Islands of Stone: Excavation of a Neolithic Crannog in the Outer Hebrides
Excavation of a Neolithic crannog in the Outer Hebrides has revealed a complex and
captivating site, answering some questions and exposing many more regarding the
construction of use of these enigmatic islet sites.
This paper will present the preliminary results of the AHRC-funded 'Islands of Stone'
project, a collaboration between the University of Southampton, the University
of Reading and Historic Environment Scotland. This project was created to further
investigate a newly exposed and little-known type of Neolithic site, the artificial island.
Following the recovery of numerous sherds of Neolithic pottery from sites believed
to have been Iron Age crannogs or island duns, subsequent work revealed at least
six Neolithic crannogs on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. With a growing
number of Neolithic crannogs being revealed through this project, understanding
the construction and use of these sites is now paramount to continued research.
This more detailed research is challenged by the site's context, requiring a cohesive
terrestrial and underwater approach in order achieve of more holistic understanding.
Accordingly, in the summer of 2021 one 'showcase' site was excavated, being one of the
few crannogs of any date in Scotland to have been excavated both above and below
water simultaneously. Joint terrestrial and underwater excavations revealed a complex
and enigmatic site comprised of substantial timbers covered with organic and capped
with a stone mound. Excavations were recorded through a campaign of complementary
drone and underwater photogrammetric surveys, allowing for both the phases of
work and the exposed stratigraphic contexts to be documented and subsequently
recorded through these 'born digital' datasets. The generated digital elevation models,
orthomosaics and 3D models provide a unique glimpse of the structure both above and
below water and allow for further analysis and dissemination. In addition, environmental
samples were taken from the terrestrial and underwater trenches which, along with the
recovery of Neolithic pottery and substantial quantities of worked quartz, indicate so
far exclusively Neolithic dates. While this work has answered some questions regarding
the construction and use of the crannog at Loch Bhorgastail, it has also exposed many
more. Subsequent excavations in the summer of 2023 will hopefully continue to unravel
some of the mysteries surrounding these enigmatic Neolithic sites.
Presentation by Stephanie Blankshein
University of Southampton