Post by UKarchaeology on Sept 26, 2015 21:23:25 GMT
9 September 2015
A film about a mirror dating back to the First Century BC is to be shown in Didcot, where the artefact was found.
The rare Iron Age mirror was found in a field by a metal detectorist in 2007.
It had been sold by the finder to an anonymous bidder abroad, but the Oxfordshire Museum raised enough money to keep the mirror in the county.
The film, and talks from Oxford University scientists, examine Celtic art and the scientific processes used to examine the mirror.
'Magical objects'
It is one of 18 complete such objects known to exist and has an unusual curvilinear La Tène pattern.
The mirror is the only one of its kind to be found in Oxfordshire.
David Moon, curator of archaeology at Oxfordshire County Council's museums service, said: "Mirrors can be used to reflect light into dark spaces or to signal across distances, as well as to apply make-up or check your hair.
"In many cultures mirrors are magical objects, which reflect an alternative view of the world or act as a portal to another world like Alice found in 'Through the Looking Glass'. This may well have been the case in Iron Age, Druidic society, and mirrors may be connected to fortune telling or shamanic activity."
Dr Peter Northover and Professor Chris Gosden of Oxford University will give talks at the event.
The film is to be shown at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot from 19:00 BST to 21:00 BST.
(source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-34196249 )
A film about a mirror dating back to the First Century BC is to be shown in Didcot, where the artefact was found.
The rare Iron Age mirror was found in a field by a metal detectorist in 2007.
It had been sold by the finder to an anonymous bidder abroad, but the Oxfordshire Museum raised enough money to keep the mirror in the county.
The film, and talks from Oxford University scientists, examine Celtic art and the scientific processes used to examine the mirror.
'Magical objects'
It is one of 18 complete such objects known to exist and has an unusual curvilinear La Tène pattern.
The mirror is the only one of its kind to be found in Oxfordshire.
David Moon, curator of archaeology at Oxfordshire County Council's museums service, said: "Mirrors can be used to reflect light into dark spaces or to signal across distances, as well as to apply make-up or check your hair.
"In many cultures mirrors are magical objects, which reflect an alternative view of the world or act as a portal to another world like Alice found in 'Through the Looking Glass'. This may well have been the case in Iron Age, Druidic society, and mirrors may be connected to fortune telling or shamanic activity."
Dr Peter Northover and Professor Chris Gosden of Oxford University will give talks at the event.
The film is to be shown at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot from 19:00 BST to 21:00 BST.
(source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-34196249 )