1916.38.55

Collection type

Object

Description

Circular, domed shell button with perforation on the back. [SM (Verve) 18/4/2016]

Geographical reference

Malta

Europe > Southern Europe > Malta

Eastern Malta Paola Hal Saflieni

Person

Field collector Themistocles Zammit

PRM source Themistocles Zammit

Date / Period

Date made: 3000-2400 BC Archaeological period: Neolithic Tarxien

Date collected

?1916

Acquisition information

Donated: 1916

Materials and processes

Material Shell, Process Perforated

Dimensions

Diameter: max 15 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1916.38.55

Research and responses

This object was examined by Dr Simon Stoddard, University of Cambridge, as part of the Fell funded project Characterizing the World Archaeology Collections in February 2010. He described the object as a v-shaped button, which has close comparisons from the Brochtorff Circle at Xaghra (see also 1927.41.22). For the Brochtorff Circle at Xaghra see C. A. T. Malone, S. K. F. Stoddart, D. Trump, A. Bonanno and A. Pace (2009) Mortuary ritual in prehistoric Malta. The Brochtorff Circle excavations (1987-1994). McDonald Institute, Cambridge. [AS 03/03/2010]

An elaborate cult of the dead of Stone Age or Copper Age culture evolved about 2400BC. Initially centring around rock-cut collective tombs such as those at Gantija (near Xagra) and Hagar Qim (near Zurrieq), it culminated .... in the unique underground burial chamber (hypogeum) at Hal Saflieni (near Raal did). [Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Online] [MR 30/11/99].

Associated publications

Zammit, T., Peet, E.T. and Bradley, R. N. 1912. The Small Objects and the Human Skulls found in the Hal-Saflieni Prehistoric Hypogeum. Malta.

Search terms: Ornament, Death, Religion, Clothing, Button, Grave Good, Religious Object