The research contained in these papers embodies both results from direct archaeological investigation and also the development of techniques (geophysical, chronological and geoarchaeological) in order to understand long-term settlements and their associated landscapes in Orkney and Shetland. Central to this research has been the study of soil management strategies of arable plots surrounding settlements from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. It is argued that this arable system provides higher yields in marginal locations. The ability to enhance yield in good years and to store surplus can mitigate against shortage. Control and storage of this surplus is seen as one catalyst for the economic power of elite groups over their underlying or 'client' population. The emergence of a social elite in the Iron Age, building brochs and other substantial roundhouses of near broch proportions, is seen as being linked to the control of resources. Evidence at the site of Old Scatness indicated that there was a continuity of wealth and power from the Middle Iron Age through the Pictish period, before the appearance of the Vikings produced a break in the archaeological record. The Viking period saw a break in building traditions, the introduction of new artefacts and changes in farming and fishing strategies. Each of the papers represents a contribution that builds on these themes.

Food is the foundation upon which societies are built. It is a means of survival, a source of wealth and prosperity and can be used as a means of social display. In Iron Age Atlantic Scotland, a wide range of food resources were open to exploitation. Among these, barley is likely to have been an important backbone to the system. Far from being at the mercy of the elements, the Iron Age population of Atlantic Scotland was able to extract surpluses of food from the landscape which could be manipulated for social, political and economic gain. One means through which this could be achieved is feasting, a practice considered significant elsewhere in the Iron Age. With such ideas at its core, this thesis examines the main arenas for consumption events in Iron Age Atlantic Scotland (dwellings) in detail, considering also the underpinnings of the system in terms of food production and accumulation, in particular the barley crop. The distribution of food processing and preparation between a dwelling and its associated ancillary buildings at Old Scatness provides insights into the organisation of life on the settlement.

Based around the concepts of landscape and identity, this thesis examines several contemporary debates in the Shetland Islands with a view to finding out more about where people in this group of islands currently ‘are’ in terms of their geographical and cultural location, from both a local and non-local perspective. Drawing on a multi-method approach, including textual analysis, participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the study points to the often complex and contentious relationship between power structures and notions of local versus national interests, particularly in the areas of landscape management and nature conservation. The image of Shetland is also discussed in some detail, revealing the importance of how this island group is perceived both outside the islands and among people living in Shetland. It becomes evident, in this context, that ideas associated with ‘northness’ and ‘remoteness’ can be understood as something quite problematic while, at the same time, such ideas can also be used as an asset with which to brand the islands to external markets. The study is set against a backdrop of devolved power structures, nation building and the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence. From a broader perspective, the thesis ties in with a more general discourse in which local and place specific studies are gaining increasing importance in what is frequently referred to as a rapidly globalizing world.

Šioje disertacijoje tyrinėjami keltų ir skandinavų kalbų ir kultūriniai kontaktai Vikingų laikotarpiu, atnešę esminių permainų abiems kultūroms. Vikingų epochos Meno salos runų įrašai savo forma, turiniu bei kalbos ypatybėmis skiriasi nuo skandinaviškų runų korpuso. Šios salos runų įrašams įtakos turėjo Ogamo įrašų tradicija, dėl kurios runų tradicija suklestėjo Meno saloje Vikingų laikotarpiu. Vienas iš unikaliausių bruožų yra taip vadinamieji dvikalbiai runakmeniai, kur greta runų įrašo yra Ogamo įrašas, išraižytas ant akmens tuo pat metu kaip ir runos. Svarbus Meno salos runų įrašų skiriamasis bruožas – jų kalbiniai ypatumai. Viena vertus, runose gausu keltiškų vardų, antra vertus, galima pastebėti, jog senosios skandinavų kalbos gramatika gerokai pakitusi. Ištyrus runų įrašus matyti, kaip skandinavų kalbos gramatika keičiasi dvikalbėje visuomenėje. Antroje disertacijos dalyje aptariami keltiški elementai vienintelėje išlikusioje norn kalba užrašytoje „Baladėje apie Hildiną“, kuri buvo sukurta nuolat besikeičiančioje kalbinėje, socialinėje ir kultūrinėje aplinkoje. Jūrinės Šetlando ir Orknio salų visuomenės generavo įvairius pasakojimus, kurių motyvai ir elementai atkeliaudavo iš įvairių kraštų. „Baladė apie Hildiną“ yra neabejotinai vakarų skandinavų kilmės, tačiau joje aptinkama keltiškų motyvų. Baladės teksto analizė rodo, jog pasakojimo lygmenyje ji yra nemažai pasiskolinusi iš keltų pasakojamosios tradicijos. Ypač ryški „karaliaus ir deivės tema“. Tačiau jei ir būta... