Weaving comb of bone

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Weaving combs were used to beat the threads together during weaving. This bone example was found at Nybster Broch in Caithness. It was used sometime between 200 BC and 400 AD.

The comb is decorated with horizontal and vertical lines. Some of the teeth have broken off.

Weaving has a long history. Upright looms were used by about 1000 BC, although usually only loomweights survive. Occasionally objects such as combs, pin beaters and weaving swords, for 'beating up' the threads to make the weaving regular, are also found.

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-948-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GA 655
• Date: Between 200 BC and 400 AD
  
• Material: Bone; ornamented with horizontal and diagonal lines
  Comb, weaving
  
• Dimensions: 3.88" x 1.75"
  
• What: Comb, weaving
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Nybster Broch
  
• Event:
• Description: Bone weaving comb ornamented with horizontal and diagonal lines, from Nybster Broch, Caithness
  
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