One-sided comb

A largely preserved single-sided comb is missing teeth on two plates and one outer cover plate. It was recovered during archaeological excavations in the Podzamcze district of Szczecin, from trench VI, located within quarter 5. The comb was found at the lower level of layer XXXVI and was originally catalogued under field number 6941/5/VI/S. The single-sided comb, featuring teeth on only one edge, was constructed from three layers of antler plates and covers. Six plates were arranged side by side and secured with copper alloy rivets to outer covers that enclosed the toothed plates on both sides. Each plate was fastened by a single rivet placed at its centre. The cover plates, with an arched spine and flat base, are slightly shorter than the toothed plates and are decorated with engraved double vertical lines. The central pair of lines is perfectly vertical, while the outer lines gradually slope inward toward the base. The outermost plates have vertical edges, and in this section, the comb lacks teeth. Once assembled, the teeth, forming the functional part of the comb, were cut using fine saws. The order of these steps is confirmed by visible saw marks on the cover plates that align with the gaps between the teeth. Finally, the surface was smoothed to remove any traces of material processing. According to the typology of Dr Eugeniusz Cnotliwy (1932–), combs of this type belong to Group IB, Type VII, Variant 5b. Sławomir Słowiński