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

Discs and bones
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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.

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