Woven Into the Stuff of Other Men's Lives: The Treatment of the Dead in Iron Age Atlantic Scotland.
Item Type Thesis
Authors Tucker, Fiona C.
Rights
The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.
Download date 30/09/2021 23:37:07
Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10454/5327 389
Appendix 1: Gazetteer of Sites
This gazetteer of sites includes all sites included in the study. A brief description of each site, with NMRS number and national grid code, date of excavation and references, along with a description of the human remains found and the reason for considering these to be Iron Age is provided. The sites are presented according to the numbered system used throughout this study, starting in the north from Shetland and working south to Argyll, and in alphabetical order within each region. Those sites with locatable human remains that were examined by the author are marked with a star, and can be cross-referenced with Appendix 2, where the osteological data is presented site by site. Sites from which human remains were radiocarbon dated can also be cross referenced with Appendix 3, radiocarbon dates.
390
Shetland (sites 1-7)
1. Jarlshof
NMRS number: HU30NE 1.0
National grid reference: HU 3981 0955
Excavated: Curle 1925-35, Childe 1937, Hamilton 1949-52
Principle references: Curle 1933, Hamilton 1956
Brief description: Multi-period settlement including Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Middle
Iron Age, Late Iron Age, Norse and Medieval structures
Human remains: One parietal fragment recovered from the passageway of an Early
Iron Age structure, and one cranial fragment from medieval layers
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bone (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
2. Old Scatness
NMRS number: HU31SE 21.00
National grid reference: HU 3900 1060
Excavated: Bradford University 1996-2005
Principle references: Unpublished excavation records, University of Bradford, and
Dockrill et al. 2010
Brief description: Early Iron Age roundhouses, Middle Iron Age broch tower and surrounding settlement, occupied into the Late Iron Age/ Norse period
Human remains: Fragments of human remains found in multiple contexts: juvenile
391 skull and associated remains, adult femoral shaft and fragment of second femoral shaft found in post-occupation soil and midden layers, wheelhouse 6 (Late Iron Age), fragmented adult humerus shaft found in post-occupation midden, building 23 (Late
Iron Age), adult upper molar found in paving layer, building 23 and adult rib fragment found in rubble layer, roundhouse 12 (Middle Iron Age), plus human remains from post Iron Age layers
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of associated layers
Location of human remains: Bradford University*
3a. Sands of Breckon, Yell
NMRS number: HP50NW 1.01
National grid reference: HP 528 054
Excavated: Unknown 1923
Principle references: Unpublished records held by Marischal Museum, Aberdeen
Brief description: Cist burial
Human remains: Adult skeleton found in long cist along with animal bones, extra human vertebrae and ribs, the jaw of an elderly individual and part of a foetal occipital bone
Dating evidence: Similarity and proximity to 1983 skeleton (see 3b)
Location of human remains: Marischal Museum, Aberdeen*
3b. Sands of Breckon, Yell
NMRS number: HP50NW 1.01
392
National grid reference: HP 528 054
Excavated: Scottish Central Excavation Unit 1983
Principle references: Carter and Fraser 1996
Brief description: Cist and cairn burial
Human remains: Adult male skeleton missing skull, humeri and femora, remains disturbed and in pile at side of cist
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Lost
4a. Sandwick, Unst
NMRS number: HP60SW 33
National grid reference: HP 6195 0217
Excavated: Bigelow 1980
Principle references: Bigelow 1984
Brief description: Kerbed cairn burial
Human remains: Adult skeleton buried prone within kerbed cairn, head to north
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Shetland Museum*
4b. Sandwick, Unst
NMRS number: HP60SW 66
National grid reference: HP 6180 0250
Excavated: GUARD 2005
393
Principle references: Lelong and Shearer 2006
Brief description: Cellular building overlain by inhumation burial
Human remains: Adult skeleton found in grave cut through sand sealing occupation site. Supine, arms and legs flexed, head to west. Objects found in grave: steatite bead, object of tiny copper and bone rings under left shoulder and polished schist disc
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: GUARD*
5. Scalloway
NMRS number: HU43NW 32
National grid reference: HU 406 399
Excavated: Historic Scotland 1989-90
Principle references: Sharples 1998
Brief description: Broch tower with external and internal later settlements
Human remains: Crushed skull, probably elderly female between basal and first course of wall of post-broch occupation within broch
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skull (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Reburied
6. St Ninian’s Isle
NMRS number: HU32SE 4
National grid reference: HU 3685 2090
Excavated: O’Dell 1958, Barrowman 1999-2000
394
Principle references: Small 1973, Barrowman 2003
Brief description: Pre-Christian and Christian cemetery, Iron Age occupation and early
Christian chapel
Human remains: Thirteen human skeletons found associated with or predating early
Christian chapel, three of which have been radiocarbon dated to the Iron Age. One of these (‘Rosemary’) was in a cist, prone and tightly flexed, one was extended in a long cist (‘Hubert’), and one juvenile (skeleton 7) was buried in a sandy midden layer, with a stone head box.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeletons (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Marischal Museum, Aberdeen* and Shetland Museum*
7. Uyea, Unst
NMRS number: HU69NW 6
National grid reference: HU 6004 9934
Excavated: Unknown 1821
Principle references: Sheridan 2003
Brief description: Hill top cairn covering a series of small steatite cremation urns, covered by flagstones and containing burnt bones
Human remains: Cremated remains
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of cremated bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
395
Orkney (sites 8-31)
8. Birsay, Brough Road
NMRS number: HY22NW 61
National grid reference: HY 2467 2806
Excavated: Morris 1978-9
Principle references: Hunter 1986, Morris 1989
Brief description: Double cist and cairn burial, cairn burial, disturbed graves
Human remains: One adult male and one young adult in a double cist burial, one above the other, partially eroded, with the heads originally to south west. One elderly male skeleton buried beneath a kerbed cairn, head to north. Also many fragmented remains interpreted as representing several other disturbed burials.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeletons (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Tankerness House Museum, Kirkwall*
9. Bu
NMRS number: HY20NE 11
National grid reference: HY 2697 0933
Excavated: Hedges 1978
Principle references: Hedges et al. 1987a
Brief description: Early Iron Age Atlantic roundhouse and souterrain
Human remains: Partial adult male skeleton and remains of several other individuals in rubble fill of souterrain, left upper limb from midden under outer skin of roundhouse,
396 partial child skeleton in rubble fill of roundhouse entrance
Dating evidence: Structure Early Iron Age, radiocarbon dating of layers
Location of human remains: Lost
10. Buckquoy
NMRS number: HY22NW 14
National grid reference: HY 2436 2823
Excavated: Ritchie 1970-1
Principle references: Ritchie 1978
Brief description: Late Iron Age and Viking settlement, long cist burials
