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Bone Skate
AB/Q/73 Bone Skate
Bone Skate
Bone Skate

AB/Q/73 Bone Skate

Date14th Century
Object NameSkate
Mediumbone
ClassificationsArchaeology Excavated
DimensionsOverall: Length: 24.6 cm
LocationOn Display - Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Object numberABDMS003836
About MeThis object is a bone ice skate, made from a horse metatarsal (foot bone). It has been shaped, and one surface has been worn where it has been in contact with the ice.

The top surface was trimmed to provide a firm and comfortable foot-hold for the skater. A pointed top with upswept front would have been an advantage in light snow or irregular ice surfaces. A small amount of wear suggests short use before loss.

There are no holes for the skate to be attached to the foot, but a skillful skater would not lose contact with the ice and would push themselves along with a spiked pole. It would have been more like modern ski-ing than skating.
Bone Dice
AB/Q/73 2 Bone Dice
13th - 14th Century
Ivory spindle whorl
AB/Q/73 Ivory spindle whorl
13th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 AB/B/73 Iron Nails
AB/Q/73 AB/B/73 Iron Nails
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Antler Hammer
AB/Q/73 Antler Hammer
13th Century
AB/Q/73 Ankle Boot
AB/Q/73 Ankle Boot
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Clasp from Queen Street 1973 excavation
AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Clasp from Queen Street 1973 excavation
13th -14th Century
AB/Q/73 Shoe Sole
AB/Q/73 Shoe Sole
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73, Shoe Sole
AB/Q/73, Shoe Sole
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Shoe Sole
AB/Q/73 Shoe Sole
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73, Oval Piece Of Leather
AB/Q/73, Oval Piece Of Leather
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73, Part Quarters And Fragments
AB/Q/73, Part Quarters And Fragments
13th - 14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Sheet
AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Sheet
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Sheet
AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Sheet
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Sheet Fragments
AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Sheet Fragments
13th - 14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Lead Alloy Fragment from Queen Street 1973 excavation
AB/Q/73 Lead Alloy Fragment from Queen Street 1973 excavation
13th-14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Iron Horseshoe
AB/Q/73 Iron Horseshoe
13th - 14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 2 Iron Clench Bolts
AB/Q/73 2 Iron Clench Bolts
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Boot Or Shoe Sole
AB/Q/73 Boot Or Shoe Sole
13th -14th Century
AB/Q/73 2 Buttons Or Button Formers from Queen Street 1973 excavation
AB/Q/73 2 Buttons Or Button Formers from Queen Street 1973 excavation
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Fragment from Queen Street 1973 excavation
AB/Q/73 Copper Alloy Fragment from Queen Street 1973 excavation
13th -14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Antler Offcut
AB/Q/73 Antler Offcut
13th - 14th Century
Image Not Available for AB/Q/73 Lead Waste
AB/Q/73 Lead Waste
13th -14th Century
E6 Possibly Pin Beater
E6 Possibly Pin Beater
15th - 17th Century
Broad Street 1973: Bone Spindle Whorl
Broad Street 1973: Bone Spindle Whorl
13th -14th Century