Norse Platters from Bornais, by Clara Freer & Ian Dennis, Cardiff University
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This paper is based on work by Clara Freer, Ian Dennis, Alan Lane and Niall Sharples on the assemblage from Bornais. Excavated by N. Sharples from 1994 to 2004. A large settlement located on the machair plain of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Occupation found to spread over five mounds with most mounds contemporary during the Norse period with about 50 – 75 people occupying the site. It was Occupied from at least 5th century AD through to the 15tb century AD. Occupation found to spread over five mounds with most mounds contemporary during the Norse period with about 50 – 75 people occupying the site. Our objectives were: # Understand the nature of platter production # Consider manufacturing constraints (including the amount of clay in weight used, the temper, size, styles and different forms found on the Bornais excavations) # Investigate their use as baking plates, how effective they are and to examine their durability # Investigate gendered production through an examination of the size of the finger print impressions found on platters from Bornais # Examine and compare our platters to the ones from Bornais
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Norse Platters from Bornais, by Clara Freer & Ian Dennis, Cardiff University
- 1. Norse Platters from Bornais Clara Freer & Ian Dennis
- 2. Bornais, South Uist • Large settlement • Spans 5th cent AD to 15th cent AD • Numerous separate area excavations BORNAIS
- 3. Bornais, South Uist • Mounds 2 and 2A main excavation areas
- 4. Bornais, South Uist • Mound 2 focus of the settlement – Houses excavated
- 5. Objectives • Understand the nature of platter production • Consider manufacturing constraints (including the amount of clay in weight used, the temper, size, styles and different forms found on the Bornais excavations) • Investigate their use as baking plates, how effective they are and to examine their durability • Investigate gendered production through an examination of the size of the finger print impressions found on platters from Bornais • Examine and compare our platters to the ones from Bornais
- 6. Various Platter Sherds from Bornais Organic impressions on the underneath Smooth sand underneath, with finger impressions visible
- 7. Making the Platters Weighing the clay and temper, platter 1 had a 50% ratio. 40 to 50% temper was noted in all of the Bornais platters examined. Shaping the platter. It was noted that the Bornais platters had an average thickness of Sand & chaff from barley was used to stop the platter sticking to the surface, again this was evident on the Bornais platters with organic impressions on the underneath. Perforating the platter with antler pin.
- 8. The Making Process, Observations & Temper Inclusion frequency chart for temper The main outcrops of the Lewisian complex are on the islands of the Outer Hebrides, including Lewis, from which the complex takes its name. These rocks are largely igneous in origin, mixed with metamorphosed marble, quartzite and mica schist with later intrusions of basaltic dykes and granite magma.
- 9. Making Process, Observations & Temper • Fine temper with gneiss, 40% temper • Coarse Temper with large inclusions of gneiss, 50% temper Temper from the Bornais platters was examined.
