CFA ARCHAEOLOGY LTD
August 2005 Commissioned by The Highland Council, Transport, Environmental and Community Services
This document has been prepared in accordance with CFA standard operating procedures.
Author: Date
Approved by: Date
Draft/Final Report Stage: FINAL
Author: Samantha Badger MA FSA Scot AIFA Illustrator: Karen Clarke BA MA MSc Editor: Melanie Johnson MA PhD FSA Scot AIFA
CFA ARCHAEOLOGY LTD The Old Engine House Eskmills Business Park Musselburgh EH21 7PQ
Tel: 0131-273 4380 Fax: 0131-273 4381 email: [email protected]
A832 Achnasheen to Kinlochewe Road Upgrade Phase 3: Glen Docherty Viewpoint to Kinlochewe Archaeological Recording and Excavations Data Structure Report
Report no. 1091 CONTENTS
1. Introduction 4
2. Archaeological Background 6
3. Programme of archaeological mitigation works 12
4. Methods Statement 14
5. Site 36 – Field Wall 16
6. Site 52 – Possible Levee and Scoops 18
7. Site 53 – Iron Working 21
8. Site 55 – Track and Wall 22
9. Site 57 – Enclosures 23
10. Site 59 – Field Bank 26
11. Site 63 – Building 27
12. Site 66 – Field Bank 29
13. Site 67 – Field Wall 30
14. Site 68 – Field Wall 31
15. Site 76 – Field Bank 33
16. Site 82 – Kiln and Hollow 35
17. Site 86 – Iron Working 40
18. Site B2 – Field Bank 41
19. Conclusions 42
20. References 43
Appendices
1. Context list 44 2. Photographic register 46 3. Finds Quantification 50 4. Samples register 51 5. Field drawings register 52 6. Written Scheme of Investigation 53
A832/1091/0 Page 2 CFA Figures
Fig. 1 Location maps, showing extent of phase 3 of the road scheme 5 Fig. 2 Sections of Sites 36, 55 and B2 17 Fig. 3 Section and plan of Site 52 and section through Scoop 2 20 Fig. 4 Sections in trenches 1 and 2, Site 57, and Site 59 25 Fig. 5 Plan and section through Site 63 28 Fig. 6 Sections through Sites 66, 67 and 68 32 Fig. 7 Sections through Site 76 34 Fig. 8 Section through kiln Site 82 and profile of kiln Site 82 37 Fig. 9 Section through hollow, Site 82 38 Fig. 10 Section through hollow Site 82 and plan of Site 82 39 Fig. 11 Plan of area showing location of sites (Bound at rear)
Plates (bound at rear)
Plate 1 Site 36, west facing section Plate 2 Site 37, track taken from northwest Plate 3 Site 52, pre-excavation view of scoop 2 Plate 4 Site 52, post-excavation view of scoop 2 Plate 5 Site 55, view of track from SSE Plate 6 Site 55, north facing section through bank Plate 7 Site 57, trench 1, south facing section Plate 8 Site 57, trench 2, east facing section Plate 9 Site 59, north facing section Plate 10 Site 62, track taken from side of existing A832, facing NNW Plate11 Site 63, view of site, post-excavation, from the NNW Plate 12 Site 63, upstanding gable end from the NNW Plate 13 Site 63, gable end from the SSE Plate 14 Site 63, gable end from the ENE Plate 15 Site 63, section showing building wall Plate 16 Site 64, track from SSE Plate 17 Site 66, north facing section of bank Plate 18 Site 67, south facing section Plate 19 Site 68, southwest facing section Plate 20 Site 74, track from the east Plate 21 Site 76, north facing section, east end showing old ground surface Plate 22 Site 76, north facing section, west end showing old ground surface Plate 23 Site 82, pre-excavation view of hollow Plate 24 Site 82, kiln after rubble removed, showing stone walls of kiln Plate 25 Site 83, Kinlochewe Lodge wall, east end Plate 26 Site 83, Kinlochewe Lodge wall, central section Plate 27 Site 86, possible bloomery mound, ranging rod marking the apex Plate 28 Site B1, old road alignment, now a farm track Plate 29 Site B1, Old road alignment, defined by remains of a wall to the east side Plate 30 Site B2, east facing section of bank Plate 31 Site 84, Kinlochewe Bridge
A832/1091/0 Page 3 CFA 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
1.1.1 This report presents the results of a programme of archaeological excavation and recording carried out by CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) in advance of construction works associated with the A832 Achnasheen to Kinlochewe Phase 3 road upgrade, between Glen Docherty viewpoint and Kinlochewe, Highland (NGR: NH 030 619 - 064 594; Fig. 1). The work was commissioned by The Highland Council Transport, Environmental and Community Services (TECS).
