NECKLACE

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This necklace of jet and cannel coals beads was found in a cist burial at Masterton in Fife. A man and a woman were buried with wealthy grave goods between 2050 and 1800 BC, the woman wearing this expensive necklace.

The necklace was made of 68 spindle-shaped beads, 88 small disc beads and one perforated triangular toggle. The beads were strung into five rows with the disc beads at the ends of the rows of each string.

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. Jet was used in the Bronze Age for high status objects.

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• Online ID: 000-100-036-019-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.EQ 642
• Date: Between 2050 and 1800 BC
  
• Material: Jet
  
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• Where: Scotland, Fife, Pitreavie, Masterton
  
• Event:
• Description: Necklace of jet beads from a Bronze Age burial at Masterton, Pitreavie, Fife
  
• 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, p 286. 
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