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / This dissertation deals with Viking Age Celtic and Scandinavian language and cultural contacts which resulted in profound changes in both societies. Viking Age rune-stones found in the Isle of Man contain some exceptional features and in many ways diverge from the rest of the Scandinavian runic corpus. Presence of the Ogam tradition in the Isle of Man might have been one of the factors why rune-stones were so well accepted and flourished in the isle during the Viking Age. One of the most unique features is the presence of bilingual runic-Ogam inscriptions which were carved at the same time as runic inscriptions and not earlier. Linguistic research of the Manx rune-inscriptions revealed the influence of Celtic upon Scandinavian language. First of all, rune-inscriptions contain a lot of Celtic personal names. Besides, there are many cases of inflectional confusion that is likely to arise in a bilingual society. The second part of the dissertation discusses Celtic elements in the only surviving ballad in Norn language Hildinavisen, which seems to have been created in continually changing linguistic, social and cultural conditions. The marine societies of Shetland and Orkney Islands generated various stories, where motifs and elements traveled from various directions. Hildinavisen is certainly of West Scandinavian origin, but it contains or rather is adorned with Celtic motifs. The analysis of the text of Hildinavisen seems to indicate that in the level of the story Hildinavisen... [to full text]

The two archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland, which form the Northern Isles of Britain, are an active focus of archaeological research. The rich Neolithic heritage of Orkney has been acknowledged by the granting of World Heritage status. Although set in both a biogeographically peripheral position and within what may be considered to be marginal landscapes, these North Atlantic islands have a large number of settlement sites with long occupational sequences, often stretching from the Neolithic to the Late Iron Age or into the Norse period. The mixed paleoeconomic strategy presented by three of these settlements¿Tofts Ness, Sanday, Orkney (excavated 1985¿1988); the Iron Age sequences at Old Scatness, Shetland (excavated 1995¿2006); and Late Neolithic and Bronze Age cultivated middens from Jarlshof, Shetland (investigated in 2004)¿provide the core of the evidence discussed within this paper (the radiocarbon chronologies for the key sequences from these three sites are provided as Appendix 1). The role of the prehistoric paleoeconomy is argued to be of central importance in the longevity of these settlements. In particular, barley production is evidenced on all three sites by the plant macrofossils and by the human investment in the creation and management of manured soils, providing an infi eld area around the settlement. This paper focuses on the identifi cation of these anthropogenic soils in the archaeological record. The investment in and management of these arable soils provides clear evidence for resource creation on all three sites. It is argued that these soils were a crucial resource that was necessary to support intensive barley cultivation. The intensive management implied by the presence of these soils is seen as a catalyst for sedentary living and sustainability within a marginal landscape. The evidence also demonstrates the continuity of agricultural practice from the Neolithic to the Iron Age together with the social dynamics that such a practice generates. This paper is in two parts: the fi rst section examines in detail the evidence for the presence of anthropogenic soils and the mixed economic strategies for the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age presented by the evidence from Tofts Ness and Jarlshof. The evidence for the continuity of this intensive strategy of soil management is seen from the later evidence of the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age at Tofts Ness and the Middle Iron Age evidence at Old Scatness. The second part of the paper examines the importance of these soils as an inherited resource within the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age paleoeconomic system. Two models are presented. The fi rst examines the cyclic importance of human creation and maintenance of small arable plots to high barley production yields and therefore to site viability, and the effect this has within a mixed resource system in providing settlement viability through time. The second explores the theoretical land and seascape that would provide this mixed resource base.

