The raw, the cooked and the burnt: interpretations of food and animals in the Hebridean Iron Age

Campbell, E. (2000) The raw, the cooked and the burnt: interpretations of food and animals in the Hebridean Iron Age. Archaeological Dialogues, 7(2), pp. 184-198. (doi: 10.1017/S1380203800001744)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

The iron age settlement at Sollas, North Uist, Scotland, provides an unusually varied set of data relating to food and the role of animals in society. By comparing the evidence of food residues on pottery with animal remains from middens, foundation burials and cremations, structural patterns emerge which throw light on the relative status of domestic species. Sheep and cows are treated differently, with sheep being mainly buried, and cattle cremated. This patterning enables a speculative world view of the inhabitants to be constructed, and further analysis shows that mature cattle were classified differently from younger animals. It is suggested that these normally hidden structuring principles cause difficulties for the conventional interpretation of animal remains on other iron age sites.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Campbell, Dr Ewan
Authors: Campbell, E.
Subjects:C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
Journal Name:Archaeological Dialogues
ISSN:1380-2038

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record