The Early Bronze Age Cemetery at Tarves, Aberdeenshire,
and its Spacer-plate Necklace of Jet, Jet-like Material and Amber
Developer-funded excavation at Tarves, Aberdeenshire by Cameron Archaeology for
Scotia Homes revealed an Early Bronze Age cemetery featuring urned and un-urned
deposits of cremated remains and a grave containing a jet spacer-plate necklace.
Developer-funded excavation at Duthie Road, Tarves, Aberdeenshire, in September-
October 2021 by Cameron Archaeology for Scotia Homes in advance of a housing
development revealed an Early Bronze Age cemetery extending over an area c. 75 x70
m. The cemetery was focussed on a low rise within a broad valley with hills to the N, S,
E and W. A total of 16 ring ditches were located toward the crest of the rise, including
one large and two medium sized ring ditches, and 13 smaller ring features. Two linear
posthole alignments of 3 posts each were located to N and S of the ring features. A
portable cup-marked stone was placed cup-side down in the central posthole of the N
alignment. There were two main clusters of graves: one to the NW and one to the SW,
downslope of the ring features, although four graves were found within ring features.
Most of the graves featured deposits of cremated human remains, some in cinerary
urns, others un-urned, in simple pits. Possible pyre areas, characterised by intense
scorching of the subsoil, were identified in the SW of the site. One of the urns is a Vase
Urn, probably dating to just before or around 2000 BC. At least one grave that is likely
to have held an unburnt body featuring unburnt skeletal remains and numerous pottery
sherds was found. This grave produced the most spectacular find - components of a
spacer-plate necklace, made from jet, jet-like material and amber. The results of the
excavation will be presented, and the design and significance of the necklace will be
discussed.
Presentation by Moyra Simon and Alison Sheridan
Cameron Archaeology Ltd