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Archaeologists examine evidence to understand general trends in ancient daily life. However, after this #CYO2, it is evident that individualistic and outlandish items found in caches have the capacity to compliment general trends unearthed by typical archaeological methods
Archaeologists examine evidence to understand general trends in ancient daily life. However, after this #CYO2, it is evident that individualistic and outlandish items found in caches have the capacity to compliment general trends unearthed by typical archaeological methods
I decided to listen to an episode from the Dirt podcast entitled “Cache of the Day: Hordes, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures". Anna and Amber, the two hosts of the podcast, examine six archaeological caches from various parts of the world throughout the podcast[1]
![I decided to listen to an episode from the Dirt podcast entitled “Cache of the Day: Hordes, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures". Anna and Amber, the two hosts of the podcast, examine six archaeological caches from various parts of the world throughout the podcast[1]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC7kmEXEAEUdRB.png "I decided to listen to an episode from the Dirt podcast entitled “Cache of the Day: Hordes, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures\". Anna and Amber, the two hosts of the podcast, examine six archaeological caches from various parts of the world throughout the podcast[1]")
An archaeological cache tends to be a specific, buried deposit of numerous items either in a grave or on their own. These items can range from knives, to helmets, to swords, to drugs, and even missiles! [2]
The podcast discusses 6 archaeological caches: A Gallic warrior in Britain, a Bolivian tomb full of drug paraphernalia, Clovis style stone tools, African religious material in Maryland, missiles in India, and a cache of metallic objects dug up by one very good dog![3]
The reasons for ancient humans to leave behind caches can vary. The podcast discusses how caches may be used as way to keep valued items safe. Caches can also be used for religious purposes, or just as a means of storage.[4]
This thread will focus on how the specific caches above can be connected back to our archaeological tools in understanding ancient peoples, looking at a wide variety of archaeological evidence. First however, we can examine connections between coin hoards and caches
First, there are distinct connections between caches and coin hoards. Laing discusses that there are three reasons why someone might bury a coin hoard: fear, safety, or profit[5]. These incentives to bury a hoard align generally with the reasons that someone might bury a cache.
![First, there are distinct connections between caches and coin hoards. Laing discusses that there are three reasons why someone might bury a coin hoard: fear, safety, or profit[5]. These incentives to bury a hoard align generally with the reasons that someone might bury a cache.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC75rjWAAIC2x_.png "First, there are distinct connections between caches and coin hoards. Laing discusses that there are three reasons why someone might bury a coin hoard: fear, safety, or profit[5]. These incentives to bury a hoard align generally with the reasons that someone might bury a cache.")
For example, Anna and Amber anecdotally reference a massive wheel of parmesan cheese buried in London by a man during the great london fire[6]. The reasons for its burial seem to align with why one might bury ancient hoards of coins.
The man likely buried the cheese to keep it safe from the great london fire, a fear that it might be destroyed, and a desire to maintain resources that purchased the cheese (three years of salary!). [7]
Now we can connect some of the more specific cache examples back to archaeological strategies. First, the podcast focuses on the grave of a Gallic warrior who fled Caesar on the mainland and died in Britain. He was buried with a bent sword, and a massive, ornate helmet.[8]
![Now we can connect some of the more specific cache examples back to archaeological strategies. First, the podcast focuses on the grave of a Gallic warrior who fled Caesar on the mainland and died in Britain. He was buried with a bent sword, and a massive, ornate helmet.[8]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElDAYv_XEAAfT7x.jpg "Now we can connect some of the more specific cache examples back to archaeological strategies. First, the podcast focuses on the grave of a Gallic warrior who fled Caesar on the mainland and died in Britain. He was buried with a bent sword, and a massive, ornate helmet.[8]")
![Now we can connect some of the more specific cache examples back to archaeological strategies. First, the podcast focuses on the grave of a Gallic warrior who fled Caesar on the mainland and died in Britain. He was buried with a bent sword, and a massive, ornate helmet.[8]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElDAa_NXEAEkoOj.jpg "Now we can connect some of the more specific cache examples back to archaeological strategies. First, the podcast focuses on the grave of a Gallic warrior who fled Caesar on the mainland and died in Britain. He was buried with a bent sword, and a massive, ornate helmet.[8]")
Using the helmet, we can discern what battle could have been like at the time. For example, we use the helmets of gladiators in ancient Rome to understand their experience in combat. It also provides insight into how fit the gladiator needed to be, and how they fought.[9]
![Using the helmet, we can discern what battle could have been like at the time. For example, we use the helmets of gladiators in ancient Rome to understand their experience in combat. It also provides insight into how fit the gladiator needed to be, and how they fought.[9]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC99I-XYAIAVJc.png "Using the helmet, we can discern what battle could have been like at the time. For example, we use the helmets of gladiators in ancient Rome to understand their experience in combat. It also provides insight into how fit the gladiator needed to be, and how they fought.[9]")
![Using the helmet, we can discern what battle could have been like at the time. For example, we use the helmets of gladiators in ancient Rome to understand their experience in combat. It also provides insight into how fit the gladiator needed to be, and how they fought.[9]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC9-oHWMAARz_e.jpg "Using the helmet, we can discern what battle could have been like at the time. For example, we use the helmets of gladiators in ancient Rome to understand their experience in combat. It also provides insight into how fit the gladiator needed to be, and how they fought.[9]")
![Using the helmet, we can discern what battle could have been like at the time. For example, we use the helmets of gladiators in ancient Rome to understand their experience in combat. It also provides insight into how fit the gladiator needed to be, and how they fought.[9]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC-AL8W0AMiLiG.jpg "Using the helmet, we can discern what battle could have been like at the time. For example, we use the helmets of gladiators in ancient Rome to understand their experience in combat. It also provides insight into how fit the gladiator needed to be, and how they fought.[9]")
The Gallic helmet may also be useful in discerning how this particular kind of warrior fought during the time.
