In southern Great Britain, archaeologists have discovered an intriguing phenomenon: metal objects from the Bronze Age found in much more recent contexts within the same era. These artifacts, known as out-of-time objects, reveal fascinating aspects of social memory, the reuse of ancient goods, and the relationship of prehistoric societies with their own past.
The study by Matthew G. Knight, from the Department of History and Archaeology of Scotland at the National Museum of Scotland, documents 34 sites where ancient metal objects were buried in later contexts.
These findings include both hoards and individually deposited objects in settlements and other significant locations. The key question that arises is: why did Bronze Age societies decide to preserve, alter, or re-bury objects much older than expected?
The way human groups remember and forget their past has been the subject of numerous studies. In prehistory, objects could be deposited in specific places as a way to commemorate events, establish continuity with their ancestors, or legitimize the occupation of certain territories.
Some of these artifacts appear to have been carefully preserved, while others show signs of wear or repairs before their final deposition.
One of the most interesting cases is that of the Yattendon hoard, which contained an Early Bronze Age axe along with pieces from the Middle and Late Bronze Age. The diversity of objects suggests that later societies may have deliberately accumulated ancient objects, whether for ritualistic, practical, or symbolic reasons.
Another remarkable find is the Milsoms Corner shield, an artifact that was carefully maintained and later deposited in a pit with other symbolic elements. The interpretation of these objects is not straightforward.
Some archaeologists argue that they may have been relics passed down from one generation to another, while others suggest that they may have simply been recycled or discarded remains. However, their frequent discovery in ritual contexts and the absence of signs of mass recycling support the idea that they held special significance.
The location of the finds is also crucial. Many of these objects have been discovered on hills, in rivers, or in valleys, indicating that their deposition may have been linked to culturally significant places. In the Thames Valley region, for example, numerous hoards containing objects from different periods have been found, suggesting that Bronze Age communities actively interacted with their material past.
While these objects seem to have been important in their time, their final deposition can also be interpreted as a deliberate act of forgetting. In some cases, the artifacts show signs of having been intentionally damaged before being buried, which could indicate an attempt to break with the past or to close a historical cycle.
The study of these out-of-time objects offers us a unique window into understanding the complex ways in which ancient societies managed their cultural heritage. Were these objects venerated as ancestral relics? Or were they simply part of a process of landscape cleaning and reorganization?
The answer remains an enigma, but what is clear is that the relationship of these societies with their past was far more dynamic than we might have imagined.
SOURCES
Knight MG. ‘Out-of-time’ Objects: Commemorating and Forgetting Traditions through Bronze Age Metalwork in Southern Britain. Cambridge Archaeological Journal. Published online 2025:1-17. doi:10.1017/S0959774325000034
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