Download Date 26/09/2021 13:38:25

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Download Date 26/09/2021 13:38:25 Settlement and landscape in the Northern Isles; a multidisciplinary approach. Archaeological research into long term settlements and thier associated arable fields from the Neolithic to the Norse periods. Item Type Thesis Authors Dockrill, Stephen J. Rights <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by- nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. Download date 26/09/2021 13:38:25 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10454/6334 University of Bradford eThesis This thesis is hosted in Bradford Scholars – The University of Bradford Open Access repository. Visit the repository for full metadata or to contact the repository team © University of Bradford. This work is licenced for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence. Settlement and Landscape in the Northern Isles; a Multidisciplinary Approach Archaeological research into long term settlements and their associated arable fields from the Neolithic to the Norse periods Volume 1 of 2 Stephen James DOCKRILL Doctor of Philosophy by Published Work Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences University of Bradford 2013 Abstract The research contained in these papers embodies both results from direct archaeological investigation and also the development of techniques (geophysical, chronological and geoarchaeological) in order to understand long- term settlements and their associated landscapes in Orkney and Shetland. Central to this research has been the study of soil management strategies of arable plots surrounding settlements from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. It is argued that this arable system provides higher yields in marginal locations. The ability to enhance yield in good years and to store surplus can mitigate against shortage. Control and storage of this surplus is seen as one catalyst for the economic power of elite groups over their underlying or ‘client’ population. The emergence of a social elite in the Iron Age, building brochs and other substantial roundhouses of near broch proportions, is seen as being linked to the control of resources. Evidence at the site of Old Scatness indicated that there was a continuity of wealth and power from the Middle Iron Age through the Pictish period, before the appearance of the Vikings produced a break in the archaeological record. The Viking period saw a break in building traditions, the introduction of new artefacts and changes in farming and fishing strategies. Each of the papers represents a contribution that builds on these themes. Keywords: Orkney, Shetland, Neolithic, Iron Age, Viking, Chronology, Palaeoeconomy, Palaeosols, Power, Sustainability i Acknowledgements I would like to thank all of those with whom I have worked over the years. Particular thanks must go to Cathy Batt, Julie Bond, Andy Dugmore, Noel Fojut, Rebecca Nicholson, Tom McGovern, Mark Pollard, Ian Simpson. This thesis would not have been submitted if not for the encouragement of Louise Brown, Carl Heron and most of all my wife, Julie. I would like to dedicate this work to the memory of the late Alec Miles, an extraordinary amateur archaeologist from whom as a school boy I learnt so much; to the late Arnold Aspinall, Archaeological Sciences’ first Head of Department, who took a chance on a young circuit digger and who encouraged him to undertake independent research; and lastly to my mother and late father who encouraged and believed in me. ii Contents Volume 1 Abstract ......................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ....................................................................................... ii Contents ........................................................................................................ iii Graded List of Publications by Type and Year ............................................. 1 Edited Books ...................................................................................... 1 Book Chapters ................................................................................... 5 Journal Papers ................................................................................... 7 Statement Giving the Basis for the Award of the Degree of PhD ................. 12 Brief Professional Biography .............................................................. 12 Introduction to the Research .............................................................. 14 Tofts Ness, Sanday, Orkney ……………………………………………. 17 Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village …………………………….. 30 Summary ............................................................................................ 54 References ....................................................................................... 57 Statement outlining the extent to which the publications are based on the candidate’s own independent work ............................................................... 64 Statement providing details of candidate’s 1993 MPhil degree .................... 66 Summary of the research ................................................................... 66 MPhil research appearing in publications under consideration .......... 67 New research directions resulting from the MPhil .............................. 68 Academic References ................................................................................... 70 iii Volume 2 Appendix A: Bound Publications ................................................................... 77 Book chapters …………………………………………………………….. 