Metalwork wear analysis: The loss of innocence

Dolfini, Andrea; Crellin, Rachel J.

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2015.12.005

Cited by 43 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In recent years, some scholars have challenged this interpretation of the period andargued instead that BA weapons could have been functional and efficient (e.g. Anderson, 2011;Dolfini and Crellin, 2016;Horn, 2013;Kristiansen, 2002;Molloy, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An experimental investigation of sharp force skeletal trauma with replica Bronze Age weapons

Downing

Fibiger

2017

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An experimental investigation of sharp force skeletal trauma with replica Bronze Age weapons

Downing

Fibiger

2017

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Technological analyses of the silver surface of the spearhead sockets and blades and the surface of the gold plates of all three items were carried out. Traces on the metals are associated with both production and post‐depositional processes (Dolfini and Crellin , 79). We have identified first the use‐wear traces on the surface of the artefacts; secondly, traces left by the casting; and, thirdly, traces left by the tools that the smith used to make the decorative patterns on both the silver base of the spearheads and the gold plates.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metalworking Techniques on the Eurasian Steppes in the Late Bronze Age: Technical Analyses of the Borodino Treasure Spearheads

Shishlina

Loboda

2019

Oxford J Archaeology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary The Late Bronze Age is a period characterized by chariots and riders, spearheads, bows and battle axes. Such are the assemblages of grave goods attributed to the Seima‐Turbino, Timber‐grave, Abashevo, Sintashta, Pokrovsk and other cultures of the Eurasian forest‐steppe and steppe belt. Although hoard deposits are comparatively rare in this context, this category of finds has also provided some extraordinary examples of metalwork. This paper reports on the analysis of three such artefacts, namely the gold‐ornamented silver‐alloy spearheads from the ‘treasure’ recovered near Borodino in Ukraine at the beginning of the twentieth century. The high‐ resolution technological study of these items presented here includes experimental research to produce similar decorative patterns and a comparison of the resulting traces and imprints with the original archaeological artefacts. The results help to identify use‐wear traces and reveal new information about casting and crafting techniques, tool sets and individual technical styles. Although the spearheads share some basic decorative features such as a gold plate attached to the silver, variations in the tools used and the technical repertoire – chasing, punching, and cutting – suggest that the spearheads were decorated by different hands. The study inevitably leaves many questions about the ‘life history’ for these objects unanswered, but takes the first steps towards a more complete understanding of this remarkable assemblage.

show abstract

“…This paper follows the metalwork wear-analysis methodology described in Dolfini and Crellin (2016): it draws on experimental work to inform macro-and microscopic analyses of the surfaces of prehistoric axes. The paper draws on the existing published literature regarding metalwork wearanalysis on axes (primarily Dolfini, 2011;Kienlin and Ottaway, 1998;Roberts and Ottaway, 2003;Soriano Llopis and Guitérrez Sáez, 2009).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Greenwell (1820-1918) (see Graves, 2005;Murray, 2005) In this paper, I present the results of metalwork wear-analysis carried out on these axes in the British Museum stores. Metalwork wear-analysis is a developing field of archaeological science that allows practitioners to consider how objects were made and used by examining microscopic traces left on the surface of the objects (see Dolfini and Crellin, 2016). The technique has its foundations in the work of Semenov (1964) and was later developed first for the study of axes (Kienlin and Ottaway, 1998; Roberts and Ottaway, 2003) though in recent years it has been more frequently used to study bronze weapons (see for example, Anderson, 2011;Bridgford, 1997;2000;Gutiérrez-Sáez et al, 2010;2014;Horn, 2013;2014;Kristiansen, 2002;Mödlinger, 2011;Molloy, 2007;2009;2010;O'Flaherty, 2007a;2007b;O'Flaherty et al, 2011;Uckelmann, 2011;Wall, 1987;York, 2002).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the British and Irish Early Bronze Age flat axes of the Greenwell Collection at the British Museum

Crellin

2018

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper presents the results of metalwork wear-analysis carried out on British and Irish Early Bronze Age copper and copper-alloy flat axes from the collection of Rev. Greenwell (1820-1918) held at the British Museum. Greenwell was a prolific and well-known British antiquarian; part of his collection was sold to John Pierpont Morgan who donated the axes to the museum in 1908. This paper focuses on the copper and copper-alloy flat axes from within this collection, which date to c. 2500-1700 cal BC and are the earliest form of metal axe in Britain and Ireland. The 38 axes are drawn from across Britain and Ireland, and whilst the contextual information associated with them is not complete this paper shows that there is still much we can learn from these objects using metalwork wear-analysis. In addition, some methodological insights are drawn from this analysis: in particular the paper advocates for more detailed recording of corrosion and specific recording of wear marks to the butts of axes. Highlights • This paper presents the results of metalwork wear-analysis carried out on copper and copper-alloy flat axes from Britain and Ireland held by the British Museum as part of the Greenwell Collection • It argues for the recording of additional data during metalwork wear-analysis regarding corrosion which can allow practitioners to interpret information regarding hafting. • At present, it is standard to observe wear on the blades of axes, however, this paper argues that analysis of the butt can also be informative • The paper demonstrates that the majority of axes deposited at this time were used but that the nature of that use was varied. Many axes were deposited whilst still suitable for use and some were even sharpened prior to deposition. • The paper also reveals some specific histories of different axes that were combined in hoards and indicates the potential for further research focused on hoarding in the Early Bronze Age.

show abstract

Metalwork wear analysis: The loss of innocence

Cited by 43 publications

References 41 publications

An experimental investigation of sharp force skeletal trauma with replica Bronze Age weapons

An experimental investigation of sharp force skeletal trauma with replica Bronze Age weapons

Metalworking Techniques on the Eurasian Steppes in the Late Bronze Age: Technical Analyses of the Borodino Treasure Spearheads

Examining the British and Irish Early Bronze Age flat axes of the Greenwell Collection at the British Museum

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About