1.1.2 The requirement for the archaeological recording formed a condition attached to planning consent for the proposed road upgrade scheme (Ref: 04/969/NIDRC & 05/00164/FULRC) by the Archaeology Unit of The Highland Council Planning and Development Service. In May 2005 CFA produced a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) for the recording works (Appendix 6) to fulfil the requirements of the Brief and schedule, which was approved by The Archaeology Unit.
1.1.3 The objectives of the archaeological recording were to:
• record to agreed methods and appropriate standards those archaeological features that lay within areas proposed for development, prior to the commencement of construction works, and
• ensure that the needs for archaeological recording and conservation were met without causing any unnecessary delay or disturbance to the road improvement project.
1.2 Planning Background
1.2.1 In 2001 The Highland Council commissioned CFA Archaeology Ltd to conduct a baseline survey of the proposed Phase 2 and Phase 3 A832 road upgrade corridor between Lubmore and Kinlochewe, based upon a preliminary route alignment design. The survey was conducted to fulfil the requirements of a Specification produced by the Archaeology Unit. A report detailing the results of that study (Dunwell 2001) has been lodged with the Council’s Sites and Monuments Record.
1.2.2 In 2004 the relevant baseline data gathered during the 2001 study was incorporated into an Environmental Statement for the proposed Phase 3 road upgrade scheme. In 2005 additional survey work was undertaken over an area at Bruachaig to the north of the proposed road upgrade which is proposed for agricultural improvement. This area is proposed for use to deposit surplus material excavated during the Phase 3 road upgrade. The additional work led to the identification of three further sites.
1.2.3 Both documents contained mitigation recommendations that were used to form the WSI for this phase of the development.
A832/1091/0 Page 4 CFA A832 Inverness K i nlo che we
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Fig. 1 - Location maps, showing extent of phase 3 of the road scheme.
A832/1091/0 Page 5 CFA 2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
2.1 General
2.1.1 Baseline desk-based assessment and field survey conducted in 2001 and 2004 identified 41 sites of cultural heritage significance along a study corridor including the proposed road upgrade corridor between Glen Docherty viewpoint and Kinlochewe and an area at Bruachaig (sites are catalogued in Dunwell 2001 and Dunwell 2005). Prior to the baseline survey the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) had recorded eleven sites within the study corridor, including shielings (Ref: NH05NE 7), the site of an iron- working bloomery, enclosure and structure (Ref: NH06SE 8), Glen Dochart settlement (Ref: NH06SE 9) enclosures (Ref: NH06SE 10), a structure and wall (Ref: NH06SW 11), iron-working bloomery (Ref: NH06SE 1), Kinlochewe Lodge (Ref: NH06SW 13), Kinlochewe Bridge (Ref: NH06SW 5) and various old road alignments (Ref: NH05NE 6 and NH06SW 15). The baseline survey demonstrated that most of the significant archaeological sites and monuments identified by the study could be related to one of three principal factors influencing the historic development of the landscape:
• Medieval or later agricultural settlement and land use. • The construction of the military road in the 18th century, and its subsequent upgrading and realignment to form the modern road. • The development of the medieval or later iron-working industry.
2.1.2 The following sections introduce the results of the baseline survey, summarising the text included in the Cultural Heritage chapter of the Environmental Statement (ES) produced for the Phase 3 scheme, but focussing upon those remains that required archaeological recording in advance of road upgrade construction works. Detailed baseline survey descriptions for examined sites are included in Sections 5-18: for other sites see Dunwell 2001 and 2005.
2.2 Old road alignments
2.2.1 A road has connected Achnasheen and Loch Maree since the mid 18th century, and it is quite possible that earlier droving routes existed. Cartographic and documentary evidence indicate that since then a complex sequence of re- alignments and improvements to the road line have taken place. Roy’s map of 1747-55 records what may be an original military road, forming part of a road connecting Contin and Poolewe. That road for the most part followed broadly the same route as the current A832. However, at the foot of Glen Docherty, the early road crossed Abhainn Bruachaig and headed northwest, to the southwest of the proposed surplus excavated materials disposal site at Incheril and along the east side of Loch Maree. No formal road crossing Glen Docherty Burn and heading west to Kinlochewe appears to have existed until the early 19th century. Brown’s map of 1793 records a proposal for the construction of such a road line, although Wilson’s map of 1811 indicated that it had not been built; however, Thomson’s map of 1826 records the existence of the road. A signboard present at Glen Docherty viewpoint records that the
A832/1091/0 Page 6 CFA current road through the glen was a “destitution road” built in the 1850s as part of a wider programme of road construction to provide employment and relieve famine and poverty of local people made landless during the Clearances. It is the “destitution road” alignment that is depicted as the principal road through the glen on the first edition Ordnance Survey map, surveyed in 1875, although lengths of earlier, superseded road alignments are also mapped by that source.
