Description

Summary: 1 bronze awl, shaped like a javelin with both ends pointed (one broken), found with a primary inhumation in bowl barrow Winterbourne Stoke G8, excavated by William Cunnington.

Research results

A Bronze Age copper alloy awl found with a primary inhumation in bowl barrow Winterbourne Stoke G8 when it was excavated by William Cunnington in the early 19th century. Other grave goods include beaver incisors and whetstones. These awls have typically assumed to have been leather working tools, however many show liitle indication of use-related wear, and this example shows a complete lack. It may be that these awls were used to puncture something much softer than leather, like human skin in tattooing or for medicinal reasons.

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.