Description

Summary: 1 spherical shale bead with gold cover, decorated with an engraved band of four parallel lines around each end and the centre, found with a primary inhumation in Bowl Barrow Wilsford G7, excavated by William Cunnington

Research results

A spherical bead found with a primary inhumation in Bowl Barrow Wilsford G7, excavated by William Cunnington in the early 19th century. The pendant consists of a gold cover around a core of what is probably shale; the decoration seen on the core is replicated on the gold cover. Based on the similarity of production, it has been suggested that the bead was produced by the same craftsman as the conical gold covered button from Upton lovell G2e. The pendant was buried with an individual placed with their head to the west and with a collared urn at their feet. In addition, a number of other pendants and an insence cup were also found. The grave goods come from a variety of sources and show varying degrees of wear. They may have been accumulated piecemeal over time and some may even have been heirlooms by the time of their deposion.