Pin beaters of bone

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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: 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
  Pin beater
  Pin beater
  Pin beater
  
• 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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