Change of tack? The English eleventh-century horse-tack explosion in context

Fathy, B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5778-2942 (2025) Change of tack? The English eleventh-century horse-tack explosion in context. Archaeological Journal. ISSN 0066-5983 doi: 10.1080/00665983.2025.2513746

Abstract/Summary

The eleventh century marked a significant transformation in English horse equipment, characterized by an unprecedented proliferation of copper-alloy horse tack. Analysing 3086 finds from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), this research reveals a nearly 30-fold increase in copper-alloy horse equipment from the tenth to eleventh centuries, with 62% of finds being stirrup components. This study examines this ‘explosion’ through technological, economic and social lenses. Copper-alloy horse tack emerged amid complex developments in urban metalworking, equestrian culture and status signification. While often associated with Viking and Norman conquests, the material shift reflects broader cultural negotiations rather than simple technological transfer. Notably, the research unveils a robust north–south divide in horse tack distribution, with the North East showing significantly fewer copper-alloy finds. This regional variation challenges assumptions of cultural uniformity and suggests localized material culture dynamics. The results highlights how decontextualized archaeological artefacts can provide profound insights into socio-political and economic changes, offering a sophisticated understanding of human–horse relationships in Medieval England.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-pure-test.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/123844
Identification Number/DOI	10.1080/00665983.2025.2513746
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Archaeology
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item