The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons, and Ornaments, of Great Britain and Ireland.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

53092

Title

The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons, and Ornaments, of Great Britain and Ireland.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

John Evans provides a definitive survey of ancient bronze artifacts from Great Britain and Ireland, focusing on celts, weapons, and ornaments. This scholarly work traces the evolution of these implements from early cutting tools to sophisticated weaponry, offering detailed typological classifications and historical context for antiquarians.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons, and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland,' John Evans presents a rigorous systematic catalogue of the region's Bronze Age artifacts. The treatise begins with an extensive analysis of the 'celt' or hatchet, exploring its etymology and diverse forms, including flat, flanged, winged, and socketed varieties. Evans critically evaluates historical opinions regarding their manufacture, arguing against the notion that these tools were solely Roman imports; instead, he posits they were British inventions often refined under Roman influence. The narrative progresses to a detailed classification of spear-heads and lance-heads, describing leaf-shaped designs, ogival outlines, and intricate ornamentation such as punched rings, chevrons, and fluting. Evans documents numerous archaeological finds across the landscape, from hoards in Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Lancashire to specific sites in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall, often noting their association with swords and other bronze items. Beyond weaponry, the work encompasses a vast array of tools and personal adornments, including chisels, gouges, sickles, knives, razors, daggers, halberds, maces, shields, helmets, trumpets, bells, pins, torques, and vessels like caldrons. Throughout the text, Evans provides precise measurements and references to major museum collections, such as the British Museum, while citing earlier authorities like Borlase, Camden, and Leland. He addresses the debate over whether bronze celts were used for agricultural purposes, war, or even as chisels for stone carving, concluding that they served multiple functions. By establishing a foundation for the study of Bronze Age metallurgy, Evans demonstrates that while some artifacts show Roman stylistic influence, the core technology and many designs represent indigenous British fabrication. The work serves as both a comprehensive inventory and a scholarly defense of the antiquity and sophistication of pre-Roman British craftsmanship.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• History
• Archaeology