Mesolithic and later sites around the Inner Sound, Scotland the work of the Scotland's First Settlers project 1998-2004

Abstract

Scotland's First Settlers comprised a survey project to locate and examine sites relating to the earliest, Mesolithic, settlement of the Inner Sound, along the coastlands between Skye and the west coast of Scotland. Particular foci of interest included the existence and nature of midden sites, the use of rockshelters and caves, and the different types of lithic raw material in use. In addition, information relating to the human use of the area up to the present day was recorded. Fieldwork took place over five years between 1999 and 2004: the entire coastline of the Inner Sound together with its islands was walked; 129 new archaeological sites were recorded; 36 sites were shovel pitted; 44 test pitted; and one major excavation took place. Excavation at Sand has been particularly exciting as it has resulted in the analysis of a shell midden dating to the early-mid seventh millennium BC, the early Mesolithic of Scotland. This report comprises the results of survey and excavation work as well as detailed artefact reports, full information on ecofacts such as shell, and bone, and information on the development of the landscape and environment, including sea level change. Finally, the broad-scale coverage of the project has led to a number of discussion points that have much to offer further work, both within the area and further afield. Digital material associated with this project is available through Archaeology Data Service archive http://dx.doi.org/10.5284/1000285 Scotland's First Settlers

Calling Time on Oronsay: Revising Settlement Models Around the Mesolithic–Neolithic Transition in Western Scotland, New Evidence from Port Lobh, Colonsay

“…The practices undertaken reference wider and enduring traditions of coastal fishing and shore gathering. At Port Lobh, these actions are the same as those taking place on neighbouring Oronsay and resonate with other regional caves and rock-shelter deposits further afield like Ulva Cave, off Mull (Bonsall 1997;Russell et al 1995) and Sand, Applecross (Hardy & Wickham-Jones 2009). Bayesian modelling and reevaluation of the radiocarbon dates from the Oronsay middens, which are problematic due to bulk samples, old wood, marine reservoir effects, and calibration curve plateau, demonstrate chronological overlap with the earliest Neolithic in the region and gathering practices at different sites like Port Lobh and Storakaig, Islay (Wicks & Mithen 2014;Wicks et al 2014).…”

Great Britain: The Intertidal and Underwater Archaeology of Britain’s Submerged Landscapes

“…The result is that coastal sites of relatively early date, dating back to 10,000 years ago or more, are visible on some of the shorelines of northern Britain (Waddington 2007;Hardy and Wickham-Jones 2009;Mithen et al 2015;Momber and Peeters 2017). The converse is also the case, that sites of Neolithic date or later may now be submerged, for example around the Sites in the south show a steady rise in sea level following the typical eustatic pattern, whereas the sites in Scotland show a drop in sea-level because isostatic rebound following deglaciation initially outpaced increase in ocean volume.…”

Fire in the Moor: Mesolithic Carbonised Remains in Riverine Deposits at Gleann Mor Barabhais, Lewis, Western Isles of Scotland

“…The success of these research surveys are corroborated by research in Yorkshire and Norway where numerous Mesolithic upland/inland sites have been identified, situated close to lakes and river systems (Bang-Andersen 2003, Donahue and Lovis 2003:312, Fretheim 2009:379, Persson 2009). In the Inner Hebrides, responsive investigations have focused on natural, human, and animal induced erosion events, which have also successfully identified new Mesolithic sites on Skye and Islay (Hardy 2009, Kozikowski et al 1999, Mithen 2000.…”