Description

Summary: 1 Bronze Age bone object, possibly a Mesh Rule for netting, made from an animal rib, the sides have been straightened, ends flat with a bevel, from Roundway Barrow G5, Roundway, Wiltshire.

Research results

One of four Bronze Age bone spatulae found with the primary cremation of the eastern mound of the conjoined bowl barrow Roundway G5b, excavated by William Cunnington in the 1850s. Each of the four is made from a worked animal rib, and analysis of the use wear patterns on these spatulae and similar objects supports the suggestion that they were used during pressure flaking of flint, as would be used during the creation of barbed and tanged arrowheads. Interestingly, this grave also contained a number of grooved stones that may have been used for straightening arrow shafts.

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.