event · evt_bi_dowris_phase_emergence
Emergence of the Dowris metalwork phase
Distinctive Irish swords, spearheads, vessels, horns and ornaments grouped within the Dowris phase emerge around the ninth century BCE and continue later.
What is the evidence?
observation
Distinctive Irish swords, spearheads, vessels, horns and ornaments grouped within the Dowris phase emerge around the ninth century BCE and continue later.observed evidence
Distinctive Irish swords, spearheads, vessels, horns and ornaments grouped within the Dowris phase emerge around the ninth century BCE and continue later.Dowris marks a major archaeological phase but not a named people. Its onset is not a sharp island-wide political boundary and its fuller development extends beyond the release interval.
Inspect the sources →Review and provenance
Specialist reviewer: not recorded. Review date: not recorded.
Dataset workflow: proposed. This is separate from specialist review.
Confidence describes the stated assessment; it does not certify expert approval. How review works.
Chronology
Dating intervals may describe uncertainty or phases; their width alone does not establish event duration.
900 BCE–800 BCE
Precision: typological transition range
Chronology model: regionally resolved positive bce
moderatePositive BCE integers are used; the larger value is earlier. The range preserves archaeological and calibration uncertainty. Dowris marks a major archaeological phase but not a named people. Its onset is not a sharp island-wide political boundary and its fuller development extends beyond the release interval.
- supports · dates
New data on Irish Later Bronze Age metallurgy: exploring technological continuity and change — Carlo Bottaini, Dirk Brandherm (2026)Chemical analysis of 105 Irish Middle and Late Bronze Age artefacts finds broad continuity in Cu-Sn alloying with occasional elevated lead.
Locator: Abstract; pp. 1–36; dataset discussion - supports · dates
Late Bronze Age gold hoards: Mooghaun and Dowris — National Museum of IrelandCuratorial synthesis of major Irish gold and bronze hoards and their depositional settings.
Locator: Mooghaun and Dowris sections; object totals and context
Interpretation and caveats
Dowris marks a major archaeological phase but not a named people. Its onset is not a sharp island-wide political boundary and its fuller development extends beyond the release interval.
Event context
Classification
Event type: metalwork phase transition
Evidence layer: archaeological
Timeline role: regional core
People and places
Locations: Dowris archaeological metalwork phase and distribution, Irish Late Bronze Age metallurgical phase
Affected entities: Dowris archaeological metalwork phase and distribution, Irish Late Bronze Age metallurgical phase
Why it matters to the timeline
This regional-core event anchors the Irish end of the interval and the approach to the Early Iron Age.
Research notes
- Chemical analysis of 105 Irish Middle and Late Bronze Age artefacts finds broad continuity in Cu-Sn alloying with occasional elevated lead. Role: provides evidence and date. Locator: Abstract; pp. 1–36; dataset discussion.
- Curatorial synthesis of major Irish gold and bronze hoards and their depositional settings. Role: provides evidence and date. Locator: Mooghaun and Dowris sections; object totals and context.
Evidence and sources
- supports · provides evidence and date
New data on Irish Later Bronze Age metallurgy: exploring technological continuity and change — Carlo Bottaini, Dirk Brandherm (2026)Chemical analysis of 105 Irish Middle and Late Bronze Age artefacts finds broad continuity in Cu-Sn alloying with occasional elevated lead.
Locator: Abstract; pp. 1–36; dataset discussion - supports · provides evidence and date
Late Bronze Age gold hoards: Mooghaun and Dowris — National Museum of IrelandCuratorial synthesis of major Irish gold and bronze hoards and their depositional settings.
Locator: Mooghaun and Dowris sections; object totals and context