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Stuart MorrisonPhD Research StudentB.Sc (Hons.) - University of Stirling (2000-2004) Supervisors: Start Date: 1st October 2005 tel: +44 1786
466550 |
Research Project
The Emergence of Early Fishing Communities in Iceland
Archaeological research undertaken since 2002 by Fornleifastofnun Íslands has uncovered evidence of significant wealth being present in the remote Vestfirðir region of Iceland since first permanent settlement of the country (Landnám) around AD 871. Due to the topographical restrictions present within this region, this wealth has been attributed to the systematic exploitation of maritime resources through an early specialist fishing industry. This contradicts the antiquated historical perception that a specialist commercial fishing economy did not emerge in Iceland until well into the Middle Ages. The aim of this project is to test these two competing hypotheses using a geoarchaeological approach using the on-site soils and sediments as a cultural record to give further insight into the complex debate regarding commercial fishing development in Iceland.
This project will aim to provide an accurate historical chronology as regards to specialist fishing development, and contribute towards the wider cultural identity of Vestfirðir.
Research interests
My research interests focus primarily on rural, urban and maritime environmental history throughout Scotland, Iceland and the North Atlantic region. I am particularly interested in the economic development of specialised fishing communities and the role they in their respective societies. I also carry interests in:
Geoarchaeology
Settlement evolution the growth of urban areas and their impacts
Post-industrial urban growth
Upland farming management systems in Scotland and Iceland
Pre-modern Travel Literature
Historical GIS
Palaeoenvironmental and historical landscape reconstruction
Archaeological Science
Heritage Landscapes
I am also employed as a programme researcher with BBC Scotland
Teaching
I am currently involved as a tutor in the ENH2X2 Environmental History module.
Other
I have been the chair of the SBES Social Committee since 2007.
Publications
Morrison, S.J.L., Simpson, I.A. and Edvardsson, R. (In Preparation). Site-based chronology of fishing stations, Vestfirðir, Iceland
Morrison, S.J.L. & Simpson, I.A (In preparation). Geoarchaeological Investigation of a Pre-Modern Fishing Base: Mhogh Sgeir, Inner Loch Hourn, Inverness-shire, Scotland.
Lawson, I.T., Milek, K.B., Casely, A.F., Church, M.J., Duarte, L., Dugmore, A.J., Edwards, K.J., Gathorne-Hardy, F.J., Newton, A.J., Simpson, I.A., Adderley, W.P., Morrison, S., Guðmundsson, G. (In Press). The Palaeoenvironment of Mývatnssveit During the Viking Age and Early Medieval Period.
Morrison, S. (2005). The contribution of Summer Grazing Towards Historical Landscape Degradation in Northern Iceland: An Integrated Cross-Disciplinary Approach. Unpublished Master of Research Thesis. University of Stirling/University of Dundee.
Reports
Morrison, S.J.L. & Simpson, I.A. (2008) Jethou, Channel Islands: Thin Section Micromorphology of Midden (JET07)
Morrison, S.J.L. & Simpson, I.A. (2008) Nessbreck, Corrigall, Harray, Orkney: Soil Chemical Analysis of spot samples from Souterrain.
Kálfeyri fishing station located on the Önundarfjörður Fjord, Vestfirðir, Iceland
Fish drying racks near Flateyri, Vestfirðir, Iceland
Ósvör reconstructed fishing station, Vestfirðir, Iceland.
Vatnsfjörður Farm mound stratigraphy.
