Dunadd

"The hillfort of Dunadd in Mid Argyll is one of the most famous early medieval sites in Britain. Since the mid 19th century it has been popularly regarded as the royal capital of the earliest Scottish kingdom. This report gives the first full account of the site and publishes the research excavations undertaken in 1980 and 1981. The fort and its unique rock carvings are fully described and the historical evidence for the site is critically examined. The likely development of the fort is set out on the basis of radiocarbon, stylistic and stratigraphic evidence. The excavations demonstrated that there was Iron Age activity on the site though the classic nuclear fort plan is of early medieval date. The finds are fully described and illustrated including the outstanding 7th century metalworking assemblage which is discussed in the light of its significance for the emergence of the Hiberno-Saxon art style. An extensive discussion of the role of the site, its finds, and status concludes that Dunadd was one of the primary royal fortresses of the Dal Riata and a place of inauguration of its kings."--BOOK JACKET.