Monday 8 March 2010

Orkney Venus to go on Scottish tour

From Historic Scotland:

Scotland’s earliest human face, the Orkney Venus is to go on temporary display at venues across Scotland.

The 5,000 year old figurine- also known as the Westray Wife, was discovered last summer by archaeologists working on the Historic Scotland excavation at the Links of Noltland, on the Orkney island of Westray. The figurine is the only known Neolithic carving of a human form to have been found in Scotland.

Measuring 41mm by 31mm- the Venus is made from sandstone and depicts a human face and body. The name comes from its resemblance to prehistoric carvings from elsewhere in Europe- often referred to as Venus figurines.

The exhibition will open this Saturday (13th March) at the Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle and will remain in Stirling until 26th March before progressing to Kilmartin House in Argyll and Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness. It will then return to Orkney for the summer and will be on display at the Westray Heritage Centre before moving to the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall.

The Venus will be at the following venues on the following dates dates:

· Stirling Castle: Sat 13th March – Friday 26th March

· Kilmartin House: Friday 2nd April – Sunday 18th April

· Urquhart Castle Thursday 22nd April – Sunday 9th May

· It will then return to Orkney for the summer season will be on display at the Westray Heritage Centre before moving to the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall.

For further information please visit www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/orkneyvenus or to see a sneak preview of the Venus please go to www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv.

Chris

www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk
Professional genealogical problem solving and research
http://twitter.com/ChrisMPaton
Researching Scottish Family History (New book)

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