13. Sickle, iron

From Stora Hellvigs, Fole parish, Gotland, 1300-1361 A. D. Bow-sickle blade made of iron. A hand tool used when harvesting hay. In the early Middle Ages, cereal crops were cut high, near the ear. Later in the Middle Ages, there was a gradual transition to cutting the grain further down. SHM 21993:105B, 21993:105A