Archaeology Collections
Our archaeology collections comprise site assemblages and stray finds, covering a wide spectrum from the Mesolithic up until recent times. Over this expanse of time, common themes can be drawn out through the objects in our care.
There are approximately 1,200 archaeology boxes in our stores from 37 excavation assemblages, including human remains and approximately 300 stray finds, plus the Udal assemblages which are presently stored on the mainland. The material has been awarded to the museum through Treasure Trove Scotland or the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP).
Since 2021, with the help of funding from Museums Galleries Scotland, we have been able to employ a project archaeologist to work on cataloguing the archaeology collections with the aim of increasing our knowledge and making them more accessible. To learn more visit the Sonraichte Project and Archaeology Awakened pages. These are the first two phases of what will be a larger exercise to document all our archaeology collections.
Our most recent assemblage awarded through Treasure Trove Scotland is from Bornish, South Uist. The important Norse settlement was excavated by Cardiff University between 1994 and 2004. You can see a small selection of finds to give you a taste of what the site contained here. The assemblage will be assessed and catalogued by our staff over the next year.
Below are samples from our wider collection.
Click on the images below to scroll through our image gallery:
Bornish assemblage
Our most recent assemblage awarded through Treasure Trove Scotland is from Bornish, South Uist. The important Norse settlement was excavated by Cardiff University between 1994 and 2004. The assemblage will be assessed and catalogued by our staff over the next year.
Below you can see a small selection of finds to give you a taste of what the site contained.
