The Scottish Late Neolithic/ Chalcolithic Flashcards
What is the Main Evidence from the Late Neolithic in Scotland?
-Timber circles (e.g. at Forteviot)
-Henge monuments
-Artificial Mounds (Dunragit)
-Chambered tombs (Maeshowe and Skara Brae)
How did Monument Construction Evolve during the Late Neolithic?
-Started with timber circles made of huge oak posts (several metres high) around 2800BC
-From 2800BC onwards, five huge ones were built in lowland Scotland, each 100s of metres in diameter
-In some instances these were later replaced by stone henge monuments (around 2700-2200BC)
-Henge monuments may have originated from Orkney where stone villages were prevalent
What Evidence is there for the Material Heritage of the Late Neolithic in Scotland?
-Figurines (made from stone, clay and even whale bone!), these were the first depictions of humans in Scotland
-Grooved-ware pottery; made with seaweed, grass and ground bone; decoration can be used to relatively date this pottery
-Carved stone balls and polished stone maceheads were found on Orkney, representing the improvement in stone-working skills
What Evidence has been found on Orkney?
-Orkney seems to have been a major power-centre from 3000BC
-There are several important ceremonial sites (such as the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness)
-Orkney was perhaps a centre for innovation (origin of grooved-ware pottery? of figurines? henges potentially first built here?)
How may Societal Structures have been Evolving at this time?
-At Dunragit monument complex & the Droughduil mound, it could be inferred that the mound was used as a viewing platform for specific members of society, allowing them a better view of ritual processions and ceremonies
-Evidence for cremation and burial in general at this time is less abundant, suggesting it was only available for high-up members of society?
Describe the Lsst Days of the Neolithic
-Large monuments dominated the land, but woodland was regenerating (perhaps due to population decline)
-Power centres included; Forteviot, Orkney and Dunragit
-Settlements are still semi-mobile
