Description

Summary: 1 bone belt hook (broken), locality unknown, presumably excavated by William Cunnington.

Research results

A Bronze Age bone belt hook, probably excavated by William Cunnington in Wiltshire, but without a detailed find spot. These belt hooks are typically found with graves dating to the period c. 2000-1700 BC and are thought to have been used to fasten belts and straps, however, a recently identified copper alloy hook corroded to the blade of a dagger from Barrow Wilsford G23 suggests they may also have been used to secure sheaths.

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.