Who lived at the edge of the world? On the Isle of Skye they found traces of an ancient culture that should never have been there

Scientists from the University of Glasgow have discovered an archaeological sensation on the far north coast of the Isle of Skye (Scotland) - traces of the ancient Ahrensburgian culture, which existed 12,000 years ago.

Details: Karen Hardy et al, At the far end of everything: A likely Ahrensburgian presence in the far north of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, Journal of Quaternary Science (2025). DOI: 10.1002/jqs.3718

Until now, it was thought that humans during the Ice Age could not have survived in these harsh latitudes. But the stone tools found on Skye - tips, scrapers and chisels - clearly indicate: someone did live here after all, even during the powerful cooling period known as the Late Dryas.

🗿 What have we found?

At a site called South Cuidrach, archaeologists collected almost 200 artefacts, including recognisable 'tang' tips - a hallmark of the Arensburg culture - as well as blade blanks and incisors. Almost everything is made of local stone, suggesting knowledge of the resources and perhaps a long stay.

And nearby, in Skonser, mysterious stone circles with a diameter of 3 to 5 metres were discovered in the coastal area. They are only visible during extreme low tides and may be more than 10,000 years old. The purpose of these structures is still a mystery - they may have been fish traps or ancient structures from the time of the retreating glaciers.

🌍 Why is this important?

Late Palaeolithic finds in Scotland used to be considered isolated and 'out of the ordinary'. Now it's clear: humans may not just have been surviving, but actively developing the coastal areas of Skye. This completely changes the ideas about the migration of ancient people to Europe after the Ice Age.

Interestingly, the Isle of Skye was then connected to the mainland - the sea level was much lower and the territory was covered by glaciers. Perhaps it was across what was then dry land - now known as the sunken landscape of Doggerland - that hunters from mainland Europe came here.

📡 What's next?

Scientists promise to continue their research, including looking for radiocarbon dating that will confirm the age of the finds. And perhaps in the future it will turn out that there were more such sites - only now they are hidden beneath sea level.