Ecclesiastical Tidescapes: Exploring the Early Medieval Tidal World

Abstract

This paper explores the way in which tides contribute to the construction of complex cognitive landscapes. Drawing on the notion of assembly and process it emphasises how tidescapes are in a constant state of becoming. The early medieval monastery of Lindisfarne (Holy Island, Northumberland, UK) is used as a case study to explore the manifold ways in which tides might inculcate themselves within the lived experiences of those who lived on the island during the Anglo-Saxon period.

Acknowledgements

A particular thanks must go to my collaborators and partners on the Lindisfarne excavations, DigVentures. Without their constructive engagement with the project, none of the ideas discussed in this paper would have emerged. Many thanks to all those who have helped me think about tidescapes through conversations or by sharing papers before publication, in particular Ryan Lash, Ronan O’Donnell and Sarah Semple. Thanks also to the anonymous referee for their constructive comments and suggestion. Also a particular thanks to Lorne Eliot (Archaeological Services Durham University) for information about seaweed from early medieval sites in Northern England and Hannah Russ (DigVentures) for information on the ongoing work on analysis of the fish bone assemblage from Lindisfarne.