1908.83.5

Collection type

Object

Description

Wooden fragment with rivet, from a grave.

Long description

Fragment of wood from an ancient grave. [DCF Court Team 2/1/2003]

Geographical reference

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Europe > Northern Europe > United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Scotland Orkney Islands Westray Island

Person

Maker Unknown Maker

Field collector George Petrie

Field collector James Farrer

PRM source Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers founding collection

PRM source Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Date / Period

Archaeological period: Viking, uncertain

Date collected

1863 July

Acquisition information

Donated: 1884, uncertain Transferred: 1908

Materials and processes

Material Wood Plant, Material Metal

Dimensions

Length: max 40 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1908.83.5

Research and responses

In a paper in the Proceedings of the Antiquaries of Scotland 1879-1880, Joseph Anderson (p79-80) mentions this find and argues that the large rivet was more likely used as part of a Viking boat burial, than a shield. Anderson, J. (1879-80) Notes on the Contents of two Viking Graves in Islay, Discovered by William Campbell, Esq., of Ballinaby; with Notices of the Burial Customs of the Norse Sea-Kings, as recorded in the Sagas and Illustrated by their Grave Mounds in Norway and in Scotland. Proceedings of the Antiquaries of Scotland 14: 51-89. [AS 30/11/2009]

Related Documents File - Piece of paper found with object. 'Fragment of Shield found by George P. Fragment of Shield found in ancient grave containing portions of a human skeleton and of a horse - opened by Mr Farrer M.P. and George Petrie in the Island of Westray Orkney in July 1863.' [DCF Court Team 2/1/2003]

Associated publications

Anderson, J. Notes on the Contents of two Viking Graves in Islay, Discovered by William Campbell, Esq., of Ballinaby; with Notices of the Burial Customs of the Norse Sea-Kings, as recorded in the Sagas and Illustrated by their Grave Mounds in Norway and in Scotland. Proceedings of the Antiquaries of Scotland 14 (1879-80): 51-89. [AS 12/03/2012]

Search terms: Death, Religion, Weapon, Unidentified Object, Grave Good