Dynamic beach response to changing storminess of Unst, Shetland: implications for landing places exploited by Norse communities

Preston, J., Sanderson, D. , Kinnaird, T., Newton, A., Nitter, M., Coolen, J., Mehler, N. and Dugmore, A. (2020) Dynamic beach response to changing storminess of Unst, Shetland: implications for landing places exploited by Norse communities. Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, 15(2), pp. 153-178. (doi: 10.1080/15564894.2018.1555193)

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Abstract

We present major new findings on the stability of Norse landing places on the island of Unst, Shetland using a combination of geomorphology, OSL dating, fetch analysis and sediment transport modelling. Islanders needed reliable access to the sea, and exploited sandy beaches as safe landing places. The persistence of beaches was important for long-term continuity of settlement and could be threatened by stormy conditions. Sediment modelling undertaken on two embayments on Unst, Lunda Wick and Sandwick, reveals major differences in the ability of sandy beaches to reform in these embayments after the onset of persistent stormy conditions; sandy beaches can endure under these conditions at Sandwick, but not at Lunda Wick. OSL dating of blown sands at Lunda Wick reveals a history of sand blow events pointing to large scale depletion of beach material throughout the Little Ice Age (beginning circa 1250 CE). This correlates with known sand blows at Sandwick, but here the beach could be replenished from the nearshore environment, something that was more problematic at Lunda Wick. These findings agree with the emerging picture of increased environment pressure from blown sands on communities throughout the North Atlantic and identifies different models of related beach persistence and change.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft under grant number CA 146/17-1.
Keywords:Coastal geomorphology, coastal archaeology, Norse, Little Ice Age, storms, OSL dating, sediments, Noost.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sanderson, Professor David and Kinnaird, Dr Timothy
Authors: Preston, J., Sanderson, D., Kinnaird, T., Newton, A., Nitter, M., Coolen, J., Mehler, N., and Dugmore, A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Research Group:Environmental Physics
Journal Name:Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:1556-4894
ISSN (Online):1556-1828
Published Online:10 February 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC
First Published:First published in Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology 15(2):153-178
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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