Iona was where St Columba first landed in Scotland. Picture: Comp
Posted on 05/18/2013 4:53:02 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
An archaeological survey on the famous Scots isle of Iona -- where St Columba landed 1450 years ago to spread Christianity in Scotland -- has shown signs of ancient burials.
This is the first geophysical investigation to be undertaken away from the core focus of the Columban monastic enclosure and the Benedictine Abbey... examined two areas in the fields to the south of the village - one close to the current village hall and south of the Nunnery and the other at Martyr’s Bay... where there is a mound beside the road where skeletal remains were excavated in the 1960s...
Derek Alexander, the Trust’s Head of Archaeology Derek, said: "The geophysical survey shows that on the landward side, this mound may have been revetted by stones and surrounded by a shallow ditch. This could be a sign of burials.
"It has always been suggested that there are numerous burial sites on Iona and there have been various finds over the years, the most famous of which is in the graveyard at Relig Odhrain to the south of the Abbey.
"The burials that have been discovered so far are absolutely fascinating. For example, those unearthed by excavations at Martyr’s Bay in the 1960s were quite unusual - there were some 40 skeletons packed into an area about 4m long by 2m wide...
"It’s possible that this mound has some connection to another graveyard that’s marked on an old map, known as Clad Nan Druineach..."
The findings are revealed as the island prepares for a special Service of Thanksgiving at Iona Abbey to mark the 1450th anniversary of Columba’s arrival on Iona.
(Excerpt) Read more at scotsman.com ...
Iona was where St Columba first landed in Scotland. Picture: Comp
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I have read that the Western Islands are last conservative areas of Scotland. Also the most religious section.
All the cross-dressing gets to me. /jk
Are you referring to the kilts?
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