Excavation

Date 6 June 2017 - 17 June 2017

Event ID 1040553

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1040553

NO 1387 6376 A sixth season of fieldwork, 6–17 June 2017, saw the continued excavation of two longhouses. Two trenches were opened over a longhouse previously investigated in 2015 and 2016 (Building 3) while three trenches were opened over a longhouse located further downslope which was previously investigated in 2014 (Building 7).

Building 3 exhibited many of the characteristics of the classic ‘Pitcarmick type’ with rounded ends, an external oval enclosure attached to one external wall and signs of a sunken internal area. The trenches were opened over the western internal area of Building 3 and the internal area of the oval enclosure attached to its SW side in order to continue excavation started in 2016 and to explore a possible entrance location. A large pit was excavated within the external enclosure which contained numerous pieces of animal bone in the upper fill and an iron pin/nail in the primary fill. Excavation within the main longhouse recorded a large but shallow cut for the central hearth, a series of stake and postholes along with evidence for two phased entrances one of which comprised a series of stone steps leading down into the partially sunken portion of the building. Significant artefacts recovered included a series of iron objects and a heavily worn grinding/sharpening stone with offset hole.

Excavation of trenches over Building 7 revealed several sections of a low lying double skinned stone wall with an earth and stone core. The wall had curved ends while collapsed material indicated the in situ wall would originally have had an upper part constructed of turf and stone. The internal area of the building was relatively sterile with no clear occupation surface although traces of trampling were present. The absence of artefacts and the lack of internal occupation features or deposits within Building 7 suggest it may not have been a dwelling but could have served as a store or barn.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust, Historic Environment Scotland and The Strathmartine Trust

David Strachan and David Sneddon – Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and Northlight Heritage

(Source: DES, Volume 18)