This thesis looks at risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, degenerative autoimmune disease which is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 years. It is estimated to affect over 100,000 people in the UK. The research setting was Orkney and Shetland, two archipelagos situated north of mainland Scotland, and both of which have very high MS prevalence as do other countries at high latitudes. I examine genetic and environmental risk factors in Orkney and Shetland using multiple methods over four studies. I also review the vitamin D and UV exposure literatures as these are risk factors pertinent to MS in Orkney and Shetland. After devoting three chapters to introducing the purpose of the thesis, MS, and Orkney and Shetland, in the fourth chapter, I aim to establish whether the birthplace of cases show any spatial, temporal, or spatiotemporal clustering. Evidence of these kinds of clustering may indicate that there are environmental risk factors present in some areas or that were present over particular periods, which raise risk of developing MS. Although I find statistically significant temporal, spatial, and spatiotemporal clustering in Orkney, and a spatial cluster in Shetland, for multiple reasons these results need to be interpreted with caution. I conclude that the clusters are very likely to be artefacts. Furthermore, there are multiple possible alternative explanations for such clusters that could not be explored by the available data. Chapter 5 examines the heritability of MS in Orkney and Shetland to estimate the proportion of phenotypic variance attributable to additive genetic effects. I also look at the birthplaces of ancestors of cases and controls to see if any locations contribute a greater amount of ancestral DNA to the gene pool of modern MS cases, which I term ‘genetic clustering’. In Orkney I obtained a heritability estimate of 0.36 (95% CI -0.26, 0.98); in Shetland this estimate was 0.20 (95% CI -1.88, 2.28). These modest estimates are consistent with the heritability literature. The genetic clustering analyses highlight two Orkney registration districts, Kirkwall and Westray, which earlier studies identified as areas of MS clustering. I also identify three Shetland registration districts, however these locations had not shown any evidence of clustering in earlier studies. Again, I advise caution in interpreting results, particularly as all the error bars across registration districts overlap. Chapter 6 presents a scoping review to map the literature and identify evidence of an association between vitamin D and UV exposure with MS. In methodically searching the literature, I identify a large and heterogeneous evidence base comprising multiple observational, intervention, and genetic studies. Overall, many studies support an association between vitamin D deficiency and MS. There is also evidence for an association between UV exposure and MS, although UV exposure is considerably less explored than vitamin D. I finally identify gaps in the literature and make suggestions for future research. In Chapter 7 I aim to compare vitamin D levels in Orkney and mainland Scotland, and establish the determinants of vitamin D status in Orkney. I firstly compare mean vitamin D and prevalence of deficiency in cross-sectional data from studies in Orkney and mainland Scotland. I secondly use multivariable regression to identify factors associated with vitamin D levels in Orkney. I find that mean (standard deviation) vitamin D is significantly higher in Orkney compared to mainland Scotland (35.3 (18.0) and 31.7 (21.2), respectively), and prevalence of severe deficiency is lower in Orkney (6.6% to 16.2% p = 1.1 x 10-15). Factors associated with higher vitamin D in Orkney include older age, farming occupations and foreign holidays. I conclude that although mean vitamin D levels are higher in Orkney compared to mainland Scotland, there is substantial variation within the Orkney population which may influence MS risk. Chapter 8 examines the correlates and determinants of UVB exposure in Shetland. I firstly construct correlation matrices to visualise how 1) personal characteristics such as sex, occupation, and skin type, 2) physical activity, and 3) body weight and fat, correlate with UVB exposure. I then use multivariable regression to identify factors associated with UVB exposure in Shetland. I run two multivariable models. The first includes the full sample size where activity data were measured by questionnaires. The second includes both questionnaire physical activity data and step-count data from pedometers, however as only a subset of participants had been supplied with pedometers, this analysis comprises a smaller sample size. I find that the amount of skin exposed was most strongly correlated with UVB exposure. Step count and activity minutes were also moderately positively correlated, and indoor occupations moderately negatively correlated, with UVB exposure. The regression analysis using the full sample with questionnaire activity data found that factors associated with greater UVB exposure were age and ambient UVB, while working indoors was significantly associated with lower UVB exposure. The model including the pedometer data found that found that age, total steps, and the amount of ambient UVB were significantly associated with greater UVB exposure. I conclude that atmospheric conditions, working outdoors and older age are important factors in UVB exposure in Shetland. It remains to be seen how UVB exposure translates to vitamin D levels in Shetland. I found evidence for environmental and genetic risk factors for MS in Orkney and Shetland. The two environmental risk factors, vitamin D deficiency and reduced UV exposure, are more likely to affect the younger population who are still within their lifetime risk of developing MS.

