In search of Highland Querns

14 August 2015

Quernstones have not got the attention they deserve! This unglamorous artefact was essential for survival, from prehistoric times onwards, needed to grind grain. Sizes vary from large millstones used in water-powered mills, to smaller rotary querns used in households. Rotary querns in particular were used over a long period, from around 2500 years ago into the 1900s.

Excavations at sites like High Pasture Cave on Skye have shown that quernstones also had religious significance in prehistoric times, carefully deposited in caches at key ritual sites, probably with symbolism relating to fertility.

A project in Moray looking for quernstones has shown the potential of focussing attention on these objects. They are durable and survive, often reused in rockeries and dykes. Farmers continue to plough them up.

ARCH is currently assessing whether there would be interest to focus on quernstones in the Highlands. We will be able to see if there are regional differences, and perhaps to begin to see if we can identify changes over time.  If you would potentially be interested, please get in touch. And if you know of any querns, perhaps in rockeries or built into dykes, let us know so we can begin to compile a list ot investigate.