Applecross Broch Community Archaeology Project
APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
Applecross Broch
Community Archaeology Project
Data Structure Report
Excavation Summary and Preliminary Finds Discussion May 2010
Mary Peteranna
Cait McCullagh
With contributions from Cathy Dagg
The Applecross Broch Community Archaeology Project has been funded by:
Applecross Campsite
Applecross Historical Foundation
Aurelias Charitable Trust
Awards for All
The Highland Enterprise
Hugh Fraser Foundation
LEADER European Development Programme
North of Scotland Archaeology Society (NOSAS)
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Ward Forum
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APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
Table of Contents
Summary 5 Acknowledgements 5 Volunteers during the 2009 Season 6
1 Introduction 1.1 Background 7 9 1.1.1 Site location and geology 1.1.2 Archaeological and historical background 1.1.3 Time Team 1.1.4 Applecross Archaeology Society
1.2 Applecross Broch Community Archaeology Project 9 1.2.1 2006 Season 1.2.2 2007 Season 1.2.3 2008 Season 1.2.4 2009 Season
2 Objectives 10 2.1 Overall aims 2.2 Specific objectives
3 Methodology 11 3.1 Desk based assessment 3.2 Excavation and recording 3.3 Sampling and finds processing
4 2009 fieldwork results 11 4.2 Trench 8 12 4.2.2 Courtyard 12 4.2.3 Intramural passage and staircase gallery 13 4.2.4 Intramural staircase 16 4.2.5 Intramural gallery (#3) 16 4.2.6 Inner broch wall 17 4.2.7 Outer broch wall 19 4.2.8 Possible pre broch structures 21 4.2.9 External deposits 23 4.2.10 Sub broch passage 23
4.3 Trench 9 25
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APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
4.4 Discussion 4.4.1 Pre broch external structures 28 4.4.2 Main broch structures 29 4.4.3 Post broch internal changes 29 4.4.4 Trench 9 30
5 Radiocarbon dating results 31 5.1 SUERC 26924 5.2 SUERC 26925 5.3 SUERC 26926
6 Summary of finds from the 2009 season 6.1 Introduction 32 6.2 Worked and utilised stone 32 6.2.1 Lithics 6.2.2 Pumice 6.2.3 Quartz 6.2.4 Other worked and utilised stone
6.3 Worked Antler 34 6.4 Worked and possibly worked oil shale 35 6.5 Pottery 36 6.6 Fired clay 37 6.7 Slag 38 6.8 Metalwork: Cu alloy 38 6.9 Modified bone 39 6.10 Conclusions 39
7 Recommendations for 2010 Season 40
8 Post excavation analysis 40
9 Further work and reporting 41
10 Publication and presentation 41
11 Archiving and finds disposal 41
References 42
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APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
Appendices Appendix 1 Index of Contexts 45 Appendix 2 Index of Features 55 Appendix 3 Index of Finds 56 Appendix 4 Index of Samples 63 Appendix 5 Index of Site Plans 66 Appendix 6 Index of Site Photographs 68
List of Figures Figure 1 Map of the orthwest Highlands 7 Figure 2 Applecross broch site location 8 Figure 3 C.0809 Intramural stairs and gallery, C.0803 Intramural passage (APL09 Plan 14) 15 Figure 4 Outer broch wall C.0837 in Trench 8 (Plan 10) 20 Figure 5 C.0851 wall face in sub broch passage (APL09 Section plan 3) 24 Figure 6 Recumbent slabs from Trench 9 (Plan 4) 25 Figure 7 Site plan, showing outline of site structures and four outlying trenches 27 Figure 8 Radiocarbon plots for Samples 108, 118 and 138 from Applecross Broch 2009 31
List of Plates Plate 1 SF236: Antler comb end plate fragment 13 Plate 2 Stair gallery, jaw bones and vertebrae from C.0844 and paved surface C.0845 15 Plate 3 Third intramural gallery 17 Plate 4 Inner broch wall face and stone setting 18 Plate 5 Outer broch wall ‘improvement’ C.0837 18 Plate 6 Trench 8 at the end of the 2009 season facing E SE 22 Plate 7 South face of sub broch passage 23 Plate 8 Trench 9 structure 26
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APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
Summary
This report presents a summary of the results of the excavation and preliminary analysis of finds from the 2009 field season of Applecross Broch, Wester Ross, Highlands (National Grid Reference NG 71183 44331), carried out during September 2009. Copyright of this report is held jointly by Applecross Archaeology Society and the authors.
The Applecross broch site was first investigated in 2005 by Wessex Archaeology for presentation on the television programme Time Team. This resulted in the formation of Applecross Archaeology Society , who initiated the Applecross Broch Community Archaeology Project with local professional archaeologists.
Previous seasons of fieldwork for the project took place in October 2006, April 2007, September 2007 and July 2008. The 2009 season was directed by Cathy Dagg, who was assisted by Cait McCullagh and Mary Peteranna. A final season is scheduled in June 2010.
