In This Section:

4.9 Research Questions

The questions below apply specifically to the Late Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods in the Highlands. Some research questions in the Land and Environment section 3.9 may also apply to the 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 new digital platform facility.

Overall

HARF Qu 4.1: Was there a break in population in the transistion from Upper Palaeolithic to earliest Mesolithic?

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More work is needed on the transition from the Late Upper Palaeolithic to the earliest Mesolithic in Highland. Was there a break in population? What technological trends occurred? This is a Scottish problem, highlighting the necessity of identifying early Mesolithic sites. 

HARF Qu 4.2: What were the technological trends in the transition from the Later Upper Palaeolithic to the earliest Mesolithic?

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More information:
More work is needed on the transition from the Late Upper Palaeolithic to the earliest Mesolithic in Highland. Was there a break in population? What technological trends occurred? This is a Scottish problem, highlighting the necessity of identifying early Mesolithic sites. 

Environmental

HARF Qu 4.4: What was the impact of the Storegga tsunami across the Highlands?

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The impact of the Storegga tsunami has been much publicised with regard to the site at Castle Street, Inverness but is little known elsewhere. Existing geoscience investigations of tsunami deposits in Highland need to be synthesised and made available to archaeology. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Settlement

HARF Qu 4.3: What did the earliest settlement look like in the Highlands?

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The identification of further Late Upper Palaeolithic sites in the region would be particularly beneficial in terms of improved understanding of the earliest settlement in the area.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.5: What was the origin and nature of initial colonisation?

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What are the origins and nature of the initial colonisation? The evidence for Palaeolithic-period activity in the Highlands needs to be investigated, including analysis of existing lithic collections. Only with more evidence can we address the nature of this initial colonisation, and distinguishing periods of exploration and short-term activity or long-term settlement and colonisation. New sites need to be discovered in addition to further work (including dating and environmental investigations) at known Highland sites, such as Smoo Cave, northwest Sutherland, South Cuidrach on Skye and Shieldaig, Wester Ross.  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.6: Is there evidence for the arrival of new populations in the Highlands at the start of the Holocene?

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Is there evidence for the arrival of new populations in the Highlands at the start of the Holocene?  
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.7: What was the relationship between the population density (and settlement) and known climatic stresses like the 8.2 Ka cold event?

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Further investigation is needed to explore the relationships between population (and settlement) density and known climatic stresses, such as the 8.2 Ka cold event.
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.8: What was the impact of the drowning of Doggerland on the Highlands?

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What was the impact of the drowning of Doggerland in the Highlands? The identification of sites with good preservation might provide relevant evidence, including addressing the questions raised by Waddington’s theories (2015) that this led to increased social instability. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.9: What was the role of cave sites and rock shelters?

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What is the role of caves and rock shelters? The SFS project identified a number of potential sites to explore on the west coast. Can others be identified in other areas? 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.10: What happened during the Mesolithic – Neolithic transition?

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More work exploring the transition from Mesolithic to Neolithic is needed, over different areas in the Highlands. Further work at Tarradale holds promise to investigate this transition in an area of lowland settlement. Elsewhere, investigation into peat formation may identify sites where evidence is currently buried. Does the evidence shed light on Wicks and Mithen’s postulated population decline prior to the advent of the Neolithic? Does the lack of later sites reflect this, or does it reflect our inability to locate these sites? 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.11: Was there population decline in the Highlands at the end of the Mesolithic?

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More information:
More work exploring the transition from Mesolithic to Neolithic is needed, over different areas in the Highlands. Further work at Tarradale holds promise to investigate this transition in an area of lowland settlement. Elsewhere, investigation into peat formation may identify sites where evidence is currently buried. Does the evidence shed light on Wicks and Mithen’s postulated population decline prior to the advent of the Neolithic? Does the lack of later sites reflect this, or does it reflect our inability to locate these sites? 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.12: Does the lack of late Mesolithic sites suggest population decline or is it a reflection of our inability to record sites?

More information on this question
More information:
More work exploring the transition from Mesolithic to Neolithic is needed, over different areas in the Highlands. Further work at Tarradale holds promise to investigate this transition in an area of lowland settlement. Elsewhere, investigation into peat formation may identify sites where evidence is currently buried. Does the evidence shed light on Wicks and Mithen’s postulated population decline prior to the advent of the Neolithic? Does the lack of later sites reflect this, or does it reflect our inability to locate these sites? 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Diagnostic Artefacts

HARF Qu 4.13: Where are the Late Mesolithic stone tools?

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Highland evidence should be explored to investigate the transition in lithic technology between broad and narrow blade industries. Work to fill the gaps in our diagnostic lexicons, such as the artefacts of the later Mesolithic, is necessary.
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Industry and Craft

HARF Qu 4.14: What was the function of different sites?

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Further work to distinguish between the functions of different sites would be rewarding. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Transport and Movement

HARF Qu 4.16: What was the level of mobility of the people throughout this period?

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Further work on raw material sources and distribution would help to shed light on mobility, territories, and contacts. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

HARF Qu 4.17: What were the territories held and level of contact between populations?

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More information:
Further work on raw material sources and distribution would help to shed light on mobility, territories, and contacts. 
Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
Date accepted:
01/09/2021
Date of next review:
01/09/2024
Found in the following Frameworks:
The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework

Are there research questions 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.