Stratigos, M., Holley, M. and Henderson, J. (2021). Iron Age construction and Early Medieval reuse of crannogs in Loch Awe, Argyll: new radiocarbon dates and analysis. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 150. Vol 150, Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. pp. 435-449.

Title: Iron Age construction and Early Medieval reuse of crannogs in Loch Awe, Argyll: new radiocarbon dates and analysis
Issue: Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 150
Series: Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Volume: 150
Page Start/End: 435 - 449
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Publication Type: Journal
Abstract: Despite its influence on Scottish crannog studies, absolute dating evidence for activity on the crannogs of Loch Awe has been lacking. This paper presents previously unpublished radiocarbon dates from six crannogs in the loch. Of these, five sites have provided dates within the 1st millennium BC, confirming the existence of Iron Age crannogs in the loch – four of which may have been occupied contemporaneously. The dates fit in to the now widely appreciated pattern of occupation in the 1st millennium BC and later reuse in the 1st millennium AD. Using Bayesian statistical analysis, dating of the early medieval phase at Ederline Boathouse crannog was improved, with modelling suggesting occupation could have been limited to just a few decades of the second half of the 6th century AD. No evidence for activity after AD 900 was recovered, though the current number of samples analysed is small and high medieval activity is well attested on a number of islets on the loch through historical references and surviving structural remains. This broad chronological pattern is discussed and ide-as that promise avenues for future research in light of new, high-precision, chronological techniques are highlighted.
Author: Jon Henderson
Michael Stratigos
Mark Holley
Publisher: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Year of Publication: 2021
Subjects / Periods:
Crannogs
Loch Awe
Iron Age
Early Medieval
Scotland
Medieval
UK
Argyll
Radiocarbon dating
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Created Date: 02 Feb 2022