St Patrick's Isle Pagan Lady Burial Knife
Date made: Viking 800-1265
Description: A corroded blade with plain wooden handle, found without a sheath. Despite it's simple design compared to some of the other grave goods, the shape of the blade from heavy wear and frequent sharpening evident suggests that this was a favourite and often-used tool. The tang of the blade runs the full length of the handle, popping out of the top and being clenched over an iron washer.
Found on top of the right hip of the skeleton. A fragment of bone attached to the blade is most likely to be from the pelvis.
Measurements: overall: 157mm x 20mm
Materials: iron, wood
Date found: 1984
Object name: knife
Collection: Archaeology Collection
ID number: 1984-0016/23