Community-funded excavations on the Scottish island of Lismore, led by archaeologist Dr Clare Ellis of Argyll Archaeology and coordinated locally by Robert Hay, uncovered extensive sixth-century burial grounds, decorated stonework and early buildings on the site of a later medieval cathedral. The team also recovered large numbers of crucibles and evidence of seventh-century high-status craftworking used to cast gold, silver and copper, suggesting jewellery production on the island. Archaeologists say the assemblage matches features of a major monastery and compare Lismore to Iona, elevating the monastery of Lios Mór founded by Saint Mo Luóc or Moluag to a site of international importance. Residents raised a low five-figure sum from grants, donations, legacies and crowdfunding to pay for professional excavation and volunteer labour. Professor Gordon Noble of the University of Aberdeen described the results as hugely exciting and said they substantially change what was known about Lismore’s early medieval role. The team has reported findings in a paper in Antiquity by Clare Ellis, Angela Boyle and others, and the discoveries have prompted fresh reassessments of how Christianity spread into northern Britain.