77 Dockrill 1980 …………………………………………………………………….. 77 Dockrill and Gater 1992 ……………………………………………………...... 78 Dockrill et al.1994 ……………………………………………………………… 79 Dockrill et al. 1998 ……………………………………………………………… 80 Dockrill 2002 ............................................................................................... 81 Dockrill 2003 …………………………………………………………………….. 82 Dockrill and Batt 2004 ………………………………………………………….. 83 Bond and Dockrill 2013 ………………………………………………………… 84 Journal papers ……………………………………………………………. 85 Dockrill 1984 …………………………………………………………………….. 85 Dockrill 1986 …………………………………………………………………….. 86 Dockrill and Simpson 1994 ……………………………………………………. 87 Dockrill et al. 1995 ……………………………………………………………… 88 Simpson et al. 1998 …………………………………………………………… 89 Sutherland et al. 1998 ………………………………………………………… 90 Guttmann et al. 2003 …………………………………………………………… 91 Guttmann et al. 2004 …………………………………………………………… 92 Dockrill et al. 2006 ……………………………………………………………… 93 Guttmann et al. 2006 …………………………………………………………… 94 Guttmann et al. 2008 …………………………………………………………… 95 Dockrill and Bond 2009 ………………………………………………………… 96 Outram et al. 2010 ……………………………………………………………… 97 Appendix B: Publications in accompanying box file ...................................... 98 iv Graded List of Publications by Type and Year R refereed * sole author U un-refereed ** principal author P available in the public domain *** joint author N-P not available **** Contributor Edited Books Nicholson, R.A. and Dockrill, S.J. (eds.) 1998. Old Scatness Broch, Shetland: Retrospect and Prospect. North Atlantic Biocultural Organisation Monograph No. 2, Bradford Archaeological Sciences Research 5. Bradford: Department of Archaeological Sciences. R P • Dockrill, S.J. 1998a. Northern Exposure: Phase 1 of the Old Scatness Excavations 1995–1998. In Nicholson, R.A. and Dockrill, S.J. (eds.) Old Scatness Broch, Shetland: Retrospect and Prospect. North Atlantic Biocultural Organisation Monograph No. 2, Bradford Archaeological Sciences Research 5. Bradford: Department of Archaeological Sciences. 59–80. R P * Book conceived by Dockrill as a reflective interim statement on the project. Dockrill was co-editor and chapter author. 1 Turner, V.E., Nicholson, R.A., Dockrill, S.J. and Bond, J.M. (eds.) 2005. Tall Stories? Broch Studies, Past Present and Future. Oxford: Oxbow. R P • Dockrill, S.J., Bond, J.M. and Batt, C.M. 2005a. Old Scatness: The First Millennium AD. In V. E. Turner, R. A. Nicholson, S. J. Dockrill and J. M. Bond (eds.) Tall Stories? Broch Studies, Past Present and Future. Oxford: Oxbow. 52-65. R P ** Edited book resulting from the Tall Stories conference held in Shetland in 2000. Dockrill co-editor and was lead chapter author describing the archaeological sequence. Dockrill, S.J., Bond, J.M., Nicholson, R. and Smith, A. 2007. Investigations on Sanday, Orkney, Volume 2: Tofts Ness: An Island Landscape Through 3000 Years of Prehistory. Kirkwall: The Orcadian/Historic Scotland. R P Dockrill, S.J. 2007a. Mound 11: the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. In Dockrill, S.J., Bond, J.M., Nicholson, R. and Smith, A. Investigations on Sanday, Orkney, Volume 2: Tofts Ness: An Island Landscape Through 3000 Years of Prehistory. Kirkwall: The Orcadian/Historic Scotland. 13- 39. R P * 2 Dockrill, S.J. 2007b. Mound 11: the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. In Dockrill, S.J., Bond, J.M., Nicholson, R. and Smith, A. Investigations on Sanday, Orkney, Volume 2: Tofts Ness: An Island Landscape Through 3000 Years of Prehistory. Kirkwall: The Orcadian/Historic Scotland. 41-112. R P * Dockrill, S.J., Gater, J.A. and Simpson, I.A. 2007. Beyond Mound 11: investigations within the Tofts Ness landscape. In Dockrill, S.J., Bond, J.M., Nicholson, R. and Smith, A. Investigations on Sanday, Orkney, Volume 2: Tofts Ness: An Island Landscape Through 3000 Years of Prehistory. Kirkwall:
Recommended publications
  • Iron Age Mnemonics: : a Biographical Approach to Dwelling in Later Prehistoric Britain
    This is a repository copy of Iron Age Mnemonics: : A Biographical Approach to Dwelling in Later Prehistoric Britain. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/174001/ Version: Published Version Article: Buster, Lindsey Sarah orcid.org/0000-0003-4121-9431 (2021) Iron Age Mnemonics: : A Biographical Approach to Dwelling in Later Prehistoric Britain. Cambridge Archaeological Journal. ISSN 0959-7743 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959774321000263 Reuse This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence. This licence allows you to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as you credit the authors for the original work. More information and the full terms of the licence here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing [email protected] including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. [email protected] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ Iron Age Mnemonics: A Biographical Approach to Dwelling in Later Prehistoric Britain Lindsey Büster Domestic architecture played a central role in the identity of later prehistoric communities, particularly in creating lasting bonds between the living and the dead. Acting as a conduit of memory and legacy for successive generations of inhabitants, roundhouses straddled the divide between house and memorial. The exceptionally well preserved Late Iron Age settlement at Broxmouth in southeast Scotland demonstrates the potential of biographical approaches in understanding the central role that roundhouses played in fashioning the identity of successive households, and the role of objects in constructing genealogical narratives.
