ANARCHAEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

The latest issue of the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is especially relevant to Coll as it is devoted to the results of over twenty years worth of fieldwalking by John Crawford.

For the uninitiated, fieldwalking is the art of wandering the countryside, eyes glued to the ground, searching for archaeological artefacts. And John has found an amazing amount on Coll.

The pamphlet describes each find, as well as giving locations and comprehensive maps and diagrams of the areas covered. Each find is also represented by a drawing, showing not only the piece but also how it would fit into a larger context, ie as part of a bowl or jar. There are also articles discussing the finds in their historical or geographical context, written by specialists in their fields. Altogether it is a fascinating descriptive booklet for anyone who is interested in the physical aspect of Coll's past.

One drawback that the present writer found was that after reading the result of John's labour of love, I immediately took to the hills, expecting to trip over a Viking sword or stumble into a lost cavern of medieval goodies. Returning triumphant with a large piece of 'pottery', my dreams were shattered when it turned out to be nothing more than an oddly shaped stone. You have been warned...

Doug Young

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Vol 127, the Royal Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh