Needle case and needles

This bone needle case containing as many as four corroded iron needles was found in a Viking woman's grave at Westness on Rousay in Orkney. She was buried with a range of grave goods, including tools for producing textiles and personal ornaments, sometime between 850 and 950.

The hollow bone has a hole in the middle for hanging the case from a chain or thread. It is cracked, and the needles within are corroded together.

The preparation of wool and flax, spinning, weaving, and sewing were the domain of Viking women. Needles were made of bronze, bone, wood and iron. They were sometimes kept in cylindrical cases of bronze or bone, such as this one.

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