    [Show full text]
  • {PDF EPUB} a Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland by Noel Fojut a Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland [Fojut, Noel] on Amazon.Com
    Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland by Noel Fojut A guide to prehistoric and Viking Shetland [Fojut, Noel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A guide to prehistoric and Viking Shetland4/5(1)A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland: Fojut, Noel ...https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Prehistoric-Shetland...A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland [Fojut, Noel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking ShetlandAuthor: Noel FojutFormat: PaperbackVideos of A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland By Noel Fojut bing.com/videosWatch video on YouTube1:07Shetland’s Vikings take part in 'Up Helly Aa' fire festival14K viewsFeb 1, 2017YouTubeAFP News AgencyWatch video1:09Shetland holds Europe's largest Viking--themed fire festival195 viewsDailymotionWatch video on YouTube13:02Jarlshof - prehistoric and Norse settlement near Sumburgh, Shetland1.7K viewsNov 16, 2016YouTubeFarStriderWatch video on YouTube0:58Shetland's overrun by fire and Vikings...again! | BBC Newsbeat884 viewsJan 31, 2018YouTubeBBC NewsbeatWatch video on Mail Online0:56Vikings invade the Shetland Isles to celebrate in 2015Jan 28, 2015Mail OnlineJay AkbarSee more videos of A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland By Noel FojutA Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland - Noel Fojut ...https://books.google.com/books/about/A_guide_to...A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland: Author: Noel Fojut: Edition: 3, illustrated: Publisher: Shetland Times, 1994: ISBN: 0900662913, 9780900662911: Length: 127 pages : Export Citation:... FOJUT, Noel. A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland. ... A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland FOJUT, Noel. 0 ratings by Goodreads. ISBN 10: 0900662913 / ISBN 13: 9780900662911. Published by Shetland Times, 1994, 1994.
    [Show full text]
  • Pictish Symbol Stones and Early Cross-Slabs from Orkney
    Proc Soc Antiq Scot 144 (2014), PICTISH169–204 SYMBOL STONES AND EARLY CROSS-SLABS FROM ORKNEY | 169 Pictish symbol stones and early cross-slabs from Orkney Ian G Scott* and Anna Ritchie† ABSTRACT Orkney shared in the flowering of interest in stone carving that took place throughout Scotland from the 7th century AD onwards. The corpus illustrated here includes seven accomplished Pictish symbol- bearing stones, four small stones incised with rough versions of symbols, at least one relief-ornamented Pictish cross-slab, thirteen cross-slabs (including recumbent slabs), two portable cross-slabs and two pieces of church furniture in the form of an altar frontal and a portable altar slab. The art-historical context for this stone carving shows close links both with Shetland to the north and Caithness to the south, as well as more distant links with Iona and with the Pictish mainland south of the Moray Firth. The context and function of the stones are discussed and a case is made for the existence of an early monastery on the island of Flotta. While much has been written about the Picts only superb building stone but also ideal stone for and early Christianity in Orkney, illustration of carving, and is easily accessible on the foreshore the carved stones has mostly taken the form of and by quarrying. It fractures naturally into flat photographs and there is a clear need for a corpus rectilinear slabs, which are relatively soft and can of drawings of the stones in related scales in easily be incised, pecked or carved in relief.
