The recommendations below apply specifically to the early medieval period in the Highlands. Some research questions in the Land and Environment section 3.9 may also apply to this period.
Many research questions from the original National ScARF and other regional research frameworks are also relevant and applicable in the Highlands. These will soon be all be searchable and available all together through our our new digital platform facility.
Environment
HARF Qu 8.1: What areas have woodlands, and what is growing?
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This needs to be undertaken at local level, with attention also to local conditions eg next to river edges, at different altitudes etc.Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.2: What evidence is there for climate in this period?
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01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.3: Which areas show peat encroachment?
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkSettlements
HARF Qu 8.4: Where are the Viking settlements?
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Areas which might bear fruit include Freswick and Dunnet in Caithness, places near to known burials, e.g Balnakeil Bay in northwest Sutherland (the Viking burial had been exposed for a period before burial, suggesting a settlement nearby) and areas with sheltered bays. Further work building on surveys at Rubha an Dùnain on Skye, where a boat timber of c. 1100 was found, might provide evidence of earlier Viking settlement on Skye.Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.5: Was there a settlement in the late early medieval period Inverness which the medieval burgh simply incorporated?
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Evidence from recent Inverness excavations, both within the Medieval burgh limits and in the surrounding area should be pulled together.Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.6: Where were settlements (other than Portmahomack) in the post-Pictish period (10th century)?
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Dornoch would be a promising site, with its industrial activity at this period and high status metalwork. Further examination at Stronchrubie might find structural evidence, and in any case would repay a landscape approach.Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkDaily Life and Diagnostic Artefacts
HARF Qu 8.7: Where is the pottery in the period?
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Pottery is all but unknown for this period. If well-dated settlement sites are identified, attention should be paid to see if there is a genuine lack.Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkReligion and Ritual
HARF Qu 8.10: Can we identify any Pictish chapels?
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The distribution of cross slabs would provide a possible list of areas to check, together with chapel sites like Congash which have symbol stones. Another timely focus would be Cille Bhrea (Lemlair), Easter Ross, the site of a free standing decorated cross now in Inverness Museum; the site is eroding into the sea (MHG8942). Logiebride, near Conon Bridge (MHG8987) on the Black Isle might also repay investigation, as the site of a recently discovered Pictish cross slab, and which has had less later use than many.Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.11: What are the burial traditions in the western Highlands?
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What is happening on Skye? In Lochaber?Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.12: If Adnamurchan and Morvern are part of the territory of the Dal Riata Gaels, can we see any differences / similarities with the eastern Picts?
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This would require religious sites to be investigated in both these areas.Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.13: Were human bones buried in houses?
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Re-analysis of Rhiconich cremated material (if it survives) would confirm if the bone is human or not.Status:
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01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.8: What were the above ground and barrow cemetery burial traditions?
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Investigation of the cemeteries at Whitebridge or Garbeg where upstanding barrows survive may shed light on above ground burial traditions (potential noted in National ScARF 4.5). A detailed survey of Whitebridge would be beneficial, to understand the preservation of the barrows and the later buildings built into the cemetery. At Garbeg there is nearby settlement evidence which is possible contemporary, providing a rare opportunity to link burial and settlement.Status:
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01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkHARF Qu 8.9: Where are people being buried after the 7th century when the barrow cemeteries go out of use?
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Possible early chapel sites with Pictish sculpture (eg Congash) might provide a context.
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkCraft and Industry
HARF Qu 8.14: How were caves on the west coast being used?
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Are these too industrial sites (like Rosemarkie in the east) or used for other activities?Status:
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01/09/2021Date of next review:
01/09/2024Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research FrameworkAre there research recommendations that you think are missing?
Why not add your comment below which will be flagged to ScARF (or get in touch with ScARF directly) and new questions will be considered for addition at the next revision.