Archaeology collection awarded Status of National Significance
Published: 04 December 2014
The iconic Early Christian Monk Stone is believed to illustrate the coming of Christianity to Shetland. ZoomThe Archaeology Collection cared for by Shetland Amenity Trust has become the latest Recognised Collection of National Significance awarded by Museums Galleries Scotland.
The Archaeology Collection comprises between 300,000 to 400,000 items and is a valuable part of the archaeology record of Scotland, the UK and Europe. The Collection represents all aspects of life in Shetland from 4000BC to the 17th Century, when Shetland was at the heart of European trade routes.
Excavated prehistoric settlements highlight a huge range of locally made tools, early agricultural implements, vessels for food preparation, textile production and a rich assemblage of animal bone deposits offering an insight into the diet of Neolithic communities. The collection also holds evidence of funerary traditions and an important group of wooden tools suggestive of a ritual tradition shared throughout Northern Europe.
The Collection has been widely praised and highlighted by academics globally as “by far the most complete record of the Viking/Norse presence within the British Isles”.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “The Recognition Scheme serves to highlight Scotland’s most important national and international collections and contain some of our most important, best quality, historic artefacts and artworks. This very significant archaeology collection absolutely falls into that category.
“The award of Recognised status is fully deserved and will help Shetland Amenity Trust in bringing the collection into the public eye”.
Dr Ian Tait, Curator from Shetland Museum and Archives said: “We’re honoured to be receiving this prestigious award. It is testament to the dedication of our staff, the status of the collection, and the importance of it as a source of research. The award will help bringing this, one of our most significant collections, to the public in increasingly innovative and creative ways.
“We applied because we want to raise awareness of the archaeology collection, to safeguard continuing levels of investment and to enable us to further increase public access. The work done by Jenny Murray and Laurie Goodlad on this application will enable us to do just that.
“Recognised status will enable us to further develop our ongoing work in research, exhibition, and interpretation to people in these islands and beyond. This will be a huge boost for Shetland’s cultural heritage.”
Joanne Orr, CEO of MGS said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the Archaeology Collection at Shetland into the Recognition Family, which holds some of the finest collections in Scotland.
“This award of Recognition Status to the collection at Shetland Museum and Archives will give them a boost in funding and give it the recognition it deserves.”
