Record

Knife

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from Pierowall, Westray, Orkney

Postcard of Knife.
000-100-043-733-C
© National Museums Scotland

Knife

This iron knife is one of the grave goods placed in a Scandinavian grave at a cemetery at Pierowall on Westray in Orkney. The burials date from between 850 and 950.

The knife consists of a tang and a very corroded blade. The cutting edge appears to have been straight and the back curved.

Both men and women were buried with knives in the Viking Age, sometimes with whetstones as well. Most knives are plain and everyday, although some ornamented examples are known. Handles were often of wood or bone.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-043-733-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 187
Date: Between 850 and 950
Material: Iron
Dimensions:
What:
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Orkney, Westray, Links of Pierowall
Event:
Description: Knife
References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, pp 132-134. 
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, p 96. 
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