Hoards and deposition of the Bronze and Iron Age in Ireland
Katharina Becker
Supervisor: Prof. Barry Raftery, Archaeology
Dr. Joanna Brück, Archaeology
Funded by: Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) 2002-2003
Abstract
The aim of this study is a comprehensive examination and analysis of patterns of deposition of the Bronze- and Iron Age in Ireland with the main focus on hoards of metalwork. Hoards are defined as the deposition of more than one artefact in the ground. The phenomenon of this type of deposition is known from the Neolithic onwards, the largest number of prehistoric hoards being deposited in the Bronze Age, with around 200 finds. However, while grave finds are quite straightforward in terms of an interpretation, the possible reasons why such large numbers of artefacts of considerable value were placed in the ground and not retrieved have been debated in research history ever since the definition of this class of find. Two opposing lines of interpretation have dominated the discussion. On the one hand profane reasons such as the safekeeping of objects, has been seen as the reason why they got into the ground, on the other hand ritual motives such as votive offerings have been put forward. While these two explanations probably cannot be seen as mutually exclusive archaeologist have argued over which was the dominant stimulans for deposits, which can range in size from two to around 200 pieces. The argument has focussed on some key issues, which have been extensively discussed on the basis of finds from different European regions. These include the composition of the assemblage, the types and numbers of artefacts included, their arrangement and the context of deposition. Hence finds from wet sites were usually seen as ritual finds, since they were not retrievable and hoards found in dry contexts were interpreted as profane finds, which were intended to be retrieved. While these aspects will be examined and the arguments discussed and some of them also challenged in this thesis, other aspects, which will help to clarify the character of these depositions in Ireland will also be examined. The results of this study will be set into an European context, comparing with the results of recent regional studies.
AimsThe aim of this study is a diachronic outline of depositional practice of the Bronze and Iron Age in Ireland, setting the hoarding of metal artefacts into context and examining it as a culturally defined activity. It will also treat the interpretation of the hoard phenomenon, the reasons for assembling a hoard, the reasons for its deposition and its nonretrieval.
- While hoards were traditionally seen as a class of deposition apart from grave and single finds, recent research seems to indicate that they in fact have to be seen as a part of a quite complex depositional system. While the reasons behind the deposition of objects in graves is relatively clear, the role of single finds is more difficult to pin down. The traditional view, that they were lost or discarded artefacts or the remains of sites that had been destroyed has been challenged by research in recent year. Research comparing hoards, single finds and burials has demonstrated clear patterns in the types of artefacts deposited in each context, suggesting intentional selection. This has been taken to indicate the deliberate deposition of single finds. So not just the range of artefacts deposited in hoards and their quantities will be examined but also for each artefact type the range and frequency of occurence in different contexts will be established. The differences in types of artefacts deposited in the different contexts will be examined in order to gain a picture of the wider depositional system and the role of hoards within it.
- The second approach taken will concentrate on the hoards themselves. This is being done by analysing:
- the content of the hoards in terms of artefact types and quantities deposited, imported material and
- their depositional contexts.
On the basis of this examination different hoard types will be defined. Their pre-depositional history will be reconstructed and reasons for their deposition and non-retrieval put forward.
By examining the objects themselves the following aspects will be considered:- the condition of the objects in terms of wear, breakage and damage
- the weight of the artefacts and their fragments
This will help to answer the question, if objects, when deposited were new, used, not usable any more or intentionally destroyed. This will give significant information on the character of the different types of deposits and allow to reconstruct their predepositional history.
The weight of the artefacts or their fragments will on the one hand be used to quantify the amount of material that was taken out of circulation and on the other hand to discuss the issue of premonetary units, that might be represented in form of complete objects or fragments.- the patination of the objects
The patination of the objects is not only relevant in terms of the distinction between prehistoric or recent damage or wear on the objects, but also a source of information on the original depositional context.
- As in other areas of Northern and Western Europe the characteristics of deposition of metalwork in Ireland vary over time. While there are large numbers of hoards known from the Late Bronze Age, smaller numbers were placed in the ground during the Early Bronze Age and Middle Bronze Age, while during the Iron Age besides a small number of hoards single finds in watery contexts dominate. Also regional differences have emerged in previous research. This indicates that the role of hoarding and deposition changed over time. This might reflect cultural and social, religious or economic developments. Defining these changes and discussing their potential reasons is one of the aims of this thesis, with special interest in the changes between the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age.