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For Gods or men? A reappraisal of the function of European Bronze Age shields

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Barry Molloy
Barry Molloy*
Affiliation:
*UCD School of Archaeology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland (Email: barrymolloy@gmail.com)
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Abstract

Are the imposing, decorated copper-alloy shields of Bronze Age Europe symbolic objects or functioning weapons? The author undertakes new analysis and experiments to conclude that whether bronze, leather or wood, all shields had a range of purpose in which the ceremonial and homicidal could rarely be completely isolated.

Keywords

EuropeBronze Age combatshieldsexperimentJohn Coles
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 83 , Issue 322 , December 2009 , pp. 1052 - 1064
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2009

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