Libby, Katie (2022) Early Medieval Copper Alloy Dress Accessories in the Kingdom of Lindsey. PhD thesis, University of Sheffield.
Abstract
Copper alloy objects are some of the most prominent material remains from the Early Medieval period in England, and are most frequently found through metal detecting. However, due to the decontextualised nature of their discovery, metal detected objects are often overlooked by analytical academic studies. This research addresses this imbalance, and demonstrates the potential of metal artefacts recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme in further scientific analysis. This thesis establishes a chronology for Early Medieval object types within the the former Kingdom of Lindsey, a region that traditionally has been largely understudied archaeologically. Focusing primarily on objects recovered through metal detecting, but also supplemented by those found on selected excavations, this thesis presents a pXRF survey of 293 Early Medieval copper alloy items of personal display as well as some additional material, ranging in date from the Early Saxon period to the Second Viking Age (c. 450-1100 AD). This survey is the first detailed scientific study of its kind, and the only one to focus on metal detected finds from Lincolnshire. The thesis establishes both a chronological overview of the broad changes occurring within copper alloy compositions and explores whether these changes were connected to concurrent Early Medieval socio-political developments. Questions are raised relating to metal supply, recycling, and cultural influence on production. In particular, the analysis has highlighted a significant decrease in the use tin within the alloys, whilst the inclusion of lead increased over the course of the study period. This thesis explores the possible circumstances surrounding production traditions in Lindsey that may have resulted in such a change, whilst highlighting the role that the Portable Antiquities Scheme can play in future scientific analysis of archaeological metals.
Metadata
Supervisors: | Hugh, Willmott |
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Awarding institution: | University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Sheffield) > Archaeology (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Archaeology (Sheffield) The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Sheffield) |
Identification Number/EthosID: | uk.bl.ethos.865294 |
Depositing User: | Dr Kathryn Libby |
Date Deposited: | 25 Oct 2022 09:31 |
Last Modified: | 01 Dec 2022 10:55 |
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