Shears (fragments)

Add to album

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.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-000-099-760-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: 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
  Shears
  
• 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.
• Translations:
• Related Records: