From Howmae, North Ronaldsay, Orkney
This animal bone from Howmae on North Ronaldsay in Orkney has butchery cut-marks. It dates from between 600 BC and 200 AD.
The bone is a joint end of a sheep leg bone. The end of the bone has been chopped off from the rest of the bone.
This is a classic butchery mark. In preparing joints of meat for cooking, people would chop through bone using a sharp utensil such as a chopper, cleaver or hatchet.
To search on related items, click any underlined text below.