Irish Late Iron Age Equestrian Equipment in its Insular and Continental Context

Description

'Irish Late Iron Age Equestrian Equipment in its Insular and Continental Context' is the first practical archaeological study of Irish Iron Age lorinery. The volume examines the bits and bosals (Y-pieces) holistically, using practical stable-yard knowledge merged with archaeological techniques such as morphometrics, use-wear, GIS, functional comparison to European and British equipment and distribution analysis to place it within its time and place. Irish Iron Age artefacts have always been beset by issues of chronology, but by using these various analytical methods, a more precise timeframe for the objects is indicated. A complex relationship with Roman Britain and the Empire also becomes visible, with aspects of identity and belief being expressed through the sophisticated equestrian equipment. The analysis of the bridle components reveal that the Ireland of the first centuries AD shares some characteristics with other boundary zones of the Roman Empire, such as Scotland and northern Germany, but also has its own unique interpretation of introduced technology. The Ireland of the Late Iron Age, then, is a society in flux, picking and choosing which traditions it maintains. The horse and associated equipment were very much at the heart of the social changes set in motion by contact with the Roman Empire, and as such, the examination of the snaffles and bosals allows us to bring the people of the Late Iron Age in Ireland into focus. Title Page Copyright page Contents List of Figures Figure 2.1 Pseudo Irish Type E bit found in Transylvanian region of Romania. Figure 3.1 Parts of a snaffle. Figure 3.2 Modern snaffle types. Figure 3.3 How single joint and double joint snaffles function. Figure 3.4 Parts of a Y-piece. Figure 3.5 How a bosal and mecate hackamore work (Image courtesy of Summer Jackson, modelled by Dancer). Figure 3.6 Mechanical hackamore. Image from Wikicommons (CC BY 2.0). Figure 3.7 Cannon styles of Irish Late Iron Age bits. Figure 3.8 Types of central links: modern examples on top, Iron Age at bottom. Figure 3.10 Stop stud types. Figure 3.9 Use of link types on different types of Irish Iron Age snaffle. Figure 3.11 Gold stater from Dover, FASAM-FCD3A2, showing a bosal-like structure under the horse’s jaw. Figure 3.12 Kehlberge, Raddatz 639, R0639, Lau PG 123, Inv.-Nr. SH1858-1.34 (F.S. 6347) from Thorsberg Moor assemblage. Figure 3.13 Finial types which define the various Y-pieces styles. Figure 3.14 Use wear on bits and Y-pieces. Figure 3.15 Hypothetical reconstruction of a Late Iron Age bridle, using use-wear to inform of fit. Figure 3.16 How to measure a bit – detail shows why, with end of cannon outside of mouth. Figure 3.17 Heights of animals in Ireland, using bit size as a loose gauge. Figure 3.18 Diagram showing sizes of animals in hands high (hh). Figure 4.1 Placement of decoration on Y-piece specimens. Figure 4.2 Placement of decoration on bit specimens. Figure 4.3 Styles of stop studs on bit types. Figure 4.4 Iron ‘loop’ bits. Photograph by permission of National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden. Figure 4.5 Detail of head decoration on Heidelberg carving, compared to stop stud decoration. Figure 4.6 Comparison of Witham shield umbo (left) with Tara/Skryn Y-piece (right). After Maguire 2017: 187, fig. 3. Figure 4.7 Comparison of objects. Figure 4.8 Roman period harness pendant, incorporating the manu fichu and re-imagined La Tène derivative ‘eyes’. Figure 5.1 General distribution of bits and Y-pieces. Figure 5.2 Distribution of Irish La Tène derivative metalwork (Warner 2002a). Figure 5.3. Distribution of Type A bits. Figure 5.4. Distribution of Type B bits. Figure 5.5 Distribution of Type C bits. Figure 5.6 Distribution of Type D bits. Figure 5.7 Distribution of Type E