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Shears (fragments)

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from Westness, Rousay, Orkney

Postcard of Shears (fragments).
000-000-099-760-C
© National Museums Scotland

Shears (fragments)

These iron fragments are from a pair of shears found in a wealthy Norse woman's grave at Westness on Rousay in Orkney. She died in childbirth and was buried with a range of expensive objects between 850 and 900.

The incompletely preserved shears have a slightly expanded end at the handle. The blades are quite thin.

The preparation of wool and flax, spinning, weaving, and sewing were the domain of Viking women. This woman was buried with a range of tools used in the production of textiles.


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Online ID: 000-000-099-760-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0036: Kiloran Bay Viking Burial (multimedia essay)
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 734
Date: Between 850 and 900
Material: Iron; slightly expanded end to handle; incomplete
Dimensions: 8.20" L; blades 0.55" W
What: Shears
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Orkney, Rousay, Westness
Event:
Description: Incomplete pair of iron shears with slightly expanded end to handle, from Westness, Orkney
References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, p 136. 
  • Ritchie, Anna. Viking Scotland London: B.T. Batsford Ltd/Historic Scotland, 1993, p 50.
    Find in NLS: Title, Author, Title+Author or British Library: Title, Author, Title+Author
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