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Flint Use in England after the Bronze Age: Time for a Re-evaluation?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

R. Young  and
J. Humphrey
J. Humphrey
Affiliation:
School of Archaeological Studies, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH
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Abstract

Lithic assemblages from a variety of English later Bronze and Iron Age contexts are examined here in an effort to stimulate debate about the later prehistoric exploitation of flint. It is suggested that a variety of technological and morphological features, supporting the idea of discrete later industries, can be identified. A special plea is made to excavators of Late Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement sites to pay greater attention to the contexts of deposition (and to the other artefactual associations), of recovered lithic material. Flint finds should not automatically be written off as residual from earlier activity on settlements.

Résumé

On examine ici des assemblages lithiques provenant de divers contextes de la fin de l’âge du bronze anglais et de l'âge du fer dans le souci de stimuler le débat sur l'exploitation des silex au préhistorique tardif. On suggère qu'il est possible d'identifier diverses caractéristiques technologiques et morphologiques qui corroborent l’idée de l’existence d’industries tardives indépendantes. On adresse une requête spéciale aux archéologues qui fouillent des sites d'occupation de 1' âge du bronze tardif et de l'âge du fer d'accorder une plus grande attention aux contextes des dépôts de matériaux lithiques, (et aux autres associations d’objets fabriqués). Les trouvailles de silex ne devraient pas être automatiquement classées comme résidus d’une activité antérieure sur le site.

Zusammenfassung

In diesem Beitrag werden Ansammlungen von Steinartefakten aus mehreren englischen Fundzusammenh ängen der Späten Bronzezeit und der Eisenzeit mit der Absicht untersucht, eine Diskussion zum Feuerstein Abbau in der jüngeren Vorgeschichte anzuregen. Die Autoren schlagen vor, dass eine Reihe von technologischen und morphologischen Merkmalen identifiziert werden kann, die die Vorstellung von einzelnen späteren Industrien unterstützt. Dabei werden besonders die Ausgräber spätbronzezeitlicher und eisenzeitlicher Siedlungen aufgefordert, ihre Aufmerksamkeit in verstärktem Maße den Fundkontexten mit geborgenem Feuerstein Material (und den anderen Fundzusammenhängen von Artefakten) zu widmen. Feuersteinfunde sollten nicht automatisch als Überreste vorhergehender Aktivität in Siedlungen verloren gegeben werden.

Résumen

En este trabajo se examina material lítico procedente de varios yacimientos de la Tarda Edad del Bronce y de la Edad del Hierro en Inglaterra. El estudio pretende estimular el debate sobre la explotación de sílex en los últimos momentos de la prehistoria. Se sugiere que es posible identificar una variedad de características tecnológicas y morfológicas, lo que avalora la idea de industrias tardas diferenciables. En el artículo se hace una petición especial a los excavadores de poblados de la Tarda Edad del Bronce y de la Edad del Hierro para que den más importancia a los contextos de deposición (y a las otras asociaciones de artefactos) del material lítico recobrado. Los hallazgos de sílex no deberían ser automáticamente descartados como residuales de actividades anteriores en los poblados.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 65 , 1999 , pp. 231 - 242
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 1999

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