The Norse Settlement at Kilpheder, South Uist
Kipheder is a Viking Age settlement situated on the exposed west coast of South Uist at Sithean Biorach (Fairy Point), Kilpheder. An area within the centre of the settlement measuring approximately 16m north-south by 9m east-west has been excavated over the last three seasons. The excavations have revealed eleven stone buildings - five longhouses and their associated outbuildings and middens dating from the late 10th or early 11th to the mid 13th century AD. The excavations have produced a remarkable sequence of artefacts including, steatite artefacts and vessel fragments, a series of bone and copper alloy pins, two silver coins, and a decorated gold strip. Intensive on-site sampling strategies have been built into the excavation methodology from the start with the aim of providing material for the reconstruction of economic activities (e.g. carbonized seeds, bones, etc) and also to answer questions relating to the use of space within the structures.
Project Directors:
Mike Parker Pearson (U of Sheffield), Helen Smith (BU), Mark Brennand (Norfolk Archaeological Unit)
Funding:
Historic Scotland, U of Sheffield
Publications
- Brennand, M, Parker Pearson, M, and Smith, H, 1998, The Norse age settlement and Pictish cairn at Kilpheder, South Uist. Excavations in 1998. Sheffield. University of Sheffield Department of Prehistory and Archaeology. [Limited circulation printed report]
- Brennand M, Parker Pearson, M, and Smith, H, 1997, The Viking age settlement at Kilpheder (Cille Pheadir), South Uist. Excavations in 1997. Sheffield. University of Sheffield Department of Prehistory and Archaeology. [Limited circulation printed report]
