Excavation

Date 1974

Event ID 928749

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/928749

Stoura Stack, Shetland: Kennemerland. An interim report on the 1973 season of excavation on this Dutch East Indiaman of 1664 was published in IJNA 3.2 (1974), 257-68; this work was undertaken by a team from the Universities of Aston and Manchester (not Birmingham, cf. Post-Med. Archaeol. 8 (1974), 121). In 1974, a small team, led by R Price, continued the excavation; items recovered include further jewellery, leatherwork and rope, as well as a complete pocket sundial. The finds from both seasons' work have been conserved by Lerwick Museum, and a full report on the site is in preparation.

Summary by RCAHMS (RJCM) undated

Source: J Cherry 1975

1974 expedition to the Dutch wrecks of Out Skerries: a small privately organised expedition was put together somewhat hastily and began work in late July, continuing through to late September. All the diving was carried out using a 'Hookah' surface demand compressor, enabling prolonged periods of work under water. All the material recovered in 1974 is held by Mr T Henderson in Shetland County Museum.

The South Mouth Site (Kennemerland 1664): The excavation area begun in 1973 was extended. Detailed excavation was carried out in site F, an open-mouthed gully where one would expect mobile material to be trapped after the wreck broke up. The broad range of material recovered that this was indeed the case. We found an even carpet of artefacts in matrix and soft concretion. The condition of the artefacts indicates that there has been little tumbling action once the material settled into its carpet. Most of the artefacts found were comparable with material recovered in 1973.

The following finds are worthy of special mention:

Two horn combs, one in perfect condition; Several fragments of cargo matting of Eastern origin; A fragment of velvet(?) with glass beads embroidered onto the material to form a pattern. Probably part of a costume(?); A lump of knitted woollen material; A 'Flemish' coil of plaited rope, identified by Mr Henderson as a part of a sail gasket; The greater part of two ladies' shoes; Pocket sundial in excellent condition, in a complete and undamaged brass case. The compass-card is intact and the cardinal points are coloured red and blue alternately; Lignum vitae rule about 12 ins (0.3m) long with a scale marked 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25. This is probably part of an early staff-type, navigational instrument; A gunner's brass vent pricker; Part of a large iron-shoed wooden wedge, probably part of a gun elevating quior.

Summary by RCAHMS (RJCM) Undated

Source: R Price 1975.