The Life of Things Long Dead: a Biography of Iron Age Animal Skulls from Battlesbury Bowl, Wiltshire

Abstract

This study expands perceptions of ritual behaviour in the British Iron Age, which conventionally focus on the deposition and burial of objects. Classification of animal bones as special deposits in Iron Age Britain, and interpretation of the ritual activities they may represent, has tended to concentrate on the significance of their burial location and composition and/or the cultural perception of the particular animal species deposited. Other than for consumption and sacrifice, little consideration has been given to the complex, dynamic histories (biographies) and cultural significance of animal remains in the period between death and burial. Detailed examination of the taphonomic and pre-depositional histories of animal deposits, are one means by which it is possible to explore the activities that occurred above ground in the past. Zooarchaeological investigations of a group of cattle and horse skulls from Battlesbury Bowl, Hampshire, provide an excellent example of a ‘special deposit’ where it was the objects themselves, as much as their species, location or structured burial that held special significance for the Iron Age community. By taking a biographical approach, we can create detailed narratives of archaeological animal bones and their treatment, thereby expanding the view of activities that fall under the ‘ritual’ umbrella.

Retrieving, Curating and Depositing Skulls at Pitted Ware culture Sites

“…It is hard to avoid placing more focus on the human skull fragments found in the cultural layers than the animal skull fragments found in similar circumstances, particularly as the former often are singled out in field reports and feature in the overall interpretation of the sites, while the latter are most often mentioned only alongside other animal bone fragments in an osteological analysis. There are also generally more animal skull fragments found in cultural layers than human skull fragments, and as such any credible argument of special deposition of animal remains is predicated upon a close consideration of taphonomic factors, associated finds and otherwise identifiable patterns (see also Hambleton 2013).…”

Socio-semiotics and the symbiosis of humans, horses, and objects in later Iron Age Britain

“…Complex treatment of the horse skull after the death of the animal but prior to the deposition of its remains has also been identified in some areas. Archaeological evidence from Battlesbury Bowl, Wiltshire demonstrates the careful and selective deposition of some horse and cattle skulls (Hambleton 2013). The taphonomic wear on many of the skulls indicated that they had been cleaned some time prior to deposition, perhaps suggesting that they had been hung on walls or posts for a duration (Hambleton 2013, 490).…”

“…The Battlesbury horse skulls also demonstrate an emphasis on male animals (Hambleton 2013, 490). Horses are not the only animals to undergo special treatment across Iron Age Britain (Hambleton 2013;Madgwick 2010), and it should be noted that such specialised treatment of animal remains is not limited to those animals depicted on late, pre-Roman Iron Age coinage. However, cross cultural practices involving the display of horse heads and skins has been noted by Wilson (1999), and could go some way to explaining possible post-mortem treatment of faunal remains.…”

Coins and Cosmologies in Iron Age Western Britain

“…Zooarchaeologists and material culture specialists focusing on British prehistory are also now approaching animals, humans and objects as cohabiting as significant others (Brittain & Overton 2013). In this sense, the social role of animals and faunal remains becomes the focus (Hambleton 2013; Madgwick 2008; 2010; Overton & Hamilakis 2013), thus viewing the faunal remains more as a form of material culture that has meaning and cultural significance over time (Gosden & Marshall 1999; Kopytoff 1986). There is a strong argument for coins to be approached from a similar stance (Kemmers & Nanouschka 2011).…”