Elizabeth Foulds
Durham University, Archaeology, Faculty Member
- Independent Researcher, Independent Researcher, Faculty Memberadd
- Archaeology, Material Culture Studies, Archaeological Method & Theory, Experimental Archaeology, Archaeological Theory, Ancient economies (Archaeology), and 47 moreGender Archaeology, Celtic Archaeology, Theoretical Archaeology, Archaeology of ethnicity, Roman Britain, British Prehistory (Archaeology), Iron Age Britain (Archaeology), Archaeological Ethics, Archaeology of Childhood, Metalwork (Archaeology), Use Wear Analysis, Dress and Personal Adornment (Archaeology), Glass (Archaeology), Archaeology of Personal Adornment, Iron Age Ireland (Archaeology), Ornament (Archaeology), Iron Age (Archaeology) (Archaeology), Ancient Glass, Glass Beads, Prehistoric Glass, Prehistoric personal ornaments, Iron Age, Early Iron Age, Ancient Glass Analysis, Glass, Celtic Studies, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Iron Age (Archaeology), Death and Burial (Archaeology), Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Roman Glass, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Prehistoric Archaeology, History of Textiles, Archaeological textiles, Celtic History, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Dress and identity, Hallstatt, Household Archaeology, Prehistoric Archeology, Late Bronze Age, Material Culture, Ancient Agriculture & Farming (Archaeology), Iron Age Textiles, Ancient jewellery, and Archaeological textiles and clothingedit
- I'm a small finds specialist that covers a range of materials including metalwork, worked bone and stone, glass, cera... moreI'm a small finds specialist that covers a range of materials including metalwork, worked bone and stone, glass, ceramic, clay pipe, and leather. My research interests include the late prehistoric and Roman periods in Britain, identity, dress and adornment, and the history of development of archaeology as a discipline.edit
Studies of Iron Age artefacts from Britain tend to be dominated either by the study of metalwork, or pottery. This book presents a study not only of a different material, but also a different type of object: glass beads. These are found... more
Studies of Iron Age artefacts from Britain tend to be dominated either by the study of metalwork, or pottery. This book presents a study not only of a different material, but also a different type of object: glass beads. These are found in a range of different sizes, shapes, colours, and employ a variety of different decorative motifs.
Through an analysis of glass beads from four key study regions in Britain, the book aims not only to address regional differences in appearance and chronology, but also to explore the role that this object played within the networks and relationships that constructed Iron Age society. It seeks to understand how they were used during their lives and how they came to be deposited within the archaeological record, in order to establish the social processes that glass beads were bound within.
The results indicate that glass beads were a strongly regionalised artefact, potentially reflecting differing local preferences for colour and motif. In addition, glass beads, in combination with several other types of object, were integral to Middle Iron Age dress. Given that the first century BC is often seen as a turning point in terms of settlements and material culture, this supports the possibility of strong continental exchange during an earlier period for either glass beads or raw materials. However, by the Late Iron Age in the first century BC and early first century AD, their use had severely diminished.
Through an analysis of glass beads from four key study regions in Britain, the book aims not only to address regional differences in appearance and chronology, but also to explore the role that this object played within the networks and relationships that constructed Iron Age society. It seeks to understand how they were used during their lives and how they came to be deposited within the archaeological record, in order to establish the social processes that glass beads were bound within.
The results indicate that glass beads were a strongly regionalised artefact, potentially reflecting differing local preferences for colour and motif. In addition, glass beads, in combination with several other types of object, were integral to Middle Iron Age dress. Given that the first century BC is often seen as a turning point in terms of settlements and material culture, this supports the possibility of strong continental exchange during an earlier period for either glass beads or raw materials. However, by the Late Iron Age in the first century BC and early first century AD, their use had severely diminished.
