Excavation

Date 1870

Event ID 573826

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/573826

Foundations of an ancient building, and its accompanying kitchen-midden were found on a detached rock jutting out from Seacliff Bay, known locally as the Ghegan.

The foundation wall was built of uncemented stones. Its lower part, 22-23' above HWM, running E-W was traceable for about 39': on its E side it turned N for 12-15' at right angles, then disappeared. On the W it turned N for 26' 8" then NE for c.15' then disappeared. A rude pavement and drain occupied the centre of the area. A few human bones and a great number of animal bones were found within and around the walls. Other finds included:- bone needles, bone awls or arrow points, arrow heads, combs, chisels and knives: fragments of rude pottery,including one small vessel entire; fragments of ware of superior manufacture, resembling Roman workmanship; several 'pot-boilers', and a very primitive quern.

J W Laidlaw 1871