Archaeological Evaluation
Date August 2019 - September 2019
Event ID 1106375
Category Recording
Type Archaeological Evaluation
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1106375
Area between NR 40580 45458, NR 40910 45600, NR 40788 45890 and NR 40485 45748 A second season of fieldwork, as part of the Dunyvaig and Hinterland Assessment Project (DHAP), was carried out during three weeks in August and September 2019. The fieldwork comprised earthwork survey, excavation of six evaluation trenches, and magnetic gradiometer survey. A programme of community engagement accompanied the fieldwork.
The earthwork survey identified previously unrecorded structures in the immediate vicinity of Dunyvaig Castle (Canmore ID: 38002), including at least two buildings and a circular kiln. In the intertidal area to the west of the castle, several lines of sea defences in the form of placed boulders have been surveyed, as were the remains of the north-west tower, which is now known to have had a rounded interior.
Trenches 1b, 2 and 3 were continuations of the evaluation begun in 2018 (DES 2018, 36-7). Trench 1b investigated a possible structure thought in 2018 to be earlier than the latest curtain wall. This proved to be a compact layer of rubble collapse overlying the make-up for the construction of the curtain wall, which was cut by a ditch running parallel to the wall. Trench 2 revealed that the aperture of the sea gate was halved at some point by insertion of a stone platform across the western part of the gate. In the eastern half, a substantial set of steps led from the courtyard to the foreshore. The two structures splayed from each other leaving a triangular noust-like space between them. The stone platform was later neatly capped by turf leaving the steps in use for a period of time prior to a major burning episode which destroyed nearby Building E, as ascertained in 2018. Trench 3 continued exploring Structure 1, located c.60m NE of the main entrance to the castle. This revealed a sequence of buildings associated with two small keyhole-shaped ovens and substantial burning deposits that may have derived from some type of industrial use. Smithy bases and iron slag were present. The whole building burnt down at the end of its life.
Trenches 4, 5 and 6 were new trenches evaluating high resistance geophysical anomalies in the broader environs of the castle. Trench 4 targeted a linear N-S high resistance anomaly stretching across the entire area, which was identified to be a raised beach bar at c.6m OD. Trench 5 investigated N-S dry-stone wall linking the Plateau, the probable site of 1615 siege works, with the coastal outcrops. Trench 6 targeted further high resistance anomalies, which were proved to have derived from a high concentration of boulders and gravel that did not appear to be archaeological in origin. Magnetic gradiometer survey was carried out across the entire area between the castle and the plateau.
Archive: NRHE (intended)
Funder: Islay Heritage, University of Reading
Darko Maričević and Steven Mithen - Islay Heritage and the University of Reading
(Source: DES Vol 20)