- 10. Temper Test Plates Platter # Clay weight Temper weight Temper % Total wet weight Diameter X (wet) Diameter Y (wet) Total dry weight Diameter X (dry) Diameter Y (dry) % Shrink (av) Wght loss Test platter 01 100g 10g 10% 110g 118mm 111mm 87.9g 111mm 103mm 7.0% 20.0% Test platter 02 100g 20g 20% 120g 113mm 114mm 96.6g 108mm 109mm 4.5% 19.5% Test platter 03 100g 30g 30% 130g 124mm 116mm 106.9 118mm 111mm 4.7% 17.8% Test platter 04 100g 40g 40% 140g 126mm 125mm 116.9g 117mm 121mm 5.2% 16.5% Test platter 05 100g 50g 50% 150g 132mm 130mm 126.8g 127mm 124mm 4.3% 13.4% Test platter 06 100g 60g 60% 160g 133mm 132mm 138.8g 128mm 127mm 3.8% 13.3% Lewisian Gneiss stone used as temper , we replicated this by using ground gneiss from Bornais. Mini platters made to test the temper and shrinkage when dry. 10% to 60% temper. 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Average shrinkage of the mini platters was 5% and the average weight loss was 17%
- 11. Finger Print Testing Platter # Clay weight Temper weight Temper % Total wet weight Diameter X (wet) Diameter Y (wet) Total dry weight Diameter X (dry) Diameter Y (dry) % Shrink (av) Fingerprints 01 100g 50g 50% 141mm 131mm 136mm 127mm 3.3% Ian FP 01 14.6mm 13.5mm 13.9mm 12.8mm 5.0% Ian FP 02 17.3mm 13.4mm 16.1mm 12.6mm 6.5% Ian FP 03 16.8mm 14.2mm 15.2mm 12.2mm 7.1% Ian FP 04 15.2mm 11.7mm 14.7mm 10.5mm 6.8% Total Ave Shrink 6.4% Kirsty FP 01 13mm 12.1mm 11.5mm 10.7mm 11.5% Kirsty FP 02 12.3m 11.5mm 11.3mm 10.1mm 10.2% Kirsty FP 03 10.5mm 10.4mm 8.8mm 9.4mm 12.9% Kirsty FP 04 9.4mm 9.4mm 8.1mm 8.6mm 11.3% Total Ave Shrink 11.5% Clara FP 01 13.7mm 12.5mm 11.5mm 10.2mm 17.6% Clara FP 02 14.9mm 13.4mm 13.4mm 11.7mm 11.4% Clara FP 03 14.4mm 11.8mm 12.9mm 9.7mm 14.2% Clara FP 04 12.5mm 14.2mm 11.1mm 11.8mm 14.1% Total Ave Shrink 14.3% Illustration of a Bornais platter showing finger impressions from Mound 2 SF(3846) 3 hands used in the test, one male and two female to see if there was a size variation Shrinkage was also noticed in the finger imprints with the average being 14.3% The results show that it was difficult to discern male and female finger imprints on the test platters.
- 12. Platter 1 Platter 2 Platter 3 Platter 4 Finished platters. All the platters were left for 7 days to dry at room temperature before using.
- 13. Platter 1 had an average thickness of 6mm (not used due to cracking). Platter 2 had an average thickness of 12mm Platter 3 had an average thickness of 7mm Platter 4 had an average thickness of 7mm Average weight loss 10.3% Average diameter loss 4.9% Platter # Clay weight Temper weight Temper % Total wet weight Diameter X (wet) Diameter Y (wet) Total dry weight Diameter X (dry) Diameter Y (dry) % Shrink (av) Wght loss Platter 01 1000g 500g 50% 1493.9g 370mm 355mm 1278g 352mm 332mm 5.7% 14.5% Platter 02 2000g 800g 40% 2831g 410mm 430mm 2725g 385mm 410mm 5.9% 3.8% Platter 03 1500g 600g 40% 2123g 430mm 420mm 1855g 411mm 407mm 4% 12.6% Platter 04 2000g 1000g 50% 3044g 530mm 510mm 2726g 510mm 490mm 4% 10.4% Platter shrinkage and weight reduction during the drying process Platter 1, showing cracks on the edge due to drying to quickly
- 14. The Test Platters Peat was used as the fuel for the fire, as found and identified at Bornais hearths. Peat temperature reached 950 degrees before levelling out to an average of 580 degrees when embers. Test platters were placed on to and above the peat embers Platter Fire temperature Time added Position Usage Time removed Temperature upon removal Survival Temper test 10% 560 12:05 on embers none 12:07 N/A Broken Temper test 20% 560 12:10 on embers none 12:40 280 Fired Temper test 30% 520 12:20 above embers none 13:05 280 Fired Temper test 40% 580 12:30 on embers none 13:00 285 Fired Temper test 50% 540 12:25 on embers none 12:55 280 Fired Temper test 60% 580 12:45 on embers none 13:05 290 Fired Test platter 1 , popped and fractured Upon removal the surface temperature was immediately taken from each platter. Averaging 285 degrees.
