History / Ancient artefacts discovered in archaeological dig
SOME ancient features and finds have been discovered this week at an archaeological dig in Cunningsburgh which are likely to stem from the Pictish or Viking age.
Supported by Archaeology Shetland, the Northern Picts team from University of Aberdeen are in Shetland investigating the context of a Pictish stone with a figure carved on it previously found at Mail, with test pits taken place on an islet broch site as well as the adjacent mainland.
A number of artefacts have already been found, including part of a large steatite vessel, a lead spindle whorl and pottery – as well as lots of animal bone.
The archaeologists dug to the floor of the structure on the tidal islet and found steatite vessel sherds and floor layers which they sampled for dating.
Due to the tides they had to kayak or wade out to the ancient settlement.
On the mainland walls from possible Pictish or Viking buildings have been uncovered along with abundant pottery, animal bone and other artefacts.
Professor of archaeology Gordon Noble said the team have been interested in the site for around a decade or more, in terms of investigating the archaeology there in relation to previous finds.
“It’s been great to finally get here and do some digging, and to explore the context of the Pictish carved figure from Mail and other first millennium AD carved stones,” he said.
“It has been a very successful few days.”
In terms of the animal bone, Noble said the pieces can be carbon dated to give more insight into what animals were being kept in the Pictish and Viking age period.
“We can look at the levels of wealth in terms of the number of cattle versus other species, we can look at the marine economy as well as some fish bone as well was coming up,” he said.
“It’s a really useful record of past settlement lives”.
This year has been an evaluation of the site and the team hopes to come back for a larger dig next year, if funding can be obtained.
People can find out more about the project on the Northern Picts Facebook page.
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