Cheek piece

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This bone cheek piece was found at Okstrow Broch at Birsay on Orkney. It was probably attached to a bridle bit. Cheek pieces of this design were used over a long period. This example was used sometime between 200 BC and 1000 AD.

Bone cheek-piece for a bridle, from Okstrow Broch, Birsay, Orkney

Finds of horseshoes and harness and bridle fittings provide evidence of the importance of horses from an early period. They were used in transport from around 1000 BC (and possibly earlier).

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• Online ID: 000-100-038-415-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GD 29
• Date: Between 200 BC and 1000 AD
  
• Material: Bone; perforated
  Cheek piece, bridle
  
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• What: Cheek piece, bridle
  
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• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Birsay and Harray, Okstrow
  
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