bits. Figure 5.8 Distribution of uncategorised bits. Figure 5.9 Distribution of sizes of bits, indicating sizes of equids. Figure 5.10 Distribution of Type 1a Y-piece. Figure 5.11 Distribution of Type 1b Y-piece. Figure 5.12 Distribution of Type 1d Y-piece. Figure 5.13 Distribution of Type 1e Y-piece. Figure 5.14 Distribution of Type 2a Y-pieces. Figure 5.15 Distribution of Type 2b Y-pieces. Figure 5.16 Distribution of Type 2c Y-piece. Figure 5.17 Distribution of uncategorised Y-pieces. Figure 5.18. Breakdown of hoard distributions which include tack. Figure 5.19 Hoards and associated finds. Figure 5.20 Bits and Y-pieces within GIS kernel density ‘hotspot’ model. Figure 5.21 Distribution of Irish tack compared to Roman finds. Figure 5.22 Kernal density ‘hotspot’ model compared to projected routes of the ancient tracks, or sligheann. Figure 5.23 Breakdown of landscape features to tack find spots. Figure 5.24 Breakdown of bits (top) and Y-piece finds (bottom). Figure 5.25 Percentages of provenanced Y-pieces. Figure 5.26 Percentages of provenanced bits. Figure 6.1 Detail by author of horse head in bridle, Sanctuary of Apollo, Cyprus. Figure 6.2 Detail of Baekkedal bridle, photograph by kind permission of Dr Torben Sarauw and Nordjyske Museer. Figure 6.3 Single bar snaffle from Rise, Kingston on Hull, authors drawing. Figure 6.4 Stanwick Hoard snaffle mouthpiece, authors drawing. Figure 6.5 Polden Hill ‘fletchling’ cuff detail, compared to cheek ring detail from Siebenbürgen. Figure 6.6 Hagbourne Hill snaffle detail, authors drawing. Figure 6.7 Estimates of British equid sizes, using same method as used on Irish snaffles. Figure 6.8 Distribution of bits, compiled from data in Palk 1984 and 1991. Figure 6.9 Irish 2a Y-piece butt terminal, Kingston Deverill, Wiltshire. PAS WILT-9E5865. Figure 6.10 Metal snaffle and rein rings from Thorsberg Moor. Figure 6.11 Kehlberge. Figure 6.12 Roman psalion/mechanical hackamore, reconstructed by Ala Batavorum group, Netherlands. List of Tables List of Plates Plate 1. Type A bits. IB1A LlynCerrigBach. IB4A, IB5A both Ballymoyer Bog, Armagh. Actual size. Plate 2. IB2A Not to scale, from Rossknowlagh Museum. IB6A Ballymoyer Bog, Armagh. Actual size. Plate 3. IB3A, after Raftery 1983, fig. 1, no. 5. IB7A, unknown. Actual size. Plate 4. IB1B. Ballina Costello, Mayo IB2B, after Raftery 1983, fig. 7, no. 11. Scale 1:2. Plate 5. IB3B, Armagh. IB4B, unknown. Actual size. Plate 6. IB5B, unknown. IB6B, unknown. Actual size. Plate 7. IB7B, unknown. IB8B, Lough Beg after Raftery 1983, fig. 4, no. 8. Scale 1:2. Plate 8. IB9B, Cotton Bog, Newtownards. IB12B, Annashanco, Fermanagh. Actual size. Plate 9. IB10B. Meath. IB11B, Urraghry, Aughrim, Galway. Scale 1:2. Plate 10. IB13B, unknown. IB20B, unknown. Actual size. Plate 11. IB15B, unknown. IB18B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 12. IB14B, Leap, Offaly. IB21B, Armagh. IB23B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 13. IB24B. IB25B. Both Abbeyshrule, Longford. Scale 1:2. Plate 14. IB28B, unknown. IB29B, Kilmore, Antrim. Actual size Plate 15. IB32B, Tracton Abbey. IB33B, unknown. IB35B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 16. IB34B, unknown. IB38B, unknown. IB39B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 17. IB41B, unknown. IB42B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 18. IB43B, Navan, Meath. IB44B, Kinnefad, Offaly. Scale 1:2. Plate 19. IB36B, unknown. IB37B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 20. IB45B, unknown. IB46B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 21. IB47B, unknown. IB48B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 22. IB49B, unknown. IB40B, unknown. IB50B. Scale 1:2. Plate 23. IB53B, unknown. IB54B, unknown. Actual size. Plate 24. IB51B, unknown. IB52B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 