DISCOVERING ANCIENT TASTES
Orkney is known for its distinct culinary heritage, as well as its outstanding jewellery designs — and an archaeological dig in South Ronaldsay is beginning to show us just how far back these traditions stretch.
Discoveries at the Cairns site in South Ronaldsay throw new light on links between Orkney, Scotland and Rome.
A recent archaeological dig in the island of South Ronaldsay suggests the isles may have been renowned for their jewellery and textiles for almost 2,000 years.
In fact, archaeological discoveries may now suggest that Orcadian designers were setting national trends, and were part of trade networks that linked the Northern Isles to markets including those of the Roman Empire.
Meanwhile, it has been discovered that a fish tea was a favourite meal of an Iron Age Orcadian, whose remains were discovered at the site.
The Cairns site, one of the University of the Highland and Islands’ (UHI) flagship excavations, has revealed what was once a towering Iron Age (C100BC-AD200) broch or roundhouse, with surrounding village.
The location, which lies near Windwick Bay in South Ronaldsay, could lay claim to being the site of Orkney’s original jewelsmiths.
According to site director Martin Carruthers, there were numerous items unearthed at the Cairns which had not been seen elsewhere including spectacular jewellery, such as adornment pins, brooches and even a bead of Roman glass.
Not only did these ancient Orcadians clearly like their jewellery — they were manufacturing and possibly exporting it too.
This is the finding of analysis into the ancient woman’s jawbone, discovered during excavations at the Cairns.
According to researchers, this ancient woman’s diet flies in the face of what we know about Iron Age Britain, where there is very little evidence for the use of marine resources.
The elderly woman’s jawbone was discovered in 2016, during UHI Archaeology Institute excavations. It had been placed against the wall of the broch in a vessel carved from a whale vertebra (something which researchers think may mark the end of its life).
Initial research suggested the Iron Age Orcadian — nicknamed the Elder — was eating a diet of soft seafood during her old age.
It was believed that this was, perhaps, out of necessity, due to the poor condition of her few remaining gnashers.
Further analysis, however, has suggested that the Elder may have been a lover of coastal cuisine throughout her lifetime.
With all the delicious fruits de mer on offer in Orkney waters, she’s not the only one!