Pebble used as a fire-steel

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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: 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
  Pebble / strike a light
  
• 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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