Excavation

Date July 2008

Event ID 577418

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/577418

NG 7118 4433 The third season of excavation, undertaken over two weeks in July 2008, aimed to uncover another quadrant of the site and to investigate the possible souterrain uncovered in 2007. The work brought further clarification to the broch site and revealed multiple phases, including a possible pre-broch structure.

The third quadrant (Trench 4) revealed evidence of postbroch alteration to the walls, particularly where the inner broch walls narrowed and widened. There is evidence that parts of the inner walls were rebuilt and new internal partitioning constructed during a later phase of use. This evidence is similar to that uncovered during previous seasons in the first two quadrants. Three intramural passages and three intramural galleries were also recorded.

The excavation of the broch entrance, on a NE/SW orientation, revealed a paved passage and lintel-like steps

within poorly constructed walls. It is an unconvincing original entrance and since a final quadrant remains unexcavated, it is possible that the original broch entrance remains to be found. It is also possible that this was a later entrance into a post-broch structure, since there is evidence of post-broch living and work surfaces in the courtyard.

Investigation of the possible souterrain entrance uncovered in 2007 revealed a slabbed surface or pathway leading to the outside of the broch. Several fragments of pottery, possibly of Iron Age date, were recovered from the fill overlying this surface.

On the opposite side of the broch from this entrance, a group of large flat slabs laid side by side were recorded. These slabs have not been fully excavated but appear to be very similar in arrangement to the slabs that overlie the entrance. As they underlie the broch’s outer wall, it is possible that they cover an opposing entrance into an earlier roundhouse type structure and thus that the possible souterrain entrance is not what it seems. This theory is further supported by evidence of a wall outside of the broch’s outer wall.

Two trenches were excavated outside the broch to investigate possible sub-broch structures. Instead of

structures the trenches revealed a metalworking surface, a stone bank/road and two related slab-lined features. All of these areas will require further excavation to establish their significance.

The site has been excavated to reveal the post-broch stage of occupation, but has not reached the earlier occupation layers. Excavation of the probable structure beneath the broch will require an extension to the excavated area.

Finds – In 2007 a fragment of a sandstone slab with incised carvings was uncovered in the fill overlying the broch entrance. A second fragment was later recovered from the spoil. Initial analysis suggests that the carvings were made using a metal implement. Other worked stone includes a number of whole and fragmentary stones that may have originated as coarse stone tools. The majority of these remain in situ. They may include a quern stone, grinding stone and bone fragments, re-used in or redeposited into the

construction, shoring and in-filling of their current contexts.

Other finds, in secondary contexts include undecorated and decorated steatite spindle whorls, possibly sourced from the natural steatite deposits of Glenelg. Eleven polished stone tools were found during the 2008 season, including three whetstones, two picks and six polishing stones. A ‘set’ of four polished stone tools

(whetstone, pick, polishing stone and ax/adze), laid out in a line, was uncovered after surface clean-back in Trench 1, near two rectilinear features that may be industrial areas. A shale bangle was uncovered in redeposited loam in Trench 5, an area outside the broch. A full bangle diameter of 80mm has been projected, and infers a connection to Iron Age horizons on the site, specifically in its resemblance to similar finds at the High Pasture Cave site on the Isle of Skye.

For further information about the Applecross Broch Community Archaeology Project, or to get a copy of our most recent report, please contact Mary Peteranna at ampeteranna@aol.com

Mary Peteranna and Cait McCullagh (Applecross Archaeology Society), 2008