By Bernie Bell
This year, the Orkney Archaeology Society’s Brochtoberfest was held at the UHI Orkney College campus, Kirkwall, Orkney
If you’re thinking of studying archaeology, you could check out what’s available at the Orkney campus, here…… https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/archaeology-institute/
And here is the view you’ll have, to accompany your studies……………
No’ bad, eh?
The brochy/general archaeology related stands and exhibits, were in the reception area of the College, where Hayley Green, Secretary of the OAS, presided over a table with OAS merchandise, and – this is Orkney – a raffle!
The information boards included one about a broch that I wasn’t aware of, though it is right here on Orkney – the Howe of Hoxa, on South Ronaldsay. Life is for learning!
The information was presented by Kath Page, under the heading of “Is There Value in Re-examining the Artefacts from The Howe of Hoxa?”
This is a question which could be relevant to other sites, too. Sites which were discovered, and even excavated, some time ago, but – methods, techniques and approaches move on, which means that some sites could be well worth re-examining in the light of new technology, as Jo McKenzie’s work at The Cairns broch, also on South Ronaldsay, so clearly shows. https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/07/29/jo-mckenzies-layers-of-colour/
The exhibits were a good example of the ‘human’ side of archaeological excavations. With cases containing Broch Bling, in the form of rings – or are they ear-rings?
And also, connecting with one of the information boards featuring the ‘Biography of an Iron Age Glass Toggle Bead from The Cairns’…
…there were some actual glass beads, found at The Cairns, on display
And also, a larger, amber bead, maybe from a necklace?
There was a case of combs………
We don’t change much, do we, us humans? Putting on our bead bangles and necklaces, combing our hair, preparing for a celebration.
Another way we don’t change much – a case of items labelled ‘Gaming Pieces’, looking very similar to pieces used in games which have come down through the ages, such as draughts and chess. There’s another image from the past – a gaming board, with Iron Age people, bent over it in concentration, working out their next move.
At the Ewe Garden Sculpture Trail, in West Cork, Republic of Ireland, there is a re-creation of a possible ancient gaming board, with pieces …….
The Ewe Gardens Sculpture Trail is a very groovy place to visit………….https://www.theewe.com/about-us
It’s very easy to picture the Iron Age people, putting on their finery, amusing themselves – just like us.
As well as the stands and exhibits, there was a schedule of presentations –
And there’s lots more brochy stuff, here………….
https://theorkneynews.scot/?s=Broch
I’m still hoping that someone with cakey fingers, will work out how to make a brocholate cake! That’s what’s known as a combination of pleasures!