Iron object

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This iron object was found in a grave near Dunrobin Castle near Golspie in Sutherland. Its exact use is unclear, but it may be a spear socket. It is one of a number of objects dating to the Viking period which have been found in the area.

The iron object is hollowed out or bent around, and a piece has broken off at the upper end.

Sutherland means the 'southern land', as it marked the southern part of the Norse settlement in Scotland. A few poorly recorded Viking age artefacts, including oval brooches from a woman's grave, were found near Dunrobin Castle.

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-163-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 209
• Date: 800 - 1100 AD
  Between 800 and 1100
  
• Material: Iron; cylindrical; hollow
  Iron / portion
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Iron / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Sutherland, Dunrobin Castle
  
• Event:
• Description: Cylindrical hollow piece of iron, from Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland, Viking period, 800 - 1100 AD
  
• References:
  • Graham-Campbell, James and Batey, Colleen E. Vikings in Scotland. An Archaeological Survey. Edinburgh: University Press, 1998, p 68. 
  • Grieg, Sigurd. Viking Antiquities in Scotland (=Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland, Part II, ed. by Haakon Shetelig). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co., 1940, p 17. 
• Translations:
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