2.2.2 Several sections of former road alignment were identified between the viewpoint at the head of Glen Docherty and Kinlochewe (Dunwell 2001, sites 62, 64 and B1). Three sections lay within areas proposed for development, and were examined as part of the programme of archaeological recording (Table 1).
2.2.3 The remains of an old road can be traced running through the proposed development area along the north bank of the Glen Docherty Burn between Glen Docherty Bridge and a point immediately upstream from the confluence of the burn with Abhainn Bruachaig (B1). It forms a northward continuation of the old alignment. Roy (1747-55) depicts the route of this road, which is reputed to have been part of an 18th century military road built under the supervision of General Wade between Contin and Poolewe (Dixon 1886, 147- 8), and which formed the first formal road to Gairloch via Loch Maree. Dixon (ibid) reported that along Glen Docherty this road had become impassable to wheeled vehicles early in the 19th century. Around that time a new length of road was built along the lower reaches of Glen Docherty. This new road crossed the Glen Docherty Burn a little above the crossing point of the current A832 road (site 62), thereafter following the current road line on the south side of Glen Docherty Burn and Abhainn Bruachaig to Kinlochewe between the Glen Docherty craft shop and Kinlochewe Bridge. The new road is depicted as planned on Brown’s map of 1793 but as in use on Arrowsmith’s map of 1807. Following this road realignment, the early road crossing the proposed development area appears to have continued in use, perhaps as a farm track, as both the new and old road alignments are depicted on early Ordnance Survey map editions (Ross-shire LXXI, 1881 & 1905). The old alignment crossing the proposed development area subsequently fell out of use, and is no longer recorded on Ordnance Survey maps. It is visible on vertical aerial photographs taken in 1950 (541/A/543, frames 3062-3061). Field survey revealed that the remains of the road follow closely the alignment depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map. There are no traces of bridge abutments beside Abhainn Bruachaig, suggesting that the river must have been crossed either on horseback or by boat. The Minister who compiled an account of Gairloch Parish for the Statistical Account of Scotland (McIntosh 1791-9, 90) noted that ‘there are many rivers in this parish, but no bridges nor passage but by horses’. At the time of field survey the river was in spate and too deep for crossing on horseback, suggesting that without a ferry the road must have been frequently impassable at this point. Roy’s map (1747-55) indicates that on the west bank of the Abhainn Bruachaig the road headed north-west towards Loch Maree, following approximately the line of the road between Incheril Lodge and Culaneilan. In summary, the old road alignment may form part of the suspected 18th century military road that declined to farm
A832/1091/0 Page 7 CFA track status early in the 19th century. However, the road has no visible physical characteristics that are typical of 18th century military roads, such as laid surfaces, drains and culverts (Taylor 1996, 26), by which this putative association can be confirmed.
2.2.4 An extensive length of old road runs along the lower slopes on the northeast side of Glen Docherty (64). This alignment is recorded as a track on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map and for the most part is probably also the road alignment mapped by Thomson (1826). It is probably the remains of a road constructed prior to 1826 and abandoned in the 1850s with the construction of the “destitution road”. Between its southeast end and the sheepfold towards the foot of the glen, the road survives as a terraceway 3-4m wide, and runs close to the field system remains associated with “Glen Dochart” settlement (57 and 68). However, to the north of the sheepfold, beyond the point at which the road mapped by Thomson (1826) crossed Glen Docherty Burn and headed towards Kinlochewe, the old road takes on a different character, appearing as a rough track 4m wide with no laid surface. This section of road probably represents part of the 18th century alignment recorded by Roy (1747- 55) and Wilson (1811). It may form part of the suspected 18th century military road although, as noted by Taylor (1976, 165), there are no positive physical characteristics surviving within the study corridor by which this putative association can be confirmed. There is no visible evidence of the old road between these two sections, although the access track to the sheepfold may follow the old line.
2.2.5 Field survey confirmed the presence of a section of a former road alignment crossing Glen Docherty Burn (62), first depicted on Thomson’s map of 1826 and which had been used into the 20th century. It survives as a 4m wide terraceway, with an eroding causeway defining the bridge abutment on the southeast bank of the burn. In the eroding northwest bank of the burn, a c. 4m wide layer of pebbles and cobbles is visible 0.1m below the current ground surface, and represents a buried road surface, although there is no evidence there for either foundations or a bridge abutment.
2.3 Field Systems in Glen Docherty
2.3.1 The remains of an extensive field system, most probably associated with the settlement remains within the area, survive in Glen Docherty. Several disused buildings and enclosures of the settlement are recorded on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area, surveyed in 1875.
2.3.2 The broken down walls and degraded turf banks of a system of fields and smaller enclosures or paddocks extend over a length of at least 1km along Glen Docherty (52, 54-55, 57, 59, 64 and 66- 68), across the valley bottom and up the northeast slopes. This system appears to extend up the southwest slopes of the glen as well, but this area was not subject to field survey as it lay outside the study corridor. Within the field systems, lengths of trackway (55) were recorded. A wall running along the north bank of Allt nam Marag (36) may define the upper limit of the land belonging to the settlement, beyond
A832/1091/0 Page 8 CFA which lay the common grazing land (and where a shieling ground was recorded by field survey; see below).
