Scottish Archaeology Month 2008

Introduction

The Western Isles Archaeology Service is run by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and is based at Achmore Old School. The Archaeologist has responsibility for the care of archaeological sites and monuments throughout the Western Isles. The work of the Archaeology Service is focused around the Sites and Monuments Record. This is a record of all the known sites and monuments in the islands, and is continually updated and added to.

Mary Macleod at work

New information comes into the record from many sources. People bring things they have found, and photographs and descriptions of sites to Museum nan Eilean, and to the archaeologist. Surveys and excavations are carried out in advance of development.

Archaeological Survey At Eriskay Causeway Site

Individual archaeologists and University departments of archaeology do research in the islands -

Dig at Bornais, South Uist, University of Sheffield

University of Glasgow

University of Edinburgh, Calanais

The service also keeps an eye on all archaeological work happening in the islands, and tries to ensure that the results are always passed on to the local community. The archaeologist encourages the development of locally led archaeological projects.

Dig at Barvas, Isle of Lewis

Iron Age Bracelet Found On Barabhas Machair

During excavations sponsored by Historic Scotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Comann Eachdraidh Bharabhais agus Bhrù, at Machair Bharabhais in the Isle of Lewis, an Iron Age cemetery has been found.

A series of cremations and a skeleton buried in a stone lined grave have been excavated, dated on the basis of pottery found on the site to around 2 000 years ago. Beside the head of the skeleton, an iron bracelet with copper alloy decoration was found, the first of its kind from the Western Isles, and possibly the first from Scotland. The bracelet is about 11 cm in diameter, made from a rolled sheet of iron, with decorated copper alloy sheets wrapped around it at two points. Two spiral rings of copper alloy wire also encircle the iron.

It is now, after 2 000 years in the soil, very rusty. Originally, however, the black of the iron would have dramatically set off the shining gold colour of the copper alloy, and it would have been a beautiful piece of jewellery.

Arc-eòlaiche nan Eilean Siar, Dr Mary MacLeod, commented: ' I can't emphasise how important this find is for our understanding of the history of the islands. It may either have been imported, or made locally. It shows us that, two millenia ago, the islands were in contact with the main stream of European culture and fashion. This find demonstrates how much we can learn about our past from archaeological research.'

Kenneth A Matheson, Chairman of Comann Eachdraidh Bharabhais agus Bhrù said, "We have been very aware of the archaeological significance of Barvas machair. We have recorded information about it from local people and have organised historical walks in the area. The professional input of Dr Mary MacLeod has moved our knowledge and interest forward greatly. This summer's training of local volunteers as part of the machair dig has proved very worthwhile and we look forward to continuing that development."

Useful Links

BBC Archaeology and Ancient History

Channel4 - Time Team

University of Edinburgh - The Calanais Fields Project

University of Edinburgh - General

University of Glasgow

University of Sheffield

So you want to be an archaeologist?

Archaeology isn't just Time Team or Meet the Ancestors.

There are lots of different types of career in archaeology. Almost any qualifications you get in school can be used in archaeology, so you should choose those subjects which best suit you, whether sciences or arts.

Many university departments teach archaeology - in Scotland, the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh have archaeology degrees, and the University of St Andrews has a joint degree in archaeology and ancient history. The University of the Highlands and Islands offers a post-graduate Masters degree in archaeology.

Volunteering in Archaeology

If you want to have a career in archaeology, or are just interested in pursuing it as a hobby, volunteering is a very good way to get experience.

If you want to work on an excavation or survey, or volunteer in the SMR, you can contact the Western Isles Archaeologist by email mary-macleod@cne-siar.gov.uk, or you can get in touch directly with one of the university departments working in the islands, through their web site.

The Western Isles Archaeologist

Mary Macleod

Tel: 01851 860783

Email mary-macleod@cne-siar.gov.uk