Unique bone box found in Roman-era tomb – History Blog

A unique box carved from bone has been discovered in a late Roman tomb on Broadway in Worcestershire. There are no examples of similar boxes in the archaeological record.

The landmark site on Broadway in the Cotswolds, northern England, is being excavated by a Worcestershire archeology team ahead of planned development. Archaeological remains show that human habitation in the area dates back 8,000 years, from the Mesolithic Age to the Anglo-Saxon Middle Ages.

The box was found in the grave of a young woman. It is petite, measuring 2.7 inches long, 1.3 inches wide, and 1.2 inches deep, and is in perfect condition. It has a sliding cover and is decorated with rings and dots, like the markings on Roman dice. It is made from the bones of roe deer. The decorative style hints at the late Roman period, which was confirmed by radiocarbon dating of human remains found in the tomb.

It was carefully placed in the tomb and was obviously a prized possession of its owner. Archaeologists believe it may have been used to hold ointments or similar cosmetic products.

Jamie Wilkins, who led the excavation, described the find as “extraordinary, not only because of the craftsmanship and condition of the box, but also because of the story it tells about the community that lived here. I had never seen anything like this before and it was quickly clear that we had found something truly special.”