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Changing Times: the Emergence of a Bronze Age on the Isle of Man

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Changing Times: the Emergence of a Bronze Age on the Isle of Man Changing times: the emergence of a Bronze Age on the Isle of Man. Rachel Joanne Crellin Doctor of Philosophy School of History, Classics and Archaeology Newcastle University February 2014 i Abstract In this thesis I consider the study of change. I present a critique of existing approaches to the study of change and time in a prehistoric context. I develop an approach that moves beyond explanations of change where change is the result of singular causation located in a single moment of time. I critically consider how change is understood in the work of key relational thinkers such as Latour, Bennett, Ingold and DeLanda, developing an understanding of change which stresses the interplay between continuously fluxing assemblages and episodes of dramatic change (phase transitions). The theoretical position established is applied to interpreting change during the Ronaldsway Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age on the Isle of Man in an evidence-led analysis of material culture, mortuary practices and transformation of place. I focus on axes of stone and bronze and use them as a means to explore the effects of changing technology. New use-wear analysis on the Early Bronze Age corpus of metalwork from the Isle of Man is presented as a means of exploring the impact of bronze as a new material. I consider burial practices from 3000-1500 cal BC supported by twelve new radiocarbon dates. I also address changing relations with earth, drawing together diverse evidence including Earthfast Jar practices, the construction of burial monuments and the settlement evidence from the period. A new narrative for the period emerges highlighting the strength of an approach that draws on relational thinking. This approach emphasises the role of non-human actants in producing both continuity and change. It establishes the role of specific actants in the changing assemblages of the Manx Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, illustrating how change emerges from the constant flux that is endemic within actants at every scale. Change is presented as complex, relational and multiple. It is traceable through careful consideration of gradual changes at multiple scales by considering the quivering hives of activity within every assemblage. ii Acknowledgements This thesis adopts an approach that stresses the importance of relations rather than individuals for understanding our world: the production of this thesis is no exception. There are many people and institutions to whom my thanks are due. The Isle of Man Government provided funding for this research. Newcastle University kindly granted me a stipend in my first year. The Manx Heritage Foundation generously sponsored new radiocarbon dates which have enhanced what I have been able to say in this thesis. Manx National Heritage provided permission and assistance for me to carry out use-wear analysis and radiocarbon dating and provided some of the images used in the thesis. My thanks to the Board of Trustees of Manx National Heritage. My supervisors, Chris Fowler and Jan Harding, have provided support and guidance throughout the completion of this thesis. It has benefitted greatly from their input – I am very grateful to them. Andrea Dolfini is my teacher and mentor in the world of use-wear. My gratitude is due to him for instructing me, lending me equipment and giving me opportunities to hone my skills and his helpful guidance and comments on Chapter 5. I want to thank all those at Newcastle that have helped and supported me – PhD students and members of staff alike. Pete Topping has been particularly kind supplying articles, books and a vast knowledge of all things relating to stone axes. Sophie Moore made me feel welcome at Newcastle and was a most excellent guide to the university and school, more than that she was a supportive and excellent housemate (I hope I was able to be the same). Ollie Harris has been a friend and mentor to me for the last five years. Conversations with Ollie were crucial in applying for this PhD and in the construction of the theoretical aspects of this thesis. Ollie kindly read Chapter 4 and provided insightful guidance and comment. I hope that it reaches the standard he would expect. On the Isle of Man my thanks are due to many people. My colleagues, past and present, at the Centre for Manx Studies have always provided me with guidance, unpublished materials, support and access to reports and books. Particular thanks are due to Peter Davey for access to his unpublished article on Ballaharra, Kate Chapman for searching for many missing reports, David Radcliffe for giving me access to his databases of sites, Jenny Woodcock for providing guidance on radiocarbon dates and Kate Barrs for offering me copies of her Master’s thesis and data from her forthcoming PhD. Claire Corkill and Ray Moore gave me my first iii archaeological experiences on the island and continue to guide me today in all things relating to Manx archaeology. At Manx National Heritage my thanks are due to all of the library staff at the Manx Museum, especially Wendy, Alan and Steve. Allison Fox has been incredibly kind and generous with her time providing me with access to materials in the museum and helping chase enquires of me. She also helped to guide me through the process of gaining permission to carry out new radiocarbon dating. My sincere thanks are due to Richard Halliday for proof reading the majority of this thesis for me. He was incredibly patient and his keen eye and masterful grasp of English grammar, style and writing have improved this thesis vastly. I cannot thank him enough. “Team archaeology” are always happy to offer advice and guidance – their vast and varied wisdom has been hugely helpful and speeded me on my way in enquiries obscure and peculiar. In particular, Luíseach Nic Eoin, Cassia Pennington and Hannah Merron deserve a special mention. My whole family have provided me with a great deal of support throughout this thesis, most especially in the final year when I moved back to the Isle of Man. My parents have always provided support and guidance to me. They let their house fill up with PhD detritus and offered me a place to work and live when I left Newcastle. I cannot thank them enough for putting up with me in the final stressful months. My brother, Richard, has provided patient guidance and proof read many texts throughout this process. Dave learnt to love archaeology (I think) and his family learnt to put up with it! Dave has visited more archaeological sites than any non-archaeologist should ever have to. His help with photographs, images and diagrams has greatly improved the appearance of this thesis. My Mum, Dad, Richard and Dave kept me and the thesis together when we wanted to fall apart, it is because of them that it reached this point. iv Notes to the text Images All images of objects from the Isle of Man are with the kind permission of Manx National Heritage. All maps based on aerial photographs are Crown Copyright. Radiocarbon dates All dates have been calibrated using OxCal 4.2. Unless otherwise stated all dates are cited at 95.4% probability. Abbreviations MNH – Manx National Heritage RTB – Roughened Truncated Butt OED – Oxford English Dictionary COS – Carbon on Sherd v Table of Contents Abstract ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii Acknowledgements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii Notes to the text ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- v Images --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- v Radiocarbon dates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ v Abbreviations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ v Table of Contents --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vi Table of Figures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ix Table of Tables ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ xvi 1. Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Relations in Flux -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 The Ronaldsway Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age ---------------------------------------------- 5 The Isle of Man ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 A foundation for research ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 An emerging methodology and focus --------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 2. The Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age in Britain and Ireland ---------------------------------- 15 Considering Periodisation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 Late Neolithic ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 Beakers in Britain ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 Early Bronze Age ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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