From Foshigarry, North Uist, Outer Hebrides
This bone disc was found at Foshigarry on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. The bone is from a whale, dolphin or similar mammal. It may have been used as a pot lid sometime between 600 and 800.
The disc is imperfect. It has been incised with an inscription that resembles ogham.
Ogham was a form of writing used by native peoples in Britain and Ireland. Some people carved their names on their property, but most people were illiterate. Writing was often seen as a kind of magic spell.
To search on related items, click any underlined text below.