Description

Summary: 11 amber beads, found with a primary cremation in disc barrow Wilsford G3, excavated by William Cunnington

Research results

A group of 11 Bronze Age amber beads, found with a primary cremation in disc barrow Wilsford G3, excavated by William Cunnington. The burial, contained in a small circular pit, had been deposited with a small necklace of faience, amber and jet beads, with the contrast between bright reds, blues and black doubtlessly being quite striking.

This object was examined as part of the research published in Ritual in Early Bronze Age Grave Goods; a six-year research project carried out by Professor John Hunter and Dr Anne Woodward and funded by the Leverhulme Trust. Aided by a large number of other specialists the pair undertood an exhuastive study examining over 1000 objects held in 13 museums across the country in order to provide an extensive overview of burial practices in the period and identify regional practices.