Upper quernstone

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A quernstone was used to grind corn or grain. This upper stone from a rotary quern was found at Jarlshof in Shetland. It was made from schist imported from Caithness, sometime between 1200 and 1300.

The worn quernstone has a raised central collar. There is a central hole where it attached to the lower stone. The three equally spaced vertical holes, two now broken, were used to insert a handle and turn the stone.

Quernstones were an essential tool, used in Scotland into the 18th century, especially on rural sites. They were an effective, if laborious, method for grinding. Some quernstones were widely traded.

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• Online ID: 000-100-042-666-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HSA 757
• Date: Between 1200 and 1300
  
• Material: Schist, garnetiferous; flat; central perforation with raised collar, three equally spaced vertical perforations for handles, deep socket for rind in lower face; two handle perforations broken, lower face much worn
  Quern, rotary / stone, upper
  
• Dimensions: 17.00" D x 2.00" deep; perforation 4.00" D; collar 2.00" W
  
• What: Quern, rotary / stone, upper
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  
• Event:
• Description: Upper stone from a rotary quern with a raised central collar, made from schist imported from Caithness, from Jarlshof
  
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