Whetstone

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A whetstone is a stone used to sharpen knives or tools. This small stone example was found at Tents Muir in Fife. It probably dates from between 400 and 1900.

The whetstone is pierced at one end, probably to allow it to be hung on a cord and carried about.

Whetstones were indispensable to men and women, as they were used to sharpen tools and weapons. They occur in a number of shapes and sizes, and are often very difficult to date when found, as here, without any archaeological context.

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-039-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AL 184
• Date: 400 - 1900 AD
  Between 400 and 1900
  
• Material: Quartzite; small; perforated at one end, rounded at both ends
  
• Dimensions: 2.38" L x 0.38" W x 0.44" thick
  
• What:
• Subject:
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• Where: Scotland, Fife, Tentsmuir
  
• Event:
• Description: Whetstone of quartzite perforated at one end, from Tentsmuir, Fife, 400 - 1900 AD
  
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