Skip to main content Accessibility statement

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking the Accept button, you agree to us doing so. More info on our cookie policy.

Histories of Northamptonshire
View in timeline

Bronze Age Spoon

Bronze Age 1970 - 1740 BCE Geologic to Prehistoric

A rare Bronze Age Ceramic spoon found in a cremation burial found during excavations in Middleton Cheney.

Bronze Age ceramic spoon © NMAG
Bronze Age ceramic spoon
Rear of ceramic spoon from cremation burial at Middleton Cheney © NMAG
Rear of ceramic spoon from cremation burial at Middleton Cheney

This complete ceramic spoon was found in Middleton Cheney during the excavation of three Early Bronze Age cremation burials. Two of the cremation burials were without urns and unaccompanied by grave goods; but the third cremation was interred in a collared urn, which also contained a ceramic spoon and a bronze awl. The young person buried with the spoon was around 11 years old. Although spoons or scoups are one of the most basic utensils, prehistoric ceramic spoons are rare finds and are usually broken. The spoon from Middleton Cheney is the most complete of its type and date known in Britain.

Number 13 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects Exhibition 2025

Middleton Cheney
Contributed by Liz Mordue

Explore related content (external site)

See our disclaimer

Previous object
Next object

Related objects

  • Flint dagger from Bronze Age barrow at Stanwick Lakes. © NMAG
    Geologic to Prehistoric

    Bronze Age Flint Dagger

    This flint dagger was found in a male burial in a barrow along with other grave goods. It had never been used so may have been an ornamental or ritual piece.

  • Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pendant necklace. © The Trustees of the British Museum
    Roman and Early Medieval

    Desborough Necklace

    Dating to the late 7th century the Desborough necklace belonged to a high status Anglo-Saxon woman and is likely to be explicity Christian in meaning.

  • Medieval encaustic floor tiles depicting crests of the Woodville family and the House of York © NMAG
    Medieval to Tudor

    Woodville Tiles

    Medieval floor tiles decorated with the crests of the the Woodvilles and House of York. Laid as part of the floor at the Hermitage in Grafton Regis.

  • Neolithic flint axe found in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire © NMAG
    Geologic to Prehistoric

    Thorpe (Neolithic) Axe

    The Thorpe axe, named after the finder of the Axe in the inter-war years, is a large neolithic flint axe found in Higham Ferrers.