October 6, 2005 Source: St. Mary's University: http://www.smu.ca/newsreleases/2005/06-10-2005.html The Mysteries of Mine Howe: Iron Age Religion and Metalworking in Orkney, Scotland Special Lecture by Dr. Jane Downes, Head of Department of Archaeology, Orkney College, UHI Millennium Institute, Scotland. • Date: Thursday, October 13, 2005
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Room: Sobey 255 In recognition of its extraordinary archeological monuments, Orkney, Scotland has been granted World Heritage Site Status. The site of Mine Howe is a prime example of why Orkney is such an acclaimed archeological treasure. Mine Howe comprises an underground chamber which dates back to the Iron Age and can be accessed by a steep flight of stone steps dug into a natural mound.
Following the discovery of a mysterious underground chamber by a local farmer, Dr. Downes, in collaboration with Nick Card of the Orkney Archeological Trust, led a series of excavations at the world-renowned Mine Howe site . Their excavations, which were featured as a Time Team extended documentary in 2000, focused on establishing the presence of, and exploring, the monumental ditch that surrounds the underground Iron Age structure; investigating the structures found just outside the ditch; and sampling deep soils and peat to establish an environmental and landscape context for the complex. The ditch was found to be very deep and was rich in artifacts and ecofacts, and the structures were determined to be the focus of metalworking activities, providing some of the most outstanding evidence for Iron Age metalworking in Britain. Landscape studies have shown that the site maintained its significance into the early Christian times with the establishment of a chapel. Dr. Downes will describe these findings in the context of material and social transformations at the Mine Howe site and further afield. Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. -30- For More Information: Paul Fitzgerald
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Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
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