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A cut above: Examining the use of woodworking tools in Late Bronze Age Britain
Archaeological wood specialist and traditional woodworker Hamish Darrah describes his ongoing research combining wear analysis and experimental archaeology to illuminate the diverse uses of woodworking tools in Late Bronze Age Britain.
During the British Bronze Age, we can see a notable diversification of tool forms in the archaeological record, possibly reflecting an increase in craft specialisation by the Late Bronze Age (1300-800 BC). Despite this, tool-use associated with this period has been a neglected field, with object studies often focusing on other areas of Bronze Age life such as weaponry. Where Bronze Age tools have been examined in detail, they tend to be discussed as isolated artefacts rather than dynamic elements of larger toolkits. This approach is invaluable for building typologies, but it does not illuminate how such objects were used by – or what they meant to – Bronze Age people.
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