most research focuses on why metalwork was deliberately destroyed without considering how this process was undertaken. This thesis therefore analyses how metalwork might have been intentionally damaged and uses this to better interpret why. The material properties of bronze are considered alongside past research into the use of different implements, before a series of experiments are presented that explore how one might best break a bronze object. A better understanding of the methods by which Bronze Age metalwork might become damaged means one can identify intentional damage over that sustained accidentally, through use or post-deposition. This culminates in a Damage Ranking System, which can be utilised to assess the likelihood that damage observed on archaeological specimens is the result of intent. The Damage Ranking System is applied to Bronze Age metalwork from South West England (i.e. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset). The catalogue of metalwork from this region was recently updated, highlighting instances of deliberate destruction
Knight, Matthew Giuseppe
Bronze Age ; Metalwork ; Destruction ; Deposition ; Personhood ; Experiment
The intentional destruction and deposition of Bronze Age metalwork in South West England. The intentional destruction of Bronze Age metalwork prior to deposition is frequently recognised within assemblages, but rarely forms the focus of study. Furthermore, most research focuses on why metalwork was deliberately destroyed without considering how this process was undertaken. This thesis therefore analyses how metalwork might have been intentionally damaged and uses this to better interpret why. The material properties of bronze are considered alongside past research into the use of different implements, before a series of experiments are presented that explore how one might best break a bronze object. A better understanding of the methods by which Bronze Age metalwork might become damaged means one can identify intentional damage over that sustained accidentally, through use or post-deposition. This culminates in a Damage Ranking System, which can be utilised to assess the likelihood that damage observed on archaeological specimens is the result of intent. The Damage Ranking System is applied to Bronze Age metalwork from South West England (i.e. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset). The catalogue of metalwork from this region was recently updated, highlighting instances of deliberate destruction
intentional destruction deposition bronze_age_metalwork south_west_england intentional destruction bronze_age_metalwork prior deposition frequently recognise within assemblage rarely forms focus study furthermore focus metalwork deliberately destroy without consider process undertaken therefore analysis metalwork might intentionally damage well interpret why material_property bronze consider alongside past use different implement series present explore one_might best break bronze object good method bronze_age_metalwork might become mean identify intentional damage sustain use post deposition culminates damage ranking system utilised ass likelihood damage observe archaeological specimen intent damage ranking system applied bronze_age_metalwork south_west_england cornwall devon dorset somerset catalogue metalwork region recently update highlight instance deliberate destruction