Polisher of bone

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

The bone has been worn down on one side through use.

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

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-389-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 517
• Date: Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Bone, astragalus, ox; with ridges worn down on one side through use as a rubber
  Polisher
  
• Dimensions: 71.10 mm L
  
• What: Polisher
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Polisher made from an ox astragalus, worn down on one side through use, from Skara Brae, Orkney
  
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