Proc SocAntiq Scot, 1 1 1 (1987), 149-174 A Viking burial from Kneep, Uig, Isle o f Lewis R D E Welander*, Colleen Bateyt and T G Cowie$ with contributions by Lise Bender J0rgensen, Mary Harman a n d C Scott Mackenzie a n d illustrations b y E Helen Jackson ABSTRACT In 1979 a rich female Viking burial w a s discovered o n Kneep headland, near Valtos in the Isle o f Lewis. Owing to the circumstances of its recovery, little is known of the context of the burial bu t sufficient information w as recorded to permit a reasonably accurate reconstruction of th e disposition of the contents of th e grave: these included tw o oval brooches, a fine assemblage of segmented glass beads, a ringed pin, a knife, whetstone a n d needle case, a sickle and a matching buckle a n d strap-end. Fragmentary remains o f textiles were also recovered from th e grave. On the basis of the bronze metalwork th e grave may be dated to the 10th century AD, and represents a significant addition to the inventory o f Viking burials from the British Isles. CIRCUMSTANCES OF DISCOVERY (illus 1-2) Trevor Cowie a nd Colin Scott Mackenzie The Viking burial described in this report was discovered in the sum mer of 1979. The investigation of the grave was undertaken by the Procurator Fiscal (CSM) and the following account of the discovery is based upon his official Treasure Trove report to the Crown Office. Where necessary, amendments have been made to the terminology of the original text in order to correspond with the catalogue of the grave goods which follows and to incorporate supplementary information received from one of the finders, Mr W J Maclean. After the recovery of the burial, one of the writers (TGC) was asked to arrange the safe transport of the finds and the hum an remains to Edinburgh and to inspect th e site o n behalf of the National Museum. Although n o professional archaeological exam ination of the grave was possible, the discovery had been recorded fully enough to permit reconstruction of the layout of the burial. This h a s been made possible by the ready co-operation of all those concer ned in the original investigation. In July 1979, Mr and Mrs W J Maclean were o n a camping holiday a t Traigh na Berie, near th e townships o f Valtos a nd Kneep in the parish o f Uig, Isl o f Lewis. O n Saturday 21 July, they reported to the police at Stornoway that the previous day they had come across human remains protruding from an eroding sandbank on the headland at the north-w estern end of Berie beach (illus 1). The age of the remains was in doubt and the Procurator Fiscal was contacted. The following morning, the * Ancient Monum ents Laboratory, Historic Buildings & Monuments Directorate, Scottish Development Departm ent, 9 Melville Street, Edinburgh t Department ol AduJt a n d Continuing Education, Springfield Mount, The University, Leeds $ Department o f Archaeolo gy, Royal Museum o f Scotland, Queen Street, Edinburgh

A Viking Burial From Kneep

Download PDF Report

Upload
catherine-gryshchenko
View
217
Download
0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview