ISLE OF SKYE — In a groundbreaking new study, archaeologists from the University of Glasgow have uncovered evidence of a Late Upper Paleolithic settlement on Scotland’s Isle of Skye — the most northerly presence of the Ahrensburgian culture ever found in Britain.
Published in the Journal of Quaternary Science, the research presents a bold new picture of prehistoric life on Skye, suggesting that humans occupied this rugged island during the Younger Dryas, a dramatic cold snap that struck the Earth roughly 12,900 to 11,700 years ago.
The findings not only extend the geographic boundaries of Ahrensburgian settlement but also challenge longstanding assumptions about how early humans responded to one of the harshest climatic periods in northern Europe’s recent history.
Tangled in Time: Ahrensburgian Tools on Scottish Soil
The Ahrensburgian culture — known primarily from mainland Europe — is characterized by flint tools such as tanged projectile points, blades, and burins, typically associated with highly mobile reindeer-hunting groups.
Now, those same tools have been found deep in the peatlands of South Cuidrach, on the far northern edge of Skye. In a 30-square-metre excavation, archaeologists unearthed a scatter of baked mudstone tools, believed to have been made from locally sourced material.
“This is the first convincing evidence of Ahrensburgian activity this far north in Britain,” said Dr. Gordon Noble, lead archaeologist on the project. “It suggests that human groups were venturing into much more hostile environments than we previously thought.”
Climate Versus Culture: Life in the Younger Dryas
The Younger Dryas, also known as the Loch Lomond Stadial in Britain, marked a return to near-glacial conditions after a brief warming. Temperatures across the region dropped by several degrees, and glaciers re-advanced across much of western Scotland.
Conventional wisdom has long held that such conditions were too extreme for sustained human activity in places like Skye. But the South Cuidrach finds indicate that humans not only survived — they thrived.
“These groups adapted their way of life to take advantage of reindeer migrations and coastal resources,” said Noble. “The harsh environment did not deter them — it shaped their survival strategies.”
Intertidal Stone Circles at Sconser Raise New Questions
Adding to the intrigue is the discovery of circular stone alignments at Sconser, in central Skye. Measuring 3 to 5 metres in diameter and visible only during extreme low tides, these enigmatic structures were embedded in marine sediments.
Though no tools were found in direct association with the circles, their elevation and morphology suggest a post-Younger Dryas origin during the Early Holocene, when sea levels were significantly lower. Comparable stone features used for fish traps or hunting have been documented in Scandinavia, hinting at potential cultural parallels.
Researchers believe that such intertidal features could signal seasonal or specialized subsistence activities, perhaps tied to changes in sea level and prey availability.
A Connected Landscape: Land Bridges and Migration Routes
The study also underscores Skye’s prehistoric accessibility. During periods of lower sea levels, such as those prevailing in the Younger Dryas, a land bridge may have existed across the Kylerhea Narrows, linking the island to mainland Scotland.
New glacial isostatic modelling from Clark et al. (2022) has reconstructed shorelines circa 12,000 years ago, showing exposed lowlands and possible terrestrial corridors between key landmasses.
This adds weight to the theory that the British Isles were not as isolated during this period as once thought, and that human groups could have migrated in pulses from continental Europe, navigating dynamic landscapes shaped by glaciers, rivers, and rising seas.
Rewriting Early Human History in Britain
Until recently, the story of early human habitation in Scotland focused largely on Mesolithic coastal foragers and Neolithic farming societies. The Skye discoveries open up a new Paleolithic chapter, one that shows resilience in the face of ecological instability.
Archaeologists argue that the find demands a rethinking of human capability in post-glacial Britain. The toolkit, resource usage, and adaptive strategies observed at South Cuidrach offer fresh insights into mobility, innovation, and even social organization among early humans.
Technology and Method: Drones and Lithics
The excavation combined traditional field archaeology with modern aerial drone surveys, helping researchers map site features and assess landscape use. Lithic analysis confirmed that all tools were made from local mudstone, a resource likely selected for its workability and abundance.
While radiocarbon dates from surrounding Mesolithic layers helped provide a broad temporal context, researchers note that no direct dates for the Ahrensburgian artifacts have yet been obtained — a focus for future fieldwork.
“We’re just beginning to understand the complexity of these early communities,” said Noble. “What we once saw as a marginal environment is turning out to be a cradle of human adaptation.”
