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fitzcoraldo Jul 2, 2004 10:05:46

Replying to FourWinds

I think your being a bit harsh on Mr Burl. The theories about the axe trade are the 'best fit' we have based on solid evidence and field work.
You ask for evidence - hit the books fella, it's all there.
I'll scratch the surface for you.
Scandanavian, Alpine, and Breton axes are found around Britain. Large concentrations of axes from the Lizard (group I) found in Suffolk, the greatest concentration of Langdale axes (group VI) occur most commonly in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands, Group VII axes from North Wales are found in Kent, to name just three examples. I dunno about huge axe markets but there is plenty of evidence of the passing of good amounts of axes between communities, which implies trade.
People were travelling the length and bredth of Britain and Ireland seeking axes, these were people who had access to local stone that would have done the job just as well but they chose to undertake journeys to aquire 'exotic' axes for some reason. Many of the finest axes had no practical use whatsoever and have been found deposted in burial monuments, henges and other ritual settings.
No lay-line-ologies there just years of solid fieldwork & research.

FourWinds Jul 2, 2004 16:50:03

Replying to fitzcoraldo

>> You ask for evidence - hit the books fella, it's all there.
>> I'll scratch the surface for you.

Ooh, it's so nice to be patronised.

>> these were people who had access to local stone that would have done the job just
>> as well but they chose to undertake journeys to aquire 'exotic' axes for some reason.

Who said they did? Has anyone found a Neolithic PDA with a travel itinery in it? It is just as likely that exotic axes were given either as dowreys or peace offerings or were taken as trophies after a battle.

There's no need to go on a journey just for an axe. Axes would have been traded along with gold, pots, skins etc and so they would have travelled without the need for anyone to go on a long journey. What of the travelling salesman? These certainly existed in the Bronze Age. Did this practice only start in the Bronze Age? I shouldn't think so, it's more likely to have been carried on from earlier times.

There are only a handful of axe factories in Ireland so the some sections of the Irish community, who would have traded other goods with mainland GB anyway, would have had to obtain axes from other places (and traded Irish ones as export), especially if they were at war with the tribes between them and the 'local' axe factories. The people might not have 'chosen' to travel to get axes, but may have been forced to do so.

Also, why travel to a nearer axe factory across hostile terrain full of wolves, bears and bandits, when you can sail safely to a friendly village further away where you can obtain them? To a people with exceptional sailing skills (probably) the choice is simple.