Earth Resistance Survey

Date 28 August 2018 - 31 August 2018

Event ID 1089747

Category Recording

Type Earth Resistance Survey

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1089747

NR 4018 4580 Detailed topographic and electrical resistance surveys were carried out, 28–31 August 2018, at Cill Mhoire, a possible Early Christian site with the dedication to St Mary, which is situated in a narrow level field next to Abhainn nam Beitheachan 300 yards from where it meets the sea in the Lagavulin Bay. Rig and furrow is visible running along the whole length of the field except for the grassed over circular stone-built structure, designated by the RCAHMS as a possible burial ground, but morphologically better described as a stone-built roundhouse. Adjacent to its E and SE are low earthworks or buried masonry. The site is being investigated as part of the Dunyvaig and Hinterland Assessment Project.

An area of 80 x 40m was surveyed using a RM15 Geoscan resistance meter with twin probe configuration, 0.5m traverse spacing and 1m interval readings, and then at 0.5m interval

readings over the three quarters of the original extent in order to improve resolution and data geometry. The remains of the circular structure stand out as the highest resistance, followed by high resistance anomalies indicative of buried masonry or structures and corresponding to the low earthworks to the E and the SE. In the NW part of the survey area a larger crescentic high resistance anomaly was identified, which could be part of an enclosure. Other fainter anomalies may suggest further archaeological potential. Rig and furrow is visible across the entire plot, the furrows clearly cutting through the high resistance of the possible enclosure.

Report and archive: HES and WoSAS

Funder: Islay Heritage and University of Reading

Darko Maričević, Thomas King and Steven Mithen –

Islay Heritage and the University of Reading

(Source: DES, Volume 19)