2.3.3 Brown’s map (1793) indicates areas of cultivation along the southwest bank of Glen Docherty Burn, in the area around the settlement (44). However, field survey did not locate any cultivation remains (e.g. run rig or lazy beds), and it seems likely that “Glen Dochart” settlement was based upon pastoral farming, at least latterly. A former road alignment (64) runs immediately above the enclosure system (57 and 68) associated with the settlement, whereas the current A832 road was constructed through the middle of the enclosures (57) in the 1850s presumably after the abandonment of the settlement. Remains of iron-working debris discovered within the settlement area (53) may relate to the activities that took place within the settlement, although the iron-working operations could have preceded the foundation of the settlement: this industrial discovery is discussed separately below.
2.4 Other Agricultural Features
2.4.1 The remains of walls, banks, tracks, clearance cairns and a kiln (76, 75, 74, 72 and 82) were located by field survey between Glen Docherty Bridge and Kinlochewe, on the slopes above Glen Docherty Burn and Abhainn Bruachaig. These remains are likely to relate to medieval or later settlement patterns, although one bank (76) that appears to cut off the end of a slight promontory above the Burn is conceivably of greater antiquity. Brown’s map (1793) indicates that cultivated ground was present in this area. The mixed woodland present below this stretch of the A832 represents relatively recent regenerated growth, and several of the identified archaeological features have trees growing out of them. A length of field bank is visible running north-east from the farm track to Bruachaig (B2). It marks the alignment of a field boundary depicted on the first and second edition Ordnance Survey maps (Ross-shire LXXI, 1881 & 1905). Beyond this the line of the field boundary is visible as no more than a slight linear scarp on the surface of the peat moorland, suggesting that here at least the boundary had formerly been defined by a fence. Field survey identified the remains of a kiln built into the edge of the river terrace bank at a point where the old road alignment runs closest to the current course of the Glen Docherty Burn (B3). The kiln is depicted on the 6” and 25” first edition Ordnance Survey maps (Ross-shire LXXI, 1881), but on the 25” map is also annotated as an ‘old limekiln’. It is not recorded on the second edition Ordnance Survey map of 1905.
2.5 Shielings and Shieling Ground
2.5.1 Two small rectilinear buildings (48 and 49) survive as low earthworks or wall foundations beside Glen Docherty Burn, towards the head of the valley. They are interpreted as part of the remains of a shieling ground associated with summer grazings, and are most probably of medieval or later date. Site 49 lies in a sheltered location in the narrow valley bottom, though site 48 lies in a more exposed location above the steep slopes of the burn. Further structures may lie on the southwest bank of the burn, which lay outside the field survey area. A related structure nearby was investigated in advance of the
A832/1091/0 Page 9 CFA construction of the Phase 2 road scheme (Johnson & Kirby 2004, site 46). Trial trenching of that structure revealed it to be poorly preserved and ill- defined. The walls survived as a slight thickening of the topsoil associated with occasional stones and, apart from a possible ash lens on the floor surface, had no surviving stratified deposits or features associated with it. The date and function of this structure was not established, and no artefacts were recovered. These buildings may relate to the use of the higher ground between the settled valleys for common summer grazing.
2.6 Isolated Structures
2.6.1 The partly upstanding remains of a building (63) survive in a semi-improved pasture field adjacent to the old road crossing Glen Docherty Burn (62). The central part of the southeast gable wall is fully upstanding to a height of 1.8m, incorporating a hearth and chimney, which indicates it to have been a single storey building and probably a cottage. Elsewhere, the walls have been demolished to foundation level. This structure is not recorded on any historic maps, although its mortared walls suggest that the building is not of any great antiquity.
2.7 Iron Working Sites
2.7.1 Dixon (1886, 90-1) recorded that traces of an iron-working bloomery site were visible at the foot of Glen Docherty, a little west of the road bridge over the river (i.e. 62, not the current road bridge). The site was characterised by fragments of iron slag and traces of charcoal, and was located c. 6m above the level of the road. Field survey located a grass- and moss-covered mound, c. 8m in diameter and up to 0.6m high, on the top edge of a steep wooded slope on the west side of the Glen Docherty Burn (86), in a topographic position that accords with Dixon’s description of the bloomery site location. However, examination of bare soil exposed around tree roots on the eastern side of the mound revealed no trace of charcoal or iron slag that would have confirmed the mound as the remains of the bloomery. Hence, the association between the mound and the reported bloomery site is not certain.
