Description

Summary: 2 spacer plates and 7 fragments of spacer plates found with primary cremation in Twin Disc Barrow Wimborne St. Giles G8, excavated by William Cunnington

Research results

A group Bronze Age amber spacer plates and fragments from one or more spacer plate necklaces. The plates, along with over 100 amber beads, were excavated by William Cunnington from the twin disc barrow Wiimborne St. Giles G8. Each plate has three through holes along which they were strung as well as thin V-shaped perforations linking the openings on either side. Originally opaque, these V-shaped grooves would have created a geometric pattern and can still be seen in X-rays, and from their angles it is likely at least one fragment represents a temrinal piece. Unfortunately the amber from both mounds of the twin barrow have become mixed, however a third spacer, currently incorperated into the Upton Lovell G2e necklace, is the most likely candidate to have originated in the eastern tump.

This necklace was examined by Kate Verkooijen as part of her PhD thesis (2014). This extensive study examined a huge number of Bronze age amber necklaces from across Britain and the European mainland, as well as obtaining X-ray images where possible and attempting to produce a replica with a variety of different drill bits in order to clarify the exact detail of decoration and better understand production techniques.

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.