Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Beaver's tooth pendant from Wigber Low
Copyright Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust
Beaver's tooth pendant from Wigber Low
Dimensions : Length 3.5cm.
Site name : Wigber Low
Site type : Burial site
Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Gold; Bone or antler; Metal
Object type : Grave goods; Personal item; Jewellery
Museum number : 1996.716.6
Two beaver tooth pendants have been found at Wigber Low and they are almost identical. The first one was found during poorly recorded excavations in the 19th century. It is now in the British Museum. The tooth shown in this image was found in 1987 and is in Weston Park Museum.
The tube of this tooth consists of a strip of gold sheet, folded around the base of the tooth and secured with a bronze rivet. The rivet passes through the overlapping ends of the sheet and the tooth itself. The tube is triangular in section, reflecting the shape of the tooth.
The teeth of animals do appear in Anglo-Saxon graves. They are thought to be amulets. Beaver teeth however, occur almost exclusively in 7th century graves. The two examples from Wigber Low therefore support the 7th century date for the series of burials at this site.
Bibliography :
Jones, H. E. , 1997
Youngs, S. M., Clark, J., Gaimster, D. R. M. and Barry, T. , 1988
Glossary:
Amulet
Anglo-Saxon
Archaeological context
Cairn
Excavation
Rivet
Related objects
Pin set from Cow Low
Orb from Wigber Low
Necklace from Galley Low
Gold and garnet disc from White Low
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