Heckle and moss hair

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A heckle was used to comb plant fibres, especially flax but also moss hair, into a suitable state for spinning. This wooden heckle, and the two bunches of moss hair, one plaited, were found at Buiston Crannog in Ayrshire. They date between 585 and 630.

Wood and moss hair survive only when conditions are favourable. Although incomplete, enough remains of the heckle and the moss hair bundles to determine details.

Plant and animal fibres were used to produce a wide range of common products in addition to cloth, including nets, basketry, string and rope. Few examples survive, and of those which do, there is rarely enough to determine the size, shape or function.

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-179-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HV 936
• Date: 585 - 630 AD
  585 - 630 AD
  Between 585 and 630
  
• Material: Hair moss
  Wood
  Comb / heckle
  Hair moss / plait / bundle
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Comb / heckle
  Hair moss / plait / bundle
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Ayrshire, Buiston Crannog
  Scotland, Ayrshire, Buiston Crannog
  
• Event:
• Description: Wood comb or heckle, possibly for preparation of hair-moss, from Buiston Crannog, Ayrshire, 585 - 630 AD
  Plait or bundle of hair-moss, from Buiston Crannog, Ayrshire, 585 - 630 AD
  
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