Material genealogies: Bronze moulds and their castings in Later Bronze Age Britain

Webley, L. and Adams, S. (2016) Material genealogies: Bronze moulds and their castings in Later Bronze Age Britain. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 82, pp. 323-340. (doi: 10.1017/ppr.2016.8)

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Abstract

Bivalve bronze moulds were used for casting bronze and lead objects – mainly axes – during the Middle and Late Bronze Age. These remarkable artefacts, which were sometimes beautifully decorated, have been surprisingly little studied. This paper discusses the bronze moulds from Britain, outlining the range of possibilities that existed for the life courses of these objects during the three broad stages of manufacture, use, and deposition. Two points will be emphasised. First, it will be shown that the biographical pathways available to bronze moulds differed significantly from those of moulds made from stone or clay, which may relate to the differing properties and conceptual associations of these three materials. Secondly, the relationships between the life courses of bronze moulds and the artefacts cast in them will be explored, focusing particularly on cases in which moulds and their castings were deposited together in the same hoard. It will be suggested that the ‘genealogical’ link between a mould and its ‘offspring’ could have formed a significant element of the biography of both objects.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Adams, Dr Sophia
Authors: Webley, L., and Adams, S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0079-497X
ISSN (Online):0079-497X
Published Online:27 July 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Prehistoric Society
First Published:First published in Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 82:323-340
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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