Human remains: Adult male skeleton in long cist to north of settlement, head to south west, extended and supine, and later Viking burial
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Tankerness House Museum, Kirkwall*
11. Burrian, North Ronaldsay
NMRS number: HY75SE 3.00
National grid reference: HY 7627 5138
Excavated: Traill 1870-1
Principle references: Traill 1890
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse with outworks
Human remains: One broken mandible with worn teeth found in broch interior
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
397
Location of human remains: Lost
12. Green Hill of Quoyness
NMRS number: HY20SW 7
National grid reference: HY 2500 0284
Excavated: Unknown 1887
Principle references: Cursiter 1923
Brief description: Broch tower
Human remains: ‘Two or three cists with bones of three bodies but only one skull were found at the top of the mound’ (Cursiter 1923: 51)
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
13. Gurness (Aikerness)
NMRS number: HY32NE 5.00
National grid reference: HY 3817 2685
Excavated: Craw and Richardson 1929-39
Principle references: Hedges et al. 1987b
Brief description: Broch tower, surrounding ‘village’ and outworks
Human remains: Many fragmentary human remains including some partially articulated, most unstratified. One mandible found in outbuilding passage, several remains found among structures to south west of broch, and vertebrae found in ditch
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
398
Location of human remains: Lost
14. Hermisgarth, Sanday
NMRS number: HY64SE 55
National grid reference: HY 6627 4288
Excavated: GUARD 1993, ARCUS 1997
Principle references: Downes and Morris 1997
Brief description: Cist burials, cairns, pyre settings
Human remains: Partially cremated juvenile skeleton extended E-W in cist 002, unburnt adult female skeleton in cist 003, head to west, sharing cairn with partial adult skeleton in cist 004, plus cremated bone from multiple individuals over pyre settings.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Tankerness House Museum, Kirkwall*
15. Howe of Howe
NMRS number: HY21SE 41
National grid reference: HY 2759 1092
Excavated: Historic Scotland 1978-82
Principle references: Ballin Smith 1994
Brief description: Neolithic tomb, Atlantic roundhouse, broch tower and surrounding village and outworks, Late Iron Age settlement
Human remains: Fragmentary remains from multiple contexts dating throughout the settlement history including: two partial skeletons in drain/ tank; fragmented remains
399 over ditch fills, in broch wall core, in floor layers and walls, in broch entrance, throughout exterior buildings; and four skeletons in rampart cell (one adult, one child, one infant, one foetus)
Dating evidence: Occupation Middle Iron Age – Late Iron Age, radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Tankerness House Museum, Kirkwall*
16. Ingshowe (Ingashowe)
NMRS number: HY31SE 5
National grid reference: HY 3903 1277
Excavated: Fraser late 19th century
Principle references: Fraser 1927
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse
Human remains: ‘Some fragments of skulls and other human bones were found in the rubbish inside the broch’ (Fraser 1927: 52)
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
17. Knowe of Skea (Berst Ness)
NMRS number: HY44SW 2
National grid reference: HY 4414 4181
Excavated: EASE 2000-2007
Principle references: Moore and Wilson 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
400
Brief description: Large sub rectangular building A used for non-domestic activity throughout the Iron Age, contemporary roundhouse J, and later Iron Age surrounding buildings with evidence for occupation and metalworking, including structure H, used post-abandonment for deposition of large numbers of human remains
Human remains: Intact, mainly crouched skeletons, plus many partially articulated and disarticulated remains, of over 100 individuals, deposited around exterior of structure
A, under and within surrounding structures, and in huge numbers within the rubble of structure H, where the majority of remains are those of neonates
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: University of Edinburgh
18. Lingro
NMRS number: HY40NW 1
National grid reference: HY 4345 0878
Excavated: Petrie 1870
Principle references: Hedges et al. 1987c
Brief description: Broch tower with surrounding ‘village’
Human remains: Cranium and other bones found in right guard cell
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of cranium (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Hunterian Museum, Glasgow (cranium only)*
19. Midhowe, Rousay
NMRS number: HY33SE 2
401
National grid reference: HY 3716 3059
Excavated: Callander 1930-2
Principle references: Callander 1934
Brief description: Broch tower with enclosure ditch and later external buildings
Human remains: Adult frontal bone and lower jaw found in outer ditch
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
20. Mine Howe
NMRS number: HY50NW 38
National grid reference: HY 5101 0603
Excavated: Card and Downes 2000-2005
Principle references: Friends of the Orkney Archaeological Trust 2005
Brief description: Underground chamber dug into central mound, enclosure ditch, workshops and associated structures
Human remains: One fragmentary infant found in stone cist within enclosure ditch, one skeleton of a young woman found buried underneath the floor of a metal-working workshop, with toe rings and a perforated antler object, one male skeleton placed in a shallow pit in the midden outside the workshop, crouched on its left side, and disarticulated human bones from several contexts
Dating evidence: Stratigraphy, radiocarbon dating of layers
Location of human remains: Bradford University* / Orkney College, Kirkwall*
402
21. Netlater (Manse of Harray)
NMRS number: HY31NW 38
National grid reference: HY 3232 1741
Excavated: Traill late 19th century
Principle references: Petrie 1890
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse
Human remains: One adult skull found inside the roundhouse, behind a holed stone, and fragments of burnt bone found in two urns between the wall of the roundhouse and the enclosure, lids level with the floor
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
22. Newark Bay
NMRS number: HY50SE 3
National grid reference: HY 5746 0413
Excavated: Brothwell 1977
Principle references: Lowe 2000, Barrett et al. 2000b
Brief description: Pictish and Norse graves, overlain by Norse period church
Human remains: Five burials radiocarbon dated to the Late Iron Age
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeletons (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Natural History Museum, London*
403
23. Oxtro (Okstrow)
NMRS number: HY22NE 4
National grid reference: HY 2537 2678
Excavated: Leask 1847
Principle references: Petrie 1890
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse, collapsed before insertion of short stone cists containing burnt bones and ashes, one cist covered by a stone bearing an incised eagle
Human remains: Cremated human remains from cists
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age, possible symbol stone Late Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
24. Rennibister
NMRS number: HY31SE 3
National grid reference: HY 3973 1260
Excavated: Marwick 1926
Principle references: Marwick 1927b
Brief description: Underground galleried structure (souterrain), hexagonal with corbelled roof, passage leading out and wall recesses
Human remains: Large quantities of human skulls and bones representing at least six adults, robust but short, with worn teeth, and twelve juveniles of 5-17 years. Most of the skulls were found around one pillar, one in a recess at south-east of chamber.
