Wooden paddle from a mill wheel

This wooden paddle from a mill wheel was found at Gutcher on Yell in Shetland. It was probably used on a horizontal water mill, sometime between 70 and 350 AD. The paddle was made from driftwood.

The well-preserved paddle has holes for attaching it to the central post. The wheel would have been set horizontally into the water, so that the running burn would push against the paddles.

Horizontal water mills, also called Norse or Highland mills, were simple mills used from an early period, lasting into the 20th century in the Northern and Western Isles. Although inefficient, they were quick and easy to build, requiring little wood.

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Online ID:	000-100-000-018-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland W.PD 13
Date:	Between 70 and 350 AD
Material:	Wood
Dimensions:	21.30" L x 6.20" W across blade x 1.75" W across mounted end
What:	Paddle, water mill
Subject:	Threshing and winnowing, grain and hay treatment (NMAS Classification)
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Shetland, Yell, Gutcher
Event:
Description:	Wooden paddle, probably from the wheel of a horizontal water-mill, found about seven feet below the surface of a peat bank at Gutcher, Yell, Shetland
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