Problem: Die Hyperlipidämie der Ponys ist eine schwerwiegende Erkrankung, die nicht selten letal endet. Eckpunkt der Pathogenese ist die Insulinresistenz in Verbindung mit proinflammatorischen Zytokinen sowie Antioxidantien. Wenn einerseits die grundlegenden pathophysiologischen Abläufe bekannt sind, gelingt nicht immer eine erfolgreiche Therapie. Es ist auch nicht bekannt, inwieweit der Übergang von der Trächtigkeit zur Laktation ätiologische Risiken birgt. Zielstellung: Ziel dieser Studie war es zu prüfen, inwieweit bei Shetlandponystuten der Übergang von der Hochträchtigkeit über das Abfohlen zur Säugeperiode Risiken für die Hyperlipidämie birgt. Neben den Parametern des Energie-Fett-Leberstoffwechsels wurde auch analysiert, ob bei Endotoxinen und Antioxidantien (TEAC) belastende Veränderungen in diesem Zeitraum auftreten, die eine gesteigerte Fettmobilisation begünstigen. Versuchsanordnung: Es wurden 15 gesunde, gut genährte Shetlandpony-Stuten ohne Fohlen bei Fuß ca. vier bis acht Wochen nach der erfolgreichen Bedeckung, maximal 24 Stunden (h) ante partum (a. p.), maximal vier Stunden, 12-16 Stunden und drei Wochen post partum (p. p.) klinisch untersucht und Blutproben (Vena jugularis externa) entnommen. Im Blutserum wurden die Parameter Triacylglycerole (TG), Freie Fettsäuren (FFS), Cholesterol, β-Hydroxy-Butyrat (BHB), Glucose, Gesamtbilirubin, Aspartat-Amino-Transferase (ASAT), Glutamat-Dehydrogenase (GLDH), γ-Glutaminsäure-Transaminase (GGT), Alkalische Phosphatase (AP), Totalprotein (TP), Albumin, Harnstoff, Creatinin, Creatinkinase (CK), Endotoxin sowie der antioxidative Summenparameter TEAC untersucht. Ergebnisse: Trächtigkeit, Abfohlen sowie Säugeperiode verliefen bei den Stuten physiologisch. Unter den Blutbefunden waren die Hauptveränderungen bei den TG und FFS sowie bei den Endotoxinen und bei der CK 24 h a. p. zu beobachten. Die TG waren mit \"x\" ̅ = 0,18 mmol/l (0,15-0,38 mmol/l I. bis III. Quartil) 4–8 Wochen (Wo) post conceptionem (p. c.) bereits erhöht und stiegen bis 24 h a. p. auf \"x\" ̅ = 0,27 mmol/l (0,16–0,44 mmol/l) (p ≤ 0,05); ab 4 h p. p. bis 3 Wo p. p. bewegten sie sich zwischen \"x\" ̅ = 0,14 und \"x\" ̅ = 0,19 mmol/l auf gleichem Niveau. Die TG korrelierten am engsten und häufigsten mit Cholesterol (0,66), Albumin (0,58), Creatinin (0,81) und Harnstoff (-0,61), was vor allem aus deren Zusammensetzung resultiert. Die TG-Konzentrationssteigerung direkt vor dem Abfohlen ist durch den Cortisolanstieg zum Partus erklärbar. Die Mediane der FFS-Konzentrationen lagen 4-8 Wo p. c. sowie 4 h p. p. bei \"x\" ̅ = 128 µmol/l (95-197 µmol/l), sanken 24 h a. p. auf \"x\" ̅ = 75 µmol/l (64–198 µmol/l) und pegelten sich von 12–16 h bis 3 Wo p. p. bei \"x\" ̅ = 80 µmol/l (70–100 µmol/l) ein. Die FFS-Korrelationen mit Bilirubin (0,35) und Creatinin (0,35) basieren auf den pathophysiologischen Beziehungen, ohne dass damit ätiologische Bezüge ausgewiesen werden. Die Glucose-Konzentrationen