Some of the crania were placed upside-down, with mandibles placed underneath
404
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age / Late Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
25. Sebay
NMRS number: HY 50SW 4
National grid reference: HY 5179 0498
Excavated: Landowner 1963
Principle references: Sheridan 2006
Brief description: Steatite urn containing human remains and a piece of animal hair
Human remains found: Cremated human remains found within the urn
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of animal hair (cal. 80-220 AD)
Location of human remains: Lost
26. Skaill
NMRS number: HY21NW 30.02
National grid reference: HY 2294 1876
Excavated: GUARD 1996
Principle references: James 1999
Brief description: Long cist, partially eroded
Human remains: Extended skeleton of young adult male, lower half eroded, head to west, prone, in stone cist
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Tankerness House museum, Kirkwall*
405
27. Skara Brae
NMRS number: HY21NW 12.00
National grid reference: HY 2312 1874
Excavated: Childe 1927-1930, Clarke 1972-3
Principle references: Childe 1931
Brief description: Neolithic village with Bronze Age occupation and later cist burials
Human remains: Two skeletons in cists overlying Bronze Age occupation south of house 7, both supine, heads to north, unaccompanied.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
28. St Boniface, Papa Westray (Munkerhoose)
NMRS number: HY45SE 26
National grid reference: HY 4877 5271
Excavated: Historic Scotland 1990
Principle references: Lowe and Boardman 1998
Brief description: Bronze Age activity, Early to Late Iron Age settlement, Norse settlement, Medieval church
Human remains: Adult lower leg and feet bones recovered from basal deposits of
Middle Iron Age enclosure ditch
Dating evidence: Stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating of layers
Location of human remains: Lost
406
29. Stromness
NMRS number: None assigned
National grid reference: Exact find spot unknown
Excavated: de Cardonell late 18th century
Principle references: Sheridan et al. 2005
Brief description: Steatite urn containing cremated human remains found wrapped in animal hide in cist
Human remains: Cremated human bone
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of cremated bone (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle
30. Westness, Rousay (Moa Ness)
NMRS number: HY32NE 7
National grid reference: HY 3759 2932
Excavated: Kaland 1968-84
Principle references: Kaland 1993
Brief description: Pictish and Viking cemetery
Human remains: 32 graves, 9-12 of which are Viking, and 20-23 are simple unaccompanied E-W graves. Twelve graves have been dated to the Late Iron Age
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeletons (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
407
31. Whitehall (Braes of Howar), Stronsay
NMRS number: HY62NE 1
National grid reference: HY 655 284
Excavated: Sinclair 1923
Principle references: Marwick 1927a
Brief description: Atlantic roundhouse
Human remains: ‘not far from the hearth was a single upright pillar beneath which a human jawbone was found’ (Marwick 1927b: 64)
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
408
Caithness (sites 32-54)
32. Achingale
NMRS number: ND25SW 14
National grid reference: ND 2434 5353
Excavated: Landowner 1841
Principle references: Anon. 1873
Brief description: Atlantic roundhouse, with long cist
Human remains: One adult skeleton in cist, further human remains in ‘broch’
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age, cist find Late Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
33. Ackergill
NMRS number: ND35SW 12
National grid reference: ND 3487 5497
Excavated: Edwards 1925-6, Hunter Blair 2003-4
Principle references: Edwards 1926, Hunter Blair 2004a
Brief description: Long cist cemetery, Pictish symbol stone
Human remains: Skeletons of ten individuals were found in cists in kerbed burial cairns, with layers of white quartzite pebbles. Skeleton B was extended and oriented with the head to north, and shared a cairn with two juvenile skeletons, A and C.
Skeleton D was extended with the head to the north west, sharing a cairn with skeleton E which was on its left side and face down, with the head to the south east.
