www.archaeology.co.uk www.facebook.com/currentarchaeologymag twitter.com/currentarchaeo visit us online at www.archaeology.co.uk
WELCOME
Orkney could be an open-air archaeology museum. Sites such as Skara Brae fire the imagination with their spectacular preservation. Yet while many of the archipelago’s big-name sites were dug in the first half of the 20th century, fieldwork has not rested on its laurels. Today, Orkney plays a lead role in attempts to tease out our prehistoric past. In this issue we celebrate the latest discoveries.
Britain is studded with major Neolithic monuments, but opportunities to pry into the
Britain is studded with major Neolithic monuments, but opportunities to pry into the first farmers’ home life remain rare. Now excavations at the Links of Noltland have revealed a near-complete Neolithic house, where a seemingly innocuous blocked doorway revealed a unique hidden shrine, and a new side to prehistoric life.
In 1901 the Reverend Goodfellow delved into a low mound at the Cairns, reportedly exposing a souterrain. The 1960s brought further reports of a subterranean structure in the same field. A project seeking to establish exactly what was discovered has struck unexpected archaeological riches, including a massive broch-like monument.
To what extent has the sea shaped island life? Following the story from the inundation of Doggerland through to the arrival of the Vikings, we examine how the North Sea served as a conduit for ideas and exotica, as well as an arena where personal prowess could be proved.
The sea is also damaging numerous sites on Rousay. A multinational team is racing against time to learn what they can before these monuments are lost forever – and overturning some long-held theories along the way.
Finally, see p. 42 for all the latest on the Current Archaeology conference. It would be great to see you there!
Our contributors this month
SANDS OF TIME HAZEL MOORE Hazel is a partner in EASE Archaeology with a particular interest in the archaeology of Orkney and Shetland, where she has conducted numerous field projects over the last 25 years. She lives in Orkney with her family.
THE CAIRNS MARTIN CARRUTHERS Martin is a lecturer at Orkney College, University of the Highlands and Islands. He is course leader for the Masters in Archaeological Practice and director of the Windwick Landscape Project. Interests include later prehistory, field archaeology, and souterrains.
ROUSAY STEVE DOCKRILL Steve is a Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Bradford. His research centres on the archaeology of the Northern Isles, and he is an active member of the North Atlantic Biocultural Organisation (NABO).
| Issue 275
archaeologycurrent
Editorial Editor: Dr Matthew Symonds matt@archaeology.co.uk Tel: 020 8819 5580 Contributing editor: Christopher Catling chris@archaeology.co.uk Art editor: Mark Edwards mark@currentpublishing.com Designer: Justine Middleton Assistant Editor: Carly Hilts carly@currentpublishing.com Sub editor: Simon Coppock Editor-in-chief: Andrew Selkirk 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX andrew@archeology.co.uk Tel: 020 8819 5584 Managing director: Robert Selkirk
Commercial Advertising sales: Mike Traylen mike@currentpublishing.com Tel: 020 8819 5360 Production manager: Maria Earle maria@currentpublishing.com Marketing manager: Emma Watts-Plumpkin emma@currentpublishing.com Tel: 020 8819 5575 Commercial director: Libby Selkirk
Current Publishing Lamb House, Church Street, London W4 2PD Tel: 020 8819 5580 (office hours) Fax: 020 8819 5589 Web: www.archaeology.co.uk
Subscriptions Current Archaeology is published monthly for a subscription of £44 for 12 issues. Foreign subscriptions £54. Subscriptions should be sent to: Current Publishing, Lamb House, Church Street, London W4 2PD Tel: (office hours) 020 8819 5580 Fax: 020 8819 5589 Subscription queries to: subs@archaeology.co.uk or online at: www.archaeology.co.uk Back issues: £5 each / £6 non-UK Binders: (hold 12 copies) £15 / £20 Slip Cases: (hold 12 copies) £15 / £20
Printed in the UK by William Gibbons
Unauthorised reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently or where it has proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue. 191212170
www.archaeology.co.uk | current archaeology
3