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Digital imaging and prehistoric imagery: a new analysis of the Folkton Drums

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 October 2015

Andrew Meirion Jones ,
Andrew Cochrane ,
Chris Carter ,
Ian Dawson ,
Marta Díaz-Guardamino ,
Eleni Kotoula  and
Louisa Minkin
Andrew Meirion Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, Avenue Campus, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BF, UK (Email: [email protected])
Andrew Cochrane
Affiliation:
School of History, Archaeology and Religion, Cardiff University, John Percival Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff CF10 3EU, UK
Chris Carter
Affiliation:
Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, Park Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8DL, UK
Ian Dawson
Affiliation:
Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, Park Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8DL, UK
Marta Díaz-Guardamino
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, Avenue Campus, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BF, UK (Email: [email protected])
Eleni Kotoula
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, Avenue Campus, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BF, UK (Email: [email protected])
Louisa Minkin
Affiliation:
Central St. Martins, University of the Arts London, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4AA, UK
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Abstract

The Folkton ‘Drums’ constitute three of the most remarkable decorated objects from Neolithic Britain. New analysis using Reflectance Transformation Imaging and photogrammetry has revealed evidence for previously unrecorded motifs, erasure and reworking. Hence these chalk drums were not decorated according to a single, pre-ordained scheme, but were successively carved and recarved over time. Such practices may have been widespread in the making of artefacts in Neolithic Britain. The study of these drums also demonstrates the ability of these new techniques not only to record visible motifs, but to document erased and reworked motifs clearly.

Keywords

North YorkshireUKNeolithicerasureexperimentationreworkingReflectance Transformation Imagingphotogrammetry
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 89 , Issue 347 , October 2015 , pp. 1083 - 1095
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2015 

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