Replica of a medieval bone needle.
This bone needle is made entirely by hand and based on a historical find from the Viking Age.

Bone needles were already used in the Stone Age, and they were widespread among Celts and Romans, as well as among Germanic and Viking peoples up to the Middle Ages. Even in medieval times, bone needles were used to sew coarser garments.

A bone needle was valuable and precious. They were carefully stored, e.g. in needle boxes, protected from damage or loss.

Sewing needles made of bone were simply an inexpensive alternative to the costly needles made of bronze or iron in early times and are therefore often found in archaeological finds.

The medieval bone needle measures approx. 6 x 0.5 cm and a hole of 5 x 1 mm.

Incidentally, such a bone needle is also a practical tool for today, e.g. for sewing threads in weaving work.