The Amesbury Archer as a Metalworker

Journal of Neolithic Archaeology, 2018

In terms of funerary archaeology, the Bell Beaker period in Europe exhibits two main burial complexes: collective burials in the west and single graves in the east. This study focuses on the implication of stone wristguards, as well as other objects associated with archery, included in select single inhumation burials of the Eastern complex. Such stone wristguards are currently interpreted as a piece of protective equipment used by archers; however, their fabrications in stone and the overall lack of evidence for usage raises the question of practicality. Were these wristguards used in the everyday lives of warriors or were they symbolic? And were the individuals interred with these wristguards archers themselves? Answering these questions could address a bigger question concerning the presence of a social class of archers and its implications towards the importance of warfare at a time of transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. In order to respond to these questions, this paper first examines the evidence and the archaeological perspective on archery and warfare throughout the Neolithic, culminating in the Bell Beaker period. This is followed by an anthropological approach attempting to identify specialized archery from the osteological remains of 27 Bell Beaker individuals from Bohemia (Czech Republic). 10 of the individuals were buried in the presence of archery-related objects, primarily stone wristguards, thus classifying them as “suspected archers”. Anthropological analyses involved integrating the human biomechanics of archery with classifications of entheseal changes in order to postulate on an individual’s likelihood of having been a specialized archer. While these analyses revealed minimal differences between specific points on the skeletons of the suspected and nonsuspected archers, the suspected archers do share some common characteristics. This study validates the use of anthropological analyses in identifying specialized archers. These results also indicate that the individuals interred with stone wristguards were likely archers themselves. Identifying a specialized archer in the presence of artisanal archery goods provides additional evidence for a class of archers during the Bell Beaker period.

Nicolas C. (2019) - The production and use of archeryrelated items as a reflection of social changes during the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age in Europe, in S. Kadrow & J. Müller (eds), Habitus? The Social Dimension of Technology and Transformation. Leiden, Sidestone Press, p. 115-139., 2019

Dates ranging from 2500 to 1700 BCE are a period of major social and economic change in western and central Europe, with the spreading of the Bell Beaker Culture and the introduction or the development of metalworking (copper then bronze). At that time, archery-related items became peculiarly significant for the Bell Beaker and some Early Bronze Age communities. They include especially specific types of arrowheads and an original item, the stone bracer, thought to have adorned organic wristguards. Technological studies point to the objects that were more or less easily made during the Bell Beaker period, suggesting that each warrior was able to shape his own set, while during the Early Bronze Age, the level of know-how as well the context of production suggests that these items were manufactured by craftsmen for the elite. Use-wear analysis shows that these objects might be commonly worn. During the Bell Beaker period, part of the arrowhead and, to a lesser extent, some bracers were used for shooting. However, in some regions during the Early Bronze Age, these objects were intended for display only. These two types of production and uses of archery-related items illustrate a shift from the object-signs of the Bell Beaker warriors towards items alienated from their primary function or sacred objects of the Early Bronze Age elites. Finally, the wide distribution of Bell Beaker arrowheads and bracers allow considering the relevance of the circulation of ideas, objects and individuals in adopting a European fashion.

NICOLAS C., GUÉRET C. (2014) - Armorican Arrowheads Biographies : Production and Function of an Early Bronze Age prestige good from Brittany (France), Journal of Lithic Studies, 1, 2.

Brittany can pride itself on the Armorican arrowheads found in Early Bronze Age graves (2150-1700 BC). In the present state of knowledge, these are the only specialized craft products in knapped flint produced in this region at the western edge of continental Europe. Admired since the 19th century, these flint arrowheads have never really been studied. Due to the wealth of graves and grave-goods, a relatively precise study can be undertaken of the development of these craft products, despite the low number of reliable radiocarbon dates. These arrowheads are characterized by a well-defined type (pointed tang and oblique barbs) most often combined with ogival form. Raw materials show the selection of a high quality yellow translucent flint, of which the origin has to be sought at more than 400 kilometers (Lower Turonian flint from Cher Valley). From a technical point of view, Armorican arrowheads reveal a great mastery of retouch by pressure-flaking. This skill is written in stone by the perfection of forms, the extreme thinness (until 2,5 mm thick) and very long barbs (until 25 mm long). Such work could not have been done without the use of copper, even bronze, awls. Moreover, some marks may testify to the implication of these tools. On 549 arrowheads that have reached to us, none of them presents diagnostical impact features. However, use-wear analysis indicates that most of them were hafted (adhesive traces, bright spots, blunt edges). These facts suggest that they are less functional arrowheads than objects for the show. In the graves, Armorican arrowheads are frequently set down carefully in wooden boxes taking the shaft off. The Armorican arrowheads with their exotic raw materials, their high-degree of technicality, and their absence of use, have all features of a prestige good. They have been discovered by dozens in few graves under barrows with very rich funeral items (bronze daggers decorated with golden pins, precious bracers, silver beakers, etc.). According to these obvious facts, they symbolize the power of the elites. The genesis of Armorican arrowheads are in all likelihood explained by a climate of increasing social competition, which express itself in Brittany by an individualization of burial rites, a development of metalworking and a reorganization of territories. In this article, we will stress on raw materials selection, technology and know-how, as well as use-wear analyses. All these approaches will help us to trace the biographies of the Armorican arrowheads.

