C14 Radiocarbon Dating - Sample - SUERC-2424

A charred barley grain (Sample 30897) from a grey black compact ashy occupation surface 3692 within the central area of structure 12, a middle Iron Age roundhouse. The layer includes possible degraded vegetable matter. It was sealed by occupation surface 3688, and sealed occupation surface 3695. This context 3692 is a floor level close to the central hearth. The ash is likely to represent hearth rake-out, and the grain is likely to have originated as accidental spillage during parching on the hearth.

Canmore ID 556

Map Number HU31SE

Site type Broch (Iron Age), Settlement (Period Unassigned)

Site number 21

NGR 438980 1110650

Council 360

County 29

Parish DUNROSSNESS

Lab Analysis ID SUERC-2424

Material Dated Charred grain (hordeum spp)

Researcher Nicholson, R

Sponsor Historic Scotland

Uncalibrated date bp +/- error 1995 bp +/-35

Uncalibrated date ad/bc +/- error 45 bc +/-35

Delta -23.6

Completed by Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre

Calibration program used OxCal 3.10