Britain's Ancient Capital: Secrets of Orkney

[anonymous-user]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 07 November 2020 at 04:47

[kev b]

A lot of speculation offered up as fact, a little disappointing in my view.

[cymtriks]

It's a big settlement for the time so it probably was a "capital" of the region. However we don't know how many other similar settlements remain buried under fields, underwater or have been completely erased. The big thing about it from our point of view is that it's still there and we've found it!

[annodomini2]

Basically they are basing the theory on the dating evidence, i.e. it was the earliest stone circle, earliest form of that style of housing etc.

There's always a bit of artistic license with Archaeology as there is never enough information.

[annodomini2]

ash73 said:

annodomini2 said:

Basically they are basing the theory on the dating evidence, i.e. it was the earliest stone circle, earliest form of that style of housing etc.

I assumed stuff on Orkney just survived better because there were no trees so they built in stone, whereas on the mainland they used wood which was easier but rotted away. Seems odd to suggest they started with stone then replicated the structures in wood later. They did address it in episode 1 but I didn't quite follow it. Maybe it took them longer to get a foothold on the mainland, we've never been easy to invade.

I do like new theories though that turn everything upside down, will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Also hope to see Dr Shini Somara on telly again, Dr Roberts has a rival!

Most logical would be "cost" wood was probably a less valuable material than stone at that time.