Mattock head, made from an ox bone

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A mattock is a type of large pick with a flat, horizontal blade on one end for loosening soil. This mattock head, made from an ox bone, was found at the site of the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in Orkney. It was used between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The bone has a circular hole where a haft would have been inserted. The shaft has been cut obliquely to produce the edge.

The settlement of Skara Brae was buried in sand, thus preserving buildings to a large height and a range of every-day objects. All walls and furnishings were of stone, since little wood was available in Orkney. Bone was used for a range of objects.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-331-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 448
• Date: Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Bone, long, ox; shaft cut obliquely to produce the edge; distal articulation intact but shaft perforated just below; with round perforation
  Mattock
  
• Dimensions: 111.60 mm L
  
• What: Mattock
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Mattock made from a perforated ox femur head, from Skara Brae, Orkney
  
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