Archaeology & History

5,000-year-old fingerprint found on Orkney

By T.K. Randall
April 23, 2021

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) The fascinating find was made at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Archaeology Institute's flagship excavation site at Ness of Brodgar on Scotland's Orkney Islands.

Several modern techniques were used to identify the print including Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) which involves taking multiple photographs using different controlled light sources.

The resulting images were then combined to produce a 3D computer model of the artefact."Working on such a high-status site as the Ness of Brodgar, with its beautiful buildings and stunning range of artefacts, it can be all too easy to forget about the people behind this incredible complex," said excavation director Nick Card.

"But this discovery really does bring these people back into focus."

It is hoped that an analysis of the print will ultimately reveal the age and gender of the potter.

Fingerprint left on clay vessel made by a potter 5,000 years ago found in Orkney https://t.co/FjUfVi9yQI

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) April 23, 2021

Source: BBC News

Tags: Orkney