Shetland Felsite Project - Roadshow
Monday, June 20th 2016 7:30pm
Aith Hall
The North Roe Felsite Project with Dr Gabriel Cooney, University College Dublin, will hold a public event on Monday 20th June.
Shetland is the northernmost part of Europe where farming was practiced during the Neolithic period (3800-2500 BC). The project’s aim is to understand the role of felsite, a visually distinctive stone, which people transformed into polished axes and knives. At North Roe there is a major quarry complex. Here archaeological surveys and excavation will identify the scale, character and date of early felsite mining.
The project will have a particular focus on Ronas Hill, the highest point of Shetland, where there is a chambered cairn and felsite dykes. Survey will focus on the Beorgs of Uyea and small-scale excavation will take place at Grut Wells. Experimental work will take place to understand the processes of working felsite. Shetland Museum and Archives is taking part in this element of the project with a 'Felsite Roadshow' at Aith Hall. It is hoped that staff will be able to record axes and knives in private collections and provide local people with information and active participation in the project.
If you have a felsite axe or knife please bring it along so the team can record it.
Location: Aith Hall
Date and Time: Monday 20th June, 7.30pm
Category: Community Events