- 15. Cooking on the Large Platters The temperature of the fire was taken before using the platters. Averaging 631 degrees. Platter placed just above the fire supported by the stones on either side. Flat bread placed on the platter when water splashed on evaporated off (10mins) Flat bread cooking nicely and was ready to eat after 10 minutes. Meat cooking on the platter. Ready after 15minutes Platter Fire temperature Time added Position Usage Time removed Temperature upon removal Survival Platter 2 547 15:15 above embers bread and meat 17:00 290 Fired platter 3 697 13:10 above embers bread and meat 14:10 250 Fired platter 4 650 15:30 high above embers bread 17:00 200 Fired
- 16. The fire was re-stoked and extended for two large platters. Platter 2 positioned just above the fire. The bread upon platter 4 cooked more evenly than that of platter 2 just above embers, which tended burn if not turned regularly. Platter 2 (with the bread) & platter 4, which was positioned 100mm above the fire to compare heat range and cooking effectiveness. The bread upon platter 4 while on platter 2 fish and vegetables are cooking. The surface temperature of platter 2 during the cooking process reached 290 degrees, while platter 4 reached a surface temperature of 200 degrees towards the centre. This was lower than all the other platters we used (as expected, it is higher up) but gave more flexibility and control in the baking/cooking of the bread.
- 17. Platter 2, showing the burnt residues on the surface after the cooking of meats. None of these residues are visible on the Bornais platters. (No fats were found on the Bornais platter sent for lipid analysis). Platter 4, showing the surface after the cooking of the flat bread. Post examination of the Platters
- 18. Platter 4, showing the surface after the cooking of the flat bread. The darkened area is very similar to the platter (SF 3846) from Bornais. Suggesting the use and cooking method we used. Bornais Platter, Small find # 3846, context 1053 Mound 2.
- 19. Bornais Platter without organic impressions on the underneath, with no sooting visible. Platters 3 & 4, placed above the embers, showed no sooting and a red tinge on the underneath after usage. This replicates closely the platter sherds found at Bornais. Platter 3, the underneath after usage.
- 20. Platter 2, placed partly on the embers, showing the sooting on the underneath after usage. The area of reddening was where the platter was above the embers. Very similar to the Bornais platter sherds. Bornais Platter with organic impressions on the underneath, with no sooting visible.
- 21. • Organic impressions on the underside successfully replicated with no sooting visible when placed above the fire. Organic and sand substrate found to be useful in platter manufacture. • Optimal temper ratio found to be 2:1. • Platters would have been placed above (not on) the fire. • Durability of the platters found to be poor, one or two uses only before the platter begins to crack and break up, likely to be single use items . • Primarily used for the making of breads • Not possible to discern gender/age from finger impressions on the platters Conclusions
- 22. I would like to thank: •A. Lane for his advice and input on the platters from the Hebrides •Ian Dennis for all his help and advice. •N. Sharples for allowing access to the Bornais assemblage •Kirsty Harding for advice on the Bornais ceramics •Peter Forward & Luc Potts for allowing us to use their back garden for the running of the experiment and making the breads. •Roeland Paardekooper for his encouragement. Acknowledgements
Hinweis der Redaktion
- Paper today is based on my work with Ian Dennis, Alan Lane and Niall Sharples on the assemblage from Bornais. Excavated by N. Sharples from 1994 To 2004 A large settlement located on the machair plain of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Occupation found to spread over five mounds with most mounds contemporary during the Norse period with about 50 – 75 people occupying the site. It was Occupied from at least 5th century AD through to the 15tb century AD. Occupation found to spread over five mounds with most mounds contemporary during the Norse period with about 50 – 75 people occupying the site.
- The main excavations focused on two central mounds 2 and 2A where most of the platter sherds were recovered
- Mound 2 was the largest mound and was clearly the centre of the settlement. A sequence of three large houses suggest this was the residence of an important family from the middle of the tenth century through to the fourteenth century
- Ceramic platter only found in the Hebrides, Bornais, Kilphedir and Udal for example, while stone types are found in Scandinavia and Orkney – continuation of a cultural tradition with the resources they have to hand rather than expensively importing the stone? So how does this lead to the examining of platter manufacture? First to look in to what they were used for and how they were constructed, temper to clay ratio, why organic markings/sand/ why don’t they have burnt cooking residues like other cooking ceramics and to look at possibility of gendering from fingerprints found on the surface of the platters. There is some variety in platter forms from Bornais. Rim style, thickness,the presense of sand or organic impressions on the underside. Most platter sherds recovered are fragmentary and do not give an indication of size of the entire platter – with one exception being a platter reconstructed from platter sherds recovered from single context with an approximate diameter of 42cm. (flick back to picture of platter – discuss the fingerprints, holes visible and type of rim, lack of sooting etc… Now flick forward and briefly discuss the various images of platter sherds..
