Welcome to the homepage of the

Islands in a Common Sea, Isles of Scilly

Archaeological project

   
Boat unloading on Samson (left) and beach scene on St Martin's (right)

Scilly is famous for the richness and abundance of archaeology preserved on the Islands. The evidence for a human presence on the islands stretches back to the last Ice Age, and the houses, fields and tombs of prehistoric people are still visible within the Scillonian landscape.

This project brings together specialists from British Universities, English Heritage and Cornwall County Council’s Historic Environment Service together with the local community to further explore, understand and interpret this rich archaeological heritage.

The excellent preservation of the archaeology on the Islands, due to the lack of development, as well as the special attraction that islands have held for people from the earliest times, make Scilly an ideal place to understand how humans lived in the past and how they responded to and instigated social, technological and environmental changes.

   
Archaeological investigation on Samson (left) and digging test pits beyond Knackyboy Cairn, St Martin's (right)

To find out more about the project please visit our pages for Phase 1: 2005, Phase 2: 2006 and Phase 3: 2007.

You may also like to download a Project Summary (PDF 604k) and the 2006 season Project Report (PDF 4.07mb)


For further information please
Contact us
Dr Jacqui Mulville - Director of Islands in a Common Sea

tel: +44 (0)29 2087 4247
email: mulvilleja@cardiff.ac.uk

Acknowledgements
Cardiff University
The British Academy
Isles of Scilly AONB
Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
English Heritage
Duchy of Cornwall
Historic Environment Service Cornwall
Isles of Scilly Museum