Tool carved from sandstone

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This tool, carved from a sandstone slab, was found at the Neolithic settlement site of Skara Brae in Orkney. Its precise function is unclear, but it may have been used as a hand-held rake. The object dates from between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The roughly triangular slab has been coarsely notched along one edge into seven widely spaced, short blunt teeth. The stone has flaked away in places.

The settlement of Skara Brae was buried in sand, thus preserving buildings and a range of every-day objects. All walls and furnishings were of stone, since little wood was available in Orkney. Stone was also used for ornaments and tools such as this one.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-507-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 668
• Date: Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Stone; roughly triangular; with seven widely spaced, short, blunt teeth along the longest edge; one original surface almost completely lost
  Slab, toothed / tool
  
• Dimensions: 147.30 mm H x 358.10 mm L
  
• What: Slab, toothed / tool
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Toothed sandstone slab, roughly triangular, coarsely notched along one edge to produce a tool, possibly functioning as a hand-held rake or similar, from Skara Brae
  
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