Casgliadau Arlein

This fragement is just over half of an Early Bronze Age Copper alloy Awl. It was associated with cremated remains dated to 1891-1700 cal BC (95.4% probability: SUERC-82561) in pit [2526], Early Bronze Age.

The surviving part is from the point and the square sectioned shank. It is not possible to tell whether it had been a single or double pointed awl.

While fragile and corroded, it does not show signs of having passed through the funerary pyre - indeed, experimentatal cremation of a copper alloy awl demonstrated that it perished completely in the heart of the pyre.

There is a possibility that it could have been used to fasten an organic container in which the cremated remains were buried. Another possibility is that it could have been kept back from cremation and deposited as a valued personal possession of the deceased person.

Its material has been analysed using X-ray fluorescence spectronomy, which has confirmed that is is of copper alloy rather than copper.