Bone awl or piercing tool

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This bone awl or piercing tool was found at the site of the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in Orkney. It was used sometime between 3100 and 2400 BC.

The object, made from an animal bone, has been highly polished and decorated with incised chevrons.

The settlement of Skara Brae was buried in sand, thus preserving buildings to a large height and a range of every-day objects. All walls and furnishings were of stone, since little wood was available in Orkney. Bone was used for a range of objects.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-197-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HA 329
• Date: Between 3100 and 2400 BC
  
• Material: Bone; one side decorated with incised chevrons; highly polished
  Awl
  
• Dimensions: 134.60 mm L
  
• What: Awl
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Orkney, Skaill, Skara Brae
  
• Event:
• Description: Awl made from a metapoidal bone, highly polished and decorated with incised chevrons, from Skara Brae, Orkney
  
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