Bronze age grave goods from Bedd Branwen burial site, Anglesey

Description

Jet and amber beads which were discovered at the burial site known as 'Bedd Branwen' [Branwen's Grave], near the river Alaw, Llanbabo, Anglesey.

By 1600 B.C. cremation had become the normal means of human burial. Following the cremation ceremony, the ashes and bones were either gathered and buried in a hole in the ground or were left on the surface. More attention was paid to the ashes on some occasions and they were placed in containers such as pottery urns. Sometimes items such as tools, weapons or personal ornaments were burnt and/or buried with the deceased. There is a difference between objects which adorned the corpse on the pyre and those which were placed for the use of the deceased in the after-life as offerings. The necklace of jet and amber beads shown here was an offering which was placed in the grave (burial H). The necklace was placed on top of the bones and represents considerable wealth and status on behalf of the community and the deceased. Composite necklaces of this type are found frequently in the Wiltshire area. Amber was imported from the Baltic area by the Wessex leaders, the dominant culture of the time, and then traded with different groups. It is virtually unknown in Wales, so this small necklace indicates that there was some trade with the Wessex people.