Publications
High‐resolution compound‐specific δ15N isotope dietary study of humans from the Scottish Mesolithic and Neolithic
A groundbreaking isotopic study of Neolithic humans from Orkney reveals that some individuals continued to consume aquatic resources despite the broader dietary shift toward terrestrial foods. This finding challenges previous assumptions based on bulk collagen analysis, which often overlooks low-level marine contributions. The research employed compound-specific δ15N isotope analysis (CSIA-AA), a novel approach for Scottish material, to distinguish direct marine consumption from other sources of elevated nitrogen isotopes, such as seaweed or marine-influenced animals. By analyzing samples from one Late Mesolithic and five Neolithic sites, the study highlights the complexity of reconstructing past diets and underscores the importance of high-resolution isotopic techniques in archaeology.
Pots, People, Place : investigating the use of ceramics in Late Neolithic, Orkney
Remarkably well-preserved lipids from Grooved Ware ceramics at the Ness of Brodgar, Orkney, reveal intensified ruminant meat exploitation and dairy product processing during the Late Neolithic. This study combines organic residue analysis (ORA) with lipid biomarkers, isotopic measurements, Bayesian statistics, scanning electron microscopy, and ceramic technology to reconstruct vessel use, dietary practices, and subsistence strategies. Unlike previous limited analyses, this multidisciplinary approach demonstrates dynamic changes in site occupation over time, providing new insights into complex culinary practices and the evolution of Neolithic communities in Orkney.
All Mixed Up: Investigating Mortuary Practice and Processes of Disarticulation Through Integrated Histotaphonomic Analysis at the Knowe of Rowiegar, Neolithic Chambered Cairn, Orkney, UK
A new perspective on Neolithic mortuary practices emerges from histological analysis of human remains at the Knowe of Rowiegar chambered cairn, Orkney. The study reveals diverse patterns of bioerosion in bone microstructure, suggesting that remains were placed in the cairn at different stages of decomposition—some immediately after death, others following a more complex, multi-stage rite. This challenges assumptions about uniformity in Neolithic burial practices and highlights the potential for varied treatment processes. The research integrates histotaphonomic analysis with osteological data to reconstruct mortuary behavior, offering insights into the social and ritual significance of disarticulation and fragmentation in Neolithic Orkney.
Was the Stonehenge Altar Stone from Orkney? Investigating the mineralogy and geochemistry of Orcadian Old Red sandstones and Neolithic circle monuments
A recent study challenges the long-standing hypothesis that the Stonehenge Altar Stone originated from Orkney, despite evidence of Neolithic connections between the two regions. Using advanced mineralogical and geochemical techniques, researchers analyzed the Altar Stone alongside samples from two major Orcadian Neolithic monuments—the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar—as well as field samples from Orkney's Old Red Sandstone (ORS) formations. The study found no mineralogical or geochemical match between the Altar Stone and Orkney samples, ruling out Mainland Orkney as its source. Key discriminants included the absence of baryte in Orkney samples (a hallmark of the Altar Stone) and the presence of abundant detrital K-feldspar in Orkney rocks, which is scarce in the Altar Stone. Additionally, the smectite mineral tosudite, unique to the Altar Stone's clay assemblage, was not detected in Orkney samples. The findings suggest that despite Neolithic trade or communication links between Orkney and Stonehenge, the Altar Stone likely originated elsewhere in northern Britain.
Ancient DNA at the edge of the world: Continental immigration and the persistence of Neolithic male lineages in Bronze Age Orkney
A groundbreaking ancient DNA study of Bronze Age Orkney reveals significant continental immigration, yet uniquely preserves Neolithic male lineages. Unlike other parts of Britain, Orkney shows no archaeological evidence of Beaker culture influence, suggesting an insular trajectory. The research analyzed 25 burials from northwest Orkney, comparing them with Neolithic samples across the archipelago. Results indicate that while Bronze Age populations carried significant ancestry from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe, most male lineages trace back to local Neolithic descendants, though this dwindled by the Iron Age. Additionally, mitochondrial DNA shows continuity in female lineages from Mesolithic Britain into the Bronze Age and beyond.
