Description

Summary: 1 pottery lip stud found by head of a primary female inhumation in Bowl barrow Preshute G1a, excavated by Howard B. Cunnington, 1907.

Research results

A Bronze Age ceramic stud found with the primary inhumation of bowl barrow Preshute G1a, excavated by Howard Cunnington in 1907. This wealthy grave belonged to an elderly woman who had been buried crouched on her side; she had been buried with a grape cup, three awls, a large number of jet and shale beads and a number of other objects of jewellery incorperating gold and other materials. This ceramic stud is one of a number known thoughout the country, often also made of jet or shale, normally found near the head of a burial. The lack of wear seen on the wasted section of these studs as well as their position in graves possibly suggests that they were pierced through ear lobes or lips.

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.