Whalebone pin

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This whalebone pin was found at the site of the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in Orkney. It was used as a dress pin or a hairpin, sometime between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The head of the pin broadens into a flat-sectioned head which is pierced.

In the largely tree-less Northern Isles, wooden objects are less common than other materials. The inhabitants of Skara Brae used bone and antler for a range of objects including shovels, awls, pins, chisels, knives and even beads.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-305-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 425
• Date: Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Whalebone; pointed head, now damaged, above perforated expansion of stem; flat sectioned; point rounded
  Pin, dress / hairpin
  
• Dimensions: 6.50" L
  
• What: Pin, dress / hairpin
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Large dress pin or hairpin of whalebone with a pointed head, from Skara Brae
  
• References:
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