Ancient Maltese genomes and the genetic geography of Neolithic Europe
Newly sequenced Late Neolithic Maltese genomes reveal striking genomic isolation, marked by high runs of homozygosity and minimal hunter-gatherer ancestry, reflecting maritime barriers rather than highways. This contrasts sharply with mainland Europe, where hunter-gatherer ancestry resurged during the period. By analyzing identity-by-descent segments across 261 ancient individuals—including 3 Maltese genomes and 258 published ones—the study maps a fine-grained genetic geography of Neolithic Europe. It highlights how seafaring Mediterranean expansion and island colonization, such as in Ireland, Britain, and Orkney, created distinct genetic differentiation, unlike the contiguous farming migrations from Anatolia and the Balkans that lacked migratory barriers.
Developing climate risk assessments for World Heritage: the Climate Vulnerability Index
A novel Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) has been successfully applied to assess climate risks at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering a structured approach to evaluate threats and inform conservation strategies. The CVI was first piloted in 2018 at Shark Bay, Australia, and later adapted for cultural sites, including the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Scotland, with additional workshops conducted in Edinburgh in 2021. This study demonstrates that the CVI framework can effectively identify vulnerabilities across different types of World Heritage properties, providing actionable insights for stakeholders. The approach combines expert assessments with quantitative metrics to prioritize risks and guide adaptive management, marking a significant advancement in climate risk assessment methodologies for heritage conservation.
Landscapes for Neolithic People in Mainland, Orkney
A significant shift in land use during the Neolithic period on Mainland, Orkney, is marked by a dramatic increase in disturbed land from 3% to 30%, coinciding with the rise of settlements like Skara Brae and Ness of Brodgar. This change, occurring between 3400–3200 cal BC, suggests intensified pastoral activities, aligning with archaeological evidence pointing to cattle-based subsistence economies. The study used the Multiple Scenario Approach (MSA) on Neolithic pollen records, combined with Bayesian chronological modeling and radiocarbon dating, to reconstruct spatio-temporal patterns of human activity and environmental changes. By 2800 cal BC, settlements declined, indicating societal exhaustion rather than resource depletion, as disturbed land persisted elsewhere in the landscape.
Life, Death and Teeth of Late Neolithic Sheep and Red Deer Excavated at Ness of Brodgar, Orkney Islands (UK)
Analysis of sheep and red deer remains from the Ness of Brodgar site in Orkney reveals distinct differences in husbandry practices during the late Neolithic period. Approximately half of the sheep were slaughtered upon reaching maturity, indicating a focus on meat production. Stable isotope analysis further shows that some sheep consumed seaweed in winter, likely due to anthropogenic influences restricting red deer access to such resources. This suggests varied sheep management strategies across Orkney, challenging the notion of ubiquitous adaptation to seaweed consumption during this era.
Neolithic Cupmarks from Vasagård on Bornholm, Denmark: Dating the Rock Art Tradition in Southern Scandinavia
Researchers have uncovered the first evidence of cupmarks dating to the Middle Neolithic period (c. 3500–2800 BC) in southern Scandinavia, specifically on Bornholm, Denmark. Previously, cupmarks—small, circular depressions often found on dolmen capstones—were thought to be exclusively associated with Bronze Age rock art (c. 1700–500 BC). The discovery of two cupmarked stones at the Neolithic enclosures of Vasagård challenges this long-held assumption, suggesting that such markings may have originated earlier in the region's prehistory. Excavations at Vasagård revealed these stones in a context linked to ritual gatherings, hinting at a possible connection to broader Neolithic practices, including those observed at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Orkney, where cupmarks are tied to monumental architecture and ceremonial transformations.
Obtaining archaeointensity data from British Neolithic pottery: A feasibility study
A groundbreaking feasibility study successfully extracted archaeointensity data from Neolithic Grooved Ware pottery at the Ness of Brodgar, Orkney, marking the first such measurements for the UK. Three reliable archaeointensity values (35–40 μT) were obtained using the thermal Thellier method, aligning with regional geomagnetic models and limited existing data. The study categorized results into four types to assess factors influencing successful data extraction, demonstrating the potential of ceramics as a source for archaeointensity dating in Britain. This breakthrough enhances our understanding of geomagnetic secular variation during the Neolithic period, addressing a critical gap in UK archaeological research.
