Excavation

Date June 2003 - July 2003

Event ID 547169

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/547169

NF 098 985 (centre) This year saw the conclusion of five years of excavation on the site (see DES 2002, 120), carried out in June and July 2003 by NTS work party volunteers under professional supervision. Excavation focused on the area outside the entrance to a corbelled semi-subterranean structure (3) uncovered in previous seasons, the occupation of which has been radiocarbon-dated to the last two centuries BC and the first two centuries AD. Its entrance-way proved to be stepped and revetted with stone.

Excavation immediately W of this structure further investigated a midden, radiocarbon-dated to the 10th to 13th centuries AD. The midden was found to fill a small, bean-shaped structure (4), which had been constructed using an earlier wall of possible prehistoric date. The area between these two structures contained prehistoric walling and occupation deposits that produced prehistoric pottery and stone tools. The wall of the adjacent horned enclosure was found to overlie the Norse/medieval midden, dating its construction to after the 13th century.

Report to be lodged with Western Isles SMR and the NMRS.

Sponsor: NTS.

L Innes, O Lelong, I Shearer and R Will 2003