Acknowledgements
The volunteer excavators have been a vital part of the success and enthusiasm of the Applecross Broch Community Archaeology Project . At the heart of the project are the community and the educational and heritage value that the excavations represent to them.
The experience and commitment of members of orth of Scotland Archaeological Society ( OSAS ) has been invaluable.
The directors of the project would like to thank the following people and organisations for their assistance during 2009: Martin Wildgoose, Dr. Fraser Hunter of National Museums Scotland, Historic Scotland , Dr. Jennifer Miller of Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division, Owen Kilbride, Nick Goldthorpe, John and Trina Wombell, Kirsty Cameron of the Highland Council Archaeology Unit and the Applecross Campsite.
Special thanks to Beverly Ballin-Smith for visiting the site on September 6, 2009 and for her helpful review of the overall assemblage of ceramics.
Special thanks to Fraser Hunter and Tanya Romanciewicz for visiting the site on July 17, 2009.
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APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
Volunteers during the 2009 S eason
Steven Birch Liz Curtis Brian Duff Paul Dungey Joyce Durham Freida Dyson Sam Easson Marleen Forsyth Allan Gilles Jim Glazzard Stephanie Glover James Goldthorpe Nick Goldthorpe Jonie Guest Richard Guest Susanne Inman Alistair Jupp George Kozikowski Cathy and volunteers digging in Trench 8, September 2009 Allan MacKenzie Meryl Marshall Ella McDonagh Gordon Sleight Ann Wakeling Heather Walker Sue Walker Anna Welti Martin Wildgoose Graham Wilson John Wombell Trina Wombell
Project team and volunteers at the end of the 2009 Season
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APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.1.1 Site location and geology
The village of Applecross is situated on the western coast of the Applecross Peninsula in the northwest Highlands of Scotland. The small residential community is situated along a natural harbour that opens into the Inner Sound of Skye and faces the Isle of Raasay and Isle of Skye to the west. The Sound of Skye borders Applecross to the north and west, and although Applecross is isolated from the adjoining mainland by mountainous terrain to east and southeast, the situation of the site is an ideal location along prehistoric sea routes of communication and transportation.
The broch site is centred at Ordnance Survey NGR NG 71183 44331 on the raised beach site where Applecross Campsite is located. It was constructed on the southeastern end of a low ridge of glacially-formed material, sitting at about 40m OD and 200 metres from the present coastline. Its location gives it on an outstanding vantage point with a viewshed arcing from southwest to northeast 1.
Figure 1 Map of the orthwest Highlands (red arrow points to Applecross) 2
1 Peteranna and McCullagh, 2008. 2 Mapping reproduced courtesy of Landmark Information Group, RoCAS license #LIG1044. 7
APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
Figure 2 Applecross broch site location 3
1.1.2 Archaeological and historical background
Applecross or Abercrossan , meaning mouth of River Crossan, has another ancient name, Comrich or Comaraich—a Gaelic derivation meaning protection, implying that this was a land on which one could seek immunity 4. Applecross is well-known as being the centre for the foundation of an early Christian Community in the early Medieval Period. In 673 AD, St. Maelrubha is believed to have founded a monastery (NMRS #NG74NW1) at the eastern end of Applecross Bay. It was later reported to have been raided by Vikings.
In the Old Statistical Account of 1792 (Vol. 3, 378 9) , the site is referred to as a ‘dun’ by Rev. J. MacQueen. The site location was at that time known as ‘Borrodale’, a Norse derivation for ‘stronghold valley 5.’ More recently, the site was recorded by the Ordnance Survey and the Highland Council Archaeology Unit (NMRS #NG74SW 2, Highland HER# MHG7680) and in 2005 it was proven to be a broch by Time Team archaeologists.
3 Mapping reproduced courtesy of Landmark Information Group, RoCAS license #LIG1044. 4 McQueen, J. Pp. 378. 5 Watson, W.J., 1904. 8
APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
1.1.3 Time Team
The Applecross campsite manager, Nick Goldthorpe, first brought the site to the attention of Time Team , who commissioned Wessex Archaeology to conduct excavations in 2005. The aim of the 2005 Time Team excavation was to determine whether or not the rubble-covered structure was an Iron Age broch, to establish the extent of the remains and to investigate areas outside of the broch for other structures 6.
Eight trenches were excavated by hand, three of which (Trench 1, Trench 3 and Trench 8) located broch walling and features (including an intramural wall passage). Five trenches were focused on outlying areas around the site, targeted mostly by using geophysical survey, which suggested the outline of the broch structure and revealed a possible second stone structure on the glacial ridge to the northwest of the site. One trench (Trench 2) revealed an outer kerb interpreted as a causeway. Another trench 10m northeast (Trench 4) of the broch revealed eroded midden material and another trench (Trench 7) showed structural rubble of a possible separate structure. Two further trenches, Trench 5 and Trench 6, revealed no archaeological deposits, features or finds 7.
