Face to face with the 5,000-year-old 'first Scot'

The Scotsman ^ | Friday, August 21, 2009 | Frank Urquhart

[SunkenCiv]

The face and its lozenge-shaped body -- measuring just 3.5cm by 3cm -- were carved on the Orkney island of Westray between 4,500 and 5,000 years ago. The enigmatic figurine had lain undisturbed in the earth at the Links of Noltland -- one of Orkney's richest archaeological sites -- until just last week... Scotland's culture minister Mike Russell... "What we are seeing here is the earliest known human face in Scotland. It once again emphasises the tremendous importance of Orkney's archaeology." The figurine was unearthed by Jakob Kainz, one of a team of archaeologists working at Historic Scotland's excavations on an ancient farmhouse at the Links of Noltland site -- a prehistoric settlement in the dune system flanking Grobust Bay, on the north-west coast of Westray... Careful examination revealed a face with heavy brows, two dots for eyes and an oblong for a nose. A pair of circles on the chest are being interpreted as representing breasts, and arms have been etched at either side. A pattern of crossed markings could suggest the fabric of clothing.

[and now the punchline] Mr Strachan said: "There is a strong possibility that it has been a votive offering to mark the abandonment of the site. It may have been for ceremonial purposes."

[SunkenCiv]

Last revised the day before it was published, the latter being tomorrow. ;')

[SunkenCiv]

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[Daffynition]

But it IS *tomorrow* in Scotland! LOL

[wintertime]

Mr Strachan said: “There is a strong possibility that it has been a votive offering to mark the abandonment of the site. It may have been for ceremonial purposes.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This is what archaeologists of the future will say when they dig up a Barbie doll or GI Joe action figure. Ceremonial purposes? Yeah right!

[cripplecreek]

Any archeologist in the future will likely have a far more complete record. Even without a record, a dig into a landfill will give a far more complete view that we can get from a few artifacts 5000 years old.

[max americana]

I thought it was going to be Fat Bastard’.

[Daffynition]

I found the sculpture....

I've got someone he should meet.............

[Salamander]

Going by the description, Thank God I favor the Welsh part of the family.

[potlatch]

Ping of interest

[ApplegateRanch]

I KNOWED IT! My Scots ancestors WERE rockheads! Didn’t realize they were also rock bodies, though.

[SunkenCiv]

Wow, I had you figgered for Italian. ;’)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Daffynition! The pic on the one source I found was about the size of a postage stamp, and included the face and hand of the discoverer holding the thing.

[Daffynition]

You’re welcome SC ... I couldn’t see the image on the source either ... which led to my archeological dig ......I thought there would be “more” to the carving than that. Are they sure it’s not a fake?

[snarks_when_bored]

A pattern of crossed markings could suggest the fabric of clothing.

Scottish tartan goes way, way back, it seems!

[NCC-1701]

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[SunkenCiv]

Imagine the poor future bastards who dig up a Stretch Armstrong.

[SunkenCiv]

They kilt the last guy who said that. ;’)

[SunkenCiv]

It’s an early iPod.

[SunkenCiv]

Did the ancient Scots even *have* a Radio City?