From Howmae, North Ronaldsay, Orkney; Gurness, Orkney; Newstead, Roxburghshire

Weaving combs

Weaving combs were used to beat the threads together during weaving. These bone examples were found at Howmae on North Ronaldsay in Orkney, at the broch at Gurness on Orkney, and at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire.

All three combs are ornamented. Despite the differences in age, their forms are fairly similar.

Weaving has a long history. Upright looms were used by about 1000 BC, although usually only loomweights survive. Objects such as combs, pin beaters and weaving swords, associated with 'beating up' the threads to make the weaving regular, are also known.

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Online ID:	000-100-038-812-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.GAA 53
Date:	200 BC - 400 AD Between 200 BC and 400 AD
Material:	Bone Bone; long-handled; handle expanding at free end; two teeth imperfect; ornamented with incised triangle and semicircle Long handled
Dimensions:	5.25" L
What:	Comb, weaving Comb, weaving Comb, weaving
Subject:
Who:	Dr William Traill John Traill Newstead Collection
Where:	Scotland, Orkney, Evie and Rendall, Broch of Gurness Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Howmae Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
Event:
Description:	Long-handled bone weaving comb, from Newstead Long-handled bone weaving comb ornamented with incised triangle and semicircle, from Howmae, North Ronaldsay Long handled weaving comb from Broch of Gurness, Orkney, 200 BC - 400 AD
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