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Carved stone head found at Skaill Farm dig
An excavation at Skaill Farm on Rousay, Orkney, has uncovered an unusual carved stone head. Found by Katie Joss, an undergraduate from the UHI Archaeology Institute, which is leading the investigation, the head‘s detailed depiction includes carved locks of hair, large eyes, a slight smile, and asymmetric eyebrows.
Dr Sarah Jane Gibbon, one of the excavation’s co-directors, said: ‘Over the years, excavations at Skaill… have found several interesting, moulded pieces of red sandstone but nothing like this. The rich, red sandstone…was likely quarried from the island of Eday and is the same as the moulded fragments from the nearby St Mary’s old parish church. For now, the Skaill head must remain a fascinating enigma in terms of date, origin, and use, but its discovery, along with many other fine pieces of carved red sandstone… strongly suggest a building of some splendour once stood in the vicinity.’
Large section of the Northumberland identified
Ongoing survey work on the wreck of the Northumberland (see CA 391), which sank on the treacherous Goodwin Sands off the coast of Kent on 26 November 1703, has revealed that a large section of the warship’s hull may be intact on the seabed.
Built in Bristol in 1679 as part of Samuel Pepys’ regeneration of the English Navy, the Northumberland was a Third Rate 70-gun warship. Its wreck site is now protected and its condition carefully monitored by Dan Pascoe from MSDS Marine, who is contracted by Historic England. This past summer, Dan’s survey discovered a large section of the hull, possibly lying on its port side, along with multiple wooden decks. Smaller items appear to have survived as well, including coils of rope, wooden chests, and iron cannons, as well as swords, muskets, and copper cauldrons.
HES opens conversation about heritage
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has launched a new initiative that aims to start a conversation with the public about heritage, encouraging them to share their perspectives and ideas on how to shape the sector into the future. ‘I’d love to hear about the places that matter most to you,’ said Elly McCrone, who is Director of Heritage for HES.
In-person events are planned across Scotland, but the public are also invited to take part in a survey, open until 7 December. Visit http://www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support/communities/talking-about-heritage to take part.
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Photo: UHI Archaeology Institute