1.1.4 Applecross Archaeology Society
Subsequent to the Time Team excavation, Applecross Archaeology Society commissioned professional archaeologists in October 2006 to lead a project with the aim of excavating the site to reveal the final phase of occupation of Applecross Broch. Fundamental to this was the local community’s full involvement, assisted by the archaeologists. The project was designed to enable the widest possible inclusion of local people and to develop practical, research, educational, social and economic benefits8. Upon completion, the intention of Applecross Archaeology Society was to consolidate, interpret and present the site for the community and visitors.
1.2 Applecross Broch Community Archaeology Project
1.2.1 2006 Season
The first season of excavations of the Applecross Broch Community Archaeology Project took place over eight days in October 2006. Two opposing quadrants (Trench 1 to the south and Trench 2 to the north) were uncovered, exposing significant portions of both inner and outer walls and several redeposited contexts of interest that yielded prehistoric pottery sherds and stone tools. At the end of the season there were clear indications that structural remains extended deeper than previously thought and that there were post-broch structural changes 9.
6 Wessex Archaeology. May 2006. 7 Wessex Archaeology, May 2006. 8 Wood, J. March 2008. 9 Peteranna and McCullagh, 2008. 9
APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
1.2.2 2007 Seasons
The second phase of excavations took place during one week in April 2007, with follow-up work taking place during a further week in September 2007, with a focus on clearly defining the broch structure and excavating the courtyard in Trench 1 and Trench 2.
Three slabbed features interpreted as purpose-built work spaces used during the post-broch occupation were uncovered in the courtyard space of both trenches. In Trench 2, below the outer broch wall to the north-northwest, three large slabs covered a possible souterrain entrance and an extension of Trench 2 in September revealed the broch entrance. Two large sandstone slab fragments with enigmatic incised markings were recovered while excavating here. Initial analysis suggests that the incisions were made with a metal implement but there is not yet an interpretation of the carvings 10 .
1.2.3 2008 Season
A fourth season 11 was held for two weeks in July 2008, focused on the revealing another quarter of the site, Trench 4, and investigating the souterrain entrance in Trench 2. As well as this, three trenches (Trench 5, Trench 6 and Trench 7) closely outlying the main structure were excavated in an effort to establish the extent of the archaeology on site. The excavations brought further clarification to the broch site and revealed a minimum of three phases of occupation.
1.2.4 2009 Season
The fourth quadrant of Applecross Broch was uncovered during two weeks in September 2009. Trench 8 revealed the final quadrant of the broch which included two outside courses of walling and Trench 1 was extended to link up external wall faces. The remains of the intramural staircase and internal wall passage (first uncovered by Time Team) showed a complex series of activities (industrial and ritual) and closure events. Excavation of a fourth outlying trench, Trench 9, was targeted to investigate a feature of recumbent slabs found along the edge of Trench 2 and appeared to be another sub-broch passage or drain. The results of the 2009 season are the focus of this report.
2 Objectives
2.1 The overall aims 12 of the archaeology programme are:
• To determine and record the character, extent, condition, date and significance of the latest phase of occupation of the site • To underpin proposals for site conservation, interpretation and presentation • To encourage the widest possible inclusion of local people in the discovery, discussion and outcome of the project, and to develop practical, research, educational, social and economic benefits for the community as a whole
10 Pers comm., Richard Bradley. 11 Note: Trench 3 was a slot trench northwest of the broch structure. It was covered by a watching brief prior to commencement of the 2008 season, the purpose of which was to relocate overhead electricity lines running above the site. 12 Wood, J. 2006. 10
APL09 Data Structure Report May 2010
2.2 The specific objectives are:
• To expose the final phase ground plan of the broch • To assess the presence and survival of later structures overlying the broch • To provide an opportunity for local people to experience and obtain training in archaeological techniques and the value of their local heritage • To leave the broch as a visible and interpreted monument for the public and community • To ensure that the broch is not compromised by unnecessary excavation
3 Methodology
3.1 Desk based assessment
An assessment of desk-based sources was undertaken. This included the records held by the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS), Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER), historical mapping, statistical accounts and other literary and archival resources.
3.2 Excavation and recording
Open area excavation was conducted to reveal the fourth quadrant of the site. One trial trench was opened as an extension to the first quadrant of the site in order to investigate a targeted feature. All excavation was conducted by hand, based on standard stratigraphic principles. As per the project objectives, primary archaeological deposits were left in situ .
Recording was undertaken using context record sheets, plan / section drawings, levelling using a standard dumpy level and digital photography. All work was conducted in accordance with the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA) Code of Conduct .
3.3 Sampling and finds processing
All finds and samples were recorded by trench number and context number. Samples were taken of all archaeological deposits and have been indexed and stored for future specialist analysis.
Artefacts were cleaned and indexed during the field season and have been stored for specialist analysis. Provenance of special finds was recorded on plan drawing and using a standard dumpy level.
4 2009 Fieldwork Results