Three piercing tools of bone, and a pin or amulet

These three bone piercing tools or awls and a pin or amulet were found at the site of the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in Orkney. They were used between 3100 and 2400 BC.

These pointed objects were made from the bones of sheep and polished smooth. Three are piercing tools or awls with perforated heads of different shapes. The object third from the left may be a pin, but has also been interpreted as a phallic amulet.

The settlement of Skara Brae was buried in sand, thus preserving buildings to a large height and a range of everyday objects. The inhabitants of Skara Brae used bone and antler for a range of objects including shovels, awls, pins, knives and even beads.

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