Excavation at Iona Abbey, 1976

Abstract

NM 287245. Traces of pre-Benedictine activity, including post-holes, demonstrated that 'St Columba's Shrine' preceded the 15th century tower abutting its E end. The 'Shrine' is likely to have been a free-standing chapel, which was later incorporated into the Benedictine plan. Six graves were associated with its use, two containing the remains of wooden coffins. The finds include Iron Age and medieval pottery, a fragment of an inscribed 8th or 9th century grave-slab, and part of a cross-base. Report on skeletal material. A R