East Kirk of St Nicholas dig - June 2007
East Kirk of St Nicholas Dig – June 2007
Judith Stones, Keeper of Archaeology, writes…
My topic this month is ‘books, bones, whistles and rowdy dancing’. As the post-excavation work continues, more objects are coming back from conservation, while others are being subjected to more detailed examination than was possible during the dig. Among newly conserved items is a series of artefacts which may be related to liturgical books used in St Nicholas Church. Two small broken copper alloy hinges are illustrated below. The first seems to have been simply decorated with incised lines, while the second has very definitely been gilded on one side. From some angles, and with the eye of faith, one can suspect a trace of gilding on the first one too, although I’m not sure whether it’s visible in the photograph. Hinges to fasten and close together the edges of books are a slightly alien idea to us today, although the tradition does survive on some ‘presentation’ bibles, as well as on certain types of diaries, designed to lock away the writer’s deepest thoughts from prying eyes.
The very neatly made small copper alloy object in the next picture may have had a variety of purposes -but it too could have formed part of the fittings of a book, perhaps holding a fastening strap in place on a leather cover.
Lists are being made and checked of all the objects found during the dig – and sharp eyes are spotting unusual features as that process goes on. Post-excavation team members have brought a variety of interesting and useful skills and experience to work with them. For example, Grant McMillan, a folk musician for many years, has made some comments on the bone pipe which appears in the next photo. Grant worked on the dig from February 2006 and in 2007 has been closely involved in sorting out the objects for examination and identification by archaeological specialists.
“This broken pipe may have been played in a number of ways, but as the blowing end is missing it is difficult to tell. Bone, more stable than wood, made fine instruments such as whistles or ‘block flutes’. However they were often blown as double-reeded instruments, similar to the oboe, which provided most importantly volume and ‘tuneability’. This type of pipe could be attached to a leather bag used as an air reservoir, a’bagpipe’, or could be played ‘ensemble’. One player would carry on a phrase, while the other took a breath.”
Interestingly, the pipe was found in a grave fill, which initial phasing of the site suggests may be 12th or 13th century in date!
The next two objects, made from the rib bones of cattle, have appeared in this diary before, I think, described as ‘bone smoothers’, possibly for use in linen or cloth manufacture. However, Grant has come up with a more plausible, not to say entertaining explanation, which you can read below the photos.
“This simple percussion instrument, made out of two bones, is one of a pair of ‘claves’. The bones were held loosely in the hand and rocked over the index finger. By flicking the wrist and throwing the forearm back and forth, the bones would strike against each other, producing a loud ‘ clickety clack’, or even a ‘clackety clickety’. A skilled bones player will know the most commonly played melodies and can strike as complete a pattern of rhythm and decoration as the melody player or players. This instrument was a precursor of the spoons, giving a high pitched, highly audible, driving punctuation to the music – great for rowdy dancing!”
I’m hoping to have a photo soon of Grant demonstrating this technique. Sadly you’ll have to supply your own sound effects!
For further information or comment, please contact judiths@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
East Kirk of St Nicholas May 2007
