Description

Summary: 1 polished bone belt hook with a groove around each side, found with a primary cremation in twin bell barrow Wilsford G16, excavated by William Cunnington

Research results

A Bronze Age bone belt ring found with a primary cremation in twin bell barrow Wilsford G15, excavated by William Cunnington. The belt ring was found with a bone pendant that may imitate the shape of a dagger blade. These belt hooks are typically found in graves dating to 2000-1700 BC, and were thought to have fastened belts and straps. The indentification of a copper alloy hook corroded to the blade of a dagger from Wilsford G23 suggests that some might have been used to secure dagger sheaths.

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.