The Westland Cauldrons in Norway

Description

The Westland cauldrons constitute the largest group of so called Roman imports in Norway. 112 cauldrons are recorded, of these 110 are found in graves. This work gives an exhaustive presentation of all the known finds with Westland cauldrons in Norway. A new classification of the cauldrons is made, based on an analysis of the cauldron’s profile. The cauldrons are divided into two classes, 1 and 2, each subdivided into types. The chronology of the cauldrons is investigated within an already existing framework, showing that the new classification also is chronologically relevant. Type 2C cauldrons cover the Late Roman Iron Age (C3) and the Migration Period, whereas class 1 cauldrons are found only in the C3, and type 2D cauldrons only in the late Migration Period. Different production techniques are discussed in detail. Class 1 cauldrons are hammered, class 2 cauldrons are both hammered and treated on a lathe. Based on the metalworking techniques a local, Norwegian production is rejected. The significance of Westland cauldrons in the West Norwegian society is discussed. A comparison between the graves containing cauldrons and a contemporary group of graves showed that there is a qualitative, but not a quantitative difference between the groups. There is also a fluctuation in wealth through time in both groups. The cauldrons served as status markers amongst the living. As gravegoods they could serve to further enhance the reputation of the deceased and the family. The fluctuation in the wealth of the graves is interpreted as an in- or decreasing need for social competition in an inherently unstable society. Finally the mode of exchange is discussed, pointing to the importance of gift exchange, both as a means of acquiring high status goods, creating a retinue and forming alliances, but also as a means to facilitate the exchange of more mundane necessity products. PREFACE 6 Geographical conventions 7 CHAPTER 1. Introduction 9 CHAPTER 2. The material 11 Number and distribution 11 Corpse Treatment and Grave forms 11 Grave goods 14 Gold objects 14 Pottery 15 Imports 16 Combs 16 Tools 17 Gaming-pieces and dice 17 Other bone objects 17 Weapons 17 Brooches 18 Clasps 18 Men or women? 18 Osteological evidence 18 CHAPTER 3. Classification 20 Earlier classifications 20 Criticism and a new classification 22 Terminology 22 Morphology 23 Calculation of proportions 24 New types. Definitions and classification 25 Practicalities 27 Typology 27 CHAPTER 4. Chronology 29 Source criticism 33 The chronology of Westland cauldrons 36 The distribution of the Westland cauldrons through time 43 Conclusion 45 CHAPTER 5. Production 46 Metal analyses 46 Metalworking 47 Casting 47 Non-cutting techniques – moving metal 47 Cutting techniques: removing metal 48 The production of Westland cauldrons 48 Production area 49 Function 50 CHAPTER 6. The significance of the Westland cauldrons in West Norwegian Early Iron Age society 51 Introduction 51 Question and Hypothesis 53 Method 53 Analysis 53 Interpretation 55 Summary 57 CHAPTER 7. Trade and exchange 58 Trade and exchange: some definitions 58 Economic systems 58 Models of exchange – The Roman Empire and Germania Libera 59 Westland cauldrons – their route to Norway 59 Another possibility? 61 Gift-exchange 61 Westland cauldrons – exchange in Norway 62 The necessary gift exchange – Donare necesse est 62 REFERENCES 64 APPENDIX I. The Westland cauldrons in the Neupotz hoard 71 APPENDIX II. Catalogue of the Westland cauldrons in Norway 74 APPENDIX III. Westland cauldrons found outside Norway 92 APPENDIX IV. List of lost copper alloy cauldrons (possibly Westland cauldrons) in Norway 95 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE: Finds in alphabetical order with catalogue number 97 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE: Museum inventory numbers – Catalogue numbers 99 Profile drawings, scale 1:2, with analytic diagrams: Type 1A 100 Type 1B 102 Type 1C 104 Type 1D 105 Type 2C 106 Type 2D 112 PLATES 117 Guidelines for authors of AmS-Skrifter 174