It would be a great period to game and like others have mentioned the early Irish Myths could be a great source of imformation for gaming scenarios and describe heroic warfare which seems to have a similair feel to those of Homer, even though these Myths may relate to much later times.
In archaeological terms the period in Western Europe saw people carving up the land and the division of land, eithier being grabbed up by powerful individuals or tribes. Ok, it's pre-history but a lot can be gained from the archaeological record if you know where to look.
It saw a proto arms race in the tems of the development of rapiers, spears, daggers, swords and axes all made in bronze (those that have argued for bronze axes of the period being used for tree felling...try cutting a tree down with one!!!...i and a few friends tried with very good replica using the same metal alloys and cast in the same manner in the late 90's as an archaeological experiment, the axe was soon too blunt to cut!
) Other metal items include fragments of helmets, grieves and shields but how common they were is at present highly speculative and even if they were worn in combat but worn for display. Swords of the period display nicks along cutting edges to suggest they where used in combat against other swords and the tips of bronze spear heads have been found lodged in human bones. The style of swords also suggests warfare or combat was at times up close and very personal. Horse equipment also shows up for the first time.
Some have argued that the production of metal and metal artefacts of the period were both considered to be 'magical' processes and perhaps the weapons themselves were considered to have had magic or at least a spirit imbued in them. The source of the metal ores would have been controlled and highly protected and large scale or industrial mining susch as at the Great Orme went on.
The period saw the rise of enclosed settlements and a much greater reliance of farmed livestock i.e cattle and these would have both needed to be protected from nieghbours even if open warfare wasnt an everyday occurance but raiding would have perhaps been more common. It also saw the settlement of marginal land i.e uplands and river valleys occuring suggesting that good agricultural land was at a premium and populations were growing.
Metal objects were also hoarded during the period and many 'founders' hoards composed of broken bronze fragments of weapons have been found and these suggest bronze was a very highly controlled resource in society.
Trade with Europe and Britain went on and sea going vessels have been found, tidal rivers were navigated and so were our inland waterways, large dugout wooden boats have been found in places like the Humber and Trent.
Conspicious consumption through feasting and displays of giving up precious items to the 'God's' (normally in wet places like rivers and bogs) have been found in the archaeological context. The climate also appears to have been milder and wetter than today with a much greater rainfall and this has been considered to be a driving factor in a greater stratification of society and perhaps one of the drivers of structured society and all the things it brings with it i.e tribes and tribal leaders, followers, politics and squabbles.
Hope this quick overview from an ex-archaeologists and wargamer gives a bit of food for thought for the period
even if his spelling is lousy
24 June 2008, 11:11:28 AM
