15912: Snake stone
Circular perforated stone worked by hand, and with a polished surface. The stone, used for healing, was put into water and the water was then used to bathe sore joints. The stone was found by Angus Maciver of 21 Kirkibost when working near the shore. Chirsty Mary Macarthur of 1 Kirkibost had the treatment when she complained of feeling her wrist on fire after “the wind of the snake” went over her hand when working on peat out on Kirkibost moor. She put her hand into the basin containing the stone and then her wrist was rubbed with the stone.
It was once thought that the stone was the discarded skin of a snake after moulting. Snake stones were also used as weights when spinning wool.
The stone was gifted to Bernera museum by Donald Macaulay, 13 Kirkibost.
Details
- Record Type:
- Object or Artefact
- Type Of Object Artefact:
- Snake Stone; Loomweight
- Record Maintained by:
- CEBL
Related Media
Snake stone (loom weight)