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Archaeological evidence for the first Mesolithic occupation of the Western Isles of Scotland

University of Manchester Archaeological Unit, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; richard.a.gregory{at}manchester

Eileen M. Murphy

School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 INN, UK

Mike J. Church

Institute of Geography, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XP, UK

Kevin J. Edwards

Department of Geography and Environment and Northern Studies Centre, University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen AB24 3 UF, UK

Erika B. Guttmann

School of Human and Environmental Sciences, Department of Archaeology, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 227, Reading RG6 6AB, UK

Derek D.A. Simpson

formerly School of Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 INN, UK

The examination of eroding coastal dunes at the prehistoric site of Northton, Harris, has produced the first archaeological evidence of Mesolithic activity in the Western Isles in the form of two midden-related deposits. The first phase of Mesolithic activity is dated to 7060-6650 cal. BC based on AMS dating of charred hazelnut shells. This discovery appears to validate the frequent pollen-based inferences of Mesolithic impact for the area and, as predicted, allows the Atlantic fringe of Scotland to become part of the European Mesolithic mainstream. A detailed pedological analysis also suggests that these early midden layers may have been amended during the Neolithic period as part of a possible phase of cultivation.

Key Words: Western Isles • Scotland • Mesolithic • Neolithic • middens • pedological analysis • Holocene

The Holocene, Vol. 15, No. 7, 944-950 (2005)
DOI: 10.1191/0959683605hl868ft


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