Amber beads, large
A group of larger amber beads found in Grave 10. Amber is fossilised tree sap and probably would have come from the Baltic Sea area.
AD 550 - AD 600
Amber beads, small
A group of small amber beads found in a grave. Amber is fossilised tree sap and probably would have come from the Baltic Sea area.
AD 550 - AD600
Antler Cone
The use of this antler cone is uncertain. It may have been a pendant. Alternatively, it could have been a symbolic amulet, perhaps to encourage fertility, or even a miniature drinking horn.
AD 410 ...
Beaver Incisor Tooth Pendant
The tooth is set in bronze and may have been worn as a charm. Found pre-excavation, in 1921 during road works.
The European Beaver (Castor fiber) was a common animal in Saxon times. [They lived in ...
Bone Comb
Two fragments of a double-sided, bone comb with central strengthening plates fastened with iron rivets.
6th Century A.D.
129mm long x 43mm wide
1922/23 excavations (Grave 152)
Bone Netting Needle
The netting needle has the remains of a threading eye at the base and a pair of notches above for fixing the twine. This was found in a female burial.
6th Century A.D.
160mm long
1922/23 excavations ...
Bronze and iron rings
These rings may have been the closures for a cloth or leather bag placed at the Cunning Woman’s left hip. One ring is made of bronze, and the smaller ring is made of iron. The iron ring has corroded ...
Bronze Belt Clip
Such bronze clips were found in male burials at Bidford. This one was found in association with a shield decoration.
6th Century A.D.
76mm long
1922/23 excavations (Grave 33)
Bronze Bowl
Large bronze bowl, made from a single sheet of metal and with traces of the original iron suspension handle. The bowl was discovered resting on a piece of wood, over the skull of a warrior buried with ...
Bronze cosmetic set
This cosmetic set consists of two points and one scoop suspended from a wire ring. The points would have been used as nail cleaners, or possibly toothpicks. The scoop would have been used for cleaning ...
Bronze cylinders
These small metal tubes were probably lace tags, from the ends of leather thongs, which may have fastened the bag containing the miniature buckets around the neck.
AD 410 - AD 600
Bronze diamond-shaped brooch
The surface of this brooch has been coated with a white metal (perhaps tin) to make it look like silver. The pattern is made up of diamond shapes and was probably copied from designs on textiles imported ...
Bronze disc brooch – front
Bronze disc brooch with ring and dot decoration.
AD 410 - AD 600
Bronze items including fastener
The pair of bronze fasteners (right) would have used to close the wrist openings of a long-sleeved under-dress. Both pairs found at Bidford were in female graves.
6th Century A.D.
Left: 44mm
Right: ...
Bronze Pendant
This pendant was found near the miniature bucket pendants. This type of disc-shaped pendant is sometimes found as an ornament on full-size bronze and wood buckets. It could have had a symbolic value.
AD ...
Bronze Pin
Bronze breast pin with faceted head.
6th Century A.D.
155mm long
1922/23 excavations (Grave 28)
Bronze small-long brooch
Bronze small-long brooch with a cross potent head.
AD 410 - AD 600
Bronze 'Spangle'
This small triangle of metal may have been part of a string of beads, and would have sparkled and jangled.
AD 410 - AD 600