Musson, C. R., Britnell, W. J., Northover, P. and Slater., C. (1992). Excavations and metal-working at Llwyn Bryn-dinas hillfort, Llangedwyn, Clwyd. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 58. Vol 58, pp. 265-283.

Title:

Excavations and metal-working at Llwyn Bryn-dinas hillfort, Llangedwyn, Clwyd

Issue:

Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 58

Series:

The Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society

Volume:

Page Start/End:

265 - 283

Biblio Note

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Publication Type:

Journal

Abstract:

Small-scale rescue excavations at Llwyn Bryn-dinas hillfort, on the Welsh Borderland, showed that the earliest fortification belonged to the Late Bronze Age, with radiocarbon dates in the late-ninth and eighth centuries bc. A terrace, subsequently cut into the rear of the rampart to accommodate a metal-working floor, was associated with a radiocarbon date centred in the late-third century bc. Detailed analysis of the metal-working debris suggests that copper-alloy casting, iron forging and possibly bronze production were carried out within a single workshop. The finds include a distinctive form of handled crucible. The industry appears to have been fairly small-scale, of short duration and probably only designed to meet the internal needs of the hillfort population. The excavation adds significantly to the local evidence for metal-working during the later prehistoric period. A distinctive zinc-impurity pattern in the copper alloy and raw copper, previously identified in material from other sites nearby, confirms the suggestion of an Iron Age bronze-working industry based on a specific metal source in the north Powys area. In addition, analysis of the iron-working debris suggests the exploitation of a distinctive local ore body. The metal-working activity appears to have come to an abrupt end, possibly with the enlargement or local repair of the rampart. Later phases of activity include a final occupation deposit with an associated radiocarbon date centred in the mid second century bc. Reports cover `The excavations' by C R Musson (265--70), `Non-metallurgical finds' by W J Britnell (270--2), `Metalwork and metal-working debris' (272--6), including notes by J P Northover on the `Copper alloy pin' (272), `Crucibles' (272--4) and `Copper alloy and raw copper waste' (275), and by C J Slater on `Hammer scale and slag spheres' (275), `Lining material, fuel ash slag and lining reaction product' (275--6) and `Slags' (276). C R Musson continues with `Discussion: the defensive sequence' (277), followed by `Non-ferrous metallurgy' by J P Northover (277--80), `Ferrous metallurgy' by C J Slater (280), and `Contextual interpretation of the metal-working evidence' by W J Britnell (280--2). There is an `Appendix: contents of the microfiche supplement' (282) which details additional contributions by the authors plus `Wood charcoals and other plant remains from Llwyn Bryn-dinas' by Jane Fitt (M22) and `Radiocarbon dates from Llwyn Bryn-dinas' by P Q Dresser (M24).

Author:

Chris R Musson
William J Britnell
Peter Northover
C J Slater.

Year of Publication:

1992

Subjects / Periods:

Metalworking (Auto Detected Subject)

Charcoals (Auto Detected Subject)

Plant Remains (Auto Detected Subject)

Iron (Auto Detected Subject)

Raw Copper (Auto Detected Subject)

Late Bronze Age (Auto Detected Temporal)

Lining Material Fuel Ash Slag (Auto Detected Subject)

Slag Spheres (Auto Detected Subject)

Metal (Auto Detected Subject)

Mid Second Century (Auto Detected Temporal)

Handled Crucible (Auto Detected Subject)

Bronzeworking Industry (Auto Detected Subject)

Iron Age (Auto Detected Temporal)

Metalwork (Auto Detected Subject)

Prehistoric (Auto Detected Temporal)

Ironworking Debris (Auto Detected Subject)

Hillfort (Auto Detected Subject)

Copper Alloy (Auto Detected Subject)

Copper Waste (Auto Detected Subject)

Radiocarbon Dates (Auto Detected Subject)

Copper Alloy Pin (Auto Detected Subject)

Source:

BIAB (The British Archaeological Bibliography (BAB))

Created Date:

20 Jan 2002