Sheep in Wealth's Clothing: Social Reproduction across the Bronze Age to Iron Age Transition in Wiltshire, Southern England

Abstract

The circulation of bronze is considered to be the principal vehicle of social reproduction for the later Bronze Age, with significant social investment in trade networks, systems of exchange, and social alliances. Substantial social upheaval is implied by the decline of bronze, as attested by the widespread deposition of hoards towards the end of this period. This article aims to fill a lacuna between the period of peak bronze hoarding and other vectors of change such as the manipulation of grain surpluses or the creation of hillforts. The reorganization of the Wiltshire landscape signifies transformation to a transhumant regime. Animals became increasingly important at the end of the Bronze Age, with daily life revolving around their management, dictating seasonal movement, and interaction. Investment in the social value of animals beyond pure subsistence requirements was a major factor filling the social gap left by the demise of bronze. This was accompanied by changes in the mode of production and the scales of social engagement.

Isotopic Evidence for Changes in Cereal Production Strategies in Iron Age and Roman Britain

“…The frequent occurrence of grain storage pits, four-post storage structures, querns, farming tools, and charred cereal deposits following the Bronze Age/Iron Age transition (c. 800-600 BC), is interpreted as cereal production gaining even greater socio-economic importance in the Iron Age (Van der Veen and Jones 2006;Needham 2007;Valdez-Tullett 2017). On the basis of evidence of farming settlements spreading onto clay soils (made possible by increased use of iron tools), and a peak in colluviation, indicating increased erosion (Robinson 1984), this appears to have been achieved by expansion of the farmed area (i.e.…”