Description

Summary: A curved fragment of a shale bracelet, split in half and in three pieces, from Blackberry Field, Potterne, a late Bronze / early Iron Age settlement, excavated by Lawson et al, 1983-85.,

Research results

A shale armlet fragment from a late Bronze age midden deposit at Blackberry Field, Potterne, excavated by Lawson et al, 1983-85.

The jet/jet-like armlet fragments from Potterne were examined by Brück & Davies (2018): though they did not identify any likely chisel or other tool marks on the armlets, they argue that the consistent patterns of breaking (often into halves and quarters) as well as the relatively fresh nature of the breaks suggests a deliberate act. They also note that of the 88 fragments, a large proportion (44%) have an internal diameter of between 5 and 7cm, and so could only realistically been worn by a young child. It has been previously argued that this site was host to large scale ritual feasting and congregation, and Brück & Davies suggest that the large number of jet armlet fragments and roughouts, as well as other artefacts, may have been imbued with social meaning, and played a part in whatever activity was being performed at the site.