NMS


 

Record

Pick

< 1 of 1 > Back

From Bac Mhic Connain, North Uist, Outer Hebrides

Pick
Add to album

This antler pick was found at Bac Mhic Connain on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. The tip is stained with copper, suggesting that its function had something to do with metalworking, probably for raking a furnace. It dates from between 0 and 800 AD.

The pick was made from deer antler, where the burr and brow tine were retained, and the beam was chopped off. The beam of the pick is polished smooth on one side, probably as a result of being held. There is a small hole half way through the beam.

For at least 4000 years, people in Scotland have extracted metals from ores by smelting. The rocks were heated at high temperatures in furnaces fuelled by charcoal, using bellows to control the air flow. The process separates the metal from the slag.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.


< 1 of 1 > Back