Mirrors are amongst the most well known British Iron Age objects. They are of a type which is peculiar to Britain and are significantly different in form from contemporary Greek, Etruscan and Roman forms. 58 mirrors are known. They are made of bronze and iron, or sometimes a combination of bronze and iron components. Mirrors comprise a handle and a reflective plate, which is often decorated with intricate and free-flowing designs. Some plates are also rimmed. Mirrors are found throughout Britain; two have been discovered in Ireland and two others are known from the continent. They are most commonly found in graves; but were also deposited in bogs and rarely at settlements. They date to the mid-late Iron Age. This book tests the applicability of the biographical approach to prehistoric objects and the application of the biographical approach to prehistoric material culture is evaluated by constructing biographies for Iron Age mirrors.
Author(s): Jody Joy
Series: BAR British Archaeological Reports British Series 518
Publisher: BAR Publishing
Year: 2010
Language: English
Commentary: title pages are missing
Pages: 184
City: Oxford
List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
Chapter 1. introduction
Chapter 2. Biographical Approach
Chapter 3. Making Mirrors
Chapter 4a. Mirror Decoration
Chapter 4b. Mirror Decoration
Chapter 5. Analysis of Use
Chapter 6. Mirror Form
Chapter 7. Mirror as Social Nexus
Chapter 8. Dating Audit
Chapter 9. Depositional Context
Chapter 10. Biographical Mirrors
Chapter 11. Conclusions
Appendix A. Catalogue of British Mirrors
Appendix Ab. Catalogue of British Mirrors
Appendix B. Dating Audit
Appendix C. Decorated with mirror motifs
Appendix D. Mirror Handles
Appendix E. Trace Element
Appendix F. Decorated Plates
Appendix G. Mirror Size
Appendix H. Use wear analysis
References
