Knife

This stone knife was found at Northmaven on Shetland. It dates from between 2900 and 1700 BC. It may have been used as a 'flensing' knife, to dismember and skin large sea or land mammals.

The thin and sub-rectangular knife is polished all over.

Knives of this type are known as 'Shetland knives'. They were made of porphyry from the Northmaven area of Shetland, and were prestige items which required much skill and patience in their manufacture.

Record details

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

Online ID:	000-100-033-105-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.AJ 18
Date:	Between 2900 and 1700 BC
Material:	Porphyry
Dimensions:	5.38" x 3.63"
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Shetland, Northmaven
Event:
Description:	Shetland knife of porphyry, from Northmaven, Shetland
References:
Translations:
Related Records:

< 1 of 1 > Back