409
Skeleton F was extended on its left side, face down, with the head to the east, and a bronze chain around the neck - the only grave good found. In the same cairn was skeleton G, flexed on its left side with the head to the south east, and skeletons H and
J. Human bones were also disturbed by mechanical digging on the site in 2003.
Dating evidence: Nature of graves, radiocarbon dating of bone (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: One skull and several maxillae in National Museum of
Scotland, Edinburgh*, other remains lost
34. Borrowston (Green Tullochs)
NMRS number: ND06NW 18
National grid reference: ND 0131 6964
Excavated: Unknown 1815
Principle references: Anderson 1890
Brief description: Atlantic roundhouse with encircling wall, bank and ditch
Human remains: One human skeleton ‘laid close to the wall of the tower, and covered by a flagstone, loosely set on edge in the ground, and leaning against the wall’
(Anderson 1890: 185)
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
35. Brimsade (Burn of Brimside)
NMRS number: ND06NW 22
National grid reference: ND 0495 6696
410
Excavated: Unknown 1873
Principle references: Anderson 1890
Brief description: Atlantic roundhouse
Human remains: Eight or ten skulls found in interior
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Reburied
36. Brounaben (Brounaban)
NMRS number: ND34SW 33
National grid reference: ND 3231 4347
Excavated: Anderson late 19th century
Principle references: Anderson 1890
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse
Human remains: One skeleton in chamber at foot of stair, one in stone cist by side of door, and human bones found in excavation outside broch
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
37. Cnoc Stanger
NMRS number: NC96NE 9
National grid reference: NC 950 652
Excavated: Mercer 1980-2
Principle references: Mercer 1996
411
Brief description: Early Iron Age cultivation surfaces, middens and roundhouse
Human remains: Fragments of human bone from minimum of three individuals found in unspecified contexts
Dating evidence: Stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating of layers
Location of human remains: Lost
38. Crosskirk
NMRS number: ND07SW 4
National grid reference: ND 0248 7012
Excavated: Fairhurst 1966-72
Principle references: Fairhurst 1984
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse and external buildings
Human remains: Skeleton of elderly male found seated in a stone box dug into the floor of one of the roundhouse outbuildings, facing out to sea, and human femur head whorl found on platform to east of main roundhouse
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones – these remains were re-dated as the earlier date obtained for this skeleton was thought to be unreliable, and produced an unacceptably wide date range (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Hunterian Museum, Glasgow*
39. Dunbeath (Dun Beath)
NMRS number: ND13SE 17
National grid reference: ND 1553 3044
412
Excavated: Sinclair late 19th century
Principle references: Anderson 1890
Brief description: Broch tower
Human remains: One skeleton in stone cist near top of mound, and adult vertebrae in broch interior
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
40. Freswick Links
NMRS number: ND36NE 4
National grid reference: ND 3760 6762
Excavated: Anderson 1901, Edwards 1925-7, Curle 1939, Childe 1943, cist excavated by amateur 1966
Principle references: Original descriptions of find (Marischal Museum), Batey 1987
Brief description: Broch tower with external settlement and long cist
Human remains: Adult skeleton found in long cist of sandstone slabs south of broch, no grave goods, head to west. Later descriptions claim prone but original description describe as supine and slightly contracted
Dating evidence: Nature of burial, nearby Middle Iron Age structures
Location of human remains: Marischal Museum, Aberdeen*
41. Hill of Works (Bridge of Lyth)
NMRS number: ND26SE 2
413
National grid reference: ND 2903 6255
Excavated: Tress Barry 1900
Principle references: Anon. 1904
Brief description: Atlantic roundhouse with concentric wall and ditch
Human remains: Two skeletons lying on the floor of the mural chamber
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
42. Hillhead (‘The Pap’)
NMRS number: ND35SE 5
National grid reference: ND 3762 5140
Excavated: Tress Barry 1900-1901
Principle references: Tress Barry 1902
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse
Human remains: Perforated cranial fragment found on the floor of the entrance passageway into the broch
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bone (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
43. Keiss (Birkle Hills)
NMRS number: ND35NW 5
National grid reference: ND 3392 5847
Excavated: Laing mid 19th century
414
Principle references: Laing 1866
Brief description: Long cists, Pictish symbol stone
Human remains: Nine individuals found as complete skeletons in long stone cists under large burial mound; skeleton 7 (accompanied by stone hammer and limpet shells) and skeleton 8 (‘chiefs grave’) in largest and most central cists.
Dating evidence: Nature of graves, finds, symbol stone
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (skulls of skeletons 1-7)*, Duckworth Laboratory, Cambridge (skulls of skeletons 8 and 9)*
44. Kettleburn (Gillock)
NMRS number: ND35SW 11
National grid reference: ND 3497 5191
Excavated: Rhind mid 19th century
Principle references: Rhind 1853
Brief description: Atlantic roundhouse with boundary wall
Human remains: Four pieces of cranium in heap of ashes in broch interior
Dating evidence: Structure and finds Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
45. Lower Dounreay
NMRS number: NC96NE 3
National grid reference: NC 985 670
Excavated: Ministry of Works 1956-8
415
Principle references: The Ministry of Works 1956, Burns 1966
Brief description: Pre-Christian cemetery, hut floors
Human remains: Three extended and one crouched skeleton, some in stone cists and some in simple pits dug into the sand, all unaccompanied. One triple burial was present, and one disarticulated and perforated cranial fragment was found
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Skulls in National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
46. Old Stirkoke (Cairn Hill)
NMRS number: ND34NW 4
National grid reference: ND 3275 4928
Excavated: Landowner, mid 19th century
Principle references: Anderson 1890
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse
Human remains: Fragments of human skull in midden
Dating evidence: Structure and finds Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
47. Ousdale Burn
NMRS number: ND01NE 1
National grid reference: ND 0713 1881
Excavated: Mackay 1891
Principle references: Mackay 1892
416
Brief description: Broch tower, with ramparts and (later?) outworks. Secondary occupation is shown by partition slabs set into the broch floor.
