Contextes d’utilisation, de circulation et de déposition des premiers artefacts en fer de l’Atlantique occidental
Résumé
Focusing on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula and starting from the empirical data available, the author revisits the questions inherent to the study of the first irons from that region in the context of social dynamics occurring at the end of the II and beginning of the I millennium BC. Firstly, the data is morpho-typologically characterized and analyzed alongside their contexts of finding (soil habitat, waste pits, ritual depositions), usually supported by radiocarbon datations from excavations at villages in the Centre of the Portuguese territory. Amongst other things, it is found that they are crude productions of soft iron with relatively low micro-hardness, from in assemblages where bimetallism is present, translated either in bi-metal parts, or in deposits of the same nature. The fact that the early development and circulation of iron in the Late Bronze indigenous substrates occurs at a time when there is a clear vigour in the production of bronze metallurgy is also emphasized. Then, the text discusses the nature of contacts with the Mediterranean world and how they were reflected in the negotiation of power within the indigenous communitiesfrom the West of the Iberian Peninsula. The author also reflects about the potential meanings and significances that could be attributed to the first irons – where there practical advantages over bronze or was their appreciation set merely by ritual value? –, since they are always small artefacts, mostly utensils (knives, saws, chisels). Finally, and not forgetting the questions inherent to the continuities and discontinuities of the use and production of iron, an idea is sought that these utensils do not seem to have drawn any process of profound transformation and globalization of the indigenous communities.
Domaines
Archéologie et PréhistoireOrigine | Accord explicite pour ce dépôt |
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Licence |