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

  • Reindeer antler or Lyngby axe from Earls Barton, Northamptonshire © The Trustees of the British Museum
    Geologic to Prehistoric

    Palaeolithic Lyngby Axe

    The only example of a Lyngby axe found in Britain, this multi-purpose tool was used by people in the Upper Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age).

  • Iron Age quern stones - top and bottom stones from Hunsbury Hillfort © NMAG
    Geologic to Prehistoric

    Iron Age Rotary Quern

    Rotary quern made from millstone grit used to grind cereals into flour. More than 100 were found at the Iron Age hillfort at Hunsbury Hill.

  • Medieval Jewish tombstone fragment with Hebrew inscription © NMAG
    Medieval to Tudor

    Jewish Tombstone

    This Jewish tombstone fragment is one of two surviving medieval inscriptions in England; indicating a thriving medieval Jewish community living in Northampton at the time.

  • Ceramic model of the Tudor Triangular Lodge in Rushton, by artist Hugh Colvin in later 20th century © NMAG
    Medieval to Tudor

    Triangular Lodge

    A modern ceramic model made by Hugh Colvin. It represents the Triangular Lodge, a late 16th century building in Rushton bulit by Thomas Tresham.