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Awl (reconstruction)

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Awl (reconstruction)
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This is an awl made from deer bone and wood using techniques and technology available to early people in Scotland. Awls would have been useful for a number of tasks, including making holes in deer hides or other soft materials.

The point of the awl is made from a piece of deer bone, carefully split using an antler hammer. It was then hammered into the wooden handle and the point resharpened.

Deer bone was the 'prehistoric plastic'. It was strong, light and easy to shape. It could be split with a hammer stone to get sharp pieces which could be shaped into awls, needles and pins.

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