British biconical urns : their character and chronology and their relationship with indigenous early Bronze Age ceramics

Abstract

The writer re-appraises the established terminology based on Abercromby's classification of food vessels and enlarged food vessels and advocates unification in a single Food Vessel/Urn Series in which four new classes (forms 1, 2A, 2B and 3) may be ordered chronologically en echelon. The abandonment of the size criterion is justified by analysis of some unpublished East Anglian domestic assemblages in which the contemporary occurrence of a wide range of sizes is observed. The homogeneity of the series is demonstrated by textural analysis in which the quantity and particle size mode of tempering materials is measured. These analyses reveal a predilection amongst both food vessel/urn and collared urn potters for certain grog preparations. Stressing the consistency of these two groups in their choice of temper recipe and decorative motifs, the writer proceeds to reject Longworth's thesis and proposes form 2A as the principal progenitor of the Primary Series of collared urns. Analysing British biconical urns the writer identifies a Combined Series of intrusive urns which are chiefly characterised by their siliceous temper. These are further subdivided into an Inception Series and a Supplementary Series. In discussing the decoration and motor habit patterns associated with these urns the contrast with indigenous food-urn pottery is stressed. In a third group the term Form 3 biconical urn is applied to grog tempered urns which represent replication by indigenous potters. Form 3 food urns, encrusted food urns and collared food urns are considered as more generalised examples of an indigenous response. In conclusion it is proposed that British biconical urns represent the establishment of an immigrant sub-culture introduced from Northern France and the Middle Rhine as a result of increased cross-Channel contact developed during Wessex II. The relationship of cordoned urns, whetstone pendants, penannular ringworks, pit burials and Arreton bronzework is specifically discussed.

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