Modelling an island landscape in the North Atlantic Iron Age : the interpretation of monuments and resources in order to understand local factors influencing settlement and social organisation
An area of Shetland is examined in order to identify how Iron Age settlements might have related to each other. The study area contains two brochs. An inter-disciplinary approach is used to identify evidence for other Iron Age settlements and the information is presented as a model illustrating the pattern of settlement at different points during the Iron Age. A distinction is drawn between locations containing field archaeology and locations where occupation is predicted on the basis of evidence such as soil quality or place name. The whole model is then examined in order to identify patterns which may suggest changing relationships between settlements and groups of settlements, and the trends and influences behind these. Next an appraisal is made of the settlements' relative status and authority during Shetland's Early, Middle and Late Iron Age. By looking at the whole landscape through time - before, during and after the Iron Age - the brochs are set in a wider chronological context which takes into account the changing role that these highly visible monuments may have played as socio-economic focal points in a developing landscape. The outcome reveals complexity. Initially the brochs appear to be a focus
Lamb, Deborah Elizabeth Stewart
Archaeology ; Iron Age ; Islands ; Landscape ; Local factors ; Model ; Primary engines ; Resources ; Shetland ; Social development ; Settlements
Modelling an island landscape in the North Atlantic Iron Age : the interpretation of monuments and resources in order to understand local factors influencing settlement and social organisation. An area of Shetland is examined in order to identify how Iron Age settlements might have related to each other. The study area contains two brochs. An inter-disciplinary approach is used to identify evidence for other Iron Age settlements and the information is presented as a model illustrating the pattern of settlement at different points during the Iron Age. A distinction is drawn between locations containing field archaeology and locations where occupation is predicted on the basis of evidence such as soil quality or place name. The whole model is then examined in order to identify patterns which may suggest changing relationships between settlements and groups of settlements, and the trends and influences behind these. Next an appraisal is made of the settlements' relative status and authority during Shetland's Early, Middle and Late Iron Age. By looking at the whole landscape through time - before, during and after the Iron Age - the brochs are set in a wider chronological context which takes into account the changing role that these highly visible monuments may have played as socio-economic focal points in a developing landscape. The outcome reveals complexity. Initially the brochs appear to be a focus
modelling island landscape north atlantic iron_age interpretation monument resource order local factor_influence settlement social_organisation area shetland examine order_identify iron_age_settlement might relate other study_area contain brochs inter_disciplinary use_identify evidence iron_age_settlement information present model illustrate pattern_settlement different point iron_age distinction_drawn location contain field_archaeology location occupation predict basis evidence soil quality place_name whole model examine order_identify pattern may suggest change relationship settlement group settlement trend influence behind these next appraisal make settlement relative status authority shetland early_middle late_iron_age look whole landscape time iron_age brochs set wider chronological_context take_account change_role highly visible monument may_play socio_economic focal_point develop landscape outcome reveals complexity initially brochs appear focus