Скачать или смотреть Hot-Stone Technology, Alternative Transformation and The Clonbrin Shield

Sally Herriett - Plymouth University (UK)

There are numerous ways that skin can be processed to become a useful material, after additional manipulation an object and ultimately an artefact. Sadly, from a prehistoric perspective much of this transformation does not impart a permanence and being organic it seldom survives. However, peat bog environments have the potential to preserve a range of skin. One such artefact, the Clonbrin shield, was recovered from an Irish bog in 1909.
Many may be familiar with discussion and experimentation using hot-rock technology and Fulacht fiadh. Hot rocks have been employed for cooking, to heat water for washing fleece and cleaning hides. Research with hides has included soaking skins in hot water to remove dung and soften fat to enable easier cleaning. This paper seeks to present pioneering experiments that combines ethnographic investigation and experimental practice that widens the application of hot-stone technology to establish an innovative narrative to produce this shield. The method uses radiating heat to transform a skin, that is then moulded and allowed to cure.
The process enables a shield to be produced easier, quicker, and without additional ingredients needed to make leather and Cuir-Bouilli method that is commonly used in reconstructions today. And the resulting shield has all the attributes required of a practical martial object, it is light weight, but robust, flexible, and durable. The process from preparation of skin, to the resulting capability of the shield to perform as a martial object with be presented. In addition, consideration will be given to the potential of this process to provide insight into skin-based material culture that are often missing in the prehistoric record, and provides a credible alternative to the need for everything recovered from a bog to originally be made from leather.
#EXARC #ExperimentalArchaeology #EAC12