Latest SAIR Publications Now Released

Submitted by Seren Langley on Fri, 2009-12-11 13:10
in

SAIR Logo The CBA has hosted SAIR publications since its conception and pilot in 2001. In all, there are now 35 released, including the much anticipated Scotland’s First Settlers (SFS) project report. More details can be found on the SAIR website. SAIR is a joint publication venture between the CBA, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Historic Scotland.

SAIR 36

STAC: the Severe Terrain Archaeological Campaign

Investigation of stack sites of the Isle of Lewis 2003–2005

by Ian McHardy, Chris Barrowman and Mary MacLeod with Ann MacSween, Jo McKenzie, Susan Ramsay, Catherine Smith; Compiled and edited by Beverley Ballin Smith

Abstract

Stac Domhnuill Chaim, looking south The STAC (Severe Terrain Archaeological Campaign) project conducted topographic and archaeological surveys of sea stacks and other cliff-bound coastal sites around the Isle of Lewis over three annual field seasons from 2003–2005. The project made use of a specialised access system called ‘Industrial Rope Access’, which proved to be both a safe and a practical way of achieving archaeological research in such places. The first part of this report details the formation and methods of the STAC project, and discusses some relevant geographical issues. The second part presents the results of the eleven site surveys. One of these sites, Dunasbroc, was thought to be particularly vulnerable to erosion and was subject to small-scale excavation, the results of which form the third part of the report.

SAIR 38

Gazetteer of Arran Pitchstone Sources

Presentation of exposed pitchstone dykes and sills across the Isle of Arran, and discussion of the archaeological relevance of these outcrops

by Torben Bjarke Ballin and John Faithfull

Abstract

Neolithic Blades in Pitchstone The main element of the present paper is a gazetteer of exposed pitchstone sources across the Isle of Arran. In the paper’s final chapter, the archaeological relevance of these outcrops is discussed. The gazetteer includes approximately 100 pitchstone sources, and the authors hope that it will become a useful tool to prehistorians working on and outwith Arran, thus adding to our understanding of how pitchstone was perceived, exchanged and used in northern Britain. In general terms, the gazetteer should provide a more rigorous basis for archaeological and geological assessment of pitchstone artefacts and sources.