History of Orkney - Iron Age and Early Medieval Period

Iron Age and Early Medieval Period

The Iron Age brought impressive "Brochs" or round towers, and "weems" or underground houses. Such implements as have survived are of the rudest description, and include quern-stones for grinding materials including grain, stone whorls and bone combs employed in primitive forms of woollen manufacture, and specimens of simple pottery ware. Little is known of the culture and language of the early inhabitants. Only two languages are attested in pre-Norse Orkney, those being Old Gaelic (Old Irish) and Latin.

The Romans were aware of, and probably circumnavigated, the Orkney Islands, which they called "Orcades", thought to be Brythonic Celtic name. There is evidence that they traded, either directly or indirectly, with the inhabitants. However, they made no attempt to occupy the islands.

If, as seems likely, the Dál Riata Gaels established a footing in the islands towards the beginning of the 6th century, their success was short-lived, and the Picts regained power and kept it until dispossessed by the Norsemen in the 9th century. In the wake of the Scots incursionists followed the Celtic missionaries about 565. They were companions of Saint Columba and their efforts to convert the folk to Christianity seem to have impressed the popular imagination, for the names of several islands include the epithet "Papa" in commemoration of the preachers.