A Norse Farmstead in the Outer Hebrides

Series:Cardiff Studies in Archaeology

The Bornais settlement comprises a series of mounds rising from the flat machair plain in South Uist's township of Bornais. This sandy plain has been a desirable settlement area since the Beaker period, experiencing intensive occupation from the Late Bronze Age through the Norse period. Mound 1 represents the earliest settlement in this part of the plain, with evidence of complex pre-Viking activity. Settlement likely began in the Middle Iron Age or earlier, offering valuable insights into the Iron Age sequence in the Atlantic region.

Findings from Mound 1 include significant quantities of mammal, fish, and bird bones, carbonised plant remains, and pottery, all precisely dated to the 1st millennium AD. These are complemented by numerous small finds, including distinctive bone artefacts. The site’s importance lies in its well-preserved floor deposits and a burnt-down roof, allowing for comparisons between abandonment layers and nearby midden deposits. This contrast enhances understanding of depositional processes.

The burned house and exceptionally preserved remains provide a unique opportunity to study the timber superstructure and material layout used by its inhabitants. These findings shed light on the daily lives and environmental interactions of the settlement's occupants, contributing significantly to our knowledge of the period.

An excellent copy with some very minor sun fading along the bottom edges of the front cover. Otherwsie good and clean pages throughout.

Please check the images associated with this Book to gain a clear insight into the book's condition and if you require further details please send an email enquiry.