During the summer of 2008 archaeologists from Denmark and Scotland, assisted by local volunteers, worked to delimit the area of Norse settlement, determine the construction and character of the different house units, and to consider the settlement structure, the economic resource unit and the dating of the different phases of the Norse farm at Belmont.
At least six phases were tentatively defined:
Removing the remains of the overlying planticrub made it possible to obtain a better understanding of the multi phased Norse settlement. More house construction details were identified and examined such as entrances, inner roof supporting posts, hearths etc.
Two sections were opened north of the eastern end western extensions revealing a path overlying part of the sub-rectangular structure showing that this structure was earlier than the paved pathway leading to the northern entrance of the longhouse
The importance of steatite production was further investigated and a large amount of steatite chips and raw material - many of them with chisel marks – was found all over the settlement. Through field walking seven or eight outcrops were located in the vicinity, perhaps suggesting the source of the Belmont steatite finds.
Another very important aspect of the Belmont economy was documented this year through the find of an iron bloom suggesting that smelting of iron was carried out on the site.
The site has again this season produced a large number of finds – including hones of schist, steatite lamps, loom weights and baking plates. An intensive amount of steatite raw material and chips indicate the importance of steatite manufacturing. On the final day of excavation an iron bloom was found immediately south of the longhouse.
Aside from the Viking/Norse remains, two rare examples of Bronze Age cup marks were found inside the enclosed farmstead. A large concentration was located on the bedrock down slope next to the stone wall and the other formation was situated immediately south of the longhouse. These rock carvings, found in relation to Bronze Age structures are not fully understood, and there are few examples known in Shetland. A number do exist on Whalsay.
