Archaeological Evaluation

Date 27 July 2020 - 31 May 2021

Event ID 1144683

Category Recording

Type Archaeological Evaluation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1144683

NH 66639 45103 An initial phase of archaeological works was carried out at Inverness Castle, Inverness, in respect of internal alterations, ground investigations, enabling works and the demolition of a single-story cell-block. The present-day buildings are category A-listed (LB35166).

The archaeological works were carried out between July 27 2020 and May 31 2021. The evaluation uncovered walls that comprised the 19th-century prison exercise yards and some sparse evidence for older underlying deposits. The watching brief comprised the monitoring of over 130 small hand-excavated trial pits, two major trial pits to investigate the castle curtain wall foundations, and the excavation of four trenches within the courtyard of the current Castle buildings. The deepest deposits on site were uncovered with the excavation of the wall trial pits and revealed disturbed midden deposits at a depth of 5m below the ground surface, which included shell and animal bone and disarticulated human remains. The additional trenches within the courtyard identified a portion of wall that predates the current 19th-century buildings on site, as well as a vehicle inspection pit and brick culvert likely associated with the 1960s police station based in the former prison.

A moderate assemblage of 19th-century or later artefact material comprising ceramics, glass, ferrous and other metal objects, slate and other building material, was recovered. An additional watching brief is required for further works on the Castle and is to be undertaken, along with further survey work to document the interior of the buildings prior to renovation works. A programme of post-excavation work has been recommended.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: LDN Architects on behalf of Highland Council

Sam Williamson – AOC Archaeology Group

(Source: DES Vol 22)