Combined visual and biochemical analyses confirm depositor and diet for Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae
A groundbreaking analysis of Neolithic coprolites from Skara Brae, Orkney, reveals that domestic dogs were likely consuming human butchery or meal refuse, alongside opportunistic rodent consumption, potentially for pest control. Using advanced non-destructive methods—X-ray computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, and lipid/protein analysis—the study confirmed the depositor as Canis familiaris and identified bone inclusions from Ovis aries (sheep) and Microtus arvalis (common voles). This approach minimized sample destruction while providing richer insights than traditional morphological examination alone. The findings suggest Skara Brae dogs scavenged or were fed human refuse, offering new perspectives on Neolithic human-animal interactions and subsistence practices.
Investigating Neolithic Orkney: Archaeological Histories of Inquiry Regarding the Orcadian Neolithic
The current understanding of the Orcadian Neolithic, a significant region in British Neolithic archaeology, is shaped by its historical socio-political context. This dissertation reveals that knowledge production about Orkney's Neolithic sites since World War II has been influenced by broader societal factors, rather than solely by disciplinary paradigms. By examining archaeological inquiry histories, it identifies how social contexts regulate discourse and the dissemination of knowledge within the discipline. The study challenges conventional narratives that dismiss social context in favor of paradigm development, offering a nuanced perspective on how archaeology inculcates members and produces authoritative interpretations.
Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic maritime resilience? The 4.2 ka BP event and its implications for environments and societies in Northwest Europe
A significant population decline occurred on the Orkney Islands around 2300 BC, coinciding with the 4.2 ka BP climatic event, which likely caused regionally varied changes in humidity and temperature across Northwest Europe. This study reveals that while some communities adapted by developing new food storage and house-building techniques, others faced substantial demographic shifts. The research also highlights the emergence of a maritime Early Bronze Age culture, characterized by interconnected exchange networks, suggesting resilience to climate change through cultural innovation.
Monumental Choreography: Architecture and Spatial Representation in Late Neolithic Orkney
Late Neolithic monuments on Orkney's Stenness promontory reveal a sophisticated, multi-dimensional spatial organization rooted in cosmological symbolism. Unlike traditional two-dimensional analyses, these sites—including henges and stone circles—operate across layered planes of meaning, suggesting deliberate architectural choreography to evoke awe and convey complex cultural narratives. The study challenges conventional archaeological interpretations by emphasizing the dynamic interplay between monument design and symbolic representation, offering new insights into Neolithic spatial cognition and ritual practices.
Project 854- Archaeological Evaluation at Standing Stones Hotel, Stenness
An archaeological evaluation at the Standing Stones Hotel, Stenness, located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney,' revealed no significant archaeological features during a trial trench excavation. This study, conducted prior to hotel expansion and parking facility development, employed standard archaeological methods to assess potential impacts on the site's heritage value. The absence of notable findings suggests minimal subsurface disturbance in this area, providing valuable baseline data for future preservation efforts.
Absence, Presence, Indexicality: The Mise en Scène of ‘the Heart of Neolithic Orkney’
The Ring of Brodgar stone circle and associated Neolithic sites evoke a dynamic, hauntological experience for visitors, characterized by a tension between perceived presence and absence. This study reveals that the site's mise en scène, akin to surrealist frottage or a photograph, indexically represents an unknowable past while simultaneously soliciting imaginative engagement with heterochronia—simultaneous yet incompatible manifestations of time and space—and metatheatre, hinting at cryptic ritual performances. The research draws on surrealist theory, Robert Smithson's concepts, and semiotic analysis to argue that visitors' responses are shaped by this dialectical tension, where the imaginary blurs with the real, as described by Breton. The approach combines archaeological interpretation with performance studies to explore how these sites provoke a sense of presence despite their enigmatic nature.
3D Documentation of Global Historic Sites: The ‘Scottish Ten’ Project and Its Applications for Cultural Heritage
Advanced 3D documentation techniques, including terrestrial laser scanning and aerial LiDAR, are transforming the study of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 'Scottish Ten' project demonstrates their application at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, revealing unprecedented details of Skara Brae and Maeshowe. By combining high-resolution photography, digital photogrammetry, and GPS, researchers generate precise survey records that enable deeper analysis, conservation monitoring, and visualization. Early findings highlight the potential for these methods to enhance cultural heritage management and interpretation, offering a scalable model for global historic sites.
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