Yetholm-type Shield - Variations

Variations

Shields vary size and in the number of embossed rings, but the size of the embossed features is consistent. The largest shield (found at Ayrshire) has twenty nine circular ridges and twenty nine rings of bosses; the smallest, originally thought to have been from County Antrim but actually from The River Thames, has eleven ridges and rings.

The overall design, and especially the tabs, indicate that the shield did not have a wooden backing or other reinforcement. Although the embossed design and folded rim impart some stiffness, it might appear the shields were too flimsy for combat. In experimental archaeology, a reconstruction made from copper hardened so to match a Yetholm-type shield, and hit with a replica bronze sword: the shield was cut in two by a single stroke. Furthermore, the handles are quite small, allowing only about 110 mm for the fingers, making the shield difficult to manipulate in a combat.

Some shields have damage likely to have occurred as a part of a sacrificial ceremony. The South Cadbury specimen was laid in a ditch and stabbed three times with a wooden stake. Its discovery prompted metallurgical analysis of this and other examples by Peter Northover, strongly suggesting that rather than a received range of 1000 to 800 BC these shields were manufactured in the 12th century BC. Carbon dating implied that the South Cadbury example was deposited in the mid 10th century BC.

However, one shield from Long Wittenham in Oxfordshire, has two lozenge-shaped perforations, interpreted as piercings caused by a spearhead, other piercings hammered flat to close the gap, suggesting that the shield was a veteran of several combat encounters.

With the exception of the specimen found at South Cadbury (by archaeologist Ben Burston), all were found in wet contexts. They formed part of a widespread practice of placing valuable objects in wet places. Presumably, this practice was motivated by religious beliefs, the details of which are unknown - although other ancient societies such as the Celts had similar practices.

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