Comb

This is the end fragment of a bone comb of the double-sided type. To make a composite comb, flat 'tooth-plates' would be riveted between two side plates. The flat tooth-plate would then have teeth cut out of it. This was more complex than carving a single-piece comb, but allowed for much easier repair. There are two types of teeth on this comb. The teeth are closer together and thinner on one half. This makes it ideal for catching lice. To have properly combed hair was an important way of keeping yourself well-groomed, especially at a time when people did not wash their hair very often. There is an incised linear decoration on the sideplate, and a perforation at the end of the section of teeth.