View Full Version : Neolithic Pendant?
I found this on the beach and thought it was strangely decorative. It is 1.5" long with a hole drilled into the corner. I think it is made out of antler or whale bone and the thing has been cut to enhance the ribbed structure diagonally. Any thoughts anybody? I wonder if it will be of interest to the museum if it is old. (It must be old surely?):confused
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f244/Rheghead/Caithness/Pendant.jpg
Unusual find. Is there any chance that the hole and markings may have been caused by wave action?
I have found stones with holes 'drilled' through them so know that the combination of wave and a few grains of sand can do some strange things.
I would take to someone to have a look at.
lynne duncan
31-May-08, 23:15
try the folkies in the dunbeath museum, mm! what's their names (scratch head!) the bethunes they might be able to help.
would love to think it is an old! pendant - -please post if you do find out
which beach did you find it on (out of sheer noseyness)
Boozeburglar
01-Jun-08, 00:34
Geez
I read that as Neolithic Pedant!
I was wondering how one would tell!
:)
Beautiful pendant I think.
DeHaviLand
01-Jun-08, 01:34
Geez
I read that as Neolithic Pedant!
I was wondering how one would tell!
:)
Beautiful pendant I think.
You mean, you think its Big A:lol::lol:
northener
01-Jun-08, 01:41
Geez
I read that as Neolithic Pedant!
I was wondering how one would tell!
:)
Simple, they'd be the ones constantly criticising other peoples flint knapping knowledge.:D
Good grief, I thought I'd be the only one that thought the org was all about neolithic pedants. Welcome to the club boys. ;)
Moi x
I found this on the beach and thought it was strangely decorative. It is 1.5" long with a hole drilled into the corner. I think it is made out of antler or whale bone and the thing has been cut to enhance the ribbed structure diagonally. Any thoughts anybody? I wonder if it will be of interest to the museum if it is old. (It must be old surely?):confused
I have some archaeologists staying with me just now. I'll show them your picture, see what they think. I'll post back later.
Cheers
I'm now thinking it may be made of narwhal horn which might explain the ribbed texture(no jokes please:) ) and the honeycomb structure. If that is so then a viking history for the artifact may be more appropriate.
Tugmistress
01-Jun-08, 13:26
Great find rheghead! please post and tell us what it is when you find out :D
JamesMcVean
01-Jun-08, 13:29
Rheg,
would you consider selling it??
James
Dog-eared
01-Jun-08, 15:04
Fantastic find. Looks like Narwhal right enough.
northener
01-Jun-08, 15:12
I'm going to go against the flow on this one.
I think it's a naturally occurring stone. The white bands look like slightly harder wearing rock than the surrounding grey - hence the rippled effect.
As for the hole in the top corner, this looks like an enlarged version of the pock-marks that are all over the face of the object - again, caused by erosion?
Rheggers, how heavy is it? Does it feel like the right weight for a pebble, or is it substantially lighter? If it is a relatively light object - then it could be bone. But I've not seen any antler/bone that looks quite like this.
Mind you, I don't really know what I'm talking about - just my opinion.
N.
N,
As I stated in my post above my first impression might be it is just a bit of stone which has been eroded in such a way as too give the impression of a worked piece.
But it won't hurt to take to an expert...
northener
01-Jun-08, 15:24
N,
But it won't hurt to take to an expert...
Indeed. I wouldn't want to prompt Rheghead to chuck out a unique piece of craftwork!:eek:
It isn't stone, it is too light, it is made out of bone or horn. The hole is approx 16th" wide so I doubt it was made naturally. I doubt if sand erosion could cause this hole, especially on a loose item like this. I'm off to Orkney on Tuesday, they seem to have more expertise over there than here, no insult intended.
northener
01-Jun-08, 17:52
Fascinating.
Keep us posted!
Mind you, I don't really know what I'm talking about - just my opinion.
Might I suggest Northener you use this as your signature lol
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