Bone Comb
Found in 2009, in an Eastern settlement of Greenland, this comb is made from a fragment of a reindeer’s antler.[1]It is a light brown color with small-darkened circles along the length of the comb. These darkened circles are in fact iron rivets that follow the curve of the comb. The comb is approximately 8 centimeters long. This object was most likely crafted during the Viking age; however, due to its location in Greenland, a territory colonized later, it is very likely the age of this item spans from approximately 985-1049. The comb was excavated in 1977 along with many other objects from Greenland.
This object would be used the same way as we use combs today. What is primarily interesting about this object is what it reveals about hygienic techniques of the Norse, as well as possible cultural interactions between the Norse and surrounding societies. As stated in “Vikings The North Atlantic Saga,” William Fitzhugh’s book, “lice were an ever-present nuisance, as the large number of discarded combs with broken encrusted teeth attest.”[2] Therefore, combs served a very hygienic and utilitarian purpose, in which hygiene was regarded highly. The high volume of discarded combs retrieved also shows a willingness of the Norse to devote them to remaining clean and lice-free. Objects found during this time help to provide evidence of cultural exchanges, and combs are no exception. The designs on this comb are purely Norse styles however, other items have been found that indicate cultural exchanges between the Norse and the Inuit. Similarly to other objects, combs presented an opportunity for artists to practice their art. Some of the combs that have been recovered have interesting designs and etchings.
Due to the mention of Inuit combs being found in Norse controlled areas in sources, such as in “Vikings The North Atlantic Saga,” these findings give us material support that there were in fact some cultural exchanges between the Norse and other societies. This helps us to reconsider the role of the Norse in their territories, as traders too.
