Aspects of economy and environment of north west Lewis in the first millennium AD : the non-marine faunal evidence from Bostadh and Beirgh considered within the framework of north Atlantic Scotland
The non-marine faunal remains from excavations at the sites of Bostadh Beach, Great Bernera and Loch na Beirgh, Bhaltos, Lewis were analysed to investigate aspects of the economy and environment in the first millennium AD. Both sites show structural evidence of occupancy over several hundred years, covering several structural phases with evidence of rebuilding and repairs to buildings. At the site of Bostadh the occupation phases appear to encompass the cultural change involved in the arrival of the Norse, allowing changes in economic strategies between the two cultures to be examined. The bones from four occupation phases at Bostadh were analysed, and from one occupation phase at Beirgh. The evidence from these two sites was considered in the light of work previously carried out in the Bhaltos peninsula, Lewis, and in similar studies elsewhere in north Atlantic Scotland. The general condition of the bones was good, reflecting the calcium rich machair soils of the area, and making them an important resource in the understanding of the economy and environment of Atlantic Scotland in the first millennia AD. The state of preservation and fragmentation of each of the bone specimens was recorded with the hope of
Thoms, Jennifer E.
Aspects of economy and environment of north west Lewis in the first millennium AD : the non-marine faunal evidence from Bostadh and Beirgh considered within the framework of north Atlantic Scotland. The non-marine faunal remains from excavations at the sites of Bostadh Beach, Great Bernera and Loch na Beirgh, Bhaltos, Lewis were analysed to investigate aspects of the economy and environment in the first millennium AD. Both sites show structural evidence of occupancy over several hundred years, covering several structural phases with evidence of rebuilding and repairs to buildings. At the site of Bostadh the occupation phases appear to encompass the cultural change involved in the arrival of the Norse, allowing changes in economic strategies between the two cultures to be examined. The bones from four occupation phases at Bostadh were analysed, and from one occupation phase at Beirgh. The evidence from these two sites was considered in the light of work previously carried out in the Bhaltos peninsula, Lewis, and in similar studies elsewhere in north Atlantic Scotland. The general condition of the bones was good, reflecting the calcium rich machair soils of the area, and making them an important resource in the understanding of the economy and environment of Atlantic Scotland in the first millennia AD. The state of preservation and fragmentation of each of the bone specimens was recorded with the hope of
aspects economy environment north_west lewis non marine faunal evidence consider within_framework north atlantic_scotland non marine faunal_remain excavation_site great loch lewis analyse investigate aspect economy environment sit show structural evidence cover several structural phase evidence rebuild repair building site occupation phase appear encompass cultural_change involve arrival norse allow change economic strategy culture examine bone occupation phase analyse occupation phase evidence two_site consider_light work previously carry peninsula lewis similar study elsewhere north atlantic_scotland general condition bone good reflect calcium rich soil area make_important resource economy environment atlantic_scotland state preservation fragmentation bone specimen record hope