Beyond the Carnyx: Recent Developments in Scottish Music Archaeology
John Purser
This article reviews some of the recent developments in Scottish music archaeology, starting
with new evidence relating to the playing position and Caledonian significance of the carnyx;
discusses a newly identified rock gong at Arn Hill; provides further evidence of the significance
of the rock gong on Tiree; considers the possible acoustic implications of the recently discovered Roman Sol altar near Edinburgh from the mid-2nd century AD; comments upon the Scottish significance of the wind instrument on the late-10th century AD Heimdall carving on the Isle of Man; and makes more detailed reference to the putative bridge (circa 500 BC) for a plucked string instrument discovered some years ago at Oakbank Crannog on Loch Tay, relating its potential significance to that of the High Pasture Cave bridge, now dated to the same period.
Much of this research owes its origins to the inspiring work of Cajsa S. Lund to whom this article
is dedicated.
