The social context of seafaring in the Bronze Age revisited

Abstract

The social archaeology of Bronze Age seafaring was the subject of a recent paper published within World Archaeology (Van de Noort 2004). The landscape contexts of the various boat remains from two sites within the Humber estuary, eastern England, were examined and it was argued that different areas of the landscape provided focuses for ritualized and non-ritualized social activity. In this paper we re-consider this view, arguing for a broader consideration of boatbuilding and seafaring that reflects a symbiotic relationship between ritual and practical behaviour at the two sites. On one level, the process of boat construction, mending and possibly ferrying at North Ferriby may be considered from a 'ritualized' context despite lacking monumental architecture. At another, the earlier landscape monuments at Kilnsea may be considered as serving a practical function in terms of navigation and pilotage, in addition to more ritualized activities associated with the arriving, departing and the many dangers associated with seafaring.