Place Object Found: Sheffield

Department: Archaeology

These fragments of worked bone are waste from making handles. They were found during excavations in the moat of Sheffield Castle in the 1950s.

The leg bones of cows were the best for making handles as they were long and thick. The large piece on the left is the end of a cow's leg bone. It is no use so has been cut off and thrown away. The other pieces are waste from later stages of handle making. They were probably discarded because they were the wrong shape or size.

Fragments of waste from making bone handles are often found during excavations in Sheffield. Handle making was a major industry in the city for many years. This kind of material is difficult to date as it is common for hundreds of years. These fragments probably date from the 1600s – 1800s.