Arthur MacGregor

18pp, 2figs, 1b-w pls,
Printed card cover

For more than a century, bone skates have formed part of many museum collections, while intensified archaeological activity in recent years has produced a considerable number of additional specimens. Although earlier writers disagreed among themselves about the origins of these skates,’ they were rarely in any doubt about their function, chiefly because bone skates had survived in use wit1~ik living memory in a number of communities in central and show more northern Europe. More recently, however, a growing confusion has arisen concerning them, as skates of this type have disappeared from use in contemporary communities and also as the direct result of a number of publications which have attempted to refute the earlier identification. show less

Covers: Raw materials, their availability, investigation the handicraft and industry of the working of the materials, working methods and tools: cutting, splitting, smoothing, polishing, turning, drilling, scribing, rouletting, gauging, clamping, riveting softening, moulding, colouring; review of skeletal artifacts including: combs, mirror cases, toilet sets, buttons, beads, toggles, buckles, strap-ends, 'bag rings', bracelets, pins, writing implements, seal matrices, coin balances, dice, show more gaming pieces, whistles, flutes, blast horns, drinking horns, powder horns, other horn containers, horn helmets, bows and arrow heads, hilts, implement handles, hammers, clamps, planes, cleavers, rakes, scoops, spoons, knives, brushes, bobbins, stamps. moulds, mounts, caskets & hinges. Includes a bibliography and index. highly recommended. show less