Mount of bone

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This bone mount was found on the Brough of Birsay in Orkney. It belongs to the Pictish settlement at the site, dating sometime between 600 and 800.

The irregularly-shaped mount has an oval pattern of interlace ornament in the middle between two small holes for attaching the mount to some other object. It is broken on the edges.

From an early period, people in Scotland used objects made from bone, antler and similar materials in almost every area of daily life. Bone and antler were easy to find and work, producing strong and flexible objects which were often attractive as well.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-594-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HB 250
• Date: Between 600 and 800
  
• Material: Bone; small perforation at each end; irregular outline; oval panel of interlacing
  Mount
  
• Dimensions: 50 mm L
  
• What: Mount
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Brough of Birsay
  
• Event:
• Description: Bount mount with an oval panel of interlacing, from Brough of Birsay, Orkney
  
• References:
  • Curle, C.L. Pictish and Norse finds from the Brough of Birsay 1934-74. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1982, p 25. 
• Translations:
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