From the Broch of Burrian, North Ronaldsay, Orkney

Bone tool, possibly for scraping blubber

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:	0098: 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
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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