Whistles

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These bone whistles were probably used in hunting, to attract prey. The top two were found at Jarlshof in Shetland, and were probably used to lure otters. The bottom one was found in a cremation urn burial at Craigentinny in Midlothian.

The Jarlshof whistles are incomplete, but have transverse holes on one side, and five dots either above or below. The Craigentinny whistle is pierced at one end, through one side. The bone is burnt because the whistle had passed through the funeral pyre.

Mammals, birds and fish were caught and killed with a variety of equipment. Evidence of the use of bows and arrows and spears is common from an early time. Other more specialised tools, such as these whistles for attracting prey, are also known.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-042-395-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HSA 212
• Date: 800 - 900 AD
  Jarlshof whistles: between 800 and 900; Craigentinny whistle: between 2000 and 1500 BC
  Middle Bronze Age
  
• Material: Bone; burnt
  Bone; transverse perforation on one side of shaft, five dots below; other end broken
  Bone; transverse perforation on one side; five dots above perforation
  Whistle
  Whistle, otter
  Whistle, otter
  
• Dimensions: 2.10" L
  2.75" L
  4.50" L
  
• What: Whistle
  Whistle, otter
  Whistle, otter
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Craigentinny
  Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  
• Event:
• Description: Middle Bronze Age whistle of burnt bone, from Craigentinny, Midlothian
  Bone otter whistle from Jarlshof
  Otter whistle of bone from Jarlshof, 800 - 900 AD
  
• References:
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