At the Far End of Everything: A Likely Ahrensburgian Presence on Skye

Stone tools found on the Isle of Skye have been dated to the Late Upper Palaeolithic (LUP), around 11,500 – 11,000 years ago. Based on reconstructions of local glacier formation and sea level data, an enigmatic group of stone circular structures which lie below modern sea level are estimated to date to the same time period. These discoveries mean that the west coast now represents the largest concentration of evidence for these pioneer human populations anywhere in Scotland and reveals how early humans of this period ventured much further north than previously believed.

This talk will be presented by Prof Karen Hardy FSAScot.

Prof Hardy began working in Skye in 1999 and jointly established the Scotland’s First Settlers project investigating the earliest known human occupation of the region (2000-2005). From 2008-2022 she was an ICREA Research Professor (Barcelona). In 2022, she was awarded €2.5m by the European Research Council (now funded by the UKRI) for her project ‘Powerful Plants’. This is hosted by the University of Glasgow as Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, until the project terminates in 2027.

This will be a hybrid event which will take place both in Augustine United Church and live-streamed online, with the recording uploaded to our YouTube channel shortly after the lecture. Please keep an eye on the Society website, e-newsletters and your email inbox for the latest news and further information on Society events.

The main lecture will be preceded by a short presentation on a related topic by an Early Career Researcher and followed by a Q&A. In-person attendees are also welcome to stay for a free drinks reception from approximately 7pm where you can discuss the lecture and other interests with the speaker, Society Fellows and other attendees.

Booking is essential for members of the public and Fellows of the Society. If you have reserved a ticket and can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket via Eventbrite or contact [email protected] to allow someone else to take your place.

The Society has a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and bullying.

All attendees are requested to act with respect to one another during this hybrid event.

Anyone making comments which we believe to be inappropriate (e.g. offensive or abusive) will be removed from the event immediately. Equivalent procedures (e.g. with regard to spam) will apply online.

To help to tackle climate change and decrease congestion and pollution from cars, the Society encourages you to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport to travel to and from this event if possible.

Lothian Buses run services along George IV Bridge, Forrest Road and nearby South Bridge. There are also bicycle racks directly outside the venue.

Please note, the hearing loop facility at Augustine United Church is currently unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience.

The main entrance to the church is up four steps with a handrail.

Step free access is available via a door to the right of the building - please ring the bell for attention. Please note there is a tight turn in this passageway.

A standard accessible toilet is available on the ground floor and on the lower level (accessible via lift).

Assistance dogs are allowed inside the venue.

If attending via Zoom, captions are included.

You can find further information on Accessibility here.

The Society is grateful for our 2,600 Fellows across the globe whose support enables us to make these event free and open to all.

If you are interested in being part of this network and supporting a charity that has actively supported the study and enjoyment of Scotland’s past for over 240 years, visit our Join Us page for more information about the benefits of becoming a Fellow.

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Images: Rolled stone tools from north Skye (© Karen Hardy) and circular stone alignment within the Sconser foreshore (© Journal of Quaternary Science).

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom