Date:

Study Reveals Ancient Viking Waterway Through the Orkney Mainland

Archaeologists have discovered a lost Viking waterway that ran through the Orkney mainland, connecting the North Atlantic with the Scapa Flow, where Vikings are believed to have anchored their longships.

The Vikings settled in Orkney and the mainland during the late 8th century and became a key area of power for the Norse Earls from the 9th to the 12th century. Orkney remained in Norwegian possession until the 15th century, when the islands were handed to Scotland as part of a dowry settlement.

- Advertisement -

The study, by the Universities of the Highlands and Islands, St Andrews and Wales conducted a series of remote sensing geophysical mapping and sediment samples, in conjunction with the systematic research of place names throughout the mainland that had Old Norse connections.

Researchers investigated some of the names that have sea or boat connotations used for places that today are far inland in central Orkney. Names such as Greenay, meaning shallow waters or Knarston, (Old Norse knarrar staðir), derived from the words for a transport vessel (Old Norse knörr) and farm or homestead (Old Norse staðir) where these vessels were moored.

The geophysical data revealed a series of infilled channels that extended north from the Loch of Harray, to the lochs of Sabiston and Boardhouse towards the Earls seat of power in Birsay. Due to heavy agricultural activity and artificial drainage works over the last few centuries, the waterway was physically obscured from view until now.

The waterway provided a shallow routeway to navigate through the island and haul heavy goods such as grain. The study provides new insight into the transfer of goods and people in the west of mainland Orkney and perhaps enables historians and archaeologists to find more evidence of water transport in the Viking Age and Late Norse period in the Isles. Similar waterways have been discovered elsewhere in Scotland, in sites such as at Rubh an Dunain in Skye.

- Advertisement -

Dr Alexandra Sanmark of the Institute for Northern Studies, University of the Highlands and Islands said: “I am delighted with the outcome, as multiple pieces of written and landscape evidence suggested the existence of the waterway. The results will be used in our continued study of how the Norse used and organised the landscape of Orkney.”

University of the Highlands and Islands

Header Image Credit : John Sheldon

- Advertisement -

Stay Updated: Follow us on iOS, Android, Google News, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and our newsletter

spot_img
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is a multi-award-winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 8,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), the World Federation of Science Journalists, and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education, the BCA Medal of Honour, and the UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award.
spot_img
spot_img

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

Aerial photographs indicate an enormous Avar-Era cemetery

An analysis of aerial photographs has led to the discovery of a previously unknown Avar-era cemetery on the outskirts of Tatabánya, Hungary.

Excavations reveal a vast Roman villa complex

Archaeologists from Inrap have revealed a vast Roman villa complex during excavations in Auxerre, France.

Unprecedented Roman discovery in Ireland

Archaeologists have made an unprecedented Roman discovery during excavations at Drumanagh in north Dublin.

Exquisite marble sarcophagus unearthed near Caesarea

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), working on behalf of the Caesarea Development Corporation, have unearthed an exquisitely sculptured marble sarcophagus near the coastal city of Caesarea, Israel.

Viking-Era boat burial uncovered on Senja

Archaeologists have uncovered a Viking-Era boat burial on the island of Senja in northern Norway.

Mystery of the Maka Lahi Rock finally solved

In 2024, researchers from Australia's University of Queensland discovered a giant 1,200-tonne rock more than 200 metres inland on the island of Tongatapu.

Secrets to crafting the Nebra Sky Disc revealed

Using a blend of forensic material analysis with experimental archaeology, researchers have successfully reconstructed the techniques and processes behind crafting the Nebra Sky Disc.

Royal tomb unearthed in Gordion could belong to King Midas’ family

Archaeologists from the Gordion Project have uncovered a Phrygian royal tomb, potentially belonging to a member of King Midas' Family from the 8th century BC.