Wilburton-Wallington Phase facts for kids
The Wilburton-Wallington Phase is the name given by archaeologists to a special time during the Bronze Age in Britain. It happened between about 1140 BC and 1020 BC. During this phase, people became very skilled at working with metals.
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What Was the Wilburton-Wallington Phase?
This period was a key part of the Bronze Age, a time when bronze was the most important metal. Archaeologists, who are like history detectives, named this phase after two important places: Wilburton in the south of Britain and Wallington in the north.
Where Did It Happen?
The Wilburton metalworking style was found mostly in the south of Britain. At the same time, the Wallington style was common in the north, especially around Northumberland. Both areas shared similar ways of making and using metal.
New Ways of Making Bronze
During the Wilburton-Wallington Phase, people started using a new mix of metals to make bronze. They added copper, lead, and tin together. This new alloy (a mix of metals) made their bronze even stronger and easier to work with.
What Did They Make?
People during this time created many useful and powerful items. They made:
- Leaf-shaped slashing swords: These were long, thin swords shaped like a leaf, designed for cutting.
- Socketed spearheads: These spearheads had a hollow part (a socket) where a wooden shaft could fit. They were held in place with a small peg.
- Horse-bits: These metal pieces were put in a horse's mouth to help control the animal.
- Socketed axes: Like the spearheads, these axes had a socket for a wooden handle, making them strong and effective tools.
Other Similar Periods
The Wilburton-Wallington Phase in Britain was not alone. Similar metalworking styles were happening in other places too.
- In Scotland, there were the Poldar industries.
- In Ireland, people had the Roscommon industries.
- It also had links to the Urnfield culture in South Germany, which was a big culture in Europe at that time.
What Came Before and After?
Before the Wilburton-Wallington Phase, Britain had the Penard Period. After it, came the Ewart Park Phase or Blackmoor Period. Each of these periods showed new steps in how people used and made metal.
