Excavations and Survey on Brei Holm and Maiden Stack, Papa Stour, Shetland

Abstract

This report describes the background to, and results of, a short season of fieldwork conducted on Brei Holm, Papa Stour in the summer of 2000 ( Brady 2000 ). Kevin Brady led a small team from the University of Glasgow who conducted a topographic survey of the surface area and archaeological features on this small islet and neighbouring sea stack off the W of Shetland. In addition, three of the features recorded in that survey were examined in trial trenches. The complex structural remains recorded are presented here, as are the stratigraphic details examined within the trial trench areas. The rich artefactual assemblage recovered from the limited excavations included over 220 ceramic sherds, worked stone, pumice and a possible small quantity of industrial waste. The limited nature of this exploratory season has raised as many questions about this enigmatic site as it sought to answer. However, it has also shown that this little-studied and poorly-understood class of monument can be tackled by the intrepid archaeologist. The logistics can be managed and the potential rewards are illustrated in the depth of deposits encountered and the comparative wealth of artefactual and ecofactual evidence recovered from trial trenches.