Casgliadau Arlein

There are a couple of possible uses for this Roe Deer Antler Tool.

The object is a tine that was removed, being cut or broken at the burr end, and used as a tool. Burr moulding around its lower end (very worn). No ridging can be seen 145mm from the burr end owing to wear, in contrast to normal shed roe deer antler, where ridging can be seen right to the end. The raised lumps are worn and shiny but shed antlers also show this.

It was a long curved, pointed, very tough tool which could have been used for netting or hurdle making. Another clue for its use are the very fine cut marks at right angles to its length and the fact that the wear is mostly in the middle, not at the ends. This could suggest use an anchor end in tablet weaving. The cut marks would therefore occur when the finished article was cut off.