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Bead of amber

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From Lanarkshire

Bead of amber
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This amber bead was found in a burial mound somewhere in Lanarkshire along with six locally made cannel coal beads. It is made of Scandinavian amber, and was imported from northern Europe sometime between 2450 and 2000 BC.

The bead is in the shape of a miniature battle axe, a symbol of power in Scotland and Continental Europe.

Only the wealthiest and highest status people had access to gold and amber in Bronze Age Britain. Amber beads and full-sized stone battle axes are known from early individual burials across the North Sea. Beads of this type are unique in Scotland.

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