Faunal evidence for prehistoric economy and settlement in the Outer Hebrides to c. 400 A.D.
Abstract
The aim of the research was to examine the evidence for
prehistoric settlement and economy in the Outer Hebrides as revealed
primarily through study of the animal bones recovered from excavations
in the area. To this end identification and analysis were carried out
on faunal material from several important sites in the area, dating
from the Neolithic through to the immediately post-wheelhouse Iron Age
phases, and the results were compared and contrasted.
The main body of the text divides into three sections, after a
general Introduction. Section I provides a background to the study
and outlines the current state of knowledge regarding the settlement
prehistory of the area, noting an imbalance in distribution of site
type and period. The physical characteristics of the islands are
described briefly, to indicate the environmental conditions under
which settlement took place. In the final portion of section I
consideration is given to the methods and techniques of faunal
analysis applied to the material under study, and the relative merits
or demerits of each in relation to small-scale prehistoric assemblages
are outlined.
In Section II the economies of the sites studied are
considered individually and a general picture of each is given.
In the first part of Section III the species represented
throughout the sites, both domesticated stock and wild resources, are
considered, in order to give some idea of the characteristics,
availability and potential value of each species represented in the
archaeological record. The fauna show little change in type or
character of species throughout, with stock introduced after
domestication and with wild species similar to those available today.
The results of the individual site studies are then collated into a
discussion of the general trends of agriculture and animal husbandry
in the prehistoric period in the Outer Hebrides, as far as can be
discerned from the information currently available. Pertinent
evidence of a non-faunal nature is included in the discussion where
appropriate, to broaden the scope of the study to a full assessment of
economic practice. Based on all the available information a picture
emerges of stable human groups, slowly evolving a system of mixed
farming and settlement in response to their environment.
The main body of the text closes with a Prospect where
suggestions for future research, both in the field and the laboratory,
are given, prompted by the problems and imbalances noted in this
study.
Identification, measurements and bone abnormalities of the faunal
material studied are included in Appendix form at the end of the work.