Bronze AgeWorld atlas

event · evt_bi_salcombe_earlier_metalwork_episode

Earlier Salcombe offshore metalwork episode

Part of the Salcombe assemblage is assigned to an earlier later Bronze Age episode with copper, tin and finished metal objects.

Evidence confidence: moderate
Awaiting expert reviewBritain and Ireland expansion for the Bronze Age Systems Atlas

What is the evidence?

observation

Part of the Salcombe assemblage is assigned to an earlier later Bronze Age episode with copper, tin and finished metal objects.

observed evidence

Part of the Salcombe assemblage is assigned to an earlier later Bronze Age episode with copper, tin and finished metal objects.

A cargo-loss or wreck episode is plausible and supports maritime metal movement, but no hull survives and the assemblage may combine more than one depositional process.

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.

Preferred assertion

1300 BCE–1150 BCE

Precision: typological and archaeometallurgical range

Chronology model: regionally resolved positive bce

moderate

Positive BCE integers are used; the larger value is earlier. The range preserves archaeological and calibration uncertainty. A cargo-loss or wreck episode is plausible and supports maritime metal movement, but no hull survives and the assemblage may combine more than one depositional process.

Alternative assertion

1300 BCE–800 BCE

Precision: combined typological range

Chronology model: single combined assemblage display

low

A broad 1300–800 BCE display range is retained only to document the legacy combined treatment; the preferred release represents earlier and later episodes separately.

Interpretation and caveats

A cargo-loss or wreck episode is plausible and supports maritime metal movement, but no hull survives and the assemblage may combine more than one depositional process.

Event context

Classification

Event type: maritime cargo loss or deposition

Evidence layer: archaeological

Timeline role: regional core

Why it matters to the timeline

This regional-core event directly addresses tin, copper, maritime exchange and the distinction between provenance, cargo and depositional interpretation.

Alternative interpretations

  • The objects could derive from repeated losses or structured deposition rather than one wrecked cargo. (moderate confidence)

Research notes

  • Reanalyses the large Salcombe copper and tin assemblages using trace elements and isotopes to evaluate provenance and circulation. Role: provides evidence and date. Locator: Abstract; archaeological objects; analytical results; discussion and conclusions.
  • Analyses 25 copper ingots and selected microstructures from the Salcombe seabed assemblage. Role: provides evidence and date. Locator: Abstract; pp. 102–117; provenance discussion.
  • Provides direct compositional and microstructural analysis of the large Salcombe tin-ingot assemblage. Role: provides evidence and date. Locator: Abstract; pp. 80–92; discussion and conclusion.

Evidence and sources

Where to go next

Compare the four citiesExplore causes and counter-evidenceExplain a term or date

Referenced records

Related records