Personifying Prehistory: Relational Ontologies in Bronze Age Britain and Ireland

The Bronze Age is often seen as a precursor to the modern world, but this book presents a different image of Bronze Age Britain and Ireland. It explores the impact of the post-Enlightenment othering of the non-human on our understanding of society, suggesting that the self was constructed in relational rather than individualistic terms and that aspects of the non-human world were considered animate entities with their own spirit or soul. The treatment and deposition of objects provides insights into the meanings and values ascribed to them and the ways in which they acted as social agents.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Bronze Age, a pivotal period in human history, is often interpreted in terms of social evolution. Seen as the era that witnessed the emergence of social differentiation, the development of long-distance trade, and the intensification of agricultural production, it is considered the precursor and origin-point for numerous aspects of the modern world. However, this book presents a distinct perspective on Bronze Age Britain and Ireland. Drawing upon a wealth of material from recent excavations and a long history of research, it delves into the impact of the post-Enlightenment othering of the non-human on our understanding of Bronze Age society.

Suggestions abound that the conceptual boundary between the active human subject and the passive world of objects, as familiar in our own cultural context, was not drawn in a categorical manner during the Bronze Age. Rather, the self was constructed in relational terms, and aspects of the non-human world, such as pots, houses, and mountains, were regarded as animate entities with their own spirit or soul.

In a series of thematic chapters covering the human body, artifacts, settlements, and landscapes, this book explores the nature of Bronze Age personhood, the relationship between individuals and society, and ideas surrounding agency and social power. The treatment and deposition of items such as querns, axes, and human remains offer insights into the meanings and values ascribed to objects and places, as well as the ways in which such items acted as social agents in the Bronze Age world.

The Bronze Age was a time of profound transformation and change, marked by the development of new technologies, the expansion of trade networks, and the emergence of complex social structures. This book seeks to shed light on the rich tapestry of this period, challenging our preconceptions and providing a fresh perspective on the origins of our modern world.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 138 x 215 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192858252