Human remains: One partial human skeleton found lying head downwards in an aperture above the entrance to the stair, covered with small stones
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
48. Scottag
NMRS number: ND25NE 5
National grid reference: ND 2566 5699
Excavated: Landowner 1870
Principle references: Anon. 1894
Brief description: Mound containing remains of roundhouse or cairn, with small square stone cist
Human remains: Stone cist full of decayed bones
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
49. Skitten
NMRS number: ND35NW 3
National grid reference: ND 3234 5655
Excavated: Calder 1940
Principle references: Calder 1947
417
Brief description: Broch tower with defensive rampart and ditch
Human remains: Left arm and hand bones, left metatarsals, right cuboid and part of right femur from small adult, found ‘throughout the debris’ (Calder 1947: 145)
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
50. Thrumster Mains
NMRS number: ND34NW 1
National grid reference: ND 3319 4505
Excavated: Unknown early 20th century
Principle references: RCAHMS 1911
Brief description: Atlantic roundhouse
Human remains: ‘A skeleton was found buried in a cist of slabs in the mould heaped against the outside of the fabric’ (RCAHMS 1911)
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
51. Wag of Forse
NMRS number: ND23NW 1
National grid reference: ND 2048 3520
Excavated: Curle 1940
Principle references: Curle 1948, Baines 1999
Brief description: Complex Atlantic roundhouse with later cellular settlement
418
Human remains: Two human limb bones, one showing use wear, buried a few inches below entrance to roundhouse
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
52. Wester Broch (Castle Linglas)
NMRS number: ND35NW 4
National grid reference: ND 3385 5831
Excavated: Tress Barry late 19th century
Principle references: Anderson 1901
Brief description: Atlantic roundhouse with enclosing wall and external buildings
Human remains: Four skeletons in cists over the wall of the broch, post-dating broch collapse, and ‘the bones of a child’ in one outbuilding
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: One skull fragment in National Museum of Scotland,
Edinburgh*
53. Whitegate (White Broch)
NMRS number: ND36SE 3.00
National grid reference: ND 3541 6120
Excavated: Tress Barry 1892-3, Heald 2005-7
Principle references: Anderson 1901, Heald et al. 2006, Heald and Thoms 2009
Brief description: Simple Atlantic roundhouse with later re-occupation, alteration and
419 external buildings
Human remains: 1892-3 excavation: fragments of human crania from broch interior,
2005-7 excavation: human remains mixed with animal remains in side chamber, with cranium placed on top, and human bones on steps of well
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Cranial fragments from older excavation in National
Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*, Newer remains with AOC
54. Yarhouse (Yarrows)
NMRS number: ND34SW 1
National grid reference: ND 3083 4349
Excavated: Anderson 1866-7
Principle references: Anderson 1890
Brief description: Broch tower, with irregular external structures
Human remains: One partial skeleton and one lone skull near top of mound, one skeleton between two upright stones at base of mound, human bones in upper fill of one of the external structures, one skeleton in ash layer on floor of external cell
Dating evidence: Structure and finds Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
420
Sutherland (sites 55-61)
55. Carn Liath
NMRS number: NC80SE 4.00
National grid reference: NC 8704 0137
Excavated: Joass and the Duke of Sutherland late 19th century
Principle references: Joass 1890
Brief description: Broch tower
Human remains: Partial skeleton on scarcement ledge at corner of inner doorway
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Dunrobin Castle Museum (cranial fragment only)*
56. Carrol (Craig-Carril)
NMRS number: NC80NW 1
National grid reference: NC 8462 0646
Excavated: Joass and the Duke of Sutherland late 19th century
Principle references: Joass 1890
Brief description: Broch tower with surrounding wall and ditch
Human remains: Fragmented cranium found at foot of stair, and intact cranium, no context recorded
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Lost
421
57. Dairy Park
NMRS number: NC80SW 16
National grid reference: NC 8470 0039
Excavated: Close-Brooks 1977
Principle references: Close-Brooks 1980
Brief description: Pictish symbol stone, cairn and long cist
Human remains: Adult female skeleton found extended in cist
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
58. Dunrobin Castle
NMRS number: NC80SW 24
National grid reference: NC 8494 0057
Excavated: Duke of Sutherland mid 19th century
Principal references: Ross 1854
Brief description: Two cist graves
Human remains: Three adult skeletons found in two stone cists, one covered by a Pictish symbol stone
Dating evidence: Symbol stone Late Iron Age
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (one skull only)*
422
59. Kintradwell (Cinn Trolla)
NMRS number: NC90NW 5
National grid reference: NC 9293 0807
Excavated: Joass and the Duke of Sutherland late 19th century
Principle references: Joass 1890
Brief description: Broch tower
Human remains: Multiple skeletons and partial skeletons found throughout excavated layers: skull 1 found near top of broch mound along with humeri and mixed animal bones, skeleton 2 found near top of broch mound by east wall, skeleton flexed on left side and packed round with stones, skull 3 found at the inner end of the broch entrance passageway, laid upon a flat stone which covered the skull of a horse, possibly associated with headless skeleton found by the south wall of the broch. Skull and partial skeleton 4 found near surface at outer end of entrance, skull 5 and limb bones found near roof of stair foot chamber, skeletons 6 and 7 found on stair, child’s skull 8 found in entrance passage chamber, and fragmentary remains of skeleton 9 found on floor by entrance to passage. Skeleton 10 was found in a cist on the neighbouring links. Skeleton 1.2 was found in a small chamber outside the broch doorway, near an iron spearhead and lead ring, skulls 3.2 and 4.2 were found in the circular enclosure south-west of the tower, skeleton 4.2 was found in the shallow oval enclosure north west of the tower, close to an iron dagger blade, and fragmentary remains 5.2 were found at the foot of the tower wall on the south east side.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Dunrobin Castle Museum (skulls and skeleton 10 limbs)*