25. IB17B, Toomevara. IB26B, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 26. IB55B, after Raftery 1983, fig. 8, no. 59. IB. Scale 1:2. Plate 27. IB22B, Glenleslie, Antrim. IB19B, Headfort, Kerry and IB31B, Dublin, after Raftery 1983, fig 13, no. 21 and fig. 15, no. 18. Actual size. Plate 28. IB30B L Inchiquin, after Raftery 1983, fig. 8, no 14. IB16B, after Raftery 1983, fig. 3, no. 57. Scale 1:2. Plate 29. IB27B, Ballynahinchafter Raftery 1983, fig. 10, no. 16. Scale 1:2. Plate 30. IB1C, unknown. IB2C, unknown. IB3C, unknown. Actual size. Plate 31. IB4C, Gortgole, Antrim. IB5C after Raftery 1983, fig. 22, no 68. Scale 1:2. Plate 32. IB1D Streamstown, Westmeath after Raftery 1983, fig. 30, no. 83. IB3D, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 33. IB5D, Roscommon. IB6D, DurkIsland, Cormongan. Scale 1:2. Plate 34. IB4D, unknown. IB10D and IB11D, Ballymoney, Garry Bog. Actual size. Plate 35. IB8D, Killucan, Westmeath. IB12D, Bushmills, Antrim. IB13D, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 36. IB20D, Aghivey, Derry. IB22D, Ballynaminton, Offaly. Scale 1:2. Plate 37. IB15D, unknown. IB18D, unknown. Actual size. Plate 38. IB32D, Dolgellau, Wales after Raftery 1983, fig. 33, no. 136. IB16D, Streamstown after Raftery 1983, fig. 30, no. 84. Scale 1:2. Plate 39. IB21D, unknown. IB23D, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 40. IB7D, Loughan Island, Derry. IB14D, Co. Dublin, after Raftery 1983, fig. 24, no. 76. IB9D Clongill, Meath after Raftery 1983 fig. 27, no 98. Scale 1:2. Plate 41. IB24D, unknown. IB25D, Loughan Island. Scale 1:2. Plate 42. IB26D, Tara/Skryn Valley, Meath. IB27D, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 43. IB28D, unknown. IB29D, unknown. Actual size. Plate 44. IB31D, Tensbury Wells, England. After Raftery 1983, fig. 26., 96. Scale 1:2. Plate 45. IB17D, unknown. After Raftery 1983, fig. 32, no. 92. IB33D after Raftery 1983, fig. 32, no. 85. Scale 1:2. Plate 46. IB1E, unknown. IB6E, ‘Northern Ireland’. Scale 1:2. Plate 47. IB4E and IB5E. Both Attymon, Galway. Scale 1:2. Plate 48. IB9E, unknown. IB11E, Galway. Scale 1:2. Plate 49. IB7E, Cong, Mayo, from Raftery 1983, fig. 34, no. 106. Scale 1:2. Plate 50. IB10E, unknown. IB13E, unknown. Actual size. Plate 51. IB12E, unknown. IB14E, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 52. IB15E, Co. Wicklow. IB16E, Co. Antrim. Scale 1:2. Plate 53. IB17E, Glenleslie, Antrim. IB19E, unknown, Scale 1:2. Plate 54. IB20E, unknown. IB23E, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 55. IB22E, unknown. IB27E, Roscommon, near Tulsk. Scale 1:2. Plate 56. IB25E, Ummeracam, Armagh. IB18E, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 57. IB26E, unknown. IB28E, Tulsk, Roscommon. Scale 1:2. Plate 58. IB29E, unknown. IB30E, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 59. IB31E, Newgrange, Meath. IB32E, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 60. UCB1, Derryhollagh, Antrim. UCB3 and UCB4 unknown. UCB7, Kilmallock, Limerick. Actual size. Plate 61. UCB2 Killeevan, Monaghan. UCB5, Loughan Island. Scale 1:2. Plate 62. UCB8 , unknown. UCB9, Dundrum, Down. Scale 1:2. Plate 63. UCB10, DrumloughMoss, Down. UCB12, possibly Dungannon (Bell Collection). Scale 1:2. Plate 64. UCB13, Transylvania. After Rustoiu 2005. Plate 65. Y1A: 001, Portnelligan, Armagh. Y1A:002, Navan Fort, Armagh. Actual size. Plate 66. Y1A: 003 Knockmanycairn, Tyrone. YIA:005, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 67. Y1A:004, Ballina Costello, after Raftery 1983, fig 54, no. 146. Scale 1:2. Plate 68. Y1A:006, Co. Limerick. Y1A:007, Co. Limerick. Scale 1:2. Plate 69. Y1A:009, Aughrim, Galway. Y1A:010, Ardee, Louth. Scale 1:2. Plate 70. Y1A:011, unknown. After Raftery 1983 fig. 58, no. 162. Y1A:012, Co. Sligo. Scale 1:2. Plate 71. Y1A:013, Ballina Costello, Co. Mayo, Y1A:014, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 