waren immer im Referenzbereich. Die höchsten Konzentrationen bestanden partusbedingt 4 h (5,24 ± 1,39 mmol/l) bis 12-16 h p. p. (4,92 ± 1,67 mmol/l). Die Beziehungen der Glucose zum Energiestoffwechsel werden durch gesicherte Korrelationen zu BHB (-0,41) und der AP (-0,29) sichtbar. Beziehungen zu den FFS oder Endotoxinen sind statisitisch nicht gesichert. Die CK-Aktivitäten schwankten im Kontrollzeitraum zwischen \"x\" ̅ = 330 bis 420 U/l (300-500 U/l); 24 h a. p. lagen sie mit \"x\" ̅ = 277 U/l (197–334 U/l) als potentielle Folge der partusbedingten Cortisolsteigerung signifikant niedriger. Das Abfohlen an sich führt zu moderater CK-Aktivitätssteigerung. Die Harnstoff-Konzentrationen zeigten einen signifikanten Anstieg von 4-8 Wo p. c. mit \"x\" ̅ = 5,75 ± 1,01 mmol/l bis auf \"x\" ̅ = 6,42 ± 1,10 mmol/l 3 Wo p. p. Gesicherte Korrelationen des Harnstoffs zum BHB machen die Stoffwechselsteigerung p. p. für den Konzentrationsanstieg wahrscheinlich. Die Bilirubin-Konzentration nimmt von 12 auf 8 µmol/l im Kontrollverlauf ab, ebenso die AP-Aktivitäten von 780 auf 580 U/l und ASAT-Aktivitäten von 395 auf ca. 300 U/l. Die GGT- sowie GLDH-Aktivitäten sind zu Beginn der Untersuchungen mit 17 bzw. 6 U/l niedrig und steigen bei der letzten Kontrolle 3 Wo p. p. um ca. 50% signifikant, aber immer noch im physiologischen Bereich, an. Eine stärkere Leberbelastung lässt sich aus diesen Parametern nicht ableiten. Die Endotoxin-Konzentrationen sind p. p. am niedrigsten und an der Nachweisgrenze. Die signifikante Konzentrationssteigerung 24 h a. p. lässt an Beziehungen zu den gesteigerten TG und den erniedrigten FFS sowie der CK als Folge der ansteigenden Cortisol-Konzentration vor dem Partus denken. Gesicherte Korrelationen bestehen vor allem zu den Antioxidantien (TEAC), d. h., dass die Endotoxine den antioxidativen Status belasten. Die Cholesterol-, TP-, Albumin-, Creatinin- sowie TEAC-Konzentrationen blieben im gesamten Untersuchungszeitraum praktisch physiologisch konstant. Schlussfolgerungen: Gesunde, gut genährte Shetlandponystuten zeigen während der Trächtigkeit, dem Abfohlen und in der Säugeperiode einen stabilen Stoffwechsel. Eine stärkere Belastung wird 24 h vor dem Partus anhand der TG und Endotoxine erkennbar, die offensichtlich Folge der steigenden partusinduzierenden Cortisol-Konzentration sind.:Abkürzungen 1 EINLEITUNG 1 2 LITERATURÜBERSICHT 3 2.1 Das Shetlandpony 3 2.1.1 Rassebeschreibung 3 2.1.2 Lipidstoffwechsel 4 2.1.3 Leberverfettungen 5 2.1.3.1 Hyperlipidämie der Shetlandponys 5 2.1.3.2 Mit der Hyperlipidämie vergesellschaftete Erkrankungen 8 2.1.3.3 Equines Metabolisches Syndrom/ Equines Cushing Syndrom 8 2.2 Geburtsauslösende Hormone 10 2.3 Stoffwechselparameter 11 2.3.1 Lipidstoffwechsel 11 2.3.1.1 Triacylglycerole (TG) 11 2.3.1.2 Cholesterol 12 2.3.1.3 Freie Fettsäuren (FFS) 12 2.3.1.4 β-Hydroxy-Butyrat (BHB) 13 2.3.2 Leberstoffwechsel 13 2.3.2.1 Gesamtbilirubin 13 2.3.2.2 