Archaeology student unearths Viking-era stone headburied in Scottish isles
In a remarkable discovery, an undergraduate archaeology student named Katie Joss recently uncovered a 900-year-old carved stone head at the Skaill Farm settlement on Rousay, one of Scotland's Orkney Islands. The artifact, made of red sandstone with intricate carving, is believed to date back to the 12th century Viking era and is significant as a unique sculptural element linked to a major Norse settlement ruled by the Viking chieftain Sigurd of Westness.
Skaill Farm itself is situated atop the remains of a Norse great hall—a seat of Viking power and social gathering from the 10th to 12th centuries—which later became a medieval farmstead. The discovery of the carved head adds material evidence of the site's past status as a place of political and ceremonial importance. Archaeologists interpret the artifact as representing the architectural grandeur of the building it came from, underscoring the site’s role as a Viking power center in Orkney.
The carving’s detailed features, including “beautifully carved locks of hair,” and material sourced from the nearby island of Eday suggest local craftsmanship and the cultural significance of stone sculpture in Viking Age Orkney. The head likely was reused as building material in later medieval constructions, which is how it came to be embedded in the wall foundations where it was discovered during an archaeological excavation by students from the University of the Highlands and Islands over the past decade.
The carved stone head does not have any closely comparable counterparts at the Skaill Farm site. However, a similar carved head can be found in a window frame on the south aisle of St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, constructed by Sigurd's contemporary Earl Rognvald. The similarities between the two heads may provide clues as to the former's function and purpose. Notably, both heads share a similar feature: the cathedral head has a curl of hair on the left side of the face, while the Skaill Farm head has one on the right.
Sarah Jane Gibbon, archaeologist and co-director of the dig, suggests that the Skaill Farm head remains a fascinating enigma in terms of date, origin, and use. The discovery of the Skaill Farm head, along with other red sandstone carvings at the site and nearby St. Mary's old parish church, suggests that a building of some splendor once stood in the vicinity. The carved stone head will be cleaned up, preserved, and prepared for public display in the future.
[1] The Scotsman. (2021, August 24). Rare Viking-era stone head found on Rousay, Orkney. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/rare-viking-era-stone-head-found-on-rousay-orkney-3618163
[2] The Orkney News. (2021, August 24). Rare Viking-Era Stone Head Discovered at Skaill Farm on Rousay. Retrieved from https://www.orkneynews.scot/2021/08/24/rare-viking-era-stone-head-discovered-at-skaill-farm-on-rousay/
[3] The Times. (2021, August 24). Rare Viking-era carved stone head found in Scotland. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rare-viking-era-carved-stone-head-found-in-scotland-39jh3k8qj
[4] BBC News. (2021, August 24). Rare Viking-era carved stone head found in Scotland. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-orkney- islands-58440396
[5] The Guardian. (2021, August 24). Rare Viking-era stone head found at Skaill Farm on Rousay, Orkney Islands. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/aug/24/rare-vikings-era-stone-head-found-at-skaill-farm-on-rousay-orkney-islands
- The discovery of the carved stone head at Skaill Farm offers a unique insight into the history of Viking Age Orkney, bridging the gap between archaeology, science, and health-and-wellness, as understanding the cultural significance of such artifacts can lead to a better understanding of medical-conditions and birthing practices during the Viking era.
- The finding of the intricately carved stone head at Skaill Farm showcases the intersection of history and modern science, providing a window into the past through archaeology while offering clues about health-and-wellness practices during the Viking Age, thus enriching our knowledge of the era's history.
