BALNAHARD FARM COLONSAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL WALKOVER SURVEY Data Structure Report May 2012 Roderick Regan Kilmartin House Museum Argyll, PA31 8RQ Tel: 01546 510 278
[email protected] Scottish Charity SC022744 Summary The fieldwork at Balnahard Farm has recorded over 200 sites, the vast majority of which were previously unknown. This has enhanced previous work, as well as substantially increasing our knowledge of past land-use in this northern area of the island. The discovery of probable burial monuments, a cup-marked rock panel, a dun and what are likely prehistoric hut circles, indicates occupation from an early period. Aside from these possible Prehistoric sites, this work has also highlighted the presence of fairly extensive settlement and associated cultivation over this part of the island. While the survey has provided a more comprehensive picture of settlement activity, large gaps remain in our knowledge about its chronology and function. To better understand the significance of the survey results, further study of the historical evidence would be needed along with evidence from targeted excavations. Acknowledgements Kilmartin House Museum would like to thank David and Sarah Hobhouse for their cooperation and help over the survey period and Colonsay Estate for permission to carry out the survey. Particular thanks go to the group of enthusiastic individuals who participated in the survey and were as follows; Esme Marshall, Kevin and Christa Byrne, Carol MacNeill, Dr David Binnie and Dr Jan Brooks. Special mention also goes to Anne Smart and Shiela Clark who proof read the text. The project was funded by Awards for All and Scotlands Island’s-Island Archaeology Project (Argyll and Bute Council, Highlands and islands Enterprise, European development Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund) ii Contents 1.