Blasthill Excavation and Geophysical Survey

Date August 2008

Event ID 1085650

Category Project

Type Project

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1085650

NR 72120 09180, NR 72350 09320, NR 75500 09300 and NR 72010 09130 In August 2008 two weeks of survey and excavation were conducted on Blasthill. A geophysical survey (resistivity and magnetic susceptibility) was carried out over a number of previously identified features.

The cairn on the summit of Blasthill (BH10) appeared to be a ring cairn and this was confirmed by trial excavation. Geophysics also identified a second possible ring cairn, next to the first, to the W of the summit of Blasthill (BH13). Trial excavation revealed this to be a natural feature.

A survey over another possible roundhouse on the E side of Blasthill (one was identified in 2007 on the W side of Blasthill)was also conducted. A trial trench was then opened over this feature (BH 12) but it seems unlikely this was a roundhouse. It may well be the remains of a stone quarry.

Due to severe waterlogging it was not possible to conduct geophysical survey over a kidney-shaped feature, which was suspected to be a burnt mound (BH11). However, a trial trench revealed that this was an amorphous feature constructed out of turf and a few large stones. It is remarkably similar in construction to the boundary wall which was excavated last year. The survey and excavation of the sites on Blasthill has furthered our understanding of the use of this area in prehistory.

Archive: RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: University of Central Lancashire

Vicki Cummings and Gary Robinson - University of Central Lancashire and University of Wales, Bangor