Description

Summary: 1 bone belt hook, locality unknown, excavated by William Cunnington. Linked by Woodward & Hunter to West Overton G4.

Research results

A Bronze Age polished bone belt hook, excavated by William Cunnington from Twin Bell Barrow West Overton G4, where is was deposited with the primary cremation and a copper alloy dagger. These belt hooks are found with burials generally dating to c. 2000-1700 BC, and were typically interpretted as belt or strap fasteners. The identification of a copper alloy example corroded onto the blade of a dagger from Wilsford G23 has suggested that some at least were also attached to the sheaths of daggers to help secure them.

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.