Description

Summary: 2 V-perforated bone buttons from a primary cremation in disc barrow Sutton Veny G11c, excavated by William Cunnington

Research results

A pair of Bronze Age v-perforated bone buttons, from a primary cremation in disc barrow Sutton Veny G11c, excavated by William Cunnington in the early 19th century. Bone buttons are rare in Britain and they remeble examples seen on mainland europe, and may actually be continental imports. Importantly, both of these buttons are made from the tooth of a marine mammal, probably a sperm whale. A tin bead was another rare artefact also found with these buttons, but has degraded or been lost in the time since discovery.

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.