By Bernie Bell.

We recently went for a walk at Dingies Howe. Nearing the far left-hand end of the bay,  Mike picked up a piece of flint from among the stones. 

This is near where we believe there was a settlement, and where there is a midden heap, as mentioned in this piece of writing

Orkney Tings

Looking at it when we got home, Mike had the idea that it could be a flint core, worked by humans

The pics are front and back, and a side view where the Oyster shell stops it from falling over.  We picked up the Oyster shell across the road on Sandi Sand.

Jo Bourne is our go-to person re. all things flinty – she even wrote  a book about it….

http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=17489

So I sent Jo the pics. and asked what she made of it…..

Jo…..

“It’s a lovely little piece. Natural with cortex and some chattering. Bear in mind that people knew the value of flint, even small pieces, and it may well have been picked up for some future working. “

My response…..

“Thanks Jo. That’s what we were thinking ….there isn’t much flint in Orkney – only what’s been left here one way or another. So…..this would have been a valuable find for someone. Tho‘ not worked – still interesting and a nice bit o’ stone!”

Flint doesn’t occur as bedrock in Orkney, but some was deposited from glaciers, some dumped as ballast from ships, and probably some was brought from afar by people travelling.   Whatever the source – a lucky find, and for us, too!