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Excavation at Belmont

There were no excavations at Belmont in 2007 but further excavation of this site will take place in June and July 2008.

The 2006 Season

During summer 2006 archaeologists from Denmark, assisted by local volunteers, worked to delimit the area of Norse settlement, determine the construction and character of the different house units, and to consider the settlement structure, the economic resource unit and the dating of the different phases of the Norse farm at Belmont.

The excavations revealed the full extent of the Viking / Norse structures, and their associated extensions were defined. Other features, including field walls, a midden and a sub-rectangular enclosure were recorded

At least three phases were tentatively defined:

• A Viking longhouse with curving 'boat shaped' walls.

• A second phase longhouse where the walls were straightened and extensions were built

• A Late Norse structure was built over the western portion of the longhouse and the north west extension was remodelled

The site was productive of a large number of finds, including steatite baking plates, loomweights and a well-made lamp in 7 pieces.

Bronze Age Carvings

Aside from the Viking / Norse remains, a rare example of Bronze Age cup and ring marks was found within the site. These rock carvings, found in relation to Bronze Age structures are not fully understood, and there are few examples known in Shetland. A number do exist on Whalsay, and there are others in the vicinity of Belmont.

The Danish team will be returning in the summer of 2008 to continue excavation.