Two bone pendants

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These two bone pendants were found at the site of the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in Orkney. Both were made with some care, and must have been valued items when worn, sometime between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The pendant on the left has been pierced at the top, with smaller holes drilled below. The one on the right has been decorated with incised lines. They are both polished smooth.

In the almost tree-less Northern Isles, wooden objects are less common than other materials. The inhabitants of Skara Brae used bone and antler for a range of objects including shovels, awls, pins, chisels, knives and even beads.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-195-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.1997.317
• Date: 3100 - 2400 BC
  3100 - 2400 BC
  Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Bone
  Bone
  Pendant
  Pendant
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Pendant
  Pendant
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Bone pendant from Skara Brae, Orkney, 3100 - 2400 BC
  Bone pendant from Skara Brae, Orkney, 3100 - 2400 BC
  
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