Quernstone

Quernstone of micaceous stone with a cross incised near the edge.

Different types of quernstones were used to grind wheat or barley into flour to make bread, an important staple food in the Iron Age. This is the top half of a rotary quern, which once sat on top of another stone. Grain was poured into the hole in the centre and the upper stone was then turned using a pair of wooden handles placed in the holes. The weight of the turning upper stone crushed the grain into flour.

This object was found in Dunadd, Scotland and is now on display at the National Museums Scotland.