Introduction

This evening, I am posting information on Jarlshof, one of Britain’s most remarkable archaeological sites.

Information on Jarlshof

The site lies in Sumburgh, Mainland, Shetland. It contains remains dating from 2500 BC up to the 17th century AD.

Iron-Age Broch

The Bronze Age settlers (2200BC-800BC) left evidence of several small oval houses with thick stone walls and various artefacts including a decorated bone object. The Iron Age ruins (800BC-43AD) include several different types of structures, including a broch and a defensive wall around the site. The Pictish period (300AD-900AD) provides various works of art including a painted pebble and a symbol stone. The Viking Age 900AD-1500AD) ruins make up the largest such site visible anywhere in Britain and include a longhouse; excavations provided numerous tools and a detailed insight into life in Shetland at this time. The most visible structures on the site are the walls of the Scottish period (1472 AD to present day) fortified manor house, which inspired the name “Jarlshof” that first appears in an 1821 novel by Sir Walter Scott.

‘Wheelhouse’

Iron-Age settlement with fortified manor house in background

Norse Longhouse

More information

For more information on Sheltland, other Scottish islands and touring Scotland please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This publication is also available via Kindle.