Zoomorphic pin, Buckquoy

Bone pins are common Pictish finds, though the heads of bone pins are usually plainer than this example. They may have been used as jewellery, to fasten clothing. They may also have been a keepsake.

The head of this pin shows a cat-like animal, with an open mouth and it’s ears pricked forward. Three zoomorphic bone pins were found at Buckquoy – this is the most detailed of the animal-headed pins from the site.