72 . Y1A:015, unknown. Y1A:016, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 73. Y1A:017, unknown. After Raftery 1983, 56, no. 152. Y1A:018, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 74. Y1A: 019. Moyfin, Co. Meath. Y1A:020, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 75. Y1A:021, unknown. Y1A:022, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 76. Y1A: 023, Creggan, Co. Roscommon. Y1A:024, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 77. Y1A:025, unknown. Y1A:027, Mullingar, Westmeath. After Raftery 1983, 55, no. 151. Scale 1:2. Plate 78. Y1A:026, unknown. Y1B:01, unknown. Actual size. Plate 79. Y1B:02, Armagh. Scale 1:2. Plate 80. Y1A:08, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 81. Y1B:04, Kilbeg, Westmeath. Y1B:05, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 82. Y1B:06, unknown. Y1B:07 and Y1B:08, ‘River Shannon’. Actual size. Plate 83. Y1B:09, unknown. Y1B:10, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 84. Y1B:11, unknown. Y1B:12, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 85. Y1B:13, unknown. Scale 1:2. Y1B: 14 Lisnacannonfort, Antrim. MS from Raftery 1983, no. 167. Scale unknown. Plate 86. Y1B:15, unknown. Y1B:16, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 87. Y1B:17, unknown. Y1B:18, Kishawanny, Kildare, after Raftery 1983, fig. 45, no. 169. Scale 1:2. Plate 88. Y1B:19, Ballymoyer Bog, Armagh. Y1B:20, Lesser Garth Cave, Wales. Scale uncertain as both from MS sketches, with actual objects missing. Plate 89. Y1C:01, unknown. Y1C:02, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 90. Y1C:03, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 91. Y1D:02, Ballykean Bog, Offaly. Scale 1:2. Plate 92. Y1D:03 and Y1D:04, Ballykean Bog, Offaly. Scale 1:2. Plate 93. Y1D:05, Ballykean Bog, Offaly. Y1D:06, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 94. Y1D:07, unknown. Y1D:08, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 95. Y1E:01, Co. Clare. Y1E:02, Fish Loughan, near Coleraine. Scale 1:2. Plate 96. Y1E:03, Lough Fea, Monaghan. Y1E:04, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 97. Y1F:01, Limerick. Y2A:01, Co. Antrim. Actual size. Plate 98. Y2A:02 and Y2A:03, ‘Near Galway’. Scale 1:2. Plate 99. Y2A:04, unknown, Y2A:05, Roscommon. Scale 1:2. Plate 100. Y2A:06 and Y2A:07. Attymon, Galway. Scale 1:2. Plate 101. Y2A:08, Ballyalla, Clare. After Raftery 1983, no. 198, Scale 1:2. Plate 102. Y2A:09, Inishowen Barony, Donegal. Y2A:10, Cormongan, Leitrim. Scale 1:2. Plate 103. Y2A:11, Drumanone, Roscommon. Y2A:12, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 104. Y2A:13, unknown. Y2A:14, Tara/Skryn, after Raftery 1983, fig. 83, no. 207. Scale 1:2. Plate 105. Y2A:15, Ballybrown, Limerick. After Raftery 1983, fig. 82, no. 206. Scale 1:2. Plate 106. Y2A:16, Clonetrace, Antrim. Y2A:17, Mullingar, Westmeath. Scale 1:2. Plate 107. Y2A:19, ‘Northern Ireland’, Scale 1:2. Y2A:20, Kingston Deverill, Wiltshire. Actual size. Plate 108. Y2B:01, unknown. Y2B:02, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 109. Y2B.03, Loughan Island, Derry. Scale 1:2. Plate 110. Y2B:04, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 111. Y2B:05, unknown. Y2B:06, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 112. Y2B:07, unknown. Y2B:08, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 113. Y2B:09, Derlangan, Meath. Y2B:10 Clongill, Meath. Scale 1:2. Plate 114. Y2B:11, unknown. Y2B:12, Coolgreaney, Wexford. Scale 1:2. Plate 115. Y2B:13, unknown. Y2B:14, Cloonconra, Roscommon. Scale 1:2. Plate 116. Y2B:15, Emlagh Abbey, Tipperary. Y2B:16, unknown. Scale 1:2. Plate 117. Y2C:01, Binchester Roman Fort, Durham. Scale 1:2. Plate 118. YUC:01, Co. Clare. YUC:04, Kilbeg, Westmeath. Scale 1:2. Plate 119. YUC:03, Ballymoyer Bog, Armagh. YUC:05, Drombo, Monaghan. Actual size. Acknowledgements