Record ID: CAM-3BF965
Object type: BEAD
Broad period: UNKNOWN
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fossil sponge known as Poroshpaera, which are known to have been used in the early Bronze Age as stone beads. Kenneth Oakley's paper, published in an early volume of Antiquity, titled 'The Folklore of Fossils' discusses their use. Identified by Kevin Leahy and confirmed by Mr Paul Ensom, formally of the Natural History Museum. The spherical fossil measures: weight is 2.43g, height (where perforation is vertical) 12.54mm, diameter is 13.51mm and the circular perforation has a diameter of 3.92mm. It is impossible to tell if a Porosphaera fossil has been used as a bead unless it was …
Created on: Friday 4th May 2012
Last updated: Thursday 15th November 2012
No spatial data available.

Record ID: CAM-127600
Object type: BEAD
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: City of Peterborough
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A spherical stone, some of the outer surface damaged, with a circular perforation through the centre. The diameter of the perforation is 5.11mm. The bead weighs 3.60g has a height (edge of perforation to edge of perforation) of 15.16mm and width of 16.04mm. Discussion: Stones can have naturally occurring cylindrical perforations if the stone has formed around another item such as Belamite fossils. The stone can then be eroded and weathered into pebbles that fortuitously resemble beads and therefore makes identification difficult. Dr Kevin Leahy identifies this find type as the r…
Created on: Friday 20th April 2012
Last updated: Thursday 15th November 2012
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Glinton Area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: CAM-C4EBB3
Object type: BEAD
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: City of Peterborough
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An oval shaped stone with a flattened base, that has a roughly circular perforation through the centre. The perforation is set at 90 degrees from the flattened base and has a diameter of 4.68mm. The stone weighs 3.68g, has an oval diameter of 17.63mm x 14.46mm and height of 13.94mm. Discussion: Stones can have naturally occurring cylindrical perforations if the stone has formed around another item such as Belamite fossils. The stone can then be eroded and weathered into pebbles that fortuitously resemble beads and therefore makes identification difficult. Dr Kevin Leahy identifi…
Created on: Friday 23rd March 2012
Last updated: Thursday 15th November 2012
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Etton Area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-54BBD6
Object type: BEAD
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A carved and polished bead of uncertain date and material. The bead is roughly spherical and has an off-centre perforation of circular section. The point from which this perforation has been drilled is marked by an inverted conical depression. The surface is divided between patches of various colours, from pinkish-white to orange and various shades of grey. At at least two points these patches are crossed by parallel veins of white. The bead is damaged in places. It measures 16.3mm in diameter, 14.2mm high and weighs 5.09g. The weight and appearance of this bead suggest it is prob…
Created on: Friday 10th February 2012
Last updated: Friday 10th February 2012
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Great Billington', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SUSS-56F2A4
Object type: BEAD
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: West Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A very worn and incomplete sub-spherical object made of stone, probably a sandstone bead, of uncertain date. The object is asymmetrically-shaped and sub-spherical in plan, with a sub-oval cross-section. It has a cylindrical hole drilled through the centre and a series of haphazardly placed incised dashes throughout the external surface, which could be purposeful but may be a result of natural faults or post-depositional damage. The underside is either damaged or purposefully flattened to a degree. It measures 17.9 mm diameter, 14.4 mm in height and weighs 4.56 grams. If the obje…
Created on: Tuesday 17th January 2012
Last updated: Wednesday 15th February 2012
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Near Chichester', grid reference and parish protected.