Fragment of a ceramic bowl

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This fragment of a ceramic bowl is one of a number of pots found in a chambered cairn at Unstan on Orkney. It was placed as a grave gift inside the tomb, and probably contained an offering of food or drink. The pot dates from between 3400 and 2900 BC.

The pot has a deep round base and a collar decorated with incised, alternately sloping lines. It has been partly restored.

Many of Scotland's early farming communities buried their dead in communal tombs. Various offerings for the afterlife were included, such as food, in pots or as joints of meat, and everyday possessions such as flint arrowheads and tools.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-035-180-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.EO 136
• Date: Between 3400 and 2900 BC
  
• Material: Ceramic; hatched lines round rim; imperfect on one side
  Pottery / urn
  
• Dimensions: 15.50" D
  
• What: Pottery / urn
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Unstan
  
• Event:
• Description: Urn with hatched lines round rim, from Unstan, Orkney
  
• References:
  • Davidson, J.L. and Henshall, A.S. The Chambered Cairns of Orkney. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1989. 
• Translations:
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