423
60. Loch Borralie
NMRS number: NC36NE 88
National grid reference: NC 3790 6761
Excavated: GUARD 2000
Principle references: MacGregor et al. 2003
Brief description: Cairn containing two inhumations
Human remains: Partial skeletons of one adult and one juvenile, the former extended on low primary cairn of stone and earth, with a large stone to the east of the head, and a ring-headed pin nearby, and the latter within an irregular grave in the cairn, with a small stone to the north-east of the head.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: GUARD*
61. Sangobeg (Sangobeag)
NMRS number: None allocated
National grid reference: NC 4270 6609
Excavated: GUARD 2004
Principle references: Batey 2005
Brief description: Cairn inhumation
Human remains: Juvenile skeleton buried flexed under cairn
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: GUARD*
424
Western Isles (sites 62-86)
62. A’Ceardach Ruadh, Baleshare
NMRS number: NF76SE 9
National grid reference: NF 7763 6157
Excavated: Robberstad 1964, James 1984, Armit 1993, MacLeod 2000
Principle references: Crawford 1964, Armit 1993, MacLeod 2001, James and Duffy
2003
Brief description: Possible wheelhouse and extensive midden, near to which several inhumations have been recovered
Human remains: 1964 - lower part of skeleton excavated by tourist after discovery eroding out of dune, supine, head to west
1984 - supine skeleton in simple grave pit excavated from midden section, head to west, radiocarbon date obtained from shell in grave
1993 - supine inhumation found in long cist cut into midden, head to north, with two cattle teeth, and juvenile bone found in surrounding layers
2001 - prone inhumation buried in midden deposits, head to north, covered by layer of quartz pebbles
Dating evidence: Settlement Middle Iron Age, possibly unreliable radiocarbon date obtained from shell in 1984 grave (cal. 330-130 BC)
Location of human remains: Museum nan Eileen, Stornoway (1993 and 2001 skeletons only)*
425
63. An Corran, Boreray
NMRS number: NF88SE 1
National grid reference: NF 856 806
Excavated: ARCUS 1997
Principle references: Badcock and Downes 2000
Brief description: Cist burials and corbelled structure
Human remains: Two extended adult skeletons within cists, flexed on right side, heads to west, with pottery fragments
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Lost
64. An Dunan (Traigh Nan Sruban), Lewis
NMRS number: NB03SW 20
National grid reference: NB 0453 3460
Excavated: Edinburgh University 1996-7
Principle references: Gilmour 2002
Brief description: Orthostatic structure, hearth and redeposited mound
Human remains: Human teeth amongst material in mound
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of layers
Location of human remains: Edinburgh University
426
65. Ardvichar, South Uist
NMRS number: NF74NW 4
National grid reference: NF 7391 4564
Excavated: Sharples 2005
Principle references: Sharples et al. 2005a
Brief description: Burial in sand
Human remains: One partial adult skeleton, eroding from sand
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Cardiff University*
66. Barvas (Barabhais), Lewis
NMRS number: None allocated
National grid reference: NB 330 560 - NB 354 525
Excavated: Macleod 2000
Principle references: Macleod 2000
Brief description: Eroding cemetery with cremations and one inhumation burial
Human remains: A number of cremations in stone-lined ditches, and one prone, extended female inhumation, head to west, in long cist under cairn, with iron and copper bracelet found behind head
Dating evidence: Finds Middle Iron Age – Late Iron Age
Location of human remains: Museum nan Eileen, Stornoway (inhumation only)*
427
67. Bruach A’ Tuath (Bruthach Mor, Bruach Ban)
NMRS number: NF75NE 1
National grid reference: NF 7870 5661
Excavated: Ministry of Works 1956
Principle references: Goldberg pers. comm.
Brief description: Wheelhouse and associated structures
Human remains: Tibial shaft found in one of the wheelhouse cells
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow
68. Cill Donnain, South Uist
NMRS number: NF72NW 26
National grid reference: NF 728 285
Excavated: SEARCH 1991
Principle references: Zvelebil 1991, Parker Pearson et al. 2004
Brief description: Roundhouse, midden
Human remains: Cranial fragment
Dating evidence: Structure Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Sheffield University
69. Cille Pheadair (Kilpheder), South Uist
NMRS number: NF71NW 19
National grid reference: NF 7292 1972
428
Excavated: SEARCH 1998
Principle references: Mulville et al. 2003
Brief description: Long cist under cairn
Human remains: Skeleton of adult female laid supine within cist, head to south, later disturbed and sternum removed
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway*
70. Cladh Hallan, South Uist
NMRS number: NF72SW 17
National grid reference: NF 7305 2203
Excavated: Sheffield University 1995-2002
Principle references: Mulville et al. 2003, Parker Pearson et al. 2005
Brief description: Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age settlement
Human remains: Few disarticulated human bones found in Iron Age layers
Dating evidence: Stratigraphy, radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Sheffield University
71. Cnip (Kneep), Lewis
NMRS number: NB03NE 17
National grid reference: NB 0980 3659
Excavated: Edinburgh University 1988
Principle references: Armit 2006b
429
Brief description: Pair of wheelhouses and secondary structures
Human remains: Skull fragment placed in hollow scooped into rubble layer of wheelhouse 2, modified skull fragment within wall-backing deposit, perforated skull fragment in fill of entranceway, and tibia fragment in midden layer
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
72. Druimsdale Machair, South Uist
NMRS number: None allocated
National grid reference: NF 753 375
Excavated: AOC 2008
Principle references: Rhodes 2008
Brief description: Cist burial and surrounding features eroding from machair
Human remains: Crouched adult skeleton in stone cist
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: AOC, Edinburgh*
73. Dun Vulan, South Uist
NMRS number: NF72NW 1
National grid reference: NF 7140 2981
Excavated: Sheffield University 1991-1996
Principle references: Parker Pearson and Sharples 1999
Brief description: Broch tower and outbuildings
430
