Archaeology Notes

Event ID 656449

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/656449

NF74SE 9 7570 4129.

The mound, known as a Cheardach Mhor, (The Big Smiddy), at Drimore, was excavated by the Ministry of Works in 1956. Five phases were recognised. Phase I. The Wheelhouse. A long pottery sequence, from the earliest wheelhouse pottery, points to a long tenure of the wheelhouse. Yellow vitreous beads are dated to the 2nd century or a little later.

Phase IA. An occupation which did not extend beyond the wheelhouse forecourt and " cannot be far removed in time from that of the original builders".

Phase II. An occupation which equates with the Galleried Duns in Barra.

Phase III. A squatter occupation which may be coeval with the builders of the island duns in South Uist. The closest comparisons are with Dun Cuier (NF60SE 1) for which a 5th to 7th century dating has been suggested.

Phase IV. A 7th/8th century date has been assigned to this occupation by the identification of a bronze pin and imported pottery found at this level.

Phase V. An occupation running into late medieval times which produced a sherd dated to c. AD 1600.

(NF 7570 4129) Wheelhouse excavated by Miss Young and Mr Richardson in 1956. This site has no connection with the Ceardach Mhor published at NF 7557 3924, and the name as applied to this site is of doubtful authenticity.

Information from MoPBW to OS.

All that can now be seen at this site are the inner face of the wheelhouse wall, outlined by a single course of stones along its north segment and by an odd stone here and there on its south segment, and eight of the eleven piers; the piers are still visible as either a single continuous course of stones or an intermittent single course of stones. Near the site were several piles of stone debris.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (W D J) 13 May 1965.