Glossary Chapter 1 ‘For want of a horse, the rider was lost’: An introduction to Irish Iron Age tack Introducing the Iron (Age) horse Research questions: aims and objectives Chapter 2 The Irish Iron Age horse in context: Literature and legend A horse with no name: unknown breeds of the Iron Age Introducing the issues Horses and heroes: status and deposition practices Into the mystic: druids, scholars, and political agendas Lost in translation: The Ulster Cycle and Irish equitation Ancient problems, modern times Looking to Europe Chapter 3 The Irish Iron Age bridle: Form, function, use-wear, and fit A practical introduction to bitting Summary of methods used in analysis Understanding the function of the bits and hackamore types of the Irish Iron Age Identifying the Irish Iron Age bit types Type A Type B Type C Type D Type E Centre links Stop-studs Cheek rings Description, background, and function of the Irish Y-piece Y-piece types Examining use-wear on bits and Y-pieces Use-wear results: Bits Repairs Use-wear results: Y-pieces The Dead Pony Club: reconstructing the Irish Iron Age bridle Methods used to estimate sizes of horses present in the Irish Iron Age Chapter 4 Decoration, symbolism, and evolution of Irish Iron Age tack Designs on Celtic Identity? La Tène-derivative styles in Ireland. The beginnings of insular La Tène art styles. Looking at the pictures: analytical methods used Analysis of symbol use on Y-pieces Analysis of symbol use on bits Stop stud design Symbolism and morphology as identity Mouthpiece morphology of Irish bits Recurring decorative relief themes on Irish La Tène-derivative bits and Y-pieces Irish bit morphology: Societal change and superstition Chapter 5 ‘Horses make a landscape look more beautiful’: Distribution, deposition, and landscape A landscape of objects? Methods of analysis Distribution Landscape analysis Pastures new: where were the grazing lands of the Late Iron Age horses? Distribution of Irish Iron Age tack in Ireland, England and Wales Distribution of Bits Distribution of Y-pieces Hoard locations Find clusters Landscape features and commonalities Dry-land depositions: commonage Water depositions: rivers and lakes Re-use of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age sites ‘Heroic’ and folkloric sites All roads lead to Rome: tracks, memorials and roadside gods Sites replaced by Early Medieval ecclesiastical installations Chapter 6 Under the influence: Looking for the regional and cultural origins of Late Iron Age Irish tack Finding a context British Tack: form and function Summarised comparison British single-bar bits Summarised comparison British single-jointed bits Summarised comparison British double-joint bits Of unknown origins: iron loop bits British bit types: distribution and estimated animal size Hackamores and Y-pieces in England, Scotland, and Wales Look homewards, angel: tracing Irish tack through Europe The Netherlands: the psalion/mechanical hackamore and bits Identity, militarism and ritual deposition of tack Early equestrian influences on Germanic/Scandinavian tack Thorsberg Moor war booty depositions as a template for Baltic Iron Age tack The Thorsberg bits Comparison to Ireland Tack comparisons from the Roman Empire Comparison to Ireland The Thorsberg kehlbergen Comparison to Ireland Chapter 7 Conclusions and future directions Jumping the hurdles: assessing the achievement of aims and objectives The road goes ever on: future research directions A clear round: concluding thoughts on Ireland’s equitation Bibliography Catalogue Foreword Type A bits Type B bits Type C bits Type D bits Type E bits Unclassified bit types Y-Pieces Type 1a Type 1b Type 1c Type 1d Type 1e Type 1f Type 2a Type 2b Type 2c Uncategorised specimens Lists and Indices Plate Index Site Index Unknown Provenance Museum Index Hoard associations including bits and Y-pieces Plates