Three piercing tools of bone, and a pin or amulet

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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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• Online ID: 000-100-040-318-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 437
• Date: Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Bone; lateral bulb, unperforated; broken
  Bone; spatulate-headed; with stem tapering to the point; perforated at head
  Bone; with ridges of articulation intact but with perforation through articulation; may be decorative rather than functional
  Awl / point
  Pin
  Pin
  
• Dimensions: 2.30" L
  2.80" L
  68.60 mm L
  
• What: Awl / point
  Pin
  Pin
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Bone awl or point, possibly decorative rather than functional, from Skara Brae
  Neolithic bone bulbed pin from Skara Brae
  Neolithic bone spatulate-headed pin from Skara Brae
  
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