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Dress Studies, History of Dress, Iron Age Britain (Archaeology), Dress and the Body, and 23 moreRoman Britain, Dress and Personal Adornment (Archaeology), Prehistoric Technology, Dress and identity, Glass (Archaeology), Iron Age Gaul (Archaeology), Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Iron Age (Archaeology), Iron Age Britain and Ireland (Archaeology), Biography of artefacts, Ancient Glass, Iron Age, Roman Glass, Beads, Early Iron Age, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Prehistoric Archeology, Ancient Glass Analysis, Glass Beads, Ancient Glass Beads, Ancient beads, and Archaeology of Britain
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Material Culture Studies, Iron Age Britain (Archaeology), Roman Britain, and 11 moreDeath and Burial (Archaeology), British Prehistory (Archaeology), Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Roman numismatics and archaeology, Ancient Glass, Roman coins, Iron Age, Roman Glass, Glass Beads, Prehistoric Glass, and Roman Archaeology
Archaeological works undertaken as part of Highways England’s A1 road improvement scheme between Leeming Bar and Barton encountered a large rural Roman cemetery at Bainesse, near Catterick in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. A... more
Archaeological works undertaken as part of Highways England’s A1 road improvement scheme between Leeming Bar and Barton encountered a large rural Roman cemetery at Bainesse, near Catterick in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. A copper-alloy bead was found to contain preserved string formed of two strands of an organic material twisted together in one of more than 200 burials. Scanning electron microscopy analysis suggests that the string was made of a club moss or a related species of fibre. This discovery further widens the repertoire of indigenous plant species used in Roman Britain for the production of textiles and emphasises the importance of fibre identification even of small organic remains.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Roman Britain, Roman Britain and Europe, Roman Textile Production, Roman burial practices, and 16 moreBeads, British Archaeology, Romano-British history and archaeology, Archaeological textiles, Archaeological textiles and clothing, Roman Textiles, Roman cemetery, Archaeology of Roman Britain, Romano-British Archaeology, Archaeology of Britain, Roman Archaeology, Roman Beads, Burial in Roman Britain, Archeology, Roman Death and Burial, and Roman material culture
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Celtic Studies, Material Culture Studies, Glass, and 22 moreIron Age Britain (Archaeology), Celtic Archaeology, Glass (Archaeology), Consumption and Material Culture, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Later prehistoric Britain and Europe, Iron Age (Archaeology), Material Culture, Ancient Glass, Iron Age, Roman Glass, Early Iron Age, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Prehistoric Archeology, Ancient Glass Analysis, Glass Beads, Celtic, The Archaeology of London, Ancient Britain, Celtic glass, and Late Iron Age
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Celtic Studies, Dress Studies, Anthropology of Dress, Glass, and 23 moreIron Age Britain (Archaeology), Dress and the Body, Celtic Archaeology, Dress and Personal Adornment (Archaeology), Dress and identity, Glass (Archaeology), Iron Age Britain and Ireland (Archaeology), Gender and identity (Archaeology), Archaeology of Identity, Ancient Glass, Iron Age, Roman Glass, Colour Archaeology, Iron Age northern Britain, Ancient Glass Analysis, Glass Beads, Iron Age Britain, Glass beads or small glass finds, Ancient Glass Beads, Dress, Celtic glass, Fashion, and gender and identity studies
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Iconography, History of Dress, Textiles, and 10 moreHistory of Costume, Identity (Culture), Scandinavia, Costume and Identity, Dress and Personal Adornment (Archaeology), Scandinavia (Archaeology), Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Scandinavian Archaeology, Prehistoric Textiles, Dyeing, Weaving, and Late Iron Age
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, History Of London, Roman Britain, British Prehistory (Archaeology), and 12 moreLater prehistoric Britain and Europe, Ancient Glass, Roman Glass, Book Reviews, Roman Glass, Glass Technology, Prehistoric Glass, Hellenistic and Roman Glass Trade, Great Britain, The Archaeology of London, Pre-Roman Britain, Excavations, and Roman Archaeology
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Glass, Iron Age Britain (Archaeology), British Prehistory (Archaeology), Glass (Archaeology), and 21 morePrehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Late Iron Age (Archaeology), Iron Age (Archaeology), Iron Age Britain and Ireland (Archaeology), Ancient Glass, Ancient jewellery, Iron Age, Prehistoric hillfort, Early Iron Age, Ancient Glass Analysis, Glass Beads, Hillforts and Enclosures, Prehistoric Wales, Hillforts and oppida, Early Iron Age, Late Iron Age, Roman period, Late Antiquity, typology, chronology, distribution, function, fibulae, weapons, tools, harness, metal vessels, writing equipment, balances and weights, small finds, Ancient Glass Beads, Ancient beads, Artefact Studies, Iron Age Hillforts, Prehistoric Artefacts, and Welsh Archaeology
Two teams conducted a geophysical survey at the Iron Age site of Swallowcliffe Down (SM AM837) in Wiltshire (ST96782543) in July 2014. The aim of the survey was to locate the pits excavated in the 1920s by Dr RCC Clay, to find evidence... more
