The Bronze Age Flashcards
when was the bronze age
2000 BC - 500 BC
What is bronze a mixture of
copper and tin
where is one of the largest collections of BA gold ornaments in the world, and where were these ornaments found
the national museum of ireland
they were found in bogs
why was this time referred to as irelands golden age
because a lot of high quality gold ornaments were found in bogs around ireland
where was silver found
the silvermines in Tipperary
where was copper found
mount gabriel in west cork
where was gold found
alluvial gold was panned from the streams and rivers in the wicklow hills
when was the early bronze age
2000BC-1500BC
when was the middle bronze age
1500BC-1200BC
when was the late bronze age
1200BC-500BC
what was copper traded with english tradesmen for
tin
when is the gold disc from and where
2000BC- Early Bronze Age, Tedavent, Co. Monaghan
what was the function of the gold disc
accessory, belt decoration,sewn to garment as decoration
form of Gold Sun Disc
round golden piece, measuring 7cm in diameter.
discs were beaten into thin sheet of gold- easier for decoration, casting techniques involving the pouring of molten gold into the desired shape.
techniques used with gold discs
repousse, compasses
for the gold dics, a nugget or lump of gold was annealed (heated and allowed to cool slowly) and beaten flat
A circle was cut from it and decorated using the repousse method.
compasses/tracer were used for decoration
decoration of gold discs
chevrons, concentric circles, dots and a cross
cross, enclosed by concentric cirlces, patterened by chevrons and dots
when is the gold lunula from
1800BC
gold lunula form
20cm in diamater
gold beaten into thin sheet, cut in shape of crescent
paddle shaped ends thicker, locking device
technique lunula
insicion
decoration lunula
incised patter of triangles,lozenges and chevrons near the ends of the crescent all around the perimeter
plate so thin the decorations can be seen from the back
four bands of horizontal decoration
two pairs of parallel lines with chevron strokes inside and bordered by triangles above and below
ribboned torc form
edges of gold band beaten thin before twisting - ribbon effect
ribbon torc function
work around neck, waist, arms, or as earrings
decoration ribbon torc
twisting to create ribbon effect
technique ribbon torc
straps of gold beaten out from the centre to very thin edges before twisting. thicker metal forms buttons at end to interlock
flanged torc
made by hammering flanges out from the angles of square or triangular bars before twisting
what was the late bronze age also known as
the dowris phase
gold fibula function
gold dress fastener
form gold fibula
consists of two hollow cone shaped discs attached to both ends of a heavy gold bow
gold fibula decoration and technique
back of cup decorated by concentric circles
connection of bow with cup decorated with incised triangles and bands of lines followed by another band of triangles
where is the gold fibula from
clone, co monaghan
where is the gorget from
gleninsheen co clare
function gorget
collar type ornament- members of elite
form gorget
crescent shape 31 cm in d
sheet of gold w two discs attached to ends
thin collar of rope moulds is attached to disc by inserting edge into slit in the under disc and stitched with gold wire
technique gorget
raised ridges separated by rope mouldings - repousse
stitching
ends of collar - concentric circles and repousse
decoration gorget
moulding give effect of ropes
discs have cone shaped spike in each centre surrounded by concentric circles each with a central boss
around this is a circle of raised bosses and then a ring of circles
What triggered the Bronze Age
The arrival of a new population of people called the Beaker People
How was copper was beneficial to the development of bronze
As there was no shortage of copper, it was traded with english tradesmen for tin and these was developed into Bronze, which became one of the most useful metals for weapons and practical objects
Why was Bronze more useful than copper
As it was stronger than pure copper and led to more sophisticated weapons and tools
How did they learn their techniques
Different techniques from Europe found their way to Ireland,
Who brought new techniques
The Beaker people
Secular
The art made during the Bronze age was made for purely artistic reasons rather than religious - in contrast with the decorations of Neolithic tombs
What kind of designs were contained on the Bronze Age decoration
Bronze Age decoration is abstract and geometriC
It is non-representational and purely aesthetic
Circles, triangles, dots and chevrons used in various combinations
Why are the designs different from those of the Neolithic era
It is made using a compass and ruler rather than the free hand designs we see in Newgrange
The Beaker people
They came around 2000 BC
They brought a new style of pottery in highly decorates drinking vessels
They brought the art of metallurgy
Metallurgy
The science and technology of using metals
How did the beaker people receive their name
For their distinct bell-shaped beakers
repousse
hammered the design into the back to create a raised effect