    [Show full text]
  • Design Statement
    APPENDIX 3 “Wheelhouse” Camp Site and Self Catering Airigh Mhic Ruairidh Traigh Bhalaigh 1 Design Statement Revised September 2012 Fraser Architecture LLP “An Taigh Dearg”, 21a Carinish, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5EJ Tel. 01876 580 315 email: [email protected] www.fraserarchitecture.co.uk Registered in Scotland, Partnership No: SO301682 Contents Title Page Executive Summary 3 Introduction 4 2 Why Develop Wheelhouse at Airigh Mhic Ruairidh? 6 Location 7 Sustainable Development of a natural resource 8 The avoidance of significant detrimental effect on natural and built heritage resources 9 Social and Economic benefits arising 10 Ownership, Constraints, Site Description, Surrounding Buildings, Archaeology, Otters 11 Site Development 12 Buildings, Services 13 Guidance 14 Proposed Plan – Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan 15 Fraser Architecture LLP “An Taigh Dearg”, 21a Carinish, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5EJ Tel. 01876 580 315 email: [email protected] www.fraserarchitecture.co.uk Registered in Scotland, Partnership No: SO301682 Executive Summary Wheelhouse at Airigh Mhic Ruairidh, North Uist will provide a unique, hut and canvas camping experience, as well as self catering accommodation for visitors exploring the Western Isles. The 3.24 hectare site on the shore, overlooking the Island of Vallay, has been specifically chosen to sympathetically, sensitively and sustainably utilize the considerable natural, cultural and heritage resources of the area. Its location will meet the locational demand for accommodation created by the Hebridean Trail cycle and foot path which passes close by and from independent travellers exploring 3 the island. Visit Scotland market research and the applicant’s own extensive qualitative market research has identified demand for unique, original, sustainable low impact experiential holidays.
    [Show full text]
  • THE VIKINGS in ORKNEY James Graham-Campbell
    THE VIKINGS IN ORKNEY James Graham-Campbell Introduction In recent years, it has been suggested that the first permanent Scandinavian presence in Orkney was not the result of forcible land-taking by Vikings, but came about instead through gradual penetration - a period which has been described as one of'informal' settlement (Morris 1985: 213; 1998: 83). Such would have involved a phase of co-existence, or even integration, between the native Picts and the earliest Norse settlers. This initial period, it is supposed, was then followed by 'a second, formal, settlement associated with the estab­ lishment of an earldom' (Morris 1998: 83 ), in the late 9'h century. The archaeological evidence advanced in support of the first 'period of overlap' is, however, open to alternative interpretation and, indeed, Alfred Smyth has com­ mented ( 1984: 145), in relation to the annalistic records of the earliest Viking attacks on Ireland, that these 'strongly suggest that the Norwegians did not gradually infiltrate the Northern Isles as farmers and fisherman and then sud­ denly tum nasty against their neighbours'. Others have supposed that the first phase of Norse settlement in Orkney would have involved, in the words of Buteux (1997: 263): 'ness-taking' (the fortifying of a headland by means of a cross-dyke) and the occupation of small off-shore islands. Crawford ( 1987: 46) argues that headland dykes on Orkney can be interpreted as indicating ness-taking. However many are equally likely to be prehistoric land boundaries, and no bases on either headlands or small islands have yet been positively identified. Buteux continues his discussion by observing, most pertinently, that: While this can not be taken as suggesting that such sites do not remain to be uncovered, the striking fact is that almost all identified Viking-period settlements in the Northern Isles are found overlying or immediately adjacent to sites which were occupied in the preceding Pictish period and which, furthermore, had frequently been settlements of some size and importance.
    [Show full text]
  • Brough of Birsay Statement of Significance
    Property in Care (PIC) ID: PIC278 Designations: Scheduled Monument (SM90034) Taken into State care: 1933 (Guardianship) Last reviewed: 2004 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BROUGH OF BIRSAY We continually revise our Statements of Significance, so they may vary in length, format and level of detail. While every effort is made to keep them up to date, they should not be considered a definitive or final assessment of our properties. Historic Environment Scotland – Scottish Charity No. SC045925 Principal Office:Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH © Historic Environment Scotland 2018 You may re-use this information (excluding logos and images) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence/version/3/ or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. Any enquiries regarding this document should be sent to us at: Historic Environment Scotland Longmore House Salisbury Place Edinburgh EH9 1SH +44 (0) 131 668 8600 www.historicenvironment.scot You can download this publication from our website at www.historicenvironment.scot Historic Environment Scotland – Scottish Charity No. SC045925 Principal Office:Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH BROUGH OF BIRSAY BRIEF DESCRIPTION The monument comprises an area of Pictish to medieval settlement and ecclesiastical remains, situated on part of a small tidal island off the NW corner of Mainland Orkney.
