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Beaker age bracers in England: sources, function and use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Ann Woodward ,
John Hunter ,
Rob Ixer ,
Fiona Roe ,
Philip J. Potts ,
Peter C. Webb ,
John S. Watson  and
Michael C. Jones
Ann Woodward
Affiliation:
1Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
John Hunter
Affiliation:
1Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Rob Ixer
Affiliation:
2Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Fiona Roe
Affiliation:
3Blackthorn Cottage, Vicarage Lane, Hillesley, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 7RA, UK
Philip J. Potts
Affiliation:
4Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
Peter C. Webb
Affiliation:
4Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
John S. Watson
Affiliation:
4Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
Michael C. Jones
Affiliation:
5Department of Statistics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
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Extract

The authors review the significance of bracers by undertaking a detailed examination of their morphology, fragmentation, manufacture and wear. The results have a number of implications regarding their use and value and this is supported by the use of petrographic and geochemical analyses which suggest discrete patterns of raw material acquisition. A description of the technical methodology and appropriate data tables are available at http://www.antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/woodward.

Keywords

bracerBeakerBritainuse wearpetrographygeochemistry
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 80 , Issue 309 , 1 September 2006 , pp. 530 - 543
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2006

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