The Orkney islands are particularly rich in archaeology, dating from the Neolithic to the Viking age. There is far less evidence of Pictish occupation, although a hoard of metalwork found on St Ninian’s Isle in Shetland attests to the power and wealth of the Picts, who may have buried their treasure on the eve of a Viking raid.

Historical records suggest that the Orkneys were first visited by the Vikings in the 8th century. Situated at the centre of the west Atlantic seaways, the fertile agricultural economy would have held strong attractions for the northern raiders. The islands were ruled by the Norwegian crown from the end of the 13th century until 1468 when they were given to the King of Scotland as a marriage dowry.

After a wide ranging survey of the most important finds, including the hoard of Viking silver found at Castle Snusgar in 1858 and now in the National Museum of Scotland; pagan burials on Rousay and at Scar on Sanday, and a Pictish site at Buckquoy on Birsay, David Griffiths’ talk concentrated on the work of the Birsay-Skaill Landscape Archaeology Project, of which he is Director. The project is funded by Historic Scotland, the Orkney Islands Council and Oxford University. Since 2003 it has been exploring the coastal hinterland of three bays in West Mainland: Birsay, Marwick and Skaill, a low lying area which has been subject to severe coastal erosion. The main purpose of the project has been to establish a broad contextualization of the site through selective excavation and extensive use of geophysics and other technological survey methods. These have revealed a wealth of exciting new data which chart a history of activity and deposition.

A series of mounds on the north side of the Bay of Skaill was found to contain significant archaeological data. Whilst some mounds on private property had no permitted access, those mounds that have been surveyed revealed layers packed with environmental deposits, such as carbonized seeds and grain, animal and fish bones, slag from metal working, burnt peat and seaweed, whilst the central Snusgar mound contained evidence of Viking Age middens and walls. Content of the deposition layers reflects changes in the land use and society and shows that during the Viking Age the area supported a complex mixed economy, using barley, oats and flax – the latter introduced by the Vikings. Evidence suggests a pattern of activity around Marwick Bay followed by a move inland in the 13th century, possibly in response to a threat of coastal erosion.

Over the past decade of excavation the remains of a traditional Viking longhouse have emerged from the sand of the East Mound. Measuring 26.3 metres long, it is the longest known Viking longhouse in the British Isles and is complete with the exception of one damaged corner. This would appear to be a chiefly dwelling, representing a multi-phased occupation, as the original hall was expanded into a complex of domestic and agricultural structures.

With its curvilinear walls, the building followed a classic Scandinavian pattern and would have been covered by a thick turf roof, supported by wooden posts. A byre at the east end was linked by a flagged passageway to the central dwelling area, which was furnished with stone side benches, hearths and laminated floor. Outbuildings were attached, including a workshop for metal working where finds such as nails, rivets, hammerheads and whetstones point to a high status industry.

Radio carbon dating of charred grain, bird and animal bones indicates that the main structures were active at the height of the Viking occupation of Orkney c1000AD. Other finds include glass and amber beads, bone pins, spindle whorls, antler comb, a Norse ringed pin and black glass linen smoother. Large quantities of chunky pottery and steatite, a grey-blue soapstone mined in Shetland and used extensively for bowls and vessels during the Viking period, were found in the area.

Occupation of the site may have stretched from the 9th to 12th centuries. By the end of this period the structures would have fallen into disrepair as farms were established on higher ground further away from the coast. The wind-blown sand invaded the buildings, burying them under mounds and dunes. The sands have preserved the archaeology, which can now be detected by modern scientific methods. However, the increasing danger of coastal erosion, which threatens even the protected World Heritage site at Scara Bray, adds urgency to the work of the archaeologists as they strive to discover and record these important sites before they are lost beneath the waves.

Jennifer Hunt