Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 136

The human skeletal remains from the Neolithic chambered cairn of Isbister, Orkney were re-examined to test the accuracy of observations reported in the published analysis. During the examination, pathological lesions, signs of weathering and other taphonomic markers were recorded. Two marked disparities between the study and the published report were discovered: the Isbister population was found to display a high prevalence rate of pathological symptoms not previously described; and the bones were found not to display any great degree of the weathering, bleaching and other erosion remarked upon in the published literature. Doubt is also cast on the published calculation of minimum number of individuals interred. It is argued that the most likely explanation for the apparent differences in results is the systematic misinterpretation of pathological symptoms as evidence of taphonomic processes. It is suggested that there is no supporting evidence for the view that external exposure or preliminary disarticulation occurred prior to interment in Isbister chambered cairn.

The paper presents new chronological data for the construction of a Shetland broch and examines the archaeological repercussions for the `early' chronology provided by these dates. Excavations at Old Scatness in the south Mainland of Shetland have revealed new evidence for a broch and defended Iron Age village. The authors discuss the arguments surrounding the origins and date of construction of brochs.

Four unpublished armlets of the Later Iron Age `massive' tradition are described and discussed. Two are late-twentieth-century finds, a third being an antiquarian discovery to which a Fetlar (Shetland) provenance can be restored; this casts light on the intellectual networks of the late-eighteenth century, as well as being the first find of early Celtic art from the islands. A further armlet previously provenanced only to the Glamis area can be located to Templelands of Meigle, Perth and Kinross, from antiquarian sources. Current knowledge of this artistic tradition, its products, purpose and stimuli, are reviewed. Includes Appendix: unpublished finds of Iron Age decorative metalwork from eastern Scotland

The provenance of two Roman bronze vessels in the collections of Marischal Museum has recently been discovered in the journal F Rev John Skinner's 1825 Northern Tour. The reliability of this source is discussed, alongside a consideration of the antiquarian networks of the time. The vessels comprise a dipper and strainer set; unusually, the strainer is unfinished, and possible implications of this are considered. Includes Appendix: Roman items from north-east Scotland in Marischal Museum

The paper presents an examination of stone emplacement which indicates that, contrary to the belief that the first stone ecclesiastical buildings in Scotland date from the earliest-twelfth century, English Saxon-style craftsmanship is evident in a number of early Scottish churches. It is suggested that, as in England, pre-Norman Conquest masons in Scotland chose to emplace many of their stones, in structures like quoins and jambs, with the bedding orientated vertically. The recognition of the existence of pre-twelfth-century stone churches in Scotland is consistent with the prevalence of other forms of early Christian stoneworking in that period.

A research project was undertaken at Gilmerton Cove, Edinburgh, a subterranean complex of rooms and passages cut into the sandstone bedrock, in advance of its development as a visitor attraction. Historic research indicates that the Cove was built in the early-eighteenth century. Excavation revealed hitherto unknown details of the layout of the Cove, including the presence of features cut into the rock floors; a well or cistern; a sump; and a second entrance. Separately authored contributions include Historical research; Ground-penetrating radar survey; Excavation; The cottage above the Cove; Finds: ceramics.