91福利社

Page 8 of 8

• 1. Pioneering excavations
• 2. Houses on water
• 3. Foundations
• 4. Experimental technology
• 5. Interpreting the evidence
• 6. Iron Age artefact
• 7. Ecological clues
• 8. The future of our past
• Print entire article

The future of our past

Underwater excavations have taught us a great deal about the diet and sophisticated lifestyle of these crannog farmers, but there are still many questions left unanswered. In the absence of human remains and icons, we can make no definitive statements as to burial practices or spiritual beliefs.

Furthermore, while comprehending the logic of such a structure, we can still only surmise the reasons for building in the water in the first place. Certainly, there are many practical advantages including protection, sanitation, and the creation of a midge-free zone. However, given the effort and resources required, it is likely that these homes were built to make a statement on behalf of wealthy or powerful owners.

'... it could take generations to fully understand these structures ...'

Necessarily, this picture is but one in a gallery of many blank screens. Despite the hundreds, if not thousands of crannogs, to be investigated, there is no integrated research strategy and no regular core funding to further their study. Given the backdrop of these challenges and the current level of activity, it could take generations to fully understand these structures, the people who created and lived in them, and their context within the rest of Iron Age Scotland.

听Previous

Published: 2005-01-25