2.7.2 Several pieces of iron slag were recovered during field survey from an exposed soil face in a sheep rub on the north bank of Glen Docherty Burn (53), within the area defined by an enclosure (54) associated with ‘Glen Dochart’ settlement. The exposed soil section comprised grey-black soil containing mica flecks and charcoal fragments. Further pieces of slag were present in the stream bed nearby. This discovery probably indicates the presence of an iron-working bloomery site in the immediate vicinity of the findspot. What is probably a similar bloomery site located towards the head of Glen Docherty was excavated in advance of the Phase 2 road improvements (Johnson & Kirby 2004, site 27), revealing it to be a partly disturbed mound of burnt debris and iron slag with associated spreads of iron-working debris. Further information regarding the date and character of that site has been obtained through a programme of laboratory analyses.
A832/1091/0 Page 10 CFA 2.8 Possible Cairn
2.8.1 A possible small cairn (65) lies on a moderate west-facing slope north of the sheepfold towards the foot of Glen Docherty. This cairn may comprise only tumbled material that has collected naturally around a larger stone. There is a considerable amount of loose stone in this area, and nothing to suggest that the surrounding land has ever been cleared for cultivation. Its topographic position does not suggest that the cairn has a burial function.
2.9 Kinlochewe Lodge and Bridge
2.9.1 Kinlochewe Lodge (37) was not visited as part of the field survey, although it was noted that the lodge buildings are screened from the A832 by conifer planting. The land immediately beside the current road consists of plantations and driveways. Kinlochewe Bridge (38) was recorded by Hume (1977, 288) as a 19th century, 2-span construction with segmental arches and triangular cutwaters, dressed stone pier and arch rings, and rubble spandrels. It appears to have been replaced by a new bridge that may incorporate some of the original 19th century masonry.
A832/1091/0 Page 11 CFA 3. Programme of archaeological mitigation works
3.1 Table 1 contains a summary statement of the requirements of the programme of archaeological recording, as contained within the WSI (Appendix 6) and based upon measures agreed between the Archaeology Unit and TECS. The site numbers henceforth are those listed by Dunwell (2001, 2005).
No Site type Recording methods 36 Field wall Sample excavation / photographic record 37 Trackway Photographic record of areas to be infilled 45 Structure Fence off 48 Shieling Check existing fencing 49 Shieling Fence off 52 Levee (poss.), scoops Sample excavation / photographic record 53 Iron-working bloomery Walkover survey; evaluation / recording if located within development area; fence off if outside development area 54 Enclosure, structure Fence off 55 Track, wall Sample excavation / photographic record 57 Enclosures Sample excavation / photographic record 59 Field bank Sample excavation / photographic record 62 Old road alignment Photographic record of areas to be infilled 63 Building Field evaluation 64 Old road alignment Photographic record of areas to be infilled 65 Cairn Confirm outside development area; fence off 66 Field bank Sample excavation / photographic record 67 Field wall Fence off section outside development area Sample excavation / photographic record of part within development area 68 Field wall Fence off section outside development area Sample excavation / photographic record of part within development area 72 Field walls Sample excavation / photographic record parts within development area 74 Trackway Photographic record of areas to be infilled 75 Clearance cairns Fence off 76 Field bank Sample excavation / photographic record 82 Kiln, hollow Field evaluation 83 Kinlochewe Lodge Photographic record of walls 84 Kinlochewe Bridge Walkover survey; photographic record if appropriate 86 Iron-working bloomery Walkover survey; evaluation / recording if site (unlocated) located within development area B1 Old road alignment Photographic record of areas to be infilled B2 Field bank Sample excavation / photographic record B3 Kiln Fence off N/a N/a Provide ‘on-call’ archaeological service during development, to record previously unrecorded finds or features that come to light Table 1 – Summary requirements of archaeological recording
A832/1091/0 Page 12 CFA 3.2 The WSI provided for undertaking more extensive excavation and recording if significant discoveries were made during the sample excavations, in consultation with the Archaeology Unit and TECS.
A832/1091/0 Page 13 CFA 4. METHODS STATEMENT
4.1 All work was conducted in accordance with the Institute of Field Archaeologists’ Codes of Conduct and appropriate Standards. Recording of all elements followed established CFA methods.
4.2 The recording strategy for each archaeological site was proposed in the WSI (Appendix 6). For two sites (52 and 82) the sample excavations demonstrated a requirement for further work, the scope of which was agreed with the Archaeology Unit and TECS.
4.3 All trenches were excavated by hand by archaeological staff to remove topsoil and modern deposits down to subsoil or the first significant archaeological horizon, whichever was reached first.
4.4 The stratification of all excavated areas was recorded whether or not significant archaeological deposits were identified. All excavation sections were drawn at 1:10 or 1:20, excavation plans were drawn at 1:20 or 1:50 (Appendix 5). Colour slide photographs were taken.
4.5 All artefacts were retained (Appendix 3); only Sites 53, 63 and 82 produced artefactual material and only sites 52 and 82 produced deposits suitable for sampling for post-excavation work (Appendix 4).
