Record

Discs and bones

< 1 of 1 > Back

from Scatness, Shetland; Jarlshof, Shetland; and Broch of Burrian, Orkney

Postcard of Discs and bones.
000-190-004-080-C
© National Museums Scotland

Discs and bones

These stone discs and ox bones were found at Scatness and Jarlshof in Shetland, and at the Broch of Burrian in Orkney. They are all decorated, some with Pictish symbols. Their functions are unknown, but at least some may have been playing pieces for games.

The disc on the middle right and bone at the bottom left were decorated with Pictish symbols. The other discs were decorated with geometric patterns. The bone on the bottom right appears to be graffiti or a trial design.

The function and dating of decorated objects such as these can be difficult to determine. Those with Pictish designs date from between 500 and 800, and the other objects may well also.


Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID: 000-190-004-080-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GA 425
Date: Between 500 and 800
Material: Bone, ox; incised on one side with a crescent and V rod and on the other with a circular disc and rectangle with square indentations
Bone, ox; incised with a symbol, partly obliterated
Circular; incised with Celtic divergent spiral pattern
Claystone; ornamented with rectangles; crossed by oblique lines
Claystone; with circular fret-like pattern
Sandstone; thick; on one face incised Pictish symbol of 'spectacles' crossed by rod
Dimensions: 2.20" L
2.30" D
2.30" L
2.75" D, 0.56" thick
3.00" D
3.00" D
What: Disc
Disc / cast
Phalanx, ox / playing piece
Phalanx, ox / playing piece
Roundel / playing piece
Roundel / playing piece
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Burrian
Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Burrian
Scotland, Shetland, Dunrossness, Scatness
Scotland, Shetland, Dunrossness, Scatness
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof (Broch)
Event:
Description: Roundel of claystone with circular fret-like pattern, possibly a playing piece, from Scatness
Roundel of claystone ornamented with rectangles and crossed by oblique lines, possibly a playing piece, from Scatness
Ox phalanx with incised Pictish symbols, possibly a playing piece or king piece, from Burrian
Ox phalanx with incised Pictish symbols, possibly a playing piece or king piece, from Burrian
Thick sandstone disc with an incised Pictish symbol of 'spectacles' crossed by a rod on one face, from Jarlshof
Cast of a disc of sandstone, from Jarlshof, Shetland, the original of which possibly dates from 750 - 850
References:
  • MacGregor, Arthur. The Broch of Burrian, North Ronaldsay, Orkney. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 105 (1972-4), pp 63-118, esp. pp 88, 95-6, 111, 113. 
Translations:
Related Records:
< 1 of 1 > Back
 
Powered by Scran