Add to albumQuerns are stone hand mills used for grinding grain or corn. Millstones are pairs of heavy disc-shaped stones that are rotated against one another to grind grain. These toy quernstones and millstone were found at the Norse settlement site of Jarlshof in Shetland.
The discs of the upper stones of the toy querns survive. They have holes or hollows near the edges where handles would have been inserted for turning the stones. The millstone preserves the rind socket, and has been worn smooth in use.
People have lived at Jarlshof from the Bronze Age onwards. In the Viking period, the quality of the finds show that the inhabitants were prosperous, with links to the Scandinavian world. These objects are rare glimpses into the activities of children.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-190-004-090-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland X.HSA 4101
- Date: 1050 - 1200
Between 900 and 1000
- Material: Sandstone, yellow; vertical slot in side; rind socket on one face
Siltstone; slightly domed; central hole; smaller perforation for handle; rind socket underneath
Steatite; flat; central hole; small hollow (possibly handle socket); rind socket on lower surface
Steatite; upper surface slightly domed and faceted; central hole; rind socket; no handle hole; lower surface worn by rotation
Millstone, toy
Quern, toy
Quernstone / miniature / toy
Quernstone / toy
- Dimensions: 1.60" D; 0.40" thick; central hole 0.30" D
1.80" D
2.60" D; 0.70" deep; central hole 0.50" D
2.80" D; 0.90" deep; central hole 0.50" D
- What: Millstone, toy
Quern, toy
Quernstone / miniature / toy
Quernstone / toy
- Subject:
- Who:
- Where: Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
- Event:
- Description: Toy steatite millstone from Jarlshof
Miniature steatite quernstone, probably a toy, from Jarlshof
Miniature quernstone of siltstone, probably a toy, from Jarlshof, 1050 - 1200
Toy quern of sandstone from Jarlshof
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