4.6 The locations of all trenches were recorded using GS50 global positioning system or Total Station surveying equipment as appropriate.
4.7 Trenches were not backfilled on completion of excavation except where the depth of trenches necessitated backfilling for safety reasons.
4.8 Nine sites (45, 49, 53, 54, 65, 67, 68, 75 and B3) were marked off by CFA, including a suitable buffer zone, with brightly coloured, painted posts, to prevent accidental damage occurring to these features. It will be the responsibility of the construction contractor to ensure these sites are properly fenced off around the marked off area prior to construction works commencing. These sites are not considered further below.
4.9 The fencing round site 48 which had been erected during the previous phase, was checked to ensure that it was still upstanding and in the correct place.
4.10 Six sites underwent photographic recording only and are therefore not discussed in detail below (Plates 2, 10, 16, 20, 25, 26, 28 and 29). They included two trackways (37 and 74), old road alignments (62, 64 and B1), Kinlochewe Lodge walls (83) and Kinlochewe Bridge (84). Full descriptions for these sites can be found in Dunwell 2001 and Dunwell 2005.
4.11 Site 72 was revealed to be outside the development corridor and therefore the recommended sample excavation was not carried out at this site.
A832/1091/0 Page 14 CFA 4.12 A GS50 survey was conducted over all of the sites subject to this recent scheme of investigation. The new locations of sites are shown on the location map bound at the rear of this report.
4.13 In the following sections, numbers in bold refer to context numbers, a full list of which can be found in Appendix 1.
A832/1091/0 Page 15 CFA 5. SITE 36 – FIELD WALL AT ALLT NAM MARAG
5.1 Baseline survey
5.1.1 The remains of a field wall were recorded, during the 2001 survey, running along the northwest bank of Allt nam Marag, uphill from its junction with Glen Docherty Burn and to the northeast beyond the limits of the study area (Fig. 2; Plate 1; NH 0629 0969). The wall lies on the crest of the stream bank in some sections or just below the crest in others, where it appears to revet the slope. In certain areas the wall has been removed by changes in the course of Allt nam Marag. Beside Glen Docherty Burn the wall was recorded as freestanding and double-faced, with a width of 1.2m. No previous record of this site was found during the desk-based research.
5.2 Archaeological recording
5.2.1 The surviving remains of the field wall were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. A sample section was excavated by hand across the wall. The aim of the investigation of this feature was to characterise its nature, extent and chronology.
5.2.2 The excavations demonstrated that the wall was 0.7m thick and survived to a height of 0.6m. It was revetted into the western bank of the Allt nam Marag. A section excavated across the wall indicated that it was of drystone construction and was double-faced with a rubble core (3603). The wall extends southwards to the base of the Allt nam Marag and northwards for a short distance above the existing A832. The foundation trench for the wall was cut into the natural subsoil (3602).
5.2.3 Topsoil (3601) was a peaty soil with a turf cover, which abutted the wall on both sides. Natural consisted of a light brown silty sand containing a large percentage of pebbles (3602).
5.2.4 No artefacts were recovered during the sample excavations at this site.
5.3 Evaluation
5.3.1 The excavation has confirmed that there are no earlier deposits beneath the wall and it does not appear to have more than one phase. It has shown that the wall is narrower than previously thought though the collapse of the wall has resulted in a wider spread of material.
5.3.2 No post-excavation work is considered necessary.
A832/1091/0 Page 16 CFA 3601
3603 3602
3601
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 36 section.
5501
5503 5504 5505
5502
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 55 section.
B201 lenses of orange lenses of orange brown silty sand brown silty sand B203 B202
B204 overcut natural B204
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site B2 section.
Fig.2 - Sections of site 36, 55 and B2.
A832/1091/0 Page 17 CFA 6. SITE 52 – LEVEE (POSSIBLE) AND SCOOPS
6.1 Baseline survey
6.1.1 A raised bank 2m wide was recorded running across a loop of Glen Docherty Burn, on its northeast bank (Fig. 3; Plates 3 and 4; NH 0577 6017). The feature stood to 1m high on its southwest side, facing the burn, but had much less relief on its opposing side. Semi-circular scoops, 2m wide and 0.5m deep had been cut into the northeast side of the bank at three points along its length, revealing the bank to be composed of cobbles. It was not certain at the time of the field survey whether the bank was a natural geomorphological feature or a built levée, or whether the scoops represented kiln bowls or casual extraction pits (the latter seemed less likely given the ready availability of cobbles in the adjacent stream bed).
6.2 Archaeological recording
6.2.1 The remains of this site were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. An accurate plan of the site was drawn at 1:50 scale. A sample section 1m wide was excavated by hand across the levee scoop 2 [of which only two were noted during the current survey]. After further discussion with THC, further work was undertaken on this site including the full excavation of scoop 2 and a section, 1m wide, excavated across scoop 1.