Aspartat-Amino-Transferase (ASAT) 14 2.3.2.3 Glutamat-Dehydrogenase (GLDH) 15 2.3.2.4 γ-Glutaminsäure-Transaminase (GGT) 15 2.3.2.5 Glucose 16 2.3.2.6 Alkalische Phosphatase (AP) 17 2.3.3 Protein- und Muskelstoffwechsel 17 2.3.3.1 Totalprotein (TP) 17 2.3.3.2 Albumin 18 2.3.3.3 Harnstoff 18 2.3.3.4 Creatinin 19 2.3.3.5 Creatinkinase (CK) 19 2.4 Leukozyten 20 2.5 Endotoxine 21 2.5.1 Definition der Endotoxine 21 2.5.2 Endotoxinwirkungen 22 2.5.3 Endotoxinämie 23 2.5.4 Endotoxinschock 23 2.5.5 Neutralisation und Inaktivierung der Endotoxine 24 2.5.6 Endotoxin-bedingte Erkrankungen beim Pferd 25 2.5.6.1 Hufrehe 26 2.5.6.2 Kolik 28 2.5.6.3 Typhlocolitis 29 2.5.6.4 Fohlen-Sepsis 30 2.5.6.5 COPD 31 2.5.6.6 Kreislauf und DIC 31 2.5.7 Endotoxinbestimmung 31 2.6 Antioxidativer Status 32 2.6.1 Freie Radikale – oxidativer Stress 32 2.6.2 Antioxidantien 35 2.6.3 Antioxidative Kapazität 38 2.6.4 Bestimmung des antioxidativen Status mittels TEAC 40 3 TIERE, MATERIAL UND METHODEN 41 3.1 Tiere 41 3.2 Probenentnahme und Aufbereitung 42 3.3 Untersuchung der Blutproben 43 3.3.1 Stoffwechselparameter 43 3.3.2 Leukozyten 43 3.3.3 Endotoxine 45 3.3.4 TEAC 46 3.4 Statistische Auswertung 49 4 ERGEBNISSE 51 4.1 Lipidstoffwechsel 51 4.1.1 Triacylglycerole (TG) 51 4.1.2 Cholesterol 53 4.1.3 Freie Fettsäuren (FFS) 54 4.1.4 β-Hydroxy-Butyrat (BHB) 55   4.2 Leberstoffwechsel 57 4.2.1 Gesamtbilirubin 57 4.2.2 Aspartat-Amino-Transferase (ASAT) 58 4.2.3 Glutamat-Dehydrogenase (GLDH) 60 4.2.4 γ-Glutaminsäure-Transaminase (GGT) 61 4.2.5 Glucose 62 4.2.6 Alkalische Phosphatase (AP) 64 4.3 Protein- und Muskelstoffwechsel 65 4.3.1 Totalprotein (TP) 65 4.3.2 Albumin 67 4.3.3 Harnstoff 68 4.3.4 Creatinin 70 4.3.5 Creatinkinase (CK) 71 4.4 Leukozyten 73 4.5 Endotoxine 74 4.6 TEAC 75 5 DISKUSSION 76 5.1 Lipidstoffwechsel 77 5.1.1 Triacylglycerole (TG) 78 5.1.2 Cholesterol 80 5.1.3 Freie Fettsäuren (FFS) 81 5.1.4 β-Hydroxy-Butyrat (BHB) 83 5.2 Leberstoffwechsel 84 5.2.1 Gesamtbilirubin 85 5.2.2 Aspartat-Amino-Transferase (ASAT) 86 5.2.3 Glutamat-Dehydrogenase (GLDH) 87 5.2.4 γ-Glutaminsäure-Transaminase (GGT) 87 5.2.5 Glucose 88 5.2.6 Alkalische Phosphatase (AP) 89 5.3 Protein- und Muskelstoffwechsel 90 5.3.1 Totalprotein (TP) 91 5.3.2 Albumin 91 5.3.3 Harnstoff 92 5.3.4 Creatinin 93 5.3.5 Creatinkinase (CK) 93   5.4 Leukozyten 94 5.5 Endotoxine 95 5.6 TEAC 96 6 ZUSAMMENFASSUNG 98 7 SUMMARY 100 8 LITERATURVERZEICHNIS 102 9 ANHANG 124 9.1 Abbildungsverzeichnis 124 9.2 Tabellenverzeichnis 126 DANKSAGUNG 127

No / In May 2011, a team of archaeologists from the Department of Prehistory and Historical Archaeology of the University of Vienna, assisted by colleagues from the Czech Republic and Norway, carried out a research excavation at the Law Ting Holm in Tingwall on Shetland's Mainland. The site is believed to be the place of the main assembly of Shetland, which was in use most likely from the Norse period to the second half of the 16th century.

