Steatite urn

This steatite urn was found at Uyea on Unst in Shetland. It was used to hold cremated remains, sometime between 1850 and 1200 BC.

The urn is fragmentary at the top.

Inhabitants of the Northern Isles had their own distinctive funerary customs during the 2nd millennium BC, burying their dead in distinctive pots. Steatite, which outcrops on Shetland, is an easily carved stone, and was sometimes used instead of pottery.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-035-089-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.EK 28
• Date: Between 1850 and 1200 BC
  
• Material: Steatite, imperfect
  Pottery / urn
  
• Dimensions: 8" x 5.25" x 4.75"
  
• What: Pottery / urn
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Shetland, Unst, Uyea
  
• Event:
• Description: Pottery / urn
  
• References:
• Translations:
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