Arreton-Phase Bronze Spear-Making Class
Come join us at Park in the Past for a two-day hands-on experience in crafting your very own bronze spear!
Learn the ancient techniques used during the Arreton Phase to create this subtle weapon. The Arreton phase took place during the period from 1700 to 1500 B.C and is notable in Britain for its tanged spearheads.
Skilled instructors Rowan Taylor and Clare Collier will guide you through each step of the process, from carving the soapstone mold to casting and cold-working the bronze, to shaping, straightening and fitting the shaft.
Rowan Taylor (instagram: @rolyatnawor) is a well-known archaeological metalworker with a propensity towards iron-age techniques, materials and philosophies who has worked on projects include the analysis of metalwork from Sutton Hoo and the forging of an anchor for a viking warship.
Clare Collier (instagram: @smeltdownblacksmiths), whom you may recognise from the award winning TV series "Make it at Market" is an incredibly talented blacksmith with a flair for design and a passion for historical techniques and niche archaeological objects.
This in-person event is perfect for metalworkers, history buffs and primitive technologies enthusiasts alike. Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of bronze spear-making! During the course of this class, you will have the opportunity to:
- Mix copper and tin in order to produce bronze
- Use your bronze and your mould to cast a small, Arreton-phase style spearhead based on an example from early bronze-age Britain.
- Work harden your spearhead before stone polishing the casting.
- Fire-straighten a shaft of green Hazel or Ash.
- Carve and shape the shaft of ash or hazel
- Fit your spearhead to the shaft using leather thonging and a wooden dowel.
For those of you who work fast, you will also have the opportunity to make a woven birch bark sheath for your spear.
Please note that the event is self-catering.
