The discovery of the first Bronze Age razor in Northumberland has provided insights into grooming practices of the local men who lived in the region between approximately 1,000 and 800 B.C. Experts from Newcastle University's Museum of Antiquities have studied this artifact, which is part of a collection known as the Collette Hoard.
The Collette Hoard was initially found by John Minns of Arbroath in April 2005 and was first publicly displayed at the Museum of Antiquities. Minns reported the discovery to Philip Walton, the finds officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme program located at the Museum of Antiquities. Subsequently, the hoard was sent to Bronze Age expert Stuart Needham at the British Museum for analysis.
The remarkable condition of the items in the hoard has impressed experts, and it is believed to offer valuable insights into the Late Bronze Age. Lindsay Allason-Jones, director of archaeology at Newcastle University Museums, described the find as "extremely important" due to the rarity of Late Bronze Age hoards containing such a variety of well-preserved objects in the northern part of England.
The Collette Hoard includes items that may have been used for personal adornment, such as six gold lock rings believed to have been hair ornaments, along with bracelets, rings, and pins. Analysis of the lock rings, constructed from fine gold leaf wrapped around a solid core, revealed they were based on beeswax. Further analysis of the beeswax could potentially provide insights into the Late Bronze Age environment.
Additionally, the hoard contains practical items, including six axes with sleeves that could have been used for woodworking or as weapons. Notably, it includes the first notch with sleeves, a tool likely used by craftsmen, discovered in Northumberland. A fragment of the axe's handle was found to be made of walnut wood, and carbon dating confirmed a date between 1,000 and 840 B.C. Among the items in the hoard, an ingot was identified as being made of bronze alloy, unlike other ingots of the period that were typically made of copper. This suggests that metal processing held significance in Late Bronze Age Northumbrian society.
The manner in which the objects were buried together remains a mystery. They were found in a shallow pit, surrounded by fragments of earthenware that suggest they may have been covered by a clay vessel. The purpose behind this burial is uncertain, whether it was an offering to a deity or the hidden treasure of a Bronze Age founder, intended for retrieval at a later time.
The Collette treasure was displayed at the Museum of Antiquities until June 30, 2007, offering a glimpse into the unique history and practices of the Late Bronze Age in Northumberland.