Among the diverse range of recent archaeological discoveries in Scotland, the unearthed carved stone head at Skaill Farm has generated significant interest. The artifact, believed to be medieval in origin, was found on the Scottish island of Rousay and is attributed to the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Archaeology Institute.
Katie Joss, an undergraduate student, was the one who stumbled across the find during an excavation. The head, with its curly hair and faint smile, rolled out of the ground, leaving her in awe as if it were ‘staring back’ at her. The head is made of red sandstone with yellow inclusions, suggesting it was quarried from the nearby island of Eday and is similar in composition to the fragments from the nearby St. Mary’s old parish church.
Archaeologist Dan Lee, of UHI Orkney, remarked on the significance of the find, stating that it is ‘very unusual’ and does not appear to be something one would expect to find at a farm. Instead, he believes the head may have originated from St. Mary’s Kirk, indicating that the church was likely a building of high status.
The head remains well-preserved, despite the broken nose tip, which may have been damaged before it was deposited in a later rubble layer. Lee emphasized that the stone’s preservation is a testament to its protection in an indoor environment, making the intricate chisel marks visible and offering a glimpse into the skill of its creators.
While the exact date of the head is still under investigation, its presence suggests a more significant presence of buildings in the area than previously thought. In a country with a long history of human settlement, the Skaill discovery is just another example of how Scotland continues to reveal its deep and fascinating past.
Other recent discoveries include a warship connected to the American Revolution uncovered by a schoolboy in Sanday, Orkney, and a prehistoric village found near Inverness, which was originally planned to be a site for a future golf course. These findings, along with the Skaill head, highlight Scotland’s rich heritage and the ongoing efforts by archaeologists to uncover its historical treasures.