Antler Combs

A&S documentat ion of a Norse comb made from antler.

Combs and comb-making tools, and how to make and decorate a composite comb in this style.

The goal for this project was to make a composite simple comb in a style of late tenth century Scandinavi a. Hundreds of Viking Age combs have been unearthed at sites in continenta l Europe and the English Isles, with over three hundred found at Birka alone. Comb design and decoration conveys some regional and chronologi cal informatio n. The chosen comb design was Ambrosiani type B3, which is distinguis hed by the presence of ring-dot decoration on the connecting plates.

Excavations at Fishergate have revealed a settlement where a number of crafts were practised.

Descriptions of objects found in archaeological excavations of Fishergate House and Blue Bridge Lane in York; includes pins, combs, a buckle plate, a sledge runner, styli, handles, and beads.

The militia of Amiens during the reign of Jean sans Peur (1404-1419 )

Combs are found in great numbers in all excavated Viking Age towns and trading places, and are also common in graves. Includes diagram of the constructi on of a comb.

Combs, mostly in antler, bone, wood, or ivory, from period depictions and extant examples. Includes illustrations of hair-combing.

A company of 14th century archers, with their wives and children.

Bone and antler performed many functions in the home and in the craft shops of the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.

Source material for medieval combs and how to make them. Includes references on how to work horn and bone materials.

In a letter to Lord Burghley dated 29th November 1592, Sir John mentions "a shypp that was cast away about Alderney". Because of its location and period and because it was carrying military supplies (helmets, body armour, muskets, shot, hand grenades, etc.), it is believed that our wreck is the ship that was mentioned in the dispatches to the Queen's Chief Minister.

Amongst many finds to have been recorded from the Longmarket excavations are several combs, a few of which are almost complete.