The Cossington Necklace
In 1999, archaeologists working at a quarry in Cossington, Leicestershire, found something amazing. In a grave from the Early Bronze Age, they uncovered 13 beads, positioned as if worn as a necklace. These beads came from places like Whitby, Dorset and as far away as the Baltic Sea. Incredibly they were made almost 4,000 years ago!
You can see the necklace on display at Charnwood Museum.
From 25 January – 15 June 2025 you can visit an exhibition celebrating identity, memory, and creativity inspired by the Bronze Age Cossington Necklace at Charnwood Museum, Queen’s Park, Granby Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3DU www.charnwoodmuseum.co.uk
The Cossington bead necklace (top) and a modern replica created for the new exhibition. The necklace comprises 13 beads (10 Baltic amber, 1 Whitby jet, 1 Kimmeridge shale and 1 faience). Five of the beads were found in situ, lying in a line, whilst the others were found in spoil from the grave. From this, it seems likely that the faience bead formed the centrepiece, flanked by the jet and shale beads, with five amber beads on either side. It is not known if there were originally further, organic beads, no traces of any were found.
Images: ULAS and Leicestershire County Council.
You can also view and/or download the University of Leicester/ULAS article Monument, Memory and Myth written by ULAS Deputy Director John Thomas as he explores the Bronze Age setting of the discovery.
