The Big Dig 2021 — Final Report

The Big Dig on Lismore

Final Report.  Day 18.  25 September 2021

The wet weather virtually ruled out further digging, although there was plenty of work baling out the trenches so that Clare could photograph and draw the exposed structures.   Following the decision on Thursday to keep Trench 11 open   for further exploration, Douglas Breingan brought over plastic sheeting from Oban.  It was spread over the vulnerable surfaces and, by Sunday, helpful islanders had delivered a wealth of old tyres to hold it in place and prevent damage by grazing livestock.  Many thanks to all our donors! The other two trenches were carefully closed up by Andy Hough with his digger. Soon, there will be no trace of our activities.

The final weekend activities started on Friday night with a fascinating feedback session to an audience of 50 in the museum by Clare and Angela, stimulating so many questions about the Dig and its future, followed by a long session of discussion hosted by Sarah and Dan.  We have been so fortunate to have been guided over the last three weeks by two of the leading archaeologists in Scotland

On Saturday morning, Margaret Elphinstone gave us an absorbing account of her travels in many parts of the world, her meetings with hunters, and her own “experimental archaeology” in trying to get into the minds (and bodies) of hunter gatherers, in preparation for writing her novel “Gathering Night”.   So much of her talk on “Archaeology and Fiction” will be in our minds for a long time.

For our final event on Saturday afternoon in the Church, Finlay Hay (guitar) brought Mari-Carmen Fernandez (violin), Hattie MacGregor (Cello) and Tim Beattie (guitar) to give us an hour of amazing music.  Not a dry eye in the audience after Schubert’s Litanei.  We hope they will come back soon to the island.

A final thank you to all who contributed to a memorable three weeks:  digging, transporting, shopping, providing the necessities to keep going  (accommodation,  shelter, toilet, drinks ….), cakes and fruit, welcome to visitors, speaking, playing and so much more.

The Future:   We’ll be back to find out whether the round house is Bronze Age or even Moluag’s first church!