Next, Laing comments that ancient coin hoards can throw light onto commerce and trade routes of antiquity[10].
![The Gallic helmet may also be useful in discerning how this particular kind of warrior fought during the time. Next, Laing comments that ancient coin hoards can throw light onto commerce and trade routes of antiquity[10].](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC-Jc8WAAALIoB.png "The Gallic helmet may also be useful in discerning how this particular kind of warrior fought during the time. Next, Laing comments that ancient coin hoards can throw light onto commerce and trade routes of antiquity[10].")
Next, Laing comments that ancient coin hoards can throw light onto commerce and trade routes of antiquity[10].
The podcast discusses how the variety of drugs in the Bolivian cave demonstrate how the depositors sourced their drugs from well established trade routes[11]. Large caches that offer a variety of similar items can help paint a picture of commerce and trade in ancient cultures.
![The podcast discusses how the variety of drugs in the Bolivian cave demonstrate how the depositors sourced their drugs from well established trade routes[11]. Large caches that offer a variety of similar items can help paint a picture of commerce and trade in ancient cultures.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC-NlHW0AAONWh.jpg "The podcast discusses how the variety of drugs in the Bolivian cave demonstrate how the depositors sourced their drugs from well established trade routes[11]. Large caches that offer a variety of similar items can help paint a picture of commerce and trade in ancient cultures.")
Clovis style tools in Colorado also connect to how archaeologists understand ancient stone tools. Anna and Amber comment how Clovis projectiles are unique in their fluted base, which is created by removing flakes from the center of the tool which leaves a channel.[12]
Archaeologists originally struggled to determine exactly how ancient North American cultures were able to create this fluted structure[13]. Perhaps these Clovis finds helped archaeologists better make these connections
![Archaeologists originally struggled to determine exactly how ancient North American cultures were able to create this fluted structure[13]. Perhaps these Clovis finds helped archaeologists better make these connections](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC_uEMXYAEdzW4.png "Archaeologists originally struggled to determine exactly how ancient North American cultures were able to create this fluted structure[13]. Perhaps these Clovis finds helped archaeologists better make these connections")
![Archaeologists originally struggled to determine exactly how ancient North American cultures were able to create this fluted structure[13]. Perhaps these Clovis finds helped archaeologists better make these connections](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElC_vlAXEAI3jJT.png "Archaeologists originally struggled to determine exactly how ancient North American cultures were able to create this fluted structure[13]. Perhaps these Clovis finds helped archaeologists better make these connections")
These caches can simultaneously elucidate major trends about cultures, but also provide unique insight into individual lives. Take the man with his parmesan cheese wheel for instance[14]. Does this man burying his huge wheel of cheese reveal much about London at the time? No.
However, this man and his love of cheese, and perhaps more importantly his clear frugality and connection with Italy, can help complement our understanding of individuals living in London.
Clearly, many of these caches contained items that we would not always associate with archaeology[15], like missiles, drugs, and cheese. However, these caches may help reveal nuanced trends of ancient cultures that pottery and coins simply cannot.
![Clearly, many of these caches contained items that we would not always associate with archaeology[15], like missiles, drugs, and cheese. However, these caches may help reveal nuanced trends of ancient cultures that pottery and coins simply cannot.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ElDCXOAWAAITjU0.png "Clearly, many of these caches contained items that we would not always associate with archaeology[15], like missiles, drugs, and cheese. However, these caches may help reveal nuanced trends of ancient cultures that pottery and coins simply cannot.")
References:
1.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
2.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
1.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
2.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
3.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
4.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
4.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
5.Liang 1969
6. Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. The Dirt PodcastEpisode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
7. Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
6. Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. The Dirt PodcastEpisode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
7. Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
8. Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
9. Aldrete 2014 Roman Spectacle in Material Culture.
10. Liang 1969
9. Aldrete 2014 Roman Spectacle in Material Culture.
10. Liang 1969
11. Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
12. Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
12. Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
13.Renfrew and Bahn. 2016. Archaeology: Theories, Methods, Practices.
14.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
15. Liang 1969
14.Goldfield, Anna and Amber Zambelli. 2019. Episode 57 - Cache of the Day: Hoards, Caches, and Archaeological Treasures
15. Liang 1969
Image Citations:
Aldrete 2014 Roman Spectacle in Material Culture.
Daley, Jason. 2019. 1,000-Year-Old Pouch From Bolivia Contains Traces of Five Mind-Altering Drugs https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1000-year-old-pouch-bolivia-contains-traces-five-psychoactive-drugs-180972123/
Geggel, Laura. 2019. https://www.livescience.com/66020-gallic-warrior-grave-found.html
Aldrete 2014 Roman Spectacle in Material Culture.
Daley, Jason. 2019. 1,000-Year-Old Pouch From Bolivia Contains Traces of Five Mind-Altering Drugs https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1000-year-old-pouch-bolivia-contains-traces-five-psychoactive-drugs-180972123/
Geggel, Laura. 2019. https://www.livescience.com/66020-gallic-warrior-grave-found.html
