Buttons, belt ring and fastener of jet

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These jet buttons, belt ring and fastener were found with a number of other jet and cannel coal buttons in a grave pit beneath a cairn at Harehope in Peeblesshire. They were expensive dress accessories for display, almost all imported from Yorkshire.

The objects were made by highly skilled craftsworkers. The buttons have V-shaped perforations. Many of the objects show little sign of wear, suggesting that they were relatively new when buried.

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: 000-100-103-301-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.1997.401
• Date: 2200 - 1750 BC
  2200 - 1750 BC
  2200 - 1750 BC
  2200 - 1750 BC
  2200 - 1750 BC
  2200 - 1750 BC
  Between 2200 and 1750 BC
  
• Material: Jet
  Jet
  Jet
  Jet; boat-shaped
  Jet; large; V-perforated
  Jet; V-perforated
  Button
  Button
  Button
  Button
  Fastener
  Ring, pulley belt
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Button
  Button
  Button
  Button
  Fastener
  Ring, pulley belt
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: England, Yorkshire, Whitby
  England, Yorkshire, Whitby
  England, Yorkshire, Whitby
  England, Yorkshire, Whitby
  England, Yorkshire, Whitby
  England, Yorkshire, Whitby
  Scotland, Peeblesshire, Harehope
  Scotland, Peeblesshire, Harehope
  Scotland, Peeblesshire, Harehope
  Scotland, Peeblesshire, Harehope
  Scotland, Peeblesshire, Harehope
  Scotland, Peeblesshire, Harehope
  
• Event:
• Description: Large V-perforated jet button, from Harehope, Peeblesshire, 2200 - 1750 BC
  Jet pulley belt ring, from Harehope, Peeblesshire, 2200 - 1750 BC
  Jet boat-shaped fastener, from Harehope, Peeblesshire, 2200 - 1750 BC
  Jet V-perforated button, from Harehope, Peeblesshire, 2200 - 1750 BC
  Jet button from Harehope, Peeblesshire, 2200 - 1750 BC
  Jet button from Harehope, Peeblesshire, 2200 - 1750 BC
  
• 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 206-9, 212-5, 273-4. 
• Translations:
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