Bronze Age

Bronze Age Objects Notes:

https://arthistoryleavingcert.com/pre-christian-ireland-2/bronze-age/

Background :

2000B.C.-500B.C.

Early 2000BC-1500BC, 
Middle 1500BC-1200BC, 
Late 1200BC-500BC

• Evidence of a new culture coming to Ireland to the north and east of the country
• Beaker people came from mainland Europe in search of copper and gold deposits made different types of burial, stone-lined cist graves
• Bronze Age decoration was a combination of basic geometric shapes with the most up to date technology of the time. Metal was cast, hammered, twisted and cut into shape. 
• Bronze Age artists created designs by mechanical means using a compass and a straight edge rather than the freehand designs of the Stone Age
• Mining evidence in Vale of Avoca in Co. Wicklow and in the Mourne Mountains. Gold was probably found in nuggets or by panning alluvial deposits in rivers.
• Copper was mined by roasting ore bearing rocks with fire and then cracking them by throwing cold water on it. It was smelted and the molten copper poured into stone moulds.
•  As technology progresses Tin was used, imported from Britain and mixed with the copper to make Bronze which is stronger and can hold a sharp edge longer.
• Trumpets shields weapons and tools were made from bronze.
• Early artefacts made from a single piece of gold which was incised or used the Repoussé technique (pattern pushed out from the back)
• Circles, dots triangles and straight lines were combines in various ways.

Sun Disc

Tedavent Co. Monahan

• Function Two holes near the centre suggest that the discs might have been sown onto a garment or belt. Probably worn by someone of importance of stature in society.
• Structure Circular in shape, 11cm in diameter, Flat sheet of gold.
• Decoration a cross shape made from dots in the centre (not Christian symbolism) surrounded by concentric circles of bands of dots and chevrons.
• Careful craftsmanship as thin sheet of gold could tear.

Middle Bronze Age

Dated After 1800 BC.

Often plain but sometimes decorated with incised lines.

Lunula

Ross Co. Westmeath

• Function Neck collar, probably worn as a status.
• Structure Made of gold hammered into a thin sheet and cut into shape. Flat piece of gold in a  symmetrical crescent moon shape. Paddle shaped end slightly thicker than rest and can be bended to form a locking device. 20cm across.
• Decoration Pattern concentrated on narrow ends of crescent. Chevrons and lines outlining on the perimeter. Three sets of parallel lines of cross hatching with a lines of triangles either side

Torcs

1400 BC onwards (Bishopsland Phase)

Varity of different forms

Long torc at Tara co. Meath

Ribbon torc found near Belfast

• Function Worn around the neck, waist, arms or as earrings.
• Structure made from twisted gold. Ribbon Torc made out of a strip of flat god twisted into an even spiral. Flanged torc made by hammering flanges out from the angles of square or triangular bars before twisting, can be varied by varying the lengths of the flanges. Bar torc a twisted square, round or triangular.

Late Bronze age (Golden age, Dowris Age)

After 800BC there was upsurge in metal work in Ireland

Fibula

Clones, Co. Monaghan

• Function Used as a dress fastener, some were very heavy, so may have only been used for ceremonial use.

• Structure 21.5 cm long, Made from a kilo of solid gold. Gold bow or handle connected to a two gold hemispheres.

 Handle cast in mould, flat metal hammered into shape for the cups then soldered together.

• Decoration Decorated with rows of small concentric circles with a hollow in the centre of each. Area where bow joins has incised triangles and bands of lines. Unadorned handle

Gorget

Gleninsheen Gorget found in Burren, Co. Clare

800-700BC

• Function Worn on neck as a high status symbol probably for ceremonial uses. Fastened around neck by cord attached to the ends of the collar.
• Structure Semicircular collar with a gold disc at either end. The discs were made from two layers with the edges of the larger back disc wrapped over the front to create a finished edge. The discs were attached to the collar by sewing with gold thread. To finish the raw edges of the collar narrow strip of gold was rolled all around the edge.
• Decoration Crescent shaped body decorated with rows of decorated bands alternatively rope and smooth plain patterned. On the discs, 11 incised concentric circles surround a large concentric circle with a conical boss in the centre. Beads surround the perimeter and the centre concentric circle. Smooth and textured patterns on the surface capture the light beautifully.

Lock Rings

Uniquely Irish

Gorteenreagh Co. Clare

Discovered along with a hoard of other artefacts including gold collar and gold bracelets

• Function Used as hair ornaments. Plait of hair slipped through opening and turned out of line to hold the hair in place. Hair held in place by protruding bosses from tube in centre.
• Structure Double cone shape with a narrow opening down one side, bound together by a band of gold. They have a diameter of 10 cm and length of 5 cm.
• Decoration cone made up of fine gold wires soldered together

Test yourself: 

1.  When did the Bronze Age span to and from?​

2. The Bronze Age people can be split up into 4 groups. Name 2 of them.​
3. What is the process removing ore from rock called?​
4. Name two mining sites of the Bronze Age.​
5. What shape is the lunula?​
6. What was its function?​
7. One of the most decorated collars is known as a Gorget. Where was the most famous of these found?​
8. Name and describe 2 decorative techniques found in this Gorget.​
9. What was the function of the lock rings?​
10. How were Torcs created?​
11. What is it called when a circle is found within a circle. (design)​
12. What was the main type of Metal used to produce ornamentation of the era?​
13. Apart from ornamentation what other things did the Bronze Age people make?​
14. Why did the Bronze Age people want jewellery?​
    
    
    
    
       Leaving Cert Questions​   

(H.L. 2014)

Gold-working techniques developed during the Bronze Age in Ireland allowed for the production of beautifully crafted artefacts. 

Discuss this statement with reference to the two examples illustrated on the accompanying sheet. In your answer name both types of artefact and refer to form, function, and the techniques used in their production and decoration.​ 

And

Briefly discuss what you know about the Bronze Age people in Ireland.

 Illustrate your answer.

(O.L. 2012)

Name and discuss the two objects which are illustrated on the accompanying sheet. Refer in your answer to function, materials, skills and decorative techniques.
and
Briefly describe two other types of metalwork from this period.
Illustrate your answer

   Example Bronze Age Essay Plan  

Introduction​ :

The time frame, how is it different from the previous period (the stone age).
Discuss the people how they lived etc.. The three metalwork techniques: Repoussé – Design beaten up from behind.  Incised – design cut into. Twisting – metal twisted.

Paragraph 1

Form​ -​Discuss the shapes / material of the objects - is it one piece? Multiple pieces...etc Describe Object 1
Describe Object 2

Paragraph 2

Function ​-​ Discuss what the object was used for and how (function)
Describe Object 1
Describe Object 2

Paragraph 3

Decoration ​-​ Discuss the material, designs and patterns (geometric)

Describe Object 1
Describe Object 2

Paragraph 4

Metalwork Techniques ​-​The tools and details of how they were created​. ​
Hammering/ incision/ repoussé. 

Describe Object 1
Describe Object 2

Paragraph 5

People of the Time ​- the craftsmen - how they lived.
( this paragraph can be either last or straight after introduction)

Conclusion

SKETCHES
(Sketches can be throughout the essay after a paragraph or at the end)

Sketches are worth 10/50 marks in some questions they need to be ​accurate​ and​ labeled​!