Two teams conducted a geophysical survey at the Iron Age site of Swallowcliffe Down (SM AM837) in Wiltshire (ST96782543) in July 2014. The aim of the survey was to locate the pits excavated in the 1920s by Dr RCC Clay, to find evidence for any other unexcavated features, and evidence for the extent of the site. The survey focused on two areas. The first was a small area that contained an earthwork, described by Clay as a ‘circus’ or ‘amphitheatre’ that lays to the south. To the north is the main area of the survey that contained parts of an enclosure ditch and numerous pits. Results revealed a number of circular negative features in this area, many of which were the previously excavated pits. However, the survey also revealed unexcavated pits and circular features that may be roundhouses.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Settlement Patterns, Archaeological Method & Theory, Early Medieval Archaeology, and 22 moreIron Age Britain (Archaeology), Survey (Archaeological Method & Theory), Early medieval Britain (Archaeology), Prehistoric Settlement, Celtic Archaeology, British Prehistory (Archaeology), Archaeological Geophysics, Archaeological Fieldwork, Iron Age (Archaeology), Iron Age Britain and Ireland (Archaeology), Settlement archaeology, Celtic Archeology, Iron Age, Archaeological survey, Early Iron Age, Iron Age archaeology, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Prehistoric Archeology, Archaeology of Britain, Archaeologicl Geophysics / Geophysical Prospecting / Archaeology / Earth Sciences, Archeology, and Archaeology of SW Britain
Studies of Iron Age artefacts from Britain tend to be dominated either by the study of metalwork, or pottery. This thesis presents a study not only of a different material, but also a different type of object: glass beads. These are found... more
Studies of Iron Age artefacts from Britain tend to be dominated either by the study of metalwork, or pottery. This thesis presents a study not only of a different material, but also a different type of object: glass beads. These are found in a range of different sizes, shapes, colours, and employ a variety of different decorative motifs. Thus far, glass beads have been studied through typology (Guido 1978a) and compositional analysis (Bertini 2012; Henderson 1982), yet a thorough analysis of the social context of glass beads remains absent.
Through an analysis of glass beads from four key study regions in Britain, this thesis aims not only to address regional differences in appearance and chronology, but also to explore the role that this object played within the networks and relationships that constructed Iron Age society. It seeks to understand how they were used during their lives and how they came to be deposited within the archaeological record, in order to establish the social processes that glass beads were bound within.
The results indicate that glass beads were a strongly regionalised artefact, potentially reflecting differing local preferences for colour and motif. In addition, glass beads, in combination with several other types of object, were integral to Middle Iron Age dress. Given that the first century BC is often seen as a turning point in terms of settlements and material culture, this supports the possibility of strong continental exchange during an earlier period for either glass beads or raw materials. However, by the Late Iron Age in the first century BC and early first century AD, their use had severely diminished.
Through an analysis of glass beads from four key study regions in Britain, this thesis aims not only to address regional differences in appearance and chronology, but also to explore the role that this object played within the networks and relationships that constructed Iron Age society. It seeks to understand how they were used during their lives and how they came to be deposited within the archaeological record, in order to establish the social processes that glass beads were bound within.
The results indicate that glass beads were a strongly regionalised artefact, potentially reflecting differing local preferences for colour and motif. In addition, glass beads, in combination with several other types of object, were integral to Middle Iron Age dress. Given that the first century BC is often seen as a turning point in terms of settlements and material culture, this supports the possibility of strong continental exchange during an earlier period for either glass beads or raw materials. However, by the Late Iron Age in the first century BC and early first century AD, their use had severely diminished.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Gender Studies, Archaeology of Gender, Celtic Studies, and 31 moreIdentity (Culture), Archaeological Method & Theory, Glass, Agency Theory, Colour Theory, Archaeology of ethnicity, Celtic Archaeology, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Dress and Personal Adornment (Archaeology), Gender Archaeology, Glass (Archaeology), Ethnicity, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Agency (Archaeological Theory), Later prehistoric Britain and Europe, Burial mounds (Archaeology), Biography of artefacts, Ancient Glass, Ancient jewellery, Iron Age, Roman Glass, Colour Archaeology, Ancient Glass Analysis, Glass Beads, Archaeology of death and burial, Britain, Celtic glass, Artefact Studies, Archeology, Later European Prehistory, and Bead
A history of British glass begins in the Bronze Age. However, only a handful of artefacts can be attributed to this period (i.e. Must Farm, Cambridgeshire), and it is really in the Iron Age (c. 800 BC – 43 AD) that glass objects become... more
A history of British glass begins in the Bronze Age. However, only a handful of artefacts can be attributed to this period (i.e. Must Farm, Cambridgeshire), and it is really in the Iron Age (c. 800 BC – 43 AD) that glass objects become more numerous. These objects are beads, which sadly have seen little study since the 1970s and 1980s, and previous approaches have tended to focus on typological and scientific approaches, rather than to understand the social impact of these artefacts.
