Bead of coral

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:	0098: 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
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
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