Shetland boasts exceptionally well-preserved, but largely overlooked, field systems spanning a period of approximately 4000 years (Neolithic/Bronze Age – Viking/Norse). These have the potential to vastly increase our understanding of past agricultural practices and life styles. This study uses topographical survey, Shape Analysis, GIS, soil survey and micromorphology to answer questions relating to their location, form and function/management, pioneering the use of new tools and testing current models. An holistic landscape approach to the field systems is developed and tested against a multi-period site. Previously unknown types and periods of field systems are identified through survey and shape analysis, tools demonstrated to be valuable in refining the emerging model of field classification. GIS has illuminated pre-, during and post- construction factors influencing boundary form. New insights into location arise from the survey and GIS. Soils work has demonstrated that existing models of soil management over-simplify a complex situation, that thin acidic soils retain cultural information and that accretion was important to the sustainability of these peaty soils. While soils were sustainable over extended periods, the cultural inheritance of managed land appears to be limited. This thesis therefore presents the most holistic and comprehensive understanding of Shetland field systems which has so far been attempted.

A região antártica é foco de constante observação por ser uma região de importante monitoramento climático global. Ao sedimento de fundo marinho está associada uma biota que responde aos processos de alterações ambientais e dentre seus representantes os foraminíferos são considerados bons indicadores marinhos. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar a fauna de foraminíferos recentes na Baía do Almirantado durante três verões austral consecutivos (2002/2003, 2003/2004 e 2004/2005) e, através da determinação de algumas variáveis ambientais, compreender melhor a ecologia e a distribuição desses organismos na região. Foram coletadas 56 amostras de sedimento de fundo marinho ao longo da Baía do Almirantado para análise e identificação da fauna de foraminíferos e de variáveis abióticas amostradas na água de fundo e no sedimento. Foram encontradas 66 espécies de foraminíferos bentônicos, sendo 36 espécies aglutinantes e 30 espécies calcárias. As espécies mais freqüentes foram as calcárias Bolivina pseudopunctata, Cassidulinoides parkerianus e Globocassidulina biora, e as aglutinantes Portatrochammina antarctica, Pseudobolivina antarctica e Spiroplectammina biformis. As espécies Portatrochammina antarctica e Pseudobolivina antarctica foram as mais abundantes na porção central e em algumas estações das três enseadas da baía. As regiões mais internas das enseadas apresentaram predominância de espécies hialinas principalmente do gênero Globocassidulina e Cassidulinoides. A predominância de espécies hialinas também foi observada nas estações próximas a desembocadura da Baía do Almirantado com as espécies Bolivina pseudopunctata e Fursenkoina fusiformis. / The Antarctic region is focus of constant scientific surveys because of its importance as global climate changing area. The marine bottom sediment has an associated biota that indicates some environmental changes and among them Foraminifera could be considered as one of the best marine biomarkers. The aim of the present study is describe the recent benthic foraminifera fauna from Admiralty Bay collected during three consecutive austral summers (2002/2003, 2003/2004 and 2004/2005) and better understand its ecology and distribution patterns throughout the bay and its relations with some environmental factors. Fifty-six bottom sediment samples were collected along the Admiralty Bay for analysis and identification of the forams fauna and abiotic factors from sediment and bottom water. We found 66 species of benthic foraminifera, 36 agglutinated and 30 calcareous. The most frequent species were the calcareous Bolivina pseudopunctata, Cassidulinoides parkerianus and Globocassidulina biora, and the agglutinated Portatrochammina antarctica, Pseudobolivina antarctica and Spiroplectammina biformis. The species Portatrochammina antarctica and Pseudobolivina antarctica were the most abundant in the central portion of the bay and in some samples of the three inlets of the bay. The inner parts of the inlets there was a predominance of calcareous such as Globocassidulina spp. and Cassidulinoides spp.. The predominance of calcareous species, such as Bolivina pseudopunctata and Fursenkoina fusiformis was also observed at samples near the connection between the Admiralty Bay and the Bransfield Strait.