TY - JOUR
T1 - Not All That Glitters is Gold? Rock Crystal in the Early British Neolithic at Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire, and the Wider British and Irish Context
AU - Overton, Nicholas
AU - Healey, Elizabeth
AU - Garcia Rovira, Irene
AU - Thomas, Julian
AU - Birchenall, Julie
AU - Challinor, Dana
AU - Hoverd, Tim
AU - Ray, Keith
PY - 2022/7/7
Y1 - 2022/7/7
N2 - Evidence for working rock crystal, a rare form of water-clear type of quartz, is occasionally recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland, however, very little has been written on the specific methods of working this material, and its potential significance in the past. This paper presents the first synthesis of rock crystal evidence from Britain and Ireland, before examining a new assemblage from the Early Neolithic site of Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire. This outlines a methodology for analysing and interpreting this unusual material, and, through comparison with the flint assemblage, examines the specific uses and treatments of this material. Far from being used to make tools, we argue the distinctive and exotic rock crystal was being used to create distinctive and memorable moments, binding individuals together, forging local identities, and connecting the living and the dead.
AB - Evidence for working rock crystal, a rare form of water-clear type of quartz, is occasionally recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland, however, very little has been written on the specific methods of working this material, and its potential significance in the past. This paper presents the first synthesis of rock crystal evidence from Britain and Ireland, before examining a new assemblage from the Early Neolithic site of Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire. This outlines a methodology for analysing and interpreting this unusual material, and, through comparison with the flint assemblage, examines the specific uses and treatments of this material. Far from being used to make tools, we argue the distinctive and exotic rock crystal was being used to create distinctive and memorable moments, binding individuals together, forging local identities, and connecting the living and the dead.
KW - Prehistory
KW - Neolithic
KW - Rock Crystal
KW - Lithics
KW - Herefordshire
U2 - 10.1017/S0959774322000142
DO - 10.1017/S0959774322000142
M3 - Article
SN - 0959-7743
VL - First View
JO - Cambridge Archaeological Journal
JF - Cambridge Archaeological Journal
M1 - First View
ER -