Description

Summary: 1 pointed and curved antler implement from primary deposit (no burial) in bowl barrow Collingbourne Kingston G4, excavated by William Cunnington

Research results

A Bronze age curved bone point, found with a primary deposit in bowl barrow Collingbourne Kingston G4 when it was excavated by William Cunnington in the early 19th century. The point was one of a group of four and was also found with other grave goods, including a chisel and its antler handle, as well as a bone plate; their was no accompanying body or cremation however. These bone points are thought to have been sewn onto garments possibly forming ornamental fringes, in a manner comparable to historically recorded shamans in Siberia.

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.