The Scottish Mesolithic

Question 1

What are some facts about the Mesolithic?

Answer 1

-Lasted from around 9600BCE to 400BCE (end of the last ice age to the start if farming)
-Hunter-gatherer lifestyle
-Microlith stone tool technology was dominant at this time
-Mobile settlement patterns mainly in woodland areas (semi-nomadic?)

Question 2

What is the 3-Age System?

Answer 2

-A way of defining historic time periods by observing the dominant materials found in artefacts
-The STONE Age
-The BRONZE Age
-The IRON Age
-It was thought up by C.J Thompsen in 1836 who was curator in the National Museum in Copenhagen

Question 3

Give some Examples of Archaeological Evidence from the Mesolithic in Scotland

Answer 3

-Settlement (On the Isle of Rum at Kinloch, pits, postholes and hearths were unearthed)
-Shell Middens (On Oronsay, huge rubbish heaps of limpet shells and fish bones were found and dated to the late mesolithic)
-Microliths (fine stone blades made of chert, quartz, some flint, pitchstone and jasper)

Question 4

Where has Evidence of Past Settlements been uncovered?

Answer 4

-Nether Mills, Aberdeenshire
-East Barns, East Lothian
-Staosnaig, Colonsay
-These were all characterised by sunken floors, suggesting large, circular post-built structures

Question 5

Despite the lack of Material Evidence, what do we know Mesolithic Scots may have subsisted on?

Answer 5

-cod/ saithe
-shellfish and crustaceans
-seals and seabirds
-roe, red and reindeer
-aurcohs
-elk
-wild boar
-hazelnuts
-berries and fruits such as crab apples
-plant roots

Question 6

What is Typology?

Answer 6

-Method of relatively dating artefacts by looking at similarities with other artefacts
-Cannot give an exact calendar date

Question 7

What is Stratigraphy?

Answer 7

-Method of relative dating based on superposition; older artefacts are found further down in the ground than younger ones
-Cannot give exact dates unless used in conjunction with radiocarbon dating
-Animal burrowing and plant routes may mix layers of rock and soil

Question 8

What is Radiocarbon Dating?

Answer 8

-Method of finding accurate dates for artefacts by measuring the ration of carbon 14 in artefacts and comparing with other isotopes
-dates are calibrated in conjunction with dendrochronology
-Only works with organic (carbon-containing) artefacts
-Dates with a 10 year accuracy can be calculated