Description

Summary: 1 bronze awl with flattened end, found with primary crouched inhumation in bowl barrow Wimborne St. Giles G9, excavated by William Cunnington

Research results

A Bronze Age copper alloy awl excavated from bowl barrow Wimborne St. Giles G9 by William Cunnington in the early 1800s. The awl was found with the primary crouched inhumation alongside a button and belt ring of jet or shale-like material, and a dagger of an early form. The awl would have originally been held in a wooden or antler handle, although since both sides end in a point it was presumably removable, and was probably used in leather working, although it has also been suggested they were used to puncture the skin to create markings!

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.