Excavation

Date 3 March 2017 - 6 March 2017

Event ID 1039816

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1039816

NH 82574 52976 (NH85SW 1) The Loch of Clans Crannog measures c20m in diameter and sits at the edge of a bog, formerly a larger loch. A single 2 x 2m trench was opened, 3–6 March 2017, over the southern edge of the crannog mound to characterise the survival of the site and to obtain well contextualised material for radiocarbon dating.

The crannog was significantly impacted by antiquarian excavation with the centre of the mound hollowed out by the 1860s work. This hollow has since been infilled with modern rubbish. The trench revealed that the site has suffered a near complete loss of organic material since the loch’s drainage in 1823. Antiquarian excavation in the 1860s revealed the site was composed of alternating horizontal timbers, but no trace of these was encountered. Rather a thick black deposit, probably best described as a ‘dark earth’ was encountered with frequent charcoal inclusions, but no identifiable features. This sat on top of peaty layer, the natural lacustrine

sediment. A single entity, short-lived roundwood sample from the interface between the anthropogenic layers and the natural lacustrine layers was selected for radiocarbon dating. It returned a date of cal AD 4–131. Archive: Highland Council (intended)

Funder: Findlay Harris Dick Prize for Pictish Research

Michael J Stratigos – University of Aberdeen

(Source: DES, Volume 18)