Description

Summary: 5 rings of Kimmeridge shale (one of which was perforated for suspension) found with a wrapped primary cremation under an inverted urn in disc barrow Winterbourne Stoke G67, excavated by William Cunnington.

Research results

Five Bronze Age shale rings, found with a primary cremation in disc barrow Winterbourne Stoke G67, excavated by William Cunnington. These shale rings were found with an amber bead, two faience beads and a shale button, as well as a jet bead which is now lost. Whilst wear on the button suggests it was used as a fastener or stud, it is likely the other objects are lements from a composite necklace.

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.