6.2.2 A section was excavated across the levee and scoop 2 to determine the nature and extent of these features. The possible levee consisted of a natural bank of stone, presumably created by changes in the course of the adjacent river. The scoop uses the slope of the levee to form its southern edge. It was revealed to be roughly oval in shape with gently sloping sides and a fairly flat base. It measured 3.7m by 2.5m and 0.5m deep. Several layers were identified within the scoop. The scoop was originally dug into the natural (5202) which consisted of an orange-red/beige sand containing a large number of water worn pebbles and interpreted as the old streambed. The topsoil and turf (5201) was removed to reveal lenses of yellow grey sand (5203) lying next to and above contexts 5205 and 5204, interpreted as a flooding event. Context 5204 consisted of a black brown lens of peat which lay above a clear lens of black charcoal rich silt (5205) containing large pieces of roundwood charcoal, which in turn lay above the natural.
6.2.3 A 1m wide section was excavated across scoop 1, which revealed it to be entirely natural in origin.
6.2.4 Bulk soil samples were taken of the charcoal rich deposit (5205) for further study. Samples were also taken for Magnetic Susceptibility testing in order to determine whether the burning was occurring on or off site.
6.2.5 No artefacts were recovered during the sample excavations at this site.
A832/1091/0 Page 18 CFA 6.3 Evaluation
6.3.1 Site 52 appears to be a charcoal burning area located beside a natural levee on the banks of the river. It has used a natural scoop to form part of its shape. It is located in the vicinity of an area of iron working (site 53) and may be associated with this.
6.3.2 Processing of the soil samples taken during the excavation will help to determine the exact use of this site through analysis of the charcoal rich layer and magnetic susceptibility sampling.
A832/1091/0 Page 19 CFA B A832/1 091/
Scoop 2 Fig. 3-Sectonadpl ofsite52andchrugp.
Scoop 1
A
0 5 m
scale 1:100
Page 2 0 Site 52, plan.
A B
5203 5202 5203 5201 MS1 KB5 5204 MS2 KB4 KB2 KB3 5205 MS3 KB1
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CF scale 1:40 A
Site 52, S facing section. Scoop 2 7. SITE 53 – IRON WORKING BESIDE GLEN DOCHERTY BURN
7.1 Baseline survey
7.1.1 Reconnaissance field survey in 2001 detected a potential iron-working bloomery site in Glen Docherty (53) (NH 0565 6034). Several pieces of iron slag were recovered from an exposed soil face in a sheep rub 1.5 m wide and 0.3 m deep on the north bank of Glen Docherty Burn, within the area defined by enclosure 54. An exposed soil section showed grey-black soil containing mica flecks and charcoal fragments. Further pieces of slag were present in the stream bed nearby. The slag was not retained at this time. The discovery was presumed to indicate the presence of a bloomery site in the immediate vicinity.
7.2 Archaeological recording
7.2.1 A detailed walk-over survey was conducted to ascertain whether any other physical remains of that site were visible, and whether or not they lay within the proposed development areas.
7.2.2 Several pieces of slag were recovered from a sheep rub in the bank on the river, the same rub as identified in the previous survey (Appendix 3). Other pieces of slag were recovered from molehills on the floodplain within the vicinity of the sheep rub. They were all identified as possible smelting residue.
7.3 Evaluation
7.3.1 The evidence collected from this site suggests there was iron working in the vicinity. However, the location of a bloomery mound could not be found. As this site is situated on a floodplain it may be that any upstanding remains have been washed away over time.
7.3.2 As this site is not located within the development area, no further work is recommended at this time.
7.3.3 No post-excavation works are required in relation to this site.
A832/1091/0 Page 21 CFA 8. SITE 55 – TRACK AND WALL ALONGSIDE THE EXISTING A832
8.1 Baseline survey
8.1.1 The 2001 field survey recorded a track running south from the A832 for c. 90m towards enclosure 54 before surface traces peter out (Fig. 2; Plates 5 and 6; NH 056 604 area). It was visible as a terraceway c. 2.5-3m wide. At its north end the current road was set on an embankment considerably above the surface of the track, which thus must have branched from a former build of the road at this point. Towards its south end the grass-covered remains of a possible wall, spread to 1.5m wide and 0.6m high, ran for c. 10m between the track and the A832. A possible low return bank ran north beside the track as far as a drain, although this feature may have simply represented material upcast during the use of the track.
8.2 Archaeological recording
8.2.1 The surviving remains of the track and field wall were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey and photographic recording.
8.2.2 A 1m wide section was excavated by hand across the possible wall which runs perpendicular to the road, down to the track. Several deposits were recorded in section. A dark brown peat topsoil and turf layer (5501), 0.2m thick, lay above a medium brown silt (5503), 0.3m thick. This layer (5503) contained lenses of white and yellow sand, and lay above the natural. There was no evidence of a stone wall and no artefacts were recovered from this section. The excavations demonstrated that the bank was 0.5m high and 1.2m wide.