- Examples of some of the Bornais platter sherds recovered during the Bornais excavations
- Now I’m going to discuss our platter making experiment.. Manufacturing sequence of platters- 1. Gneiss stone from South Uist, Bornais ground up and then weighed out. 2. Mixing of the components, water added to aid process. 3. Chaff and/or sand as a sub-strate to stop the clay sticking to the surface. 4. Flattening the clay to form the platter. Water used to help form the edges neatly. 5. A antler pin used to create the holes in the platter (any pointed object could be used for this process).
- Inclusion frequency chart for temper used to assess the temper ratios in the platter sherds and then used in the platters we made. Lewisian Gneiss stone was the main temper found in the platters and the pottery from Bornais (but had more variation in size) The main outcrops of the Lewisian complex are on the islands of the Outer Hebrides, including Lewis, from which the complex takes its name. These rocks are largely igneous in origin, mixed with metamorphosed marble, quartzite and mica schist with later intrusions of basaltic dykes and granite magma
- Here are two close examples from two platter sherds from Bornais showing a Gniess fine temper and coarse temper. Both used the same type temper but were ground to different degrees.
- Temper tests plates or mini platters were made to work out the temper ratios. The higher temper ratios were firmer when made and dried quicker. The 60% ratio of temper to clay was found to cause instability in the fabric structure. The most successful ratios were found to be between 40-50% temper to clay.
- Finger prints were found on the platters and are a remnant from the manufacturing process. Gendering was not easy to establish. Finger prints from the male (large man) appeared to be the same size if not smaller than the female. The angle and pressure applied would effect the size of the imprint, making it difficult to assign gender to the imprint Imprints could be from children, men or women, therefore gender recognition does not seem possible. Finger print studies from forensic sources show that you can identify male from female, if the finger print has the ridges left in the clay. The platters from Bornais do not have this detail.
- 1. 4 large platters were made in the different styles which were identified from Bornais. 2. Platter 1 not used during the experiment due to cracking during the drying process. 3. Previous testing of platter making & usage at Oerlinghausen, Germany, (as with pot making) emphasised the need to dry the clay item first or cracking and popping would occur. 4. The holes were based on the original platter sherds, the majority being based towards the centre on the platter. 5. Size of the platters are again based on the ones from Bornais and range from 34cm to 44cm in diameter.
- Platter 2, has a lower weight loss, this may be due to the thickness? Platter 1, when drying cracked on the edge, caused we think by drying to quickly We placed strips of damp cloth around the platter edges to avoid this after advice from a potter!!
- 1. 15kg of peat was used in the first fire. 2. Platters added on cool were prone to exploding on the fire. The platters were warmed on the stones around the edge of the fire before being added. 3. Similar constant temperature upon removal.
- The platters were placed just above or slightly resting on the embers, the hearth stones were used as supports. Platter 2, was placed very close to the embers, if not touching them. This may account for the high surface temperature when removed. The bread if floured did not stick to the heated plates. Where the holes were the bread browned and aided cooking. Meat was also cooked on the platters, this was to see what residues would be left after cooking. Although capable of cooking meat there was discolouration and heavy residues present on the platters, not found on the Bornish examples.
- Fire was stoked with a further 10kg of peat and the remaining embers before adding platters 2 and 4. The hearth expanded to fit the two larger platters. Platter 4 was suspended above the fire upon an iron grill. The bread upon platter 4 cooked to a better quality than the just above ember height platter although it was slower. The temperature across the platter 4 varied depending upon the position of the area to direct fire.
- The platter sherd sent for lipid analysis had no fats present. Platter 2 has well defined organic impressions on the underneath, again very similar to the Bornais ones. Visual inspection of the underneath of the platters showed that on the platters placed on or near the fire tended to have sooting on them, while platter 4 which was above the fire had very little sooting and resembled the ones from Bornais. This suggests that the Bornais platters were not placed directly on to the embers.
- Platter 4 visual results of usage are very similar to the platters from Bornais
- The underneath of one example from Bornais with out organic impressions and from our experiment showing no sooting but a similar reddening of the surface after it has been exposed to the heat.