    [Show full text]
  • REVIEW Edition
    JUNE ROUSAY, EGILSAY & WYRE 2009 Internet REVIEW Edition WHAT’S ON IN JUNE Tuesday, 2nd. ROUSAY REGATTA & WATERSPORTS DAY InnQUIZition at 8.00 p.m. TH. at The Taversoe SATURDAY, 27 JUNE Thursday, 4th. As the date for the Regatta is again fast coming upon us, we must Parent Council Meeting at the School - 2 p.m. get things more organised about the Pier this year. First, we need helpers to make the day a success, strong men and Saturday, 6th. women to look after some of the sports, such as the pillow fights; SWRI hosting Holm Visitors from 11.00 a.m. tight rope; do-nut challenge; greasy pole; etc.- to organise a time for starting them and keeping records to determine the winners. A Sunday, 7th. different person for each sport would be really good. We also - Church Service 11.30 - Gun Club at Quoy need people to help with the stall, games and entertainment. We Grinnie, 2.00 p.m. also need donations of small cakes and tablet for a cake stall, so Tuesday, 9th any help with this would be much appreciated. School Skate Park Setup at To sort out the organisation necessary to make this a great day for 11.30 a.m. all taking part, as well as raising funds for the RNLI, there will be Thursday, June 11th. Tommy’s Photo Show at A MEETING AT THE PIER RESTAURANT the Church Centre 7.30 p.m TH. ON FRIDAY, 19 JUNE AT 8.00 P.M. Sunday, 14th. Church Service 11.30 We need your help and support to sort out the Games; Stalls; Tuesday, 16th.
    [Show full text]
  • Hiking Scotland's © Julie Danek Orkney & Shetland Islands
    Hiking Scotland's © Julie Danek Orkney & Shetland Islands July 10-20, 2021 (11 days | 15 guests) with archaeologist Val Turner © operator "This was my fifth trip with the AIA and one of the best ever...I loved every minute of the trip [and I] cannot recommend it enough. No wonder it sells out each year." - Leslie, California © operator © Operator © operator Archaeology-focused tours for the curious to the connoisseur. his is the perfect opportunity to explore all that Scotland’s "I found the archaeology absolutely Northern Isles have to offer: prehistoric stone circles, fascinating though I'm not an burial chambers, and settlements; quaint villages; huge Tseabird colonies; and remarkable plant life—all amidst dramatic archaeologist. Each site we visited had landscapes. This will be Scotland seen slowly, with time for in- its own unique character and interest." depth exploration at each site. The Orkney and Shetland islands - Nancy, New York have an amazing wealth of archaeological sites dating back 5,000 years. Together the islands have more than 18,000 known sites, with new discoveries being made every year. This archaeological saga is worth the telling, and nowhere else can the evidence be seen in Archaeological Institute of America more glorious a setting. Lecturer & Host Highlights: Dr. Val Turner has been Shetland’s Regional • A private tour of the active Ness of Brodgar excavations, Archaeologist since the post a ceremonial site in the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney" that was created in 1986, and she was in use for around 1,000 years. The site is within the lives in Shetland on a small UNESCO World Heritage site on Orkney, which also includes croft with her husband.
    [Show full text]
  • Allasdale Dunes, Barra, Western Isles, Scotland
    Wessex Archaeology Allasdale Dunes, Barra Western Isles, Scotland Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results Ref: 65305 October 2008 Allasdale Dunes, Barra, Western Isles, Scotland Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results Prepared on behalf of: Videotext Communications Ltd 49 Goldhawk Road LONDON W12 8QP By: Wessex Archaeology Portway House Old Sarum Park SALISBURY Wiltshire SP4 6EB Report reference: 65305.01 October 2008 © Wessex Archaeology Limited 2008, all rights reserved Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No. 287786 Allasdale Dunes, Barra, Western Isles, Scotland Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results Contents Summary Acknowledgements 1 BACKGROUND..................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction................................................................................................1 1.2 Site Location, Topography and Geology and Ownership ......................1 1.3 Archaeological Background......................................................................2 Neolithic.......................................................................................................2 Bronze Age ...................................................................................................2 Iron Age........................................................................................................4 1.4 Previous Archaeological Work at Allasdale ............................................5 2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.................................................................................6
    [Show full text]
  • University of Bradford Ethesis
    University of Bradford eThesis This thesis is hosted in Bradford Scholars – The University of Bradford Open Access repository. Visit the repository for full metadata or to contact the repository team © University of Bradford. This work is licenced for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence. THE NEOLITHIC AND LATE IRON AGE POTTERY FROM POOL, SANDAY, ORKNEY An archaeological and technological consideration of coarse pottery manufacture at the Neolithic and Late Iron Age site of Pool, Orkney, incorporating X-Ray Fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometric and Petrological Analyses 2 Volumes Volume 1 Ann MACSWEEN submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Archaeological Sciences University of Bradford 1990 ABSTRACT Ann MacSween The Neolithic and Late Iron Age Pottery from Pool, Sanday, Orkney: An archaeological and technological consideration of coarse pottery manufacture at the Iron Age site of Pool, Orkney, incorporating X-Ray Fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometric and Petrological Analyses Key Words: Neolithic; Iron Age; Orkney; pottery; X-ray Fluorescence; Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry; Petrological Analysis The Neolithic and late Iron Age pottery from the settlement site of Pool, Sanday, Orkney, was studied on two levels. Firstly, a morphological and tech- nological study was carried out to establish a se- quence for the site. Secondly an assessment was made of the usefulness of X-ray Fluorescence Analysis, In- ductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry and Petrological analysis to coarse ware studies, using the Pool assem- blage as a case study. Recording of technological and typological attributes allowed three phases of Neolithic pottery to be iden- tified. The earliest phase included sherds of Unstan Ware.
