From Jarlshof, Shetland and À Cheardach Mhor, South Uist

Pin beaters of bone

Pin beaters were used to adjust threads during weaving. These two bone examples from Jarlshof in Shetland, and a third from À Cheardach Mhor on South Uist in the Outer Hebrides are very similar, despite the differences in their ages.

All three pin beaters are polished and smooth.

Weaving has a long history. Upright looms were used by about 1000 BC, although usually only loomweights survive. Objects such as combs, pin beaters and weaving swords, associated with 'beating up' the threads to make the weaving regular, are also known.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-042-411-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.HSA 250
Date:	Jarlshof pin beaters: between 850 and 1000; À Cheardach Mhor pin beater: between 200 BC and 200 AD
Material:	Bone; oval cross-section; pointed both ends; polished Bone; oval cross-section; pointed both ends; polished Bone; pointed at both ends
Dimensions:	3.90" x 0.40" x 0.25" 4.60" x 0.45" x 0.25"
What:	Pin beater Pin beater Pin beater
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Inverness-shire, South Uist, A' Cheardach Mhor Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Event:
Description:	Bone pin beater from A' Cheardach Mhor, South Uist Polished bone pin beater, pointed both ends, from Jarlshof Polished bone pin beater, pointed both ends, from Jarlshof
References:	Young, Alison and Richardson, K.M. À Cheardach Mhor, Drimore, South Uist. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 93 (1959-60), pp. 135-73, esp. pp. 155-6.
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