Description

Summary: 1 bone wristguard/ bracer with 2 oblique holes at one end and one at the other (opening on to the edge) from a primary deposit (no burial) in bowl barrow Collingbourne Kingston G4, excavated by William Cunnington

Research results

A Bronze Age bone plate, found with a primary deposit in bowl barrow Collingbourne Kingston G4, excavated by William Cunnington in the 19th century. Thew plate was found alongside a number of other objects, including a chisel or axe and antler handle, but was not buried with a body or cremation. The plate is made from a well worked cattle rib, it is delicate and shows very little sign of wear, which suggests it was an ornament rather than a bracer or guard, probably sewn onto a garment.

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.