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Brooch, pin and bangle

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from Castletown, Caithness

Brooch, pin and bangle
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This brass oval brooch, bone pin and bangle, possibly made of lignite, were found, together with a second oval brooch, in a woman's grave in the top of a broch mound at Castletown in Caithness. The burial dates from between 850 and 950.

The perforated outer shell of the brooch is decorated with figures of horses' heads. The plain bangle is made of lignite, a material resembling expensive and much-prized jet. The simple bone pin was probably used as a hair or dress pin.

The oval brooch is an ornate type used in the 10th century in Scandinavia. It is one of the latest types found in Scotland. Settlers after this time either converted to Christianity and did not bury their dead with grave goods or simply adopted Scottish fashions.

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