The Boy with the Bronze Axe by Kathleen Fidler is set in the Neolithic Orkney settlement of Skara Brae. Though written for children this book is also really interesting for adults thinking about how interpretations of Skara have changed over the years. Kim talks to Orkney resident and specialist Caroline Wickham-Jones about the archaeology behind the book when it was written in 1968 and how it could be updated for the 21st century

Guests

Caroline Wickham-Jones https://www.mesolithic.co.uk/contact-me/

Host: Kim Biddulph @kimbiddulph

Links

• Buy The Boy with the Bronze Axe by Kathleen Fidler: http://amzn.eu/75Jo45n
• Podcast on Schools Prehistory (Kim's website) about Boy with the Bronze Axe: http://www.schoolsprehistory.co.uk/2015/01/19/book-review-the-boy-with-the-bronze-axe-by-kathleen-fidler/
• Buy Caroline Wickham-Jones's non-fiction book about Orkney - Between the Wind and the Water: http://amzn.eu/fAbc9Qz
• Silverskin by Joan Lennon - a book about Skara Brae written in 2016: https://www.birlinn.co.uk/Silver-Skin.html
• Clips from the BBC's documentary Britain's Ancient Capital: Secrets of Orkney: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08819tl
• Episode 2, Series 4 Expedition Unknown: Origins of Stonehenge: http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/expedition-unknown/episodes/origins-of-stonehenge
• Historic Scotland's webpage about visiting Skara Brae: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/skara-brae/
• Orkneyjar - for all things Orkney: http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/sites.htm
• Ness of Brodgar excavations website: http://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/

Archaeologists preparing a raft to take cores in the loch of Skaill. This picture also illustrates how different Skara Brae is from the era depicted in The Boy With The Bronze Axe . The picture is taken by Sue Dawson and the work is funded by Historic Environment Scotland.