Sand, Applecross, Archaeological site in Applecross, Scotland
Sand is an archaeological site on the Applecross Peninsula featuring a rock shelter above the coast with deep layers of discarded shells from ancient meals. The excavated area reveals tools made from stone and bone alongside shells that people gathered from the shoreline.
Excavations in 1999 and 2000 as part of Scotland's First Settlers project uncovered signs of human habitation dating back roughly 7,500 years. This period marks when coastal communities first began settling in Scotland's remote western regions.
The people who lived here shaped tools from local stone and bone, crafting decorative items like shell beads that held meaning in their daily lives. Such objects show how they expressed themselves through the objects they made and wore.
The site sits in a hilly landscape and is reachable on foot from the Applecross area, with protected zones marking the excavated sections. Visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain and coastal paths when approaching the location.
Stone artifacts found here were made from materials sourced from the islands of Rùm and Staffin, suggesting that early inhabitants undertook boat journeys across open water. This reveals that coastal people maintained trading or traveling connections across distances.
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