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

  • 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.

  • glazed shouldered roof tiles medieval © Andy Chapman
    Medieval to Tudor

    Glazed ceramic shouldered roof tile from St. James' Abbey, Northampton

    This is a rare type of medieval ceramic roof tile, replaced in the 13th century by standard rectangular ceramic or nib tiles used until the 20th century. The rarity of these roof tiles and their association with buildings of high status in Northampton, both religious and secular, is of historical and archaeological significance.

  • Roman lucet from Orton Waterville (formerly part of Northamptonshire and Soke of Peterborough) © Peterborough Museum
    Roman and Early Medieval

    Roman Lucet

    A lucet was used to make braids and cords. Found at a Roman military site this is the earliest example found in Britain or Europe.

  • Neolithic stone adze © NMAG
    Geologic to Prehistoric

    Neolithic Adze

    With the start of Neolithic farming came new stone tools. This adze is of a type and stone more commonly found in Denmark.