Human remains: Many fragmented and disarticulated bones, predominantly skull fragments, found in multiple contexts throughout site sequence. Several bones appear much older than the contexts in which they were deposited
Dating evidence: Stratigraphy, radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Sheffield University
74. Galson, Lewis
NMRS number: NB45NW 2.02
National grid reference: NB 4367 5944
Excavated: Stevenson 1948-9, Ponting 1984-5, Neighbour 1993 and 1996
Principle references: Stevenson 1952, Ponting 1990, Neighbour et al. 2000
Brief description: Long cists and Iron Age to Medieval settlement
Human remains: At least eleven skeletons buried in stone-lined cists:
1940’s finds: Galson I (adult female) buried prone with hands around neck, Galson II
(adult female) on right side, Galson III (adult male?) and IV (adult female) amongst midden, Galson V (adult female) disturbed but supine, Galson VI and VII partial adult skeletons, most oriented with heads to west
1980’s finds: two adult skeletons, supine with heads to west
1993 finds: adult male skeleton flexed on right side, head to west, in shallow pit, with bone pin, pennanular brooch and decorated pot
1996 finds: adult male skeleton, supine, head to west, in cist, overlain by midden, plus one infant cist burial, unrecorded
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeletons (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (1940’s finds)*,
431
Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway (1990’s finds)*, reburied (1980’s finds)
75. Griminish, North Uist
NMRS number: NF77NW 23
National grid reference: NF 7484 7640
Excavated: AOC 2007
Principle references: Dunbar and Thoms 2008a
Brief description: Eroding short cist cut into Bronze Age midden layers
Human remains: Crouched adult inhumation in short cist
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: AOC, Edinburgh*
76. Habost, Lewis
NMRS number: NB56SW 70
National grid reference: NB 5095 6420
Excavated: GUARD 2001
Principle references: MacGregor 2001a
Brief description: Human remains eroding out of sand, stone setting nearby
Human remains: Disarticulated remains eroding out of sand
Dating evidence: Proximity and similarity to site 84 (Swainbost)
Location of human remains: GUARD, Glasgow*
432
77. Hornish Point, South Uist
NMRS number: NF74NE 18
National grid reference: NF 758 470
Excavated: Barber 1984
Principle references: Barber et al. 1989, James and McCullagh 2003
Brief description: Roundhouse, pits and midden
Human remains: Partial juvenile skeleton divided between four pit contexts beneath wheelhouse pier: right leg and part of pelvis in 138, part of sacrum, vertebral fragments, arm and hand bones, manubrium and rib fragment in 174, clavicle, rib fragments, cut lumbar vertebrae, partial pelvis and sacrum and left distal femur in 178 and left foot bones and rib fragment in 481
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
78. Loch Paible, North Uist
NMRS number: None allocated
National grid reference: NF 7170 6818
Excavated: AOC 2005
Principle references: Toolis 2006
Brief description: Two cremation burials in cists near site of lost cist and dry-stone structure, possibly wheelhouse
Human remains: Two distinct spreads of cremated human bone
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of cremated bones (see Appendix 3)
433
Location of human remains: AOC, Edinburgh*
79. Northton (Rubh An Teampull), Harris
NMRS number: NF99SE 2.00
National grid reference: NF 976 943
Excavated: McEwen 1963-4, Simpson 1962-6, Murphy 2001
Principle references: Murphy et al. 2004, Simpson et al. 2006
Brief description: Mesolithic-Medieval settlement, Bronze and Iron Age burials
Human remains: Bronze Age skeletons in cists plus skeleton 2 – flexed inhumation, no grave goods, and skeleton 3a – disturbed inhumation burial, mixed with partial remains of three other burials (3b, c and d).
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Duckworth, Cambridge*
80. Pollochar, South Uist
NMRS number: None allocated
National grid reference: NF 7504 1842
Excavated: Sharples 2005
Principle references: Sharples et al. 2005b
Brief description: Burial in sand to east of small building.
Human remains: Partial adult skeleton eroding from sand
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: University of Cardiff*
434
81. Scarista (Scarastabeg), Harris
NMRS number: NG09SW 11
National grid reference: NG 0073 9302
Excavated: Unknown 1992, AOC 2004
Principle references: Cunnigham and Hothersall 1992, Hunter Blair 2004b, 2005
Brief description: Burials in sand dune
Human remains: 1992 - unaccompanied crouched skeleton
2004 - partial inhumation burial
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway*
82. Sloc Sabhaidh, Baleshare
NMRS number: NF76SE 19
National grid reference: NF 7823 6085
Excavated: SCARP 2008-9
Principle reference: Rennell and McHardy 2008
Brief description: Wheelhouse settlement
Human remains: Adult mandible placed at top of pit inside wheelhouse containing articulated animal remains and cremated animal remains
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Becky Rennell, South Uist *
435
83. Stornoway Airport (Melbost)
NMRS number: None allocated
National grid reference: Unknown
Excavated: Langhorne 1991
Principle references: Armit 1990
Brief description: Inhumation with pottery
Human remains: Juvenile skeleton extended in grave
Dating evidence: Pottery Middle Iron Age
Location of human remains: Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway*
84. Swainbost, Lewis
NMRS number: NB56SW 71
National grid reference: NB 5039 6368
Excavated: GUARD 2001
Principle references: MacGregor 2001b, Duffy and MacGregor 2007
Brief description: Inhumation in sand
Human remains: Partial skeleton found eroding out of sand face, supine, head to north east, stone slabs suggesting possible cist, with iron artefact
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: GUARD, Glasgow*
85. The Udal (Coileagan An Udal), North Uist
NMRS number: NF87NW 2
436
National grid reference: NF 825 783
Excavated: Iain Crawford 1964-83
Principle references: Crawford 1965-1984, Denston 2008
Brief description: Neolithic - Post-Medieval settlement
Human remains: Human remains from multiple periods. Iron Age remains - calcified human bone mixed with slag, ash and MIA pottery on fire-damaged stone platforms, human remains from disturbed graves in cells over rubble of wheelhouse, pit inhumation capped by tiny stone cairn below stone platforms, wheelhouse period pit inhumation of crouched adult burial with head to north, bone pin, lamb chop, antler and iron objects, and human bone scatters in Late Iron Age layers
