Shovel of bone

This bone shovel was found at the site of the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in Orkney. It was made from the shoulder bone of an ox, sometime between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The edges of the bone have been smoothed to provide an easy surface for shovelling. Similar objects sometimes have antler handles attached to the narrower end. The shovel is damaged at the ends.

The convenient shapes and qualities of some animal bones made them ideal for certain kinds of objects and ornaments. Some parts needed little or no modifying to produce tools, as in this case.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-040-385-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.HA 514
Date:	Between 3100 and 2400 BC
Material:	Bone, scapula, ox; with edges smoothed; damaged
Dimensions:	182.90 mm L
What:	Shovel
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
Event:
Description:	Shovel made from an ox scapula with smoothed edges, from Skara Brae, Orkney
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