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Iron Age souterrain discovered on Orkney

Whilst seeding a field for barley an Orcadian farmer’s tractor has accidentally broken through the roof slabs of a prehistoric underground structure. Initially identified as a possible Bronze Age burial cist, it soon became clear, however, that this was part of a much larger structure. Through the hole in the roof several stone pillars were noted which supported a roof of stone slabs. The style of the pillars implied that this was an Iron Age earth house or souterrain. In Orkney these tend to comprise of a long underground entrance passage leading from an above ground structure to a subterranean chamber.

However, unlike most other earth houses excavated in the recent past this chamber appeared to have not been previously disturbed either by later prehistoric activity or by antiquarian investigations.

In order to prevent further damage to the site, Historic Scotland has funded a three week investigation by a team of archaeologists from Orkney College. To date the excavation has revealed that the chamber, c.3 metres in diameter and 1m high, is rock cut and partially lined with drystone walling. The roof slabs, two of which have pairs of large notches on their edges, are supported on four freestanding pillars. Several features surround the cut for the chamber, including a large rock cut pit containing burnt material and Iron Age pottery. These features, in association with the results of a geophysical survey of the surrounding area, indicate that the chamber is part of a much larger complex of structures.

It is hoped that this excavation will shed more light on the function of these enigmatic structures. Often referred to simply as storage facilities for above ground houses, recent research has broadened out their possible interpretation to include ritual and symbolic functions.

________________
ANDANTE TRAVELS
ARCHAEOLOGY AWARD 2007

Andante Travels, leaders in archaeological travel, donates £2000 every year to a deserving archaeological project. This can be anywhere in the world - as long as it is helping to discover more about, or to protect, our archaeological heritage. Previous recipients have been Volubilis in Morocco and Kerkenes Dag in Turkey, and smaller donations have gone to Nola (Italy), a Roman glass furnace project (United Kingdom) and Tell el Armana (Egypt).

They are now seeking applications for this year’s award. If you would like to apply please send a description of the project you believe would benefit most from the award (it can be your own!), outlining how the money would be spent, and how this project would be helped.

Please send your applications to:-
Andante Travels, The Old Barn, Alderbury, Salisbury, SP5 3AR

For more information visit: www.andantetravels.co.uk

Closing date for this award is 9 November 2007. The successful applicant will be contacted by 1 December 2007

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Acts of Union Exhibition

Marischal Museum University of Aberdeen

until 31 August

Drawing exclusively on the University of Aberdeen's historic collections, Acts of Union explores the political, religious and economic factors that helped create the new kingdom of Great Britain on 1 May, 1707.

The University’s collections contain a wealth of material on how the Union was discussed and debated in Scotland and a selection of books, manuscripts, portraits and objects provide a narrative for this fascinating story. The exhibition views the Union as a long process rather than focussing on the political event. It shows that a union between Scotland and England was proposed throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and then looks at the divisive impact of the eventual political agreement of 1707 on Scotland and the city of Aberdeen.

Two key displays encapsulating the depth of reaction to the alliance between Scotland and England over the following 40 years are included. The first is a set of 300-year-old lecture notes - belonging to Marischal College student John Forbes - adorned with drawings of two ships, one flying a Scottish saltire and the other a union flag. The second display is a German-made, double-edged Jacobite sword engraved on both sides. One shows the figure of St Andrew wearing a mitre and holding a cross with the inscription "Prosperity/to/ Schotland/&No Union", and on the other there appears the figure of King James VIII and III.

"Together they highlight on the one hand the extreme, military reaction to the Union in the shape of the Jacobite Rebellions and then the more contemplative, cerebral process that was happening at the same time," said University of Aberdeen history lecturer Dr Andrew Mackillop, who co-curated the exhibition. "The drawings especially are unique and give a powerful and intimate glimpse into how the union was being contemplated by an ordinary student."

A virtual version of the exhibition is available on the Historic Collections web pages: www.abdn.ac.uk/marischalmuseum

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