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A biro from times past
A bone stylus was retrieved from outside Hviids Vinstue at Kongens Nytorv. The artefact was probably used for writing or decorating ceramic vessels.
By find coordinator Stuart Whatley
Each stylus has a pointed end to puncture (in this case for writing) the wax board and a flat end to make the tablets smooth again, when wanting to reuse the item. Less decorated styli were used in decorating and engraving pottery.
Medieval writing
This particular stylus is intact and comprises one pointed tip, polished shaft and rectangular flattened terminus which contains ring and dot decoration and indented decoration. Due to its fine manufacture and level of decoration it is believed to have been used for writing, and is dated to the medieval period due to the typology.
Lost, not trashed
It would probably have been used by one of the wealthy Copenhageners or member of the priesthood who were educated and could read and write.
The artefact is in good condition and appears to have been lost as it is not broken and so it hasn’t been thrown away.