A turned bone is usually a circular object created by smoothing and shaping a bone by turning it and rubbing it against a source of friction. Romans and Anglo-Saxons both created turned bones.
Some turned bones were created using lathes to turn them. Others were turned by hand-spinning them against a rock, according to Arthur MacGregor, author of "Bone, Antler, Ivory and Horn."
A turned bone could be used for a knife handle, a gaming piece or as a handle for a bag. After a bone was finished being turned, it could be polished or carved.