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Bead

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from Cairnholy, Kirkcudbrightshire

Bead
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This highly polished jet bead was found in a long cairn at Cairnholy in Kirkcudbrightshire. It was amongst other material such as pottery sherds, a stone disc and shells blocking the forecourt. The bead dates from between 2000 and 1500 BC.

The only significant source of good quality jet occurs around Whitby in Yorkshire, although jet-related substances like cannel coal and lignite are known from several places in Scotland.

Partly as a result of this rarity and partly due to its electrostatic qualities, jet was valued through the ages. It required great skill to carve and pierce jet with the tools available to ancient crafts people.

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