UCL Institute of Archaeology Gordon Childe Lecture 2024

‘Hidden valuables: hidden variables. Hoards and other deposits from Mesolithic to modern times’

Abstract

For Gordon Childe deposits of intact or broken metalwork were a key component of the European Bronze Age. They shed light on the important role played by smiths in the processing of ores and the distribution of valuable objects. More recent work has extended his analysis in two ways. Firstly, it is obvious that the artefacts found in hoards also occur in graves, and that some of the same types were deposited in rivers and lakes. And, secondly, these practices extended to other materials and other periods. They began as early as the Mesolithic phase and retained their importance into the early medieval period and even after. The lecture will review some of the main ways of interpreting these finds and will extend from late prehistoric hunter gatherers in Scandinavia to the curious behaviour of a retired archbishop during the 1980s. 

The 'Welcome’ will be given by Kevin MacDonald (Professor of African Archaeology and Director, UCL Institute of Archaeology) and ‘Vote of Thanks’ by Andrew Reynolds (Professor of Medieval Archaeology, UCL Institute of Archaeology).

This in-person event is ticketed, with pre-booking essential, via the link above. 

The Lecture will be followed by a reception in the A.G. Leventis Gallery.

Update (29/04/24): This event has now sold out. If you would like to be added to a reserve list please email your details to Gail Hammond (gail.hammond@ucl.ac.uk).

Read more about previous Gordon Childe Lectures