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Unusual food plants from Oakbank Crannog, Loch Tay, Scottish Highlands: cloudberry, opium poppy and spelt wheat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Jennifer J. Miller
Affiliation:
Division of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
James H. Dickson
Affiliation:
Division of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
T. Nicholas Dixon
Affiliation:
Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, High School Yards, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, Scotland

Abstract

Oakbank is one of 18 crannogs in Loch Tay, and the first in Britain to have been excavated underwater. The abundant and well-preserved plant remains indicate a prosperous society with a well-founded arable and pastoral agriculture. Opium poppy and spelt wheat remains imply trade and suggest high status. Cloudberry pips highlight long-range gathering, possibly during transhumance.

Type
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Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 1998

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