bagpipes (G-Kaita)

White goatskin bag, drone and chanter made of wood. Reeds in straw.

Early: Late: 1922 Period

L: 68 mm W: 25 mm

Europe, Macedonia

Hasluck, Margaret

Goatskin, wood

In Europe about 3000-1700BC, from the late Neolithic into the Bronze Age, flat-based, finely made pots, known as beakers, were widespread. They have an S- or Z-shaped profile, and are decorated with bands of fine incised geometric pattern. In NE Scotland the Northern beaker types are associated with the introduction of metal working and are often found in individual cist burials, both probably related to settlement of people from Europe. Later beakers were made locally, and often have archaic or idiosyncratic features. This cist was found at Pittodrie, Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire. Unusually, the cist contained two beakers, one a Developed Northern type and the other a Late Northern type. They were not found together in the cist, one was at a higher level, suggesting that perhaps the cist was used for burials at two different times in the Bronze Age. This tall beaker is a Developed Northern type. It has a small foot and a high belly with a curved profile. The comb-impressed decoration is in three bands, at the foot, belly and neck, with plain areas between them. Between horizontal lines are chevrons, cross-hatching and vertical and diagonal lines. There are signs of clay lime in the impressions, which may remain from colouring the vessel.

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