Title: |
Bu, Gurness and the brochs of Orkney: parts 1, 2 and 3 |
Series: |
British Archaeological Reports
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Volume: |
163-5
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Biblio Note |
Please note that this is a bibliographic record only, as originally entered into the BIAB database.
The ADS have no files for download, and unfortunately cannot advise further on where to access hard copy or digital versions.
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Publication Type: |
Monograph (in Series)
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Abstract: |
Part 1 deals with Bu where rapid rescue yielded stratigraphic records and dating material. The broch wall was 1.5m high still, though had an earth house inserted into its entrance. Radiocarbon dates in 7th century BC were obtained. Part 2: Gurness was dug in 1930-9 with inadequate records, but its history can still be reconstructed with phases in 1st-2nd century AD, Pictish 7th-8th, and Viking late 9th/early 10th. Radially-arranged houses formed a curtain wall, with a large ditch and two ramparts. Post-broch phases included a cellular building, a 'longhouse', Viking graves with tortoise brooch, shield boss, etc. The third part provides a catalogue of authenticated broch sites (51), a short history of broch studies in Orkney, and a plea to see brochs freshly: they are not built to a single plan, were not temporary refuges, had arrived by 7th century BC and were not a fully-developed import of 1st-2nd AD. The only necessarily external influence is the round house in earliest 1st millennium BC. Agriculture was the economic basis, aristocrats are not apparent, though factors like population pressure and piracy led to crystallization of power centres. Twelve of the 52 sites have indications of Pictish occupation (diagnostic finds listed). |
Author: |
John W Hedges
Bernard Bell
Beverley Ballin-Smith
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Year of Publication: |
1987
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ISBN: |
0 86054 434 6 |
Locations: |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Orkney |
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Subjects / Periods: |
1st Millennium Bc (Auto Detected Temporal) |
7th Century Bc (Auto Detected Temporal) |
1st2nd Century Ad Pictish 7th8th (Auto Detected Temporal) |
7th Century (Auto Detected Temporal) |
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Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
1987
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Source: |
BIAB
(British Archaeological Abstracts (BAA))
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Created Date: |
05 Dec 2008 |