Rushen Abbey ear scoop and finger nail cleaner
Date made: AD 1300-1500
Description: The spoon-shaped end of this bone artefact is an ear scoop - the medieval equivalent of a cotton bud! The handle has a finely carved spiral design, leading to a point, which could be used for cleaning under the finger nails. It was found at Rushen Abbey during excavations in 2007.
The land for Rushen Abbey was given by King Olaf 1 over 900 years ago. Originally a home for monks of the Sauvignac Order, Rushen Abbey came under Cistercian control and was developed as the Isle of Man’s seat of religious power housing the main body of knowledge and literacy for the island.
Materials: bone
Date found: 2007
Object name: ear scoop
Collection: Archaeology Collection
ID number: 2007-0098.0179
Subject tags : #MM100BEAUTIFULTHINGS