Description

Summary: 1 bronze awl with flattened tang found with a primary cremation in Bell Barrow Wilsford G42, excavated by William Cunnington.

Research results

A Bronze Age copper alloy awl found with a primary cremation in Bell Barrow Wilsford G42, excavated by William Cunnington. These awls were long assumed to be leather working tools, but more recent analysis has suggested many were either little used or were used to pierce something much softer, perhaps human skin in tattooing or for medicinal purposes. Other finds from this grave include a bone and glass bead.

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.