Comb

This bone fragment is the end piece of a double-sided comb. It is composite in nature, and there is one visible rivet here. 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 cathcing 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. The sideplates are decorated with a group of incised lines at the end.