Description

Summary: 1 gold sun disk of very thin beaten gold, decorated with a Greek cross etched with horizontal lines encircled by a line and circle of indented dots around the margin, found with two crouched primary male inhumations (archers?) in bowl barrow Mere G6a, found by Mr. Fenton

Research results

A Bronze Age gold sheet disc found with a primary inhumation in bowl barrow Mere G6a, excavated in the 19th century. The disc was found with a pair of crouched primary inhumations and was originally one of a pair, although the secind has been lost. The disc dates to the earliest phase of the Bronze Age, sometimes refered to as the Chalcolithic, and was found with a similarly early form of dagger. It is quite crudely made, as is not uncommon in this early period, and is thought to have either been sewn directly onto clothing or perhaps been a decorative applique for a more substantial button.

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.

This object was on loan to the University of Leicester (February 2023) for wear and compositional analyses. Non-destructive techniques using microscopes, X-Ray Fluorescence and a Scanning Electron Microscope. The project will improve our understanding about how the objects were made, used and deposited. This research, funded by the British Academy, was led by Dr Rachel Crellin, and supported by Dr Christina Tsoraki, Dr Oliver Harris and Dr Christopher Standish. 'From Prestige to Practice: Shedding New Light on Early Bronze Age Gold through Microwear and Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis'. Results are expected in 2024.