Sharman, P., (2007). Excavation of a Bronze Age funerary site at Loth Road, Sanday, Orkney. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. https://doi.org/10.5284/1017938.

Title:

Excavation of a Bronze Age funerary site at Loth Road, Sanday, Orkney

Series:

Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports

Volume:

Number of Pages:

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.5284/1017938

Publication Type:

Monograph Chapter (in Series)

Abstract:

Excavations in 1991 beside Loth Road, Sanday, revealed a funerary site, including two cists, which contained cremated human bone, and several pits. The cremation burial in one of the cists was contained in a soapstone vessel. These features presented evidence for the sorting, selection and differential deposition of pyre remains. The cists and pits were surmounted by a kerbed cairn of unusual construction. Radiocarbon dates from the pits placed the site in the Early to Middle Bronze Age.

Author:

Paul Sharman

Publisher:

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Other Person/Org:

Ann Clarke (Author contributing)
Ann MacSween (Author contributing)
Julie Roberts (Author contributing)
Diane M Alldritt (Author contributing)
Effie Photos-Jones (Author contributing)

Year of Publication:

2007

ISBN:

0 903903 95 4

Source:

DigitalBorn

Relations:

Created Date:

01 May 2011

Chapter Title	Author / Editor	Page Start/End	Abstract
1 Summary		1	Excavations in 1991 beside Loth Road, Sanday, revealed a funerary site, including two cists, which contained cremated human bone, and several pits. The cremation burial in one of the cists was contained in a soapstone vessel. These features presented evidence for the sorting, selection and differential deposition of pyre remains. The cists and pits were surmounted by a kerbed cairn of unusual construction. Radiocarbon dates from the pits placed the site in the Early to Middle Bronze Age.
2 Introduction		2 - 3	Details of site location, archaeological background and a summary account of the project are presented.
3 Excavation results		4 - 10	A detailed archaeological description is presented along with phasing and radiocarbon dates.
4 The cremated human bone	Julie Roberts	11 - 13	The specialist report on a small and poorly preserved quantity of human bone considers the evidence for minimum number of individuals, age at death, sex and mortuary practice.
The cremated human remains	Julie A Roberts	11 - 13
5 Identification of carbonised plant remains	Diane M Alldritt	14 - 15	The analysis of the material produced no evidence for domestic activities, such as cereal processing, for the use of plant material as votive offerings or for feasting. Pit contexts contained the highest concentration of burnt peat and heather fragments, while cist contexts contained the highest concentration of cremated bone fragments with very few carbonised plant remains.
Identification and analysis of carbonized plant remains	Diane M Alldritt	14 - 15
6 The technological characteristic of cramp	Effie Photos-Jones	16 - 17	This analysis aims to elucidate the nature and composition of vitrified fuel ash waste or cramp.
The technical characterization of cramp	Effie Photos-Jones	16 - 17
7 Comment on the pottery	Ann MacSween	18	Specialist report on a small assemblage comprising five undiagnostic sherds from a single vessel.
Comment on the pottery	Ann MacSween	18
8 Coarse stone report	Ann Clarke	19 - 20	Specialist report on a small assemblage comprising five flaked stone bars, 1 ard, 1 flint flake and a large stone disc used as a lid for a steatite vessel.
Coarse stone report	Ann Clarke	19 - 20
9 The steatite vessels	Paul Sharman	21 - 24	Specialist report on two steatite vessels, one from a cist and one from a pit.
The steatite vessels	Paul Sharman	21 - 24
10 Discussion		25 - 28	The excavations have revealed some of the physical remnants of what may have been an extensive and prolonged series of events that comprised the funerary ritual. Cremation, burial of selected remains and the construction of a monument are the most obvious archaeological parts of these events.
11 Conclusion		29	Funerary rites the world over confirm relationships between the living, and establish a different relationship with the newly dead. These relationships may not end with the burial, but continue long after in dialogues with the ancestors, in physical or incorporeal form. Rites of placation or supplication and rituals of remembrance may all have a part to play.
12 Acknowledgements		30
13 References		31 - 33
Excavation of a Bronze Age funerary site at Loth Road, Sanday, Orkney	Paul Sharman		Excavations in 1991 beside Loth Road, Sanday, revealed a funerary site, including two cists, which contained cremated human bone, and several pits. The cremation burial in one of the cists was contained in a soapstone vessel. These features presented evidence for the sorting, selection and differential deposition of pyre remains. The cists and pits were surmounted by a kerbed cairn of unusual construction. Radiocarbon dates from the pits placed the site in the Early to Middle Bronze Age.