In the past, glass was assumed to have been an intrinsic exotic medium through which British Iron Age peoples expressed their status and wealth. However, burial evidence is geographically and chronologically limited. In addition, glass beads are rarely found in caches, unlike metalwork. Thus, it becomes difficult to compare such artefacts to understand the Iron Age view of materials and their relationship to status. There is very little evidence to support the idea that glass was intrinsically a high- or low-status material. Instead, glass beads are found at a range of settlements and in a small number of localised burials, which has implication for understanding Iron Age daily practice.
This paper aims on the one hand to increase the awareness of the importance of this object for understanding the history of glass in Britain, and on the other to demonstrate that beads are much more than types and dates, as they also provide valuable insight into the daily life in Iron Age Britain. Therefore, it will present a summary of the major conclusions on glass beads, ranging from typology and chronology to regional use and bodily adornment.
In the past, glass was assumed to have been an intrinsic exotic medium through which British Iron Age peoples expressed their status and wealth. However, burial evidence is geographically and chronologically limited. In addition, glass beads are rarely found in caches, unlike metalwork. Thus, it becomes difficult to compare such artefacts to understand the Iron Age view of materials and their relationship to status. There is very little evidence to support the idea that glass was intrinsically a high- or low-status material. Instead, glass beads are found at a range of settlements and in a small number of localised burials, which has implication for understanding Iron Age daily practice.
This paper aims on the one hand to increase the awareness of the importance of this object for understanding the history of glass in Britain, and on the other to demonstrate that beads are much more than types and dates, as they also provide valuable insight into the daily life in Iron Age Britain. Therefore, it will present a summary of the major conclusions on glass beads, ranging from typology and chronology to regional use and bodily adornment.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Iron Age Britain (Archaeology), Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, and 12 moreLate Iron Age (Archaeology), Iron Age (Archaeology), Material Culture, Ancient Glass, Iron Age, Early Iron Age, Ancient Glass, Pottery Typology, Ancient Glass Analysis, Glass Beads, Prehistoric Glass, Late Prehistoric, and Ancient Glass Beads
"A history of British glass begins in the Bronze Age. However, only a handful of artefacts can be attributed to this period (i.e. Must Farm, Cambridgeshire), and it is really in the Iron Age (c. 800 BC – 43 AD) that glass objects become... more
"A history of British glass begins in the Bronze Age. However, only a handful of artefacts can be attributed to this period (i.e. Must Farm, Cambridgeshire), and it is really in the Iron Age (c. 800 BC – 43 AD) that glass objects become more numerous. These objects are beads, which sadly have seen little study since the 1970s and 1980s, and previous approaches have tended to focus on typological and scientific approaches, rather than to understand the social impact of these artefacts.
In the past, glass was assumed to have been an intrinsic exotic medium through which British Iron Age peoples expressed their status and wealth. However, burial evidence is geographically and chronologically limited. In addition, glass beads are rarely found in caches, unlike metalwork. Thus, it becomes difficult to compare such artefacts to understand the Iron Age view of materials and their relationship to status. There is very little evidence to support the idea that glass was intrinsically a high- or low-status material. Instead, glass beads are found at a range of settlements and in a small number of localised burials, which has implication for understanding Iron Age daily practice.
This paper aims on the one hand to increase the awareness of the importance of this object for understanding the history of glass in Britain, and on the other to demonstrate that beads are much more than types and dates, as they also provide valuable insight into the daily life in Iron Age Britain. Therefore, it takes a social approach to understanding a variety of aspects of glass beads. Through a regional comparison of different characteristics, such as use, colour, and motif, it becomes clear that Iron Age beads were highly regionalised and perhaps even reflect local aesthetics. "
In the past, glass was assumed to have been an intrinsic exotic medium through which British Iron Age peoples expressed their status and wealth. However, burial evidence is geographically and chronologically limited. In addition, glass beads are rarely found in caches, unlike metalwork. Thus, it becomes difficult to compare such artefacts to understand the Iron Age view of materials and their relationship to status. There is very little evidence to support the idea that glass was intrinsically a high- or low-status material. Instead, glass beads are found at a range of settlements and in a small number of localised burials, which has implication for understanding Iron Age daily practice.
