Pebble used as a fire-steel

This pebble was found at Dun Cnoc a' Comhdhalach on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. It was used as a fire-steel (also known as a strike-a-light), struck with a flint to produce fire. The pebble was used sometime between 200 BC and 900 AD.

The pebble has a groove where it has been repeatedly struck with flints.

Methods to produce fire have always been important. From an early period, flints were struck against suitable stones. Later, fire-steels of iron were used.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-102-536-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.GT 23
Date:	200 BC - 900 AD Between 200 BC and 900 AD
Material:	Quartzite, whitish; naturally rounded; oblong; with oblique hollows on flat faces
Dimensions:	2.25" x 2.00" x 1.00"
What:	Pebble / strike a light
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Inverness-shire, North Uist, Dun Cnoc A' Comhdhalach
Event:
Description:	Tracked quartzite pebble used as a strike-a-light, from Dun Cnoc A' Comhdhalach, North Uist, 200 BC - 900 AD
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