Haematite lamp

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This lump of haematite was found at Midhowe Broch on Rousay in Orkney. It is polished smooth to a high lustre, perhaps as a result of use as a tool to rub hides. The stone was used sometime between 200 BC and 400 AD.

Lump of haematite from Midhowe Broch, 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.

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• Online ID: 000-100-038-128-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GAM 144
• Date: Between 200 BC and 400 AD
  
• Material: Haematite
  Haematite / lump
  
• Dimensions: 1.40" x 0.85" x 0.75"
  
• What: Haematite / lump
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Rousay, Midhowe
  
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