An exceptional case of a textile bag from the Atlantic 2 Late Bronze Age hoard at Hellez, Saint-Ygeaux (Côtes-d’Armor)

Asbtract. The Hellez metal hoard was discovered at Saint-Ygeaux, in the Côtes-d’Armor region of Brittany. The excavation of the hoard area provided a rare opportunity to make in situ observations. This article presents a detailed typological study, as well as microwear observations and a textile study. Fifty metal fragments were brought to light, some of which were still preserved in a bitronconic ceramic vessel. At the bottom of the vessel, thirteen small bronze fragments were found grouped together in a small linen bag closed with a herbaceous sprig. These objects appear to have been used as weights. Based on its composition, the hoard is clearly attributable to the Atlantic 2 Late Bronze Age (swords with tripartite tongues and grooved blades, spearheads with short sockets, massive palstave axes with no central rib). Certain typological characteristics also point to a recent phase of BFa 2, in particular the features of an almost complete sword. These observations are confirmed by the absolute dating of the vegetable fibres of the bag, in the following interval: 1056-917 cal BC

Ancient history · Archaeology · Armour · Art · Art history · Bronze · Bronze Age · Composite material · Hoard · SAINT · Textile · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology · History · Materials Science · Metallurgy and Cultural Artifacts