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Hide working tool

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From Broch of Burrian, North Ronaldsay, Orkney

Postcard of Hide working tool.
000-100-038-367-C
© National Museums Scotland

Hide working tool

This bone tool, perhaps for working hides, was found at Broch of Burrian on North Ronaldsay in Orkney. It was used sometime between 200 BC and 1000 AD.

One face of the bone is flattened and smooth.

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: 000-100-038-367-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 272
Date: Between 200 BC and 1000 AD
Material: Bone, cetacean; dense; smoothed flat on one face
Dimensions: 12.50" L
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Burrian
Event:
Description: Hide-working tool of cetacean bone, from Burrian
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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