VIKING UNST PROJECT: FIELD SEASON 2008 - Nabo

46mm) with working marks on three sides. On one side a simple cross has been heavilyscored into one corner, a feature less well implemented but also seen on one example of thesteatite weights (SF1923). A small hole (1.5mm) has been placed to one side of the crosswith a second much larger (10.5mm) squared hole set above this. On one side a third holehas been placed. This consists of a 10.5mm hole that undercuts itself widening to 12mm ata depth of 5.5mm. Within this a smaller squared hole has been placed 6.5mm deep. Thethird side has a further two holes; an area of pecking with a small hole (3mm) and set abovethis a larger squared hole (7mm). All of the perforations are incomplete and several moremay be present but this may be natural pitting to the stone which is in a highly weatheredcondition.Spindle WhorlThere is a single find in this category, SF1597 from context [189]. It is conical in form andhas an expanded central perforation. It is obviously indicative of some scale of textilemaking activity, and if some of the simple stone weights can be also assigned to textileproduction rather than fishing, indicate domestic activities. Little further can be added atthis stage and its geological origin would be helpful to know, as it could represent part ofan original “tool kit” brought from Scandinavia.VesselSF763 from context [041] is a simple small stone vessel with tapering rim, possibly ofsiltstone, and is considered to be a local product and the expedient use of locally availablematerial. It is conceivable that it was originally from the nearby broch. This source mayalso have provided the stone tools and indeed tuyère noted below, but this is simply asuggestion at this stage.Quartz and flintThere are four finds of quartz; two tabular pieces which are unworked (SF784 context[101], and SF816 context [011]) and two pieces which may form a snapped blade (SF819context [119]) and a modified blade (SF1742 context [179] both of which need furtherdetailed study. A single find of flint, SF824 from context [114] may possibly be a struckfragment. These are not chronologically sensitive items.Worked DiscsThere are two examples of a worked stone disc (SF1117 from context [016] and SF1876from context [077]), possibly pot lids which are a ubiquitous find in the Northern Isles frommany periods.Miscellaneous stoneThere are 31 finds within the general category of ‘stone’, although this number includes thetwo pieces of unworked quartz mentioned above, and three finds which are possiblyworked but indeterminate. Amongst the rest of the group, there are individual examples ofa possible simple incised gaming board (SF 777 context [011], figure 3.1b, figure 3.1b) thatwould need more careful examination before it can be accurately assigned this designation,since there are clearly natural fault lines visible on each face. A single slate pencil, SF724(context [101]) must be considered a relatively recent loss.33