Hide working tool

Add to album

This bone tool, perhaps for working hides, was found at Midhowe Broch on Rousay in Orkney. It was used sometime between 200 BC and 400 AD.

Bone hide-working tool from Midhowe Broch, Rousay, Orkney

There were three stages to prepare a skin to make leather. First the hide was removed from a dead animal using knives. Next, it was cleaned. Then it was preserved by rubbing salt, a mineral like alum or oils into it, using tools such as this one.

Record details

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

• Online ID: 000-100-038-086-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GAM 14
• Date: Between 200 BC and 400 AD
  
• Material: Bone, sheep; chisel ended
  
• Dimensions: 4.30" L
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Rousay, Midhowe
  
• Event:
• Description:
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: