R Faulkner-Jones | University of Edinburgh (original) (raw)

Papers by R Faulkner-Jones

Research paper thumbnail of Hate or glory: a categorical and experimental consideration Bronze Age halberds in Scotland in relation to MBA weaponry

University of Edinburgh Doctoral Thesis, 2021

Despite being one of the largest collections of their type in Europe, the Early Bronze Age halber... more Despite being one of the largest collections of their type in Europe, the Early Bronze Age halberds in Scotland have not been catalogued or analysed since Coles’ 1968-9 work. Accordingly, every halberd in Scotland was recorded and catalogued to assess the size and level of preservation of the assemblage. Experimental work using a replica halberd was designed to determine the capabilities and limitations of the weapon. Prior to this, experiments using a replica Middle Bronze Age dirk from Friarton, Perthshire were designed to establish the methodology and experimental protocol. These included the design and manufacture of the replica, the human tissue analogue used, the layout and audience for the experiment, and the subsequent data analysis. The experimentally derived data on the dirk were compared with extant catalogue data to investigate whether the damage inflicted on the replica blade could be observed on the prehistoric dirks. The replica halberd experiments were then undertaken using SynboneTM and a pig carcass as skeletal and soft human tissue proxies respectively, with the methodology and experimental protocol having been refined following the investigations with the replica dirk. Again, the experimentally derived data were compared to the catalogue data generated in the first part of the project. An interpretative model synthesising all the halberd data is then derived as one possible interpretation as to the uses and distribution of the halberds.

Research paper thumbnail of Experiments with the replica Friarton Dirk

A very well-preserved Middle Bronze Age dirk was recovered from the River Tay near to Friarton, P... more A very well-preserved Middle Bronze Age dirk was
recovered from the River Tay near to Friarton, Perth.
A replica of this blade was commissioned by the Perth
Museum and Art Gallery. This replica was used as part
of a series of experiments using both skeletal and soft
tissue analogues to determine the combat capabilities
of Middle Bronze Age weaponry, the preliminary results
of which are discussed here. These experiments also
provided an opportunity to test a novel methodology
based on applied queer theory in archaeology.

Research paper thumbnail of Call for Papers: Third Annual Student Archaeology Conference 2015, University of Edinburgh

The 3rd ASA will be held in June 2015 at the University of Edinburgh. Abstract submissions are p... more The 3rd ASA will be held in June 2015 at the University of Edinburgh. Abstract submissions are particularly encouraged from undergraduates and early-stage postgraduates. The four sessions are:
Historical Archaeology
Archaeology Beyond Academia
Applied Theoretical Archaeology
Scientific Methods in Archaeology

Submission deadline is 15th March 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Speak, Giant Mother: Perceptions of the Cumbrian Stone Circles From the Nineteenth Century to the Present Day

Two of the larger stone circles in Cumbria were chosen as the focus of a fieldwork project design... more Two of the larger stone circles in Cumbria were chosen as the focus of a fieldwork project designed to gauge the general public’s level of understanding and knowledge of British stone circles. To this end, willing participants completed a short questionnaire on the sites during July –August 2011. In addition, members of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society were invited to complete the questionnaire, and their responses were contrasted with the data gathered from the general public to ascertain the difference in understanding, if any, between the two groups. As Cumbria was integral to the Romantic Movement that occurred in Britain simultaneously with the development of archaeology as a distinct academic discipline in the nineteenth century, the stone circles are also examined in relation to changing ideological and academic paradigms since the 1850s. It transpired that this could be related to some of the data collected during the fieldwork period, and this is discussed in the final chapter and conclusion.

Dissertation for the MA(Hons) in Archaeology, University of Edinburgh

Research paper thumbnail of Non-funerary weapon deposition in Bronze Age Scotland

Research paper thumbnail of Hate or glory: a categorical and experimental consideration Bronze Age halberds in Scotland in relation to MBA weaponry

University of Edinburgh Doctoral Thesis, 2021

Despite being one of the largest collections of their type in Europe, the Early Bronze Age halber... more Despite being one of the largest collections of their type in Europe, the Early Bronze Age halberds in Scotland have not been catalogued or analysed since Coles’ 1968-9 work. Accordingly, every halberd in Scotland was recorded and catalogued to assess the size and level of preservation of the assemblage. Experimental work using a replica halberd was designed to determine the capabilities and limitations of the weapon. Prior to this, experiments using a replica Middle Bronze Age dirk from Friarton, Perthshire were designed to establish the methodology and experimental protocol. These included the design and manufacture of the replica, the human tissue analogue used, the layout and audience for the experiment, and the subsequent data analysis. The experimentally derived data on the dirk were compared with extant catalogue data to investigate whether the damage inflicted on the replica blade could be observed on the prehistoric dirks. The replica halberd experiments were then undertaken using SynboneTM and a pig carcass as skeletal and soft human tissue proxies respectively, with the methodology and experimental protocol having been refined following the investigations with the replica dirk. Again, the experimentally derived data were compared to the catalogue data generated in the first part of the project. An interpretative model synthesising all the halberd data is then derived as one possible interpretation as to the uses and distribution of the halberds.

Research paper thumbnail of Experiments with the replica Friarton Dirk

A very well-preserved Middle Bronze Age dirk was recovered from the River Tay near to Friarton, P... more A very well-preserved Middle Bronze Age dirk was
recovered from the River Tay near to Friarton, Perth.
A replica of this blade was commissioned by the Perth
Museum and Art Gallery. This replica was used as part
of a series of experiments using both skeletal and soft
tissue analogues to determine the combat capabilities
of Middle Bronze Age weaponry, the preliminary results
of which are discussed here. These experiments also
provided an opportunity to test a novel methodology
based on applied queer theory in archaeology.

Research paper thumbnail of Call for Papers: Third Annual Student Archaeology Conference 2015, University of Edinburgh

The 3rd ASA will be held in June 2015 at the University of Edinburgh. Abstract submissions are p... more The 3rd ASA will be held in June 2015 at the University of Edinburgh. Abstract submissions are particularly encouraged from undergraduates and early-stage postgraduates. The four sessions are:
Historical Archaeology
Archaeology Beyond Academia
Applied Theoretical Archaeology
Scientific Methods in Archaeology

Submission deadline is 15th March 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Speak, Giant Mother: Perceptions of the Cumbrian Stone Circles From the Nineteenth Century to the Present Day

Two of the larger stone circles in Cumbria were chosen as the focus of a fieldwork project design... more Two of the larger stone circles in Cumbria were chosen as the focus of a fieldwork project designed to gauge the general public’s level of understanding and knowledge of British stone circles. To this end, willing participants completed a short questionnaire on the sites during July –August 2011. In addition, members of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society were invited to complete the questionnaire, and their responses were contrasted with the data gathered from the general public to ascertain the difference in understanding, if any, between the two groups. As Cumbria was integral to the Romantic Movement that occurred in Britain simultaneously with the development of archaeology as a distinct academic discipline in the nineteenth century, the stone circles are also examined in relation to changing ideological and academic paradigms since the 1850s. It transpired that this could be related to some of the data collected during the fieldwork period, and this is discussed in the final chapter and conclusion.

Dissertation for the MA(Hons) in Archaeology, University of Edinburgh

Research paper thumbnail of Non-funerary weapon deposition in Bronze Age Scotland