Description

Summary: A Bronze Age copper alloy awl found with a secondary inhumation in bowl barrow, Amesbury G51, excavated by William Cunnington.

Research results

A Bronze Age copper alloy awl found with a secondary inhumation in bowl barrow Amesbury G51, excavated by William Cunnington. The other grave goods recorded include a long-necked beaker, antler tools and a wooden knife-like object. These awls are often thought to be leather working tools, but they were either little used or were used to punch something softer, perhaps human skin during tattooing.

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.