VIKING UNST PROJECT: FIELD SEASON 2008 - Nabo

can be used to suggest that cereal cultivation was taking place in the local area from someof the earlier phases of the settlement. Results of further analysis of material from thisfascinating feature are eagerly anticipated.Hamar House 2:House 2 (Area C) is also providing some interesting results, which will hopefullycomplement those from House 1. Although the radiocarbon dates indicate a later date forthis structure, it is still of great importance for understanding the settlement history of Unst.So far, four samples from the 2008 season have been assessed from contexts related to theoccupation of the interior of the structure. Three of these are quite small (2-3 litres), whichmay account for only two (SF1302 from context [1031] and SF 1316 from context [1045])containing cereal remains. Samples from the infill of the structure yielded a large numberof cereal grains, as outlined in the previous DSR (Bond et al. 2007: 79). As from House 1,the cereals are both hulled barley and oat, demonstrating that these crops continued to beimportant in the area at this time.The range of wild taxa is similar to that from House 1, including: Ranunculusacris/bulbosus (Meadow/Bulbous Buttercup); Montia Fontana (Blinks); Stellaria media(Chickweed); Spergula arvensis (Corn Spurrey); Rumex spp. (Dockens); cf. Brassica sp.(Cabbage family); Carex spp. (Sedges); and Poa sp. (Meadow Grass). Some of these, suchas the Sedges, are likely to have been incorporated with fuel resources, with peat andheather remains indicating continued exploitation of heathland and boggy areas for fuel.There are also a number of plants that can be considered weeds of cultivation (see above),which can be used to suggest that arable agriculture in the local area continued in thisperiod. This is of course subject to further analysis.Fragments of charcoal have been recovered from the samples, but further identification andanalysis of the charcoal material must be carried out to address questions of local woodresources and the potential identification of trade and driftwood4.2.2 Palaeobotanical remains from UnderhoullAs already stated, the 2008 saw the first results from intensive sampling and flotation ofdeposits from the excavations at the Upper House at Underhoull. To date, assessment of thecharred plant remains has focussed on hearth and occupation deposits.One of the most interesting finds was from sample 920 [170], a deposit rich in steatite inthe yard to the north of the structure. A flax seed (Linum usitatissimum) was discovered inthis assemblage, the first to be identified from any of the structures under investigation. Afull discussion of the importance of flax within the Northern Isles has been presented byBond (2007, 186). Needless to say, it is often considered an indicator of Viking and LateNorse activity and may have had important economic and potentially symbolic roles withinScandinavian societies of this period (ibid; Owen & Dalland 1999). However, it must bestressed that an individual seed does not serve as evidence of full cultivation and the wildplant taxa within this sample (Blinks and Sedges) cannot be considered weeds associatedwith flax cultivation. The sedge seeds are uncharred and may be intrusive. There were also54