Excavation
Date June 2010
Event ID 880261
Category Recording
Type Excavation
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/880261
NG 5670 0007, NM 5605 9977, NM 5608 9988 and NM 5672
9988 The aim of this research project is to apply recently
developed methods and ethnoarchaeological perspectives to
the study of the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic of western
Scotland.
During the 5 May–6 June 2010 season the site of Camas
Daraich (NG 5670 0007) [NG50SE 27], previously partially excavated in
2000 (Wickham-Jones and Hardy 2004) was reopened. The
excavation area was extended to cover 30sqm and three new
test pits were dug. Significant finds included a large lithic
assemblage showing Mesolithic characteristics, a bevel ended
stone pebble with parallel cut marks, and a feature consisting
of three interlocking partially preserved stone circles, of c1m
in diameter.
Two shell middens (NM 5605 9977 and NM 5608 9988) [NM59NE 3 and NM59NE 4]
were recorded in rock shelters in 2009 (DES 2009, 99). Test
pits were excavated in 2010 at one of these sites (NM 5605
9977) and at another previously recorded shell midden at
NM 5672 9988 [NM59NE 5], which lies near the site of Camas Daraich.
Radiocarbon dates from the upper layers of these middens
gave a calibrated date range of 360 BC – AD 1600. However,
as the middens are deep, further work will be required to
determine their full age range.
Archive: The UAB in Barcelona
Funder: I and D, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Madrid