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Needles of bone

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From Birsay, Orkney and Jarlshof, Shetland

Postcard of Needles of bone.
000-100-040-565-C
© National Museums Scotland

Needles of bone

These bone needles, probably used for making nets, were found at Birsay on Orkney and Jarlshof on Shetland. They all date from the period of the Viking settlements, between 850 and 1000 AD.

All the needles have curved shanks and pierced heads.

Plant and animal fibres were used to produce a wide range of common products in addition to cloth, including nets, basketry, string and rope. Few examples survive, and of those which do, there is rarely enough to determine the size, shape or function.


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Online ID: 000-100-040-565-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HSA 30
Date: Between 850 and 1000
Material: Bone; flat straight head; curved shank
Bone; perforated expanded triangular head
Bone; perforated expanded triangular head
Bone; perforated expanded triangular head
Dimensions: 105 mm L
What: Needle, netting
Needle, netting
Needle, netting
Needle, netting
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Orkney, Brough of Birsay
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Event:
Description: Bone netting needle from Birsay, Orkney
Bone netting needle from Jarlshof
Bone netting needle from Jarlshof
Bone netting needle from Jarlshof
References:
  • Curle, C.L. Pictish and Norse finds from the Brough of Birsay, 1973-74. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series 1, 1982, ill. 34. 
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