Despite of descend of stone industry importance at the end of Eneolithic highly attractive morphotypes – stone arrowheads – play important role in symbolic communication in Central European societies. Crystalizing warrior social class was not defined yet at vertical social stratification in a sense of warrior/power elites with their characteristic metal militaria – swords, shields, spears or armour parts. Stone arrowheads are deposited exclusively at male graves, although other warrior equipment as wrist guards, copper daggers or battle axes appears sometimes in wealthy female graves to. Arrowheads are traditionally interpreted as a typical warrior attribute because alimentary importance of hunting is minimal in that époque. Nevertheless their presence in burial grounds and settlements is low. Only small part of male graves includes arrowheads. Only small part of them includes more than unique one. Archer sets are not frequent. Together with other indicators – rare proves of shooting injuries on skeletons, questioned functionality of wrist guards, low diagnostic impact fracture of arrowheads tip percentage – it leads to interpret arrowheads as only symbolic attribute of male warrior bands crystalizing in that turbulent times. Nevertheless our results present long practical life of main part of analysed arrowheads from different contemporary cultures; despite of a fact arrowheads deposition in graves is inevitably symbolic. We see cyclic operational chaine with several reparations of tip fracture, practical ergonomic-ballistic features, hafting and transport use-wear and systematic care for functional condition of projectiles. This kind of manipulation is not only practical or useful. Weapons reparation, sharpening, inspecting etc. has important role in warriors’ ritualised inter-community behaviour. Warrior grave goods are accompanied by trophy artefacts in graves of some cultures; and we may suppose that deep symbolic of trophy fauna hunting was closely tied with ritualised members linking in male warrior brotherhoods.

In: S. Blum ‒ T. Efe ‒ T. L. Kienlin ‒ E. Pernicka (Hrsg.), From Past to Present. Studies in Memory of Manfred O. Korfmann (Bonn 2020) 33–43., 2020

The compositions of the graves from the Corded Ware culture (CWC) in the Vikletice cemetery are analyzed in this investigation using multivariate analysis, whereby the occurrence of bowls is discussed with a focus on meaning and practice, since they constitute an interesting parameter in the grave assembly. The form, function and context of this type of ceramic are explored. Bowls and “status objects” (battle axes, mace heads and objects of personal adornment) do not occur in the same graves. Furthermore, their distribution in the cemetery is separate. The bowl is interpreted as an “alternative status marker”, perhaps a marker of special roles in the community or a marker of ethnicity.

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 2004

In February 2000, ploughing disturbed the capstone of a cist, located on the side of a prominent knowe at Rameldry Farm, near Kingskettle in central Fife. Excavation by Headland Archaeology Ltd on behalf of Historic Scotland revealed a short cist which contained the crouched inhumation of a man aged 40-50, who had suffered from arthritis, some tooth loss and possibly Paget's Disease. He had been buried wearing a garment adorned with six V-perforated buttons. Five of these are of Whitby jet (including one with unique decoration including inlaid tin); the sixth is of the mineral lizardite, and has an enigmatic coating, possibly a glaze. Behind his shoulder was a dagger, of 'Milston type (East Kennet variant)'; it had had a fancy horn hilt and a scabbard lined with animal skin. The scabbard yielded two AMS radiocarbon dates, with a mean value of 2280-1970 cal  at 2s.

The widespread employment and acceptance of use-wear analysis on materials such as flint and bone has not been accompanied by a parallel development in archaeometallurgy. This article explores its potential and problems through the investigation of socketed axes in eastern Yorkshire, in England and south-east Scotland during the late Bronze Age. Experimental work on modern replications of socketed axes was compared with wear traces on prehistoric socketed axes. The results indicate that prehistoric socketed axes had been used as multi-purpose tools, but that the nature and extent of their uses before deposition varied considerably. By combining use-wear analysis with contextual information on socketed axes in the late Bronze Age landscape, ideas concerning their significance can be explored.

2000

Archaeological finds from the Late Bronze Age fortified settlements in eastern Baltic include arrowheads, which are outstanding for their careful finishing. Investigating the making of arrowheads, a certain standardization of arrowheads and uniform manufacturing techniques can be observed. The attention is paid to working traces on these arrowheads; a replica of such arrowhead was also made. An answer is sought to the question whether bone arrowheads were used as weapons or for hunting. Considering the shape and properties of bone arrowheads, as well as the absence or scarceness of arrowheads of other material on these sites, one may conclude that the carefully elaborated bone arrowheads were used for warfare.

Universitätsforschungen zur prähistorischen Archäologie 376, 2022

Around 2400-2200 BC the funerary rite in southeastern Poland underwent significant changes compared to the Final Eneolithic period. The new ritual combined features of two large cultural complexes: the older being the Corded Ware (CW) and the younger being the Bell Beakers (BB). In taxonomic terms, this new phenomenon was initially included into the "Chłopice-Veselé culture", but today it is usually referred to as the "Proto-Mierzanowice phase", considered as the initial developmental stage of the Mierzanowice culture complex (c. 2300-1600 BC). 2 While ceramics connected with this period, mainly cups with zonal corded decoration, 3 have been the subject of broader studies, the small number of sepulchral finds and poor quality of much of the data did not allow for a detailed discussion of other furnishings and a comprehen