muzzle

Iron muzzle, half circle with 6 u-shaped spikes. For calves, to make cow kick when they suck and so wean them by force. All over Albania.

Hasluck, Margaret

metal iron

_165 mm H_ 120 mm W_ 60 mm

Albania

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 small, sturdy beaker is a Late Northern type. Its walls are thick, it has a foot, and the curving profile is subdued. The decoration is cord-impressed; lines circle the vessel, between which are bands of diagonals, alternating in direction, and each separated by a thin plain line. The whole gives a coherent pattern over the whole surface. The beaker was found at Drumdollo, Forgue, Aberdeenshire. No other finds were recorded with it. It is unusual in being so small, and atypically decorated, and was probably produced locally.