Containment, closure and red deer: A Late Neolithic butchery site at Skaill Bay, Mainland, Orkney

Colin Richards, Ann Clarke, Clare Ingrem, Jaqui Mulville, Ingrid Mainland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Erosion of sand dunes in the Bay of Skaill, close to the Neolithic site at Skara Brae, exposed a spread of faunal remains and stone tools representing a Late Neolithic butchery site separated by a wall from a deposit of articulated red deer bone. This is an unusual and significant bone assemblage comprising both fragmented and articulated remains of red deer together with some domesticates. Also a whale mandible was closely associated with the butchery area. An interpretation of the site incorporates a reappraisal of the role of red deer and cattle elsewhere in Late Neolithic Orkney.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-124
Number of pages34
JournalProceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Volume145
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2016

Keywords

  • Neolithic Orkney

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