Bead of coral

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This coral bead was found at Broxmouth in East Lothian. The coral derives from the Mediterranean, and the bead possibly made its way to Scotland as part of a chain of long-distance aristocratic gift exchange, in the last four centuries BC.

The bead is made from a short stretch of coral stem, unmodified in shape except for being perforated along its centre.

Coral was a popular prestige item in Iron Age Europe, used for beads and to adorn brooches. This bead is the only example of a coral bead from Scotland.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-239-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.1997.758
• Date: 400 BC - 0
  Between 400 BC and 0
  
• Material: Coral
  Bead / coral / fragment
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Bead / coral / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Europe, Mediterranean
  Scotland, East Lothian, Dunbar, Broxmouth
  
• Event:
• Description: Fragment of Mediterranean coral bead from Broxmouth, East Lothian, 400 BC - 0
  
• References:
• Translations:
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