Rare objects representing thousands of years of island life, from the Neolithic to the Viking Age, go on display this week in Lewis.
Over 40 objects feature in the collection - on loan from National Museums Scotland
- which were discovered at sites across Lewis.
Brought together for the first time the items provide an insight into the island’s deep past, revealing how people have lived and thrived in this area for thousands of years.
They include a unique, complete 2,500-year-old pot from Allt Cleascro, Achmore, found
buried deep in peat.
There’s also an exceptionally rare example of pre-Viking Age craftsmanship discovered
in Lochs. The intricately decorated bronze mount was converted into a buckle during
the Viking period and worn on its journey to Scotland.
The ‘Archaeology Homecoming’ exhibition in the newly accredited Kinloch Historical Society Museum, raises awareness of the area’s rich archaeology with remarkable finds like the Achmore pot, and significant features within the local landscape such as Sidival Stone circle.
An exhibition titled ‘Na Dorsan’ in Ness displays objects discovered on the Galson coastline, charting the history of the area, from the first farmers 6,000 years ago, through to the arrival of Vikings.
Dr Fraser Hunter, principal curator of prehistory and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland, said: 'It’s been a real treat collaborating on these exhibitions with our colleagues in Nis and Kinloch.
“These objects help bring the distant past to life, from elegant bone tools from
Galson that show the craft skills of the Iron Age to the remarkable Viking-period
bronze mount from Ath Linne, which is a unique find for Scotland.”
Anna MacKenzie, heritage manager at Kinloch Historical Society, said this is the first time these chance finds will be on display in Lochs.
She added: “The partnership with National Museum of Scotland is at the heart of sharing and learning about the history of our area. The advice, training and support we have been able to access through this partnership has been essential to brining this exhibition to Kinloch Museum.
“As the name Archaeology Homecoming suggests this will be the first time these chance finds will be on display in Lochs, and we are grateful to all who have contributed to make this important exhibition possible.”
Rare ancient artefacts discovered in Lewis return for exhibitions
29 April 2024
A prized find is a Bronze Age pot found by Achmore and on display in Balallan