Dating evidence: Stratigraphy, radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Duckworth Laboratory, Cambridge*
86. Vallay, North Uist
NMRS number: NF77NE 10
National grid reference: NF 7681 7615
Excavated: AOC 2007
Principle references: Dunbar and Thoms 2008b
Brief description: Possible eroding cist with inhumation burial
Human remains: Extended but disturbed adult inhumation
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: AOC, Edinburgh*
437
Argyll and Inner Isles (sites 87-96)
87. Ardnadam
NMRS number: NS17NE 7
National grid reference: NS 1633 7917
Excavated: Cowal Archaeological Society 1964-82
Principle references: Rennie 1984 and 1999
Brief description: Neolithic settlement, Iron Age roundhouses, early Christian chapels, cross-marked stones and oval pits representing infant graves
Human remains: Only fragments of bone found
Dating evidence: Early Christian buildings and cross-marked stones
Location of human remains: None surviving
88. Cleigh
NMRS number: NM82NE 21
National grid reference: NM 8785 2570
Excavated: Gilmour and Henderson 1996
Principle references: Gilmour and Henderson 1997
Brief description: Neolithic structure re-used for a cremation during the Iron Age
Human remains: Cremated partial remains of one adult individual placed in pit along with oak charcoal, some cremated bone in surrounding contexts
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of associated charcoal (cal. 560-755 AD)
Location of human remains: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Edinburgh*
438
89. Dun Mor Vaul, Tiree
NMRS number: NM04NW 3
National grid reference: NM 0423 4927
Excavated: Beveridge 1880, Mackie 1962-4
Principle references: Mackie 1974
Brief description: Broch tower and outworks
Human remains: Disarticulated skeleton of an adult male buried in broch interior, and partial skeleton (torso and mandible) placed in the mural gallery.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of skeleton – these remains were re-dated as the previous date obtained for this skeleton was thought to be unreliable, and produced an unacceptably wide date range (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Hunterian Museum, Glasgow (disarticulated only)*
90. Fiskavaig (Uamh An Eich Bhric), Skye
NMRS number: NG36SW 2
National grid reference: NG 3028 6364
Excavated: Birch and Wildgoose 2008-present
Principle references: Birch 2006, 2009
Brief description: Rock-shelter with evidence of Iron Age occupation
Human remains: Perforated fragment of adult cranium found by the side of a hearth, along with butchered animal bone
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bone (see Appendix 3)
439
Location of human remains: Skye, with excavator*
91. High Pasture Cave (Uamh An Ard Achadh), Skye
NMRS number: NG51NE 83
National grid reference: NG 5943 1971
Excavated: Birch and Wildgoose 2003-2008
Principle references: Sinfield pers. comm., Birch 2006 and 2009
Brief description: Bronze Age - Iron Age ritual use of cave
Human remains: Adult skeleton found at top of stairwell behind sealed cave entrance, disturbed but articulated upon deposition, supine, with large boulder placed on chest.
Foetal and neonate bones found in three separate contexts: accompanying adult skeleton, in two small hollows dug into the ground below adult skeleton, and lower down stairwell, along with foetal animal bones.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Laura Sinfield, Edinburgh*
92. MacArthur Cave, Oban
NMRS number: NM83SE 9
National grid reference: NM 8592 3043
Excavated: Anderson late 19th century
Principle references: Saville and Hallen 1994
Brief description: Cave with Mesolithic-Bronze Age activity and human remains
Human remains: Many disarticulated/ disturbed human bones found in the upper
440
‘black earth’ layer of the cave, some in the upper shell bed below, and a few smaller bones in the lower shell bed
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of bones (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh*
93. Morvern, Acharn
NMRS number: NM65SE 5
National grid reference: NM 697 505
Excavated: Ritchie and Thornber 1977-1985
Principle references: Ritchie and Thornber 1989
Brief description: Platform cairns
Human remains: Cremated remains of young adult found in small pit in central cist within cairn, with sherds of pottery
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of charcoal (cal. 45-205 AD)
Location of human remains: Lost
94. Sanaigmhor Warren, Islay
NMRS number: NR27SW 27
National grid reference: NR 2405 7085
Excavated: AOC 1996
Principle references: Cook 1999
Brief description: Two urned cremations, one under cairn, one under cist
Human remains: Cist burial - 1186g of small fragments of cremated bone, probably
441 single young adult individual. Cairn burial - 680g of very small fragments of cremated bone, probably single individual.
Dating evidence: Radiocarbon dating of cremated bone (see Appendix 3)
Location of human remains: Lost
95. St Ninian’s Chapel, Bute
NMRS number: NS06SW 4
National grid reference: NS 0349 6126
Excavated: Bute Natural History Society 1952-4
Principle references: Aitken 1955
Brief description: Early Christian chapel and burials
Human remains: Nine adult burials in total: one in front of the altar with the head to east and feet against the altar stone, one female, plus finger bones and mandible from disturbed burial to north east of chapel, one adult immediately outside chapel entrance, and one outside enclosure wall. All in unlined shallow graves, most with heads to east but three oriented in other directions. One burial with jet armlet.
Dating evidence: Structure Early Christian, stratigraphy, nature of burials
Location of human remains: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (disarticulated bones only)*
96. St Ronan’s, Iona
NMRS number: NM22SE 51
National grid reference: NM 2849 2412
442
Excavated: AOC 1992
Principle references: O’Sullivan 1994
Brief description: Church and Early Christian cemetery
Human remains: Nine graves decayed fragmentary decayed bones
Dating evidence: Structure Early Christian, nature of burials
Location of human remains: None surviving
Note: Although sites from the western coast of Ross and Cromarty and Inverness would have fallen within this study, no Iron Age sites from these areas are known to have produced human remains.