Was tin being extracted in the local area during the Bronze Age? This bead may suggest that it was.Tin has a long and important local history; this bead provides evidence which suggests that it could date back to the Bronze Age. There is a high level of tin in the bead, which is unnecessary for its construction. This and other factors suggest tin might have been mined locally during the Bronze Age. Tin was a valuable resource needed to make bronze and would have been an important trading commodity both within the British Isles and beyond. Why was so much tin in the bead? Possibly it was added due to its value and status. Tin may also have been seen as magical, as in its raw state it is matt black but when processed it becomes silvery and shiny. This bead and others were found at the Bronze Age settlement site of Shaugh Moor on the south west edge of Dartmoor. Extensive field systems and settlement sites make Dartmoor the best preserved Bronze Age landscape in northern Europe.
Faience Bead from Dartmoor
Contributed by Plymouth City Museum
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ or the British Museum. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
About this object
Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline
- Location
- Culture
- Period
- Theme
- Size
-
- H:
- 1.87cm
- W:
- 0.49cm
- D:
- 0.49cm
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in Devon.
Find out more
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iD
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ navigation
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ links
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Â© 2014 The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Comments
I read this contribution with interest as I've noticed that a high proportion of Bronze Age settlements in the high moorland zone of Dartmoor have accompanying evidence of(later?) tin extraction. The close proximity of sources of tin( evidence of later mining works) to roundhouse remains, indicates that the"metals of the moor" are possibly responsible for attracting prehistoric miners as far back as the Bronze Age.