Handle

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This wooden handle was for a tool. It was found in the Neolithic village at Skara Brae on Orkney. The willow handle was made sometime between 2500 and 2000 BC, a rare survival of wood from such an early period.

One end of the handle is missing. The rest consists of a finely-worked circular-sectioned rod, expanding to a domed end.

This object is unusual because wood was rare on Orkney. All of the other surviving wooden finds from Skara Brae were made from driftwood. The willow for this handle could have come from a locally growing tree.

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-183-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.1997.140
• Date: 2500 - 2000 BC
  Between 2500 and 2000 BC
  
• Material: Wood, willow
  
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• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Willow handle from Skara Brae, 2500 - 2000 BC
  
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