Whetstone pendant

Black slate hanging whetstone with square cross-section. The ring for hanging is made of a silver rod wound and twisted together. Whetstones of this type were used sometimes for sharpening needles and other small sharp edged tools, and sometimes as touchstones to check the precious metal content of a coin or other object. Grave find, Birka, Bj 605B, Adelsö Parish, Uppland.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0