Daer All,
An unfused vertebral disc from an adult orca was recovered at an
archaeological excavation outside Malmö in Southern Sweden. The disc was
already broken into 7 pieces when found and distributed in two separate
clay pits dated to middle Bronze Age (ca 1420-825 BC). The disc measures
ca 13 cm in diameter and is pierced through the center. There are also a
few roundish indentations on the ridged side of the disc that may or may
not be natural.
I´ve found a reference to similar finds at an Iron Age site on North Uist
in the Outher Hebrides where several pierced whale discs have also been
recovered (Beveridge & Callander 1930-1931). These discs were thought to
be spindle whorls but I´m curious to know about other finds of this kind
and their interpretation.
Does anybody have suggestions about additional references?
I have included photos.
Best wishes
Britt-Marie
Britt-Marie Hägerman, Osteolog
Malmö Kulturmiljö
Kultur Malmö
Box 406
201 24 Malmö, Sweden
Tel: 004640-34 44 87
Fax: 040-34 44 72
E-post: [log in to unmask]
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