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Unusual food plants from Oakbank Crannog, Loch Tay, Scottish Highlands: cloudberry, opium poppy and spelt wheat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Jennifer J. Miller ,
James H. Dickson  and
T. Nicholas Dixon
Jennifer J. Miller
Affiliation:
Division of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
James H. Dickson
Affiliation:
Division of Environmental & Evolutionary Biology, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland
T. Nicholas Dixon
Affiliation:
Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, High School Yards, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, Scotland
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Abstract

Oakbank is one of 18 crannogs in Loch Tay, and the first in Britain to have been excavated underwater. The abundant and well-preserved plant remains indicate a prosperous society with a well-founded arable and pastoral agriculture. Opium poppy and spelt wheat remains imply trade and suggest high status. Cloudberry pips highlight long-range gathering, possibly during transhumance.

Keywords

crannogScotlandpalaeobotanyprehistorywheatopium poppycloudberry
Type
Notes
Information
Antiquity , Volume 72 , Issue 278 , December 1998 , pp. 805 - 811
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 1998

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