Scottish Underwater Archaeologist to Discuss Lives of the Ancient Loch Dwellers

CHESTERTOWN, MD—On Wednesday, October 12, Washington College will welcome underwater archaeologist Nick Dixon, director of the Scottish Crannog Center, for a lecture on “Early Iron Age Loch-dwellers of Scotland: Excavation, Interpretation, and Reconstruction.” The talk will take place at 4:30 p.m. in Litrenta Lecture Hall, Toll Science Center.

The Scottish Crannog Center, a beneficiary of the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology, is devoted to the research and preservation of historical “crannogs,” artificial islands that served as dwellings for people who lived in the region from about 500 BC until the 17th century AD. The cold, dark, peaty loch waters have helped preserve the organic remains at the sites, including plants, seeds, nuts, animal bones and droppings and insects. In at least one case, excavators discovered a butter dish that still carried remnants of butter. Dixon will discuss the significance of these finds and the insights they provide into the daily lives of ancient peoples.

Dixon has taught at the University of St. Andrews and the University of Edinburgh. He currently is researching Scotland’s Loch Tay and its bounty of well-preserved finds.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by the Anthropology Club, Lambda Alpha, and the Center for Environment and Society.