Bone tool, possibly for scraping blubber

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This bone tool, possibly a mattock for scraping blubber, was found at the Broch of Burrian on North Ronaldsay in Orkney. It was used sometime between 200 BC and 800 AD.

The tool was made from the large bone of a sea creature such as a dolphin or whale. It has been pierced in two places, though if for a mattock, it is unclear why two holes for the haft were present. It is now cracked in places.

People collected bone from stranded carcasses of whales, porpoises and dolphins. In the largely treeless north and west, whalebone was used as a substitute for wood. It was strong, dense and resilient, and came in very large sizes.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-038-350-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GB 254
• Date: Between 200 BC and 800 AD
  
• Material: Bone, cetacean; two perforations
  Implement / mattock, blubber
  
• Dimensions: 10.20" x 4.90"
  
• What: Implement / mattock, blubber
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Burrian
  
• Event:
• Description: Broad-bladed implement of cetacean bone, possibly a blubber mattock, from Burrian, North Ronaldsay
  
• References:
  • MacGregor, Arthur. The Broch of Burrian, North Ronaldsay, Orkney. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 105 (1972-4), pp 63-118, esp. pp 86, 111. 
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