This paper aims on the one hand to increase the awareness of the importance of this object for understanding the history of glass in Britain, and on the other to demonstrate that beads are much more than types and dates, as they also provide valuable insight into the daily life in Iron Age Britain. Therefore, it takes a social approach to understanding a variety of aspects of glass beads. Through a regional comparison of different characteristics, such as use, colour, and motif, it becomes clear that Iron Age beads were highly regionalised and perhaps even reflect local aesthetics. "
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The study of glass beads has traditionally been limited to aspects of classification and scientific study with little attempt to fully integrate these objects into the wider understanding of bodily adornment in Iron Age Britain. This... more
The study of glass beads has traditionally been limited to aspects of classification and scientific study with little attempt to fully integrate these objects into the wider understanding of bodily adornment in Iron Age Britain. This builds a limited picture of the Iron Age and often restricts our perception of Iron Age objects of adornment to a ‘metal-dominant’ viewpoint. However, it is clear from the archaeological record that glass beads form a significant portion of the objects worn as adornment during this period. Compared to other metal-based objects, glass beads are unique because they are colourful and often employ complex design motifs, such as spirals or concentric rings. But, like metal they can be melted and reformed.
This paper will explore objects of bodily adornment and their deposition in Iron Age Britain. It aims to place glass beads into context with other adornment objects. For comparative purposes, this paper will utilise two of the study regions set out in the methodology of the project: northeast Scotland and southwest England, two areas of extreme bead concentration. While previous studies have suggested that these areas reflect manufacture locations, the evidence for this is extremely limited. Instead, this paper will consider these areas as regions where glass beads may have been manufactured but emphasises that these were areas where glass beads were utilised. By placing glass beads into the context of other objects of adornment we will begin to integrate glass beads into the wider understanding of identity in the Iron Age.
This paper will explore objects of bodily adornment and their deposition in Iron Age Britain. It aims to place glass beads into context with other adornment objects. For comparative purposes, this paper will utilise two of the study regions set out in the methodology of the project: northeast Scotland and southwest England, two areas of extreme bead concentration. While previous studies have suggested that these areas reflect manufacture locations, the evidence for this is extremely limited. Instead, this paper will consider these areas as regions where glass beads may have been manufactured but emphasises that these were areas where glass beads were utilised. By placing glass beads into the context of other objects of adornment we will begin to integrate glass beads into the wider understanding of identity in the Iron Age.
The study of glass beads has traditionally been limited to aspects of classification and scientific study with little attempt to fully integrate these objects into the wider understanding of bodily adornment in Iron Age Britain. This... more
The study of glass beads has traditionally been limited to aspects of classification and scientific study with little attempt to fully integrate these objects into the wider understanding of bodily adornment in Iron Age Britain. This builds a limited picture of the Iron Age and often restricts our perception of Iron Age objects of adornment to a ‘metal-dominant’ viewpoint. However, it is clear from the archaeological record that glass beads form a significant portion of the objects worn as adornment during this period. Compared to other metal-based objects, glass beads are unique because they are colourful and often employ complex design motifs, such as spirals or concentric rings. But, like metal they can be melted and reformed.
This paper will explore objects of bodily adornment and their deposition in Iron Age Britain. It aims to place glass beads into context with other adornment objects. For comparative purposes, this paper will utilise two of the study regions set out in the methodology of the project: northeast Scotland and southwest England, two areas of extreme bead concentration. While previous studies have suggested that these areas reflect manufacture locations, the evidence for this is extremely limited. Instead, this paper will consider these areas as regions where glass beads may have been manufactured but emphasises that these were areas where glass beads were utilised. By placing glass beads into the context of other objects of adornment we will begin to integrate glass beads into the wider understanding of identity in the Iron Age.
This paper will explore objects of bodily adornment and their deposition in Iron Age Britain. It aims to place glass beads into context with other adornment objects. For comparative purposes, this paper will utilise two of the study regions set out in the methodology of the project: northeast Scotland and southwest England, two areas of extreme bead concentration. While previous studies have suggested that these areas reflect manufacture locations, the evidence for this is extremely limited. Instead, this paper will consider these areas as regions where glass beads may have been manufactured but emphasises that these were areas where glass beads were utilised. By placing glass beads into the context of other objects of adornment we will begin to integrate glass beads into the wider understanding of identity in the Iron Age.