Palace of History: catalogue of exhibits, with illustrations (1911) Glasgow: Dalross
https://archive.org/details/palaceofhistoryc02scot

Page 819

‘HEBRIDEAN BURIALS, PROBABLY OF STONE AGE.

Skeleton of an Adult, about 23 years of age, probably a male, discovered and excavated in 1907 by Mrs. A. W. Farquhar and Ludovic McL. Mann. It was interred several feet deep in ancient drift shell-sand, and immediately beneath it was the ancient compact hard gravel of the 25 foot beach.

The body was placed in a crouched position on the right side, somewhat breast downwards, with knees drawn up. At the neck was found a Bone Pin, perforated at the thicker end. (See small box within the case.) No cist-structure was present. The bones are in wonderfully good condition, owing to the preservative action of the shell-sand, which in those parts is com- posed of the finely comminuted particles of the shells of
certain land snails. The interment was exposed with the utmost caution, and photographs, drawings, measurements and compass bearings were taken at the various
stages in the work, to ensure the utmost accuracy when the time came for reconstructing the burial (as has now been done with the co-operation of Prof. Thos. H. Bryce) in its precisely correct original position and in the original soil.

The bones of one foot disclose slight traces of rheumatoid arthritis.

In 1910, within a few yards of the same place, another burial was similarly excavated by Mr. Mann, with the assistance of A. Henderson Bishop and J. Graham Callander.

The Child’s Skeleton then discovered is shown at farther end of the case in its original environment; and on the opposite wall is a life-size photograph taken at one stage in the excavation work. In the photograph may be seen a foot-rule, which lies magnetic north and south. The head of the body was placed to the south. Supporting the left shoulder was a stone. A small flint flake was found in close association with the bones of the right hand. The relatives or friends of the deceased had apparently placed within the hand of the dead child this tiny Cake of flint, then perhaps hafted in a small handle of wood or horn, now perished. The child was about six years of age, as shown from the dentition and the bones.

On an old land surface above the interments, and apparently of less antiquity, were found about a hundred prehistoric objects shown in this case. They are :

A massive Domestic Hand-made Pottery Vessel, bucket-shaped, about 17 ins. high, with beading outside about 5 ins. below rim. It was found embedded in a layer of dark soil, closely associated with bones of the lower animals and pottery fragments.

Bone Implements and Objects, some or known types, but some of quite uncertain purpose and unique.

Implements, Discs, and possibly Ornaments of stone, chiefly of flint, porphyry, and quartzite.

Lent by Ludovic McL. Mann.’

p. 554 Wecht or weght is a very ancient name for an instrument in the form of a sieve, but without holes. This one is made of goat’s skin. From Tiree. Used for winnowing husks from oatmeal, barley meal, and rye meal. Lent by Ludovic McL. Mann.

p. 560 A Sea-weed Gatherer’s Hook. Tiree. Lent by Ludovic McL. Mann.

p. 571 Scottish Iron Cruisie, with long nose and angular ratchet (hook and spike gone) from Ballavoullin, Tiree. Lent by L. McL. Mann.

p. 583 Case of Tallow Dips, from Tiree. Lent by L. McL. Mann.

p. 842 Small Pear-shaped Object of Lead, with truncated butt and perforation at the narrow end ; from Kilmaluaig, Tiree; a sinker. Lent by Ludovic McL. Mann.

p. 842 Two Pear-shaped Stones, each with perforation at narrow end, perhaps sinkers. One from Kilmaluaig, Tiree, and the other from Auchnagatt. Lent by Ludovic McL. Mann.

p. 842 Hammer Stone from Tiree, Lent by A Henderson Bishop

p. 875 Six “Craggans” from Tiree and Coll; and a pottery Churn, from Coll. Lent by Ludovic McL. Mann.

p. 875 Three ” Craggans ” and a Pottery Churn, from Tiree. Lent by A. Henderson Bishop.

p. 905 Casting Line of Hair, a survival, from Tiree. Lent by Ludovic McL. Mann