The Westland cauldrons constitute the largest group of so called Roman imports in Norway. 112 cauldrons are recorded, of these 110 are found in graves. This work gives an exhaustive presentation of all the known finds with Westland cauldrons in Norway. A new classification of the cauldrons is made, based on an analysis of the cauldron’s profile. The cauldrons are divided into two classes, 1 and 2, each subdivided into types. The chronology of the cauldrons is investigated within an already existing framework, showing that the new classification also is chronologically relevant. Type 2C cauldrons cover the Late Roman Iron Age (C3) and the Migration Period, whereas class 1 cauldrons are found only in the C3, and type 2D cauldrons only in the late Migration Period. Different production techniques are discussed in detail. Class 1 cauldrons are hammered, class 2 cauldrons are both hammered and treated on a lathe. Based on the metalworking techniques a local, Norwegian production is rejected. The significance of Westland cauldrons in the West Norwegian society is discussed. A comparison between the graves containing cauldrons and a contemporary group of graves showed that there is a qualitative, but not a quantitative difference between the groups. There is also a fluctuation in wealth through time in both groups. The cauldrons served as status markers amongst the living. As gravegoods they could serve to further enhance the reputation of the deceased and the family. The fluctuation in the wealth of the graves is interpreted as an in- or decreasing need for social competition in an inherently unstable society. Finally the mode of exchange is discussed, pointing to the importance of gift exchange, both as a means of acquiring high status goods, creating a retinue and forming alliances, but also as a means to facilitate the exchange of more mundane necessity products.
Author(s): Åsa Dahlin Hauken
Series: AmS-Skrifter, 19
Publisher: Museum of Archaeology, Stavanger
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 176
PREFACE 6
Geographical conventions 7
CHAPTER 1. Introduction 9
CHAPTER 2. The material 11
Number and distribution 11
Corpse Treatment and Grave forms 11
Grave goods 14
Gold objects 14
Pottery 15
Imports 16
Combs 16
Tools 17
Gaming-pieces and dice 17
Other bone objects 17
Weapons 17
Brooches 18
Clasps 18
Men or women? 18
Osteological evidence 18
CHAPTER 3. Classification 20
Earlier classifications 20
Criticism and a new classification 22
Terminology 22
Morphology 23
Calculation of proportions 24
New types. Definitions and classification 25
Practicalities 27
Typology 27
CHAPTER 4. Chronology 29
Source criticism 33
The chronology of Westland cauldrons 36
The distribution of the Westland cauldrons through time 43
Conclusion 45
CHAPTER 5. Production 46
Metal analyses 46
Metalworking 47
Casting 47
Non-cutting techniques – moving metal 47
Cutting techniques: removing metal 48
The production of Westland cauldrons 48
Production area 49
Function 50
CHAPTER 6. The significance of the Westland cauldrons in West Norwegian Early Iron Age society 51
Introduction 51
Question and Hypothesis 53
Method 53
Analysis 53
Interpretation 55
Summary 57
CHAPTER 7. Trade and exchange 58
Trade and exchange: some definitions 58
Economic systems 58
Models of exchange – The Roman Empire and Germania Libera 59
Westland cauldrons – their route to Norway 59
Another possibility? 61
Gift-exchange 61
Westland cauldrons – exchange in Norway 62
The necessary gift exchange – Donare necesse est 62
REFERENCES 64
APPENDIX I. The Westland cauldrons in the Neupotz hoard 71
APPENDIX II. Catalogue of the Westland cauldrons in Norway 74
APPENDIX III. Westland cauldrons found outside Norway 92
APPENDIX IV. List of lost copper alloy cauldrons (possibly Westland cauldrons) in Norway 95
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE: Finds in alphabetical order with catalogue number 97
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE: Museum inventory numbers – Catalogue numbers 99
Profile drawings, scale 1:2, with analytic diagrams:
Type 1A 100
Type 1B 102
Type 1C 104
Type 1D 105
Type 2C 106
Type 2D 112
PLATES 117
Guidelines for authors of AmS-Skrifter 174
