Revisiting Structure N
The site has been a hive of activity today as the excavation gets into full swing.
Today was my first day on site and a rare opportunity to get out of the museum, and museum stores, and into the field. What a welcome – amazing archaeology AND sunshine.
My morning was spent in the finds hut, before heading out on site to do some digging.
While excavation this season is focusing on the broch (Structure A) and Structure O, I spent some time in Structure N.
Structure N is heavily modified building, which has seen several phases of activity, reminding us of the fluidity of the site. The team worked on Structure N last year, and excavation revealed a lot of metalworking debris, furnace-lining material and pottery.
However, in the intervening period some more metalworking debris had weathered out so we temporarily revisited it this year.
As curator of archaeology at Orkney Museum, I spend my days managing and caring for a “Recognised Collection”. My work includes everything from accessioning artefacts into the collection, answering research requests to designing exhibitions.
But while I work with artefacts every day, there is nothing like being in the field and being part of the process from artefact recovery to archive.
While I spent the afternoon excavating lots of metalworking debris, the star find of the day was over in Structure O, where Francesca found a beautiful bone point.
Over the next few weeks, I will be in the finds hut with Finds Supervisor, Kev Kerr, putting some of my curatorial skills into action in the field. I am really looking forward to seeing what the site reveals this season…
Siobhan Cooke-Miller
Curator of Archaeology at Orkney Museum
