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An ancient Shetland settlement at risk of crumbling into the sea has been rebuilt - despite fears that it will soon be eroded. The work on the burial site in Sandwick Bay, Unst, follows an excavation led by the Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problems of Erosion Trust (Scape). It teamed up with the Council for Scottish Archaeology's Adopt-a-Monument scheme for the rebuild project. The new structures will allow visitors to see the excavation findings. It is thought that the structures may only last a couple of years, due to coastal erosion. Local groups, working with archaeologists and ancient building...

The remains of what it is thought could be a member of early Pictish royalty have been discovered during an archaeological dig in Aberdeenshire. The discovery at Rhynie was made by teams from the universities of Aberdeen and Chester. The remains were found in a carefully made sandstone grave, which the experts believe suggests the person was of high status. It is the first time remains of a body have been uncovered at the site. Project leader Dr Gordon Noble, of the University of Aberdeen, said: "We found elements of the legs, pelvis and jaw bone which we recovered and...

A PICTISH stone found in Cunningsburgh has been described as the most important archaeological discovery in Shetland for 10 years. It was found in Mail cemetery by gravedigger Malcolm Smith, his second such find in 16 years The sculptured stone is inscribed with mysterious symbols and dates back to the dark ages. It is the ninth stone of its kind to be discovered in the same area in the last 130 years. Its significance has been high­lighted by Dr Ian Tait, collections curator at the Shetland Museum and Archives. “It is extremely exciting because it is a single find which...

Mystery ‘mound’ to be saved from the sea Gavin Morgan 26 January, 2008 ARCHAEOLOGISTS plan to save a fine example of a Bronze Age burnt mound from disappearing into the sea in a unique £70,000 removal operation on Shetland this coming summer. Historic Scotland has given permission for the site at Cruister, on Bressay, to be shifted to the islands’ heritage centre. The unprecedented project will see the prehistoric version of a water heater, a third of which has already been eroded by the sea, dismantled and rebuilt in fully functional order. Barbara Anderson, of Bressay Heritage Centre, said it...

A historic site's true purpose may have been revealed -- as an Iron Age boozer. Experts believe that 4600 years ago, thirsty natives may have been enjoying a pie and pint at Jarlshof in Shetland. ... And a dozen or so quernstones -- for grinding barley -- indicate it may have served as both a drinking den and a bakery. ... It contains remains dating from 2500 BC up to the 17th century. ... The building has a house next door which has a large souterrain -- which was the equivalent of a Iron Age refrigerator used for storing smoked...

The people of Jarlshof threw garbage into dumps from before 2500 BC but, although their waste was unwanted, their refuse has been anything but rubbish for archaeologists investigating their lives. We know that the Stone Age settlers lived in small circular stone houses, that they tilled crops, kept cattle and sheep, and harvested the sea for fish and whales, seals and shellfish. They also made tools - some finely decorated - from stone, pottery and bone... In the 19th century the site was visited by Sir Walter Scott who christened the ruined hall "Jarlshof", and the name has stuck since....

Perhaps getting tired of talking about himself, the taxi-cab driver asked me my impressions of London; I mentioned it was my first time, my first few hours, here, and that it all seemed a bit too much. Then I asked, "What's the place furthest away from London, where one can go, where there's fewer people, fewer things? A lot fewer?" The taxi-cab driver commented this was January, not a prime touring season, and that one best stay in the south of England, with its [slightly] warmer weather and better amenities, if he was new to the country. I reminded him...

Twelve Norwegians from Bergen found themselves stuck on board a cruiseship this week. They'd only meant to have a quick weekend trip to Denmark, but are currently taking an involuntary tour around the North Atlantic.The Bergen residents, including one local family with children, had taken advantage of a special deal to take the vessel MS Norrøna back and forth to Hanstholm in Denmark. The vessel is owned by Smyril Line of the Færoe Islands.The vessel regularly plies the route between Bergen and Hanstholm, and then sets off from Bergen for week-long trips to the Shetland Islands, the Færoes and on...

Roman brooch find in Shetland extends ancient travel routes STEPHEN STEWART AMATEUR archaeologists may have found Britain's most northerly ancient Roman artefact, it emerged yesterday. The fibula, or brooch, which has been dated to between 50BC and 50AD, could have belonged to an islander returning to the area around Norwick on Shetland after serving in the Roman army. The archaeologists made the find when they were called in after bulldozers unearthed items while extending the graveyard at Norwick. It is highly unusual to find Roman goods so far north and the item gives a revealing insight into trade routes and...