Insular networks: An exploration of material distribution, insularity and island identity on the edge of Europe in the Shetland Neolithic

Shortly after arriving in the Shetland archipelago early 4th millennium BC, communities began to quarry and make stone tools from riebeckite felsite, quarried Northmavine region of North Mainland. The effort expended traveling sites, extracting, making crafting was considerable indicating importance felsite Neolithic communities. Results Roe Felsite Project are presented this paper. quarrying distribution can tell us much about insularity, choice, island identities on a wider scale. geospatial 416 across explored. is used for utilitarian ceremonial purposes and, with two exceptions compromising 0.33% total dataset, no be securely provenanced outside Shetland. At time increasing communications elsewhere world, appear become focused archipelago. This insularity also evident contemporary material culture including pottery funerary structures which do not follow mainland or Orcadian styles, strongly suggesting an island-focused society during period. Recent radiocarbon dates suggest that these dynamics were established Early Neolithic, before 3500 BC. Felsite, therefore, allows explore otherwise elusive prehistory islands. network complex around indicates preference maritime travel transportation, even where terrestrial routes available. patterns settlement activity important foci at previously understudied locations West study has implications understanding movement, identity past societies their relationship culture.