2022’s top ten: two more thumb-pots
Small, but perfectly formed. The first thumb pot from inside Structure Nineteen. (Jo Bourne)
We have a growing collection of tiny “thumb pots” at the Ness, and another two were found this summer within two days of each other.
The first came from the area of Structure Nineteen – a building that lies between Structures One and Eight.
Investigation a potential drain running along the building’s inner wall, when the beautiful little pot appeared mere millimetres below the surface of a recess.
It was straight-sided, complete and discolouration within might represent residue which can be analysed to see what it once held. Whatever it was, it wasn’t much.
The second, which was slightly damaged and had flaring side, was the smallest found on site to date and came from an ashy dump between Structures Eight and Nineteen.
What were they for? We’re not sure. Were they to hold paint or pigment?
Whatever their role, these two had not been casually discarded but, like other examples from the site, had been carefully placed and then covered in midden.
The second thumb pot of 2022. (Sigurd Towrie)
The second tiny thumb pot – once again from the vicinity of Structure Nineteen. (Sigurd Towrie)
