Fragment of a 14th century bone ice skate from an archaeological dig at Esztergom Castle (Hungary). Olympic Museum Collections – sports equipment Archaeologists in Europe have discovered bone skates dating from the Palaeolithic times. Although the first metal blades appeared by the 2nd century BC, many were still made of bone until the 14th century, when they were progressively replaced by wood or metal. Indeed, the Dutch word “schaats” comes from “schenkel”, which originally meant “leg bone”. Fragment of a 14th century bone ice skate from an archaeological dig at Esztergom Castle (Hungary). Archaeologists in Europe have discovered bone skates dating from the Palaeolithic times. Although the first metal blades appeared by the 2nd century BC, many were still made of bone until the 14th century, when they were progressively replaced by wood or metal. Indeed, the Dutch word “schaats” comes from “schenkel”, which originally meant “leg bone”.