Sickle or reaping hook

This small iron sickle or reaping hook was found at Westness on Rousay in Orkney in a woman's grave which also contained a comb, two spindle whorls, a penannular brooch, and probably a knife. She was buried between 850 and 950.

Iron reaping hook from Westness, Orkney, 850 - 950 AD

Some objects in Viking burials are specific to men's or women's graves. Others, however, like sickles, are found in both. Sickles were used to harvest corn and plant fibres, but small examples are also known, perhaps for cutting plants for daily cooking.

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