Archer's Thumb Ring

Tapering diorite archer's thumb ring found within a tomb at Meroë. Originally recorded as a 'staff head' but since Garstang's excavations archaeologists have identified that these stone rings were worn by archers to protect the thumb whilst stretching the bowstring. In the excavation of cemeteries such rings have been found on the thumbs of skeletons. They have also been represented on figures wearing them as thumb-guards in a temple relief carving (Temple of Apedemak at Musawwaret es-Sufra). Marked with Garstang's Nubia Collection loan number "GN 122". CONDITION NOTE 1998: Chipped, pitted, worn, surface dirt.