    [Show full text]
  • New Publications Focus on Textiles and Archaeology
    FREE Unkans DECEMBER 2015 The newsletter of the Shetland Heritage and Culture Community Issue 53 New Publications Focus on Textiles and Archaeology Two new books have recently been released by Shetland Heritage Publications, focussing on textiles and archaeology, and both are significant publications in their fields. only came to light during the study of Perhaps the most complex ‘Taatit Rugs: the Pile Bedcovers these unique textiles. Covers from the archaeological excavation ever to of Shetland’ is the culmination of Shetland Museum Textile Collection have been carried out in Scotland, the a study of these unique becovers – a Recognised Collection of National Scatness project used cutting edge by author, Dr Carol Christiansen. Significance in Scotland – and from scientific techniques. The second Shetland’s taatit rugs are part of a individual owners are beautifully volume examines the earliest phases Nordic tradition of pile bedcovers photographed and presented in the of the archaeological remains. These which extended from Finland to pages of this stunning sourcebook. The start with the Neolithic remains but Ireland. The woollen bedcovers were research project was funded by the the focus of the volume is on the made using natural dyes to create Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund. exceptionally well preserved Iron Age bold, colourful designs. Some of the Price £28.00, ISBN 978-0-9932740-4-6 Broch and Village, dating between designs incorporate symbols used Excavations at Old Scatness Volume 400BC – AD400. in Nordic and Shetlandic folklore. 2: The Broch and Iron Age Village, is Price £35.00 ISBN 978-0-9932740-0-8 Stories of individual covers in the the second title in the series from the Both books are now available for sale book reflect the lives of Shetlanders extensive excavation project carried out from Shetland Museum and Archives over the last 250 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Excavation at the Ness of Burgi, Shetland. 381
    EXCAVATION AT THE NESS OF BURGI, SHETLAND. 381 III. EXCAVATION AT THE NESS OF BURGI, SHETLAND. BY Miss CECIL L. MOWBRAY, F.S.A.ScoT. The Nes f Burg o ssmala s i i l headland situate e southerth t d a en n of the main island of Shetland, across the voe to the west of Jarlshof and Sumburgh formes Headi t I sandstonef o .d bede th , s tilten a t da Pig . Burgi1 . : Natural arch. angl formind ean inaccessibln ga e eassoutd eth an tclifn ho f siden o ; e \vesth t dipi t s less steeply e seadowth . o nt Thi s promontory forms a peninsulpar f o t f somo an acreete n extenti s , fringe y cliffd b d an s only accessible from the mainland by a natural arch of rock (fig. 1). A path has recently been made along the top of the arch, by removing some sharply protruding point f rocd o levellins kan p witu g h gravel. Previously the narrow track could only be recognised by the wear of actuae centurie th rocke d th l n an ,traversin o s t presentei f o g d sucn ha element of hazard that obviously no large animal could ever have been driven acros . it sAbov e this natural barrier a narro t a , we th par f o t 382 PROCEEDING E SOCIETYTH F O S , APRI , 193613 L . peninsula, the remains of a low rampart extend from cliff to cliff. Beyond thi a grass-coveres d plateau stretche w a distanc fe r a fo s f o e hundred yards unti fortificatioe th l reacheds ni .
    [Show full text]