 |
|
| Science Forum Index » Military - Naval Forum » Crofter finds a 'Viking' anchor on the Isle of Skye... |
|
Page 1 of 1 |
|
| Author |
Message |
| La N... |
 Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:01 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
BBC News Updated every minute of every day
BBC NEWS CHANNEL
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8393952.stm
Crofter finds a 'Viking' anchor on the Isle of Skye
The anchor was found near Sleat on the Isle of Skye
A crofter has uncovered what is believed to be a Viking anchor
while digging a drain on the Isle of Skye.
Graeme Mackenzie, 47, made the find after hiring an excavator to
open the drain on rough pastureland 50yds (48m) from his home near Sleat.
Rain had partly washed away the bottom of the drain and exposed
a corroded 4in (10cm) iron spike.
Mr Mackenzie levered it out and was "stunned" as the ancient
anchor gradually emerged.
The Treasure Trove Unit at the National Museums of Scotland said
the anchor will probably be claimed by the Crown.
Measuring 4ft high and a similar distance from tip to tip, the
artefact is undergoing dating and metallurgical testing.
Preliminary results showed it is at least of medieval, possibly
Viking, origin and could be about 1,000 years old.
If proved to be Viking, the find would be further evidence that
many Norse raiders never returned to their native land, choosing instead to
settle on Skye and many other places along Scotland's northwestern seaboard.
As far as I know Treasure Trove Scotland in Edinburgh,
will eventually contact me and tell me if I'm due any financial reward. But
I'm not ordering the Ferrari just yet
Mr Mackenzie said: "Where it was lying, is only 100 yards above
the high water mark.
"We are on a raised beach, so the land has been rising since
Viking times.
"Maybe then the tide came right up to the point where I found
it.
"The anchor was 2ft under the peat. I hauled it out not
realising what was at the end of it - but luckily it came out in one piece.
"When I gave it a hose down it was obvious what it was. It looks
very like a pick, only with a metal handle.
"The top of the shaft was missing, because it was so badly
corroded. I assume it would have had an eye at the top, but that's gone."
Growing potatoes
He added: "I stumbled on it quite by chance, I wasn't looking
for anything. I just wanted to drain the land so I can grow potatoes there
next year.
"When I dug it up I immediately knew it was old. I used to be a
skipper and I therefore have some knowledge on anchors.
"And this one felt different. The metalwork is totally different
from the modern anchors. It felt like a blacksmith had hammered it.
"On the internet I saw a picture of a Viking anchor and it
looked exactly the same as mine.
"As far as I know Treasure Trove Scotland in Edinburgh, will
eventually contact me and tell me if I'm due any financial reward. But I'm
not ordering the Ferrari just yet.
"I'm not expecting anything. I don't think I can retire early."
In a report to the Museum of the Isles, a spokesman for the
Treasure Trove Unit at the National Museums of Scotland said: "At the moment
our working presumption is that the anchor is at least medieval". |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:06 pm
|
|