[/caption]There is a great project being launched in Assynt at the moment. It is called the Assynt Hidden Lives project, and you can read more about it here. Assynt is an area that is under-researched from an archaeological point of view, and now the opportunity is here. This weekend saw the launch of the project with numerous lectures around the prehistory of the area up to medieval times. It has been an enormous amount to take in and absorb (with a couple more lectures still to come), but I've surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying them.
Archaeology isn't really something that has ever really appealed to me - I absolutely hate programmes like Time Team, as it seems that the "experts" make huge jumps in logic to specific conclusions, when actually all we can really say about historical peoples is that whatever we think about how they did or did not live, it is only our best guess based on the technology we have to hand. But the focus of this particular project is what appeals. It is trying to find out how people who lived here worked with the land. In this part of Scotland the land is everything. And people's connection to the land is extremely important. And that is why I've taken an interest in the project and intend becoming involved in the survey which will take place over the next few weeks.
The photo at the top of this entry shows Clachtoll Broch, an incredibly complex type of building which stands between Clachtoll and Stoer beaches. I've walked past it countless times, but after the lecture today I have a far greater appreciation of the work involved in building such a complex structure and of those who built it. I am really looking forward to increasing my appreciation of the landscape of Assynt and how past lives learned to live in, and with, the land.
On the shop front, I'm very excited to tell you that the first shipment of calendars are now here. I will be contacting all those who expressed an interest in receiving a calendar, and for those of you who would like to pre-order one which will be dispatched with the next shipment, this can now be one viat the shop website.
The other exciting arrival this week was what is destined to become my Assynt Mist range. I will be dyeing some this week and it will be appearing on the website very soon. I will not be dyeing this yarn in variagated colours, as I think it lends itself more to being a semi-solid colour. I do hope you'll agree.
3 reactions
1 From Anne - 22/11/2009, 16:16
2 From Ida - 22/11/2009, 19:19
Yes, it might seem as if the experts on programmes like timeteam are jumping to conclussions on something that can only be our best guess.. but unfortunately that is what television wants.. too many "perhaps", "likely" or "probably" just doesnt work for the wider public.. Too few would want to watch it.
(Further - I have heard rumours of local archaeologists being fed up with time team.. havind to sort out their mess afterwards. 3 days is never enought for a proper excavation....)
But I am very pleased that you have become a convert and now can appreciate the subject. :-) I hope you will be giving reports as the project progress.... with even more lovely pictures.
IDA X
3 From Anna MacQ - 23/11/2009, 18:02
Anna
P.S. Soutterains were very often used as grain stores and storage areas overall, usually in the period around 2000 years ago onwards, give or take a few centuries. A bit like larders today - a cool atmosphere things could sit quite happily in, undisturbed til they were needed. That's the general rule, anyway, though naturally there are exceptions and a few just make no sense at all!!