Luminescence dating of Scottish burnt mounds : new investigations in Orkney and Shetland
This thesis presents new research on the luminescence dating of burnt mounds in the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Through an examination of available evidence for Scottish burnt mounds, a number of key problematic areas have been identified in relation to our understanding of these sites and their place within the archaeological record. Previous chronological investigations of burnt mounds have so far provided little information on the likely duration of individual sites. Site information processes are likewise poorly understood. Luminescence dating has been outlined as a method suited to determining the age of both excavated and unexcavated sites, and to tackling issues of site formation. A combination of stratigraphic and surface sampling at sites on the island of Eday, Orkney and at coastally eroding sites across Shetland has provided suitable material for study. In addition, detailed sampling during excavation of Cruester burnt mound, on Bressay, Shetland has enabled the collection of a series of samples directly linked with the formation of the mound and structures at the site. Fieldwork is reported together with detailed characterisation of the external and internal dose rates of samples collected. Additive
Anthony, Iona Mary Campbell
QC Physics ; CC Archaeology
Luminescence dating of Scottish burnt mounds : new investigations in Orkney and Shetland. This thesis presents new research on the luminescence dating of burnt mounds in the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Through an examination of available evidence for Scottish burnt mounds, a number of key problematic areas have been identified in relation to our understanding of these sites and their place within the archaeological record. Previous chronological investigations of burnt mounds have so far provided little information on the likely duration of individual sites. Site information processes are likewise poorly understood. Luminescence dating has been outlined as a method suited to determining the age of both excavated and unexcavated sites, and to tackling issues of site formation. A combination of stratigraphic and surface sampling at sites on the island of Eday, Orkney and at coastally eroding sites across Shetland has provided suitable material for study. In addition, detailed sampling during excavation of Cruester burnt mound, on Bressay, Shetland has enabled the collection of a series of samples directly linked with the formation of the mound and structures at the site. Fieldwork is reported together with detailed characterisation of the external and internal dose rates of samples collected. Additive
luminescence_date scottish burnt mound new investigation orkney_shetland present_new luminescence_date burnt mound orkney_shetland islands examination available_evidence scottish burnt mound number_key problematic_area identify relation site place_within archaeological_record previous chronological investigation burn mound far provide little_information likely duration individual_site site information process likewise poorly_understood luminescence_date outline method suit determine age excavate unexcavated site tackle issue site_formation combination stratigraphic surface sample_site island orkney erode site_across shetland provide suitable material study addition detailed sample excavation burnt mound shetland enable collection series sample directly link formation mound structure site fieldwork report together detailed characterisation external_internal rate sample_collect additive