Necklace (fragment) and dress ornaments

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These pieces and fragments of amber beads, plates and pendants were found at the Knowes of Trotty at Huntiscarth in Orkney in a wealthy burial which also contained gold dress accessories. The burial dates from between 2000 and 1500 BC.

Many of the pieces were probably part of a necklace either made of the surviving pieces or part of a more elaborate spacer-plate necklace of a type also made in jet. Other pieces appear to be dress ornaments.

Amber was much prized from an early time in Scotland. Much of the Scottish amber originated in the Baltic, traded or exchanged as elite gifts. Only the wealthy and high status people had access to gold and amber in Bronze Age Britain.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-035-729-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.EQ 130
• Date: Between 2000 and 1500 BC
  
• Material: Amber
  Bead / fragment
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Bead / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Huntiscarth
  
• Event:
• Description: Amber beads and fragments from Huntiscarth, Orkney
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 92, 206-8, 213, 282. 
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