8.3 Evaluation
8.3.1 The excavation revealed that this feature was a field bank and not a wall, as it contained no stone. It is of simple construction with no evidence for any previous phases found.
8.3.2 No post-excavation work is required.
A832/1091/0 Page 22 CFA 9. Site 57 – ENCLOSURES
9.1 Baseline survey
9.1.1 The NMRS noted that the first edition Ordnance Survey map (1881) depicted a rectilinear enclosure between the road and Glen Docherty Burn. The Second edition Ordnance Survey map of 1905 records only the northwest side of this feature.
9.1.2 Field survey in 2001 found that the enclosure remains in this area were more complex than early OS map editions would suggest (Fig. 4; Plates 7 and 8; NH 051 608 area). A series of three drystone wall foundations were recorded running uphill from Glen Docherty Burn over a c. 175m length of its course. The western pair extended above the line of the A832 and appeared to have defined two adjacent sub-rectangular fields, each measuring c. 100m northeast-southwest by 60m. The northwest side of the northwest field was defined by wall 67. The field boundaries defining the enclosures were spread to 1.5m by 0.5m high, appearing as wall footings in heather- and bracken- covered ground above the A832 and as grassed banks in wetter, grassy ground below it. Peat cuttings were present within the southeast field, below the road. The A832 appeared to truncate the enclosures. The third boundary was located a little east of kiln 56, running north from the burn for c. 25m to the base of the stream terrace, before turning northeast and continuing along the face of the scarp. It was preserved as wall footings spread to 1m wide and 0.3m high. The position of the enclosure shown on the 1881 OS map coincided roughly with the eastern two boundaries detected below the A832, although the correspondence in alignments between map and field evidence was not close.
9.2 Archaeological recording
9.2.1 The surviving remains of the enclosure walls were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. Sample sections were excavated by hand at three locations across the enclosure walls in order to determine the nature and extent of the banks.
9.2.2 Section 1 was excavated over the southeast side of the northwest enclosure. A 1m wide trench was hand excavated across the extent of the banking and down to the natural. A dark brown silty clay topsoil with turf (5701), 0.15m thick, lay above a light brown silt (5703) up to 0.45m thick. A yellow brown silty sand natural was recorded below 5703. The bank was recorded as 1.4m wide and 0.6m high.
9.2.3 Section 2 was excavated over the southern length of the southeast enclosure. A 1m wide section was hand excavated down to the natural. A dark brown clayey silt topsoil with turf (5710), 0.1m thick, was removed to reveal the remains of a stone wall (5711) consisting of medium and large water worn stones, and measuring 0.3m high by 0.9m wide. A dark brown/black silty clay matrix (5712) around the stones was recorded. A cut for the wall (5715) could be seen on the north side, suggesting a foundation trench had been dug for the
A832/1091/0 Page 23 CFA wall. A mid brown silty clay natural subsoil (5714) was identified at both sides of the wall.
9.2.4 A third section was excavated across the western arm of the northwest enclosure. This was found to be an entirely natural, slight bank of peat.
9.3 Evaluation
9.3.1 The excavations found that remains of the enclosure walls varied in construction between turf bank and stone wall. No previous remains were found beneath the bank or wall which suggest these features represent a single phase of activity.
9.3.2 No artefacts were recovered during the excavations and therefore no post- excavation studies are recommended.
A832/1091/0 Page 24 CFA 5710
5712 5714 5711 5714 5715
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 57, Trench 2, East facing section through wall.
5701
5703
5702
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 57, Trench 1, West facing section.
5901
5902
5903
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 59, North facing section.
Fig. 4 - Sections in trenches 1 and 2, site 57 and site 59.
A832/1091/0 Page 25 CFA 10. SITE 59 – FIELD BANK
10.1 Baseline survey
10.1.1 A field bank spread to c. 1m wide and 0.2m high was recorded during the field survey, running northwest for c. 50m from the upper edge of the bluff above Glen Docherty Burn across grassland, before surface traces were lost in an area of heather beside a feeder burn (Fig. 4; Plate 9; NH 049 611).
10.2 Archaeological recording
10.2.1 The surviving remains of the field bank were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. A sample section was excavated by hand across the bank in order to determine the nature and extent of it.
10.2.2 A trench 1m wide was hand excavated across the bank down to the natural. A dark brown/black silt topsoil and turf (5901), 0.14m thick, was recorded lying above a dark black/brown layer of peat (5902) up to 0.4m thick. A dark grey- brown clayey silt natural (5903) was recorded below 5902. The excavation demonstrated that the bank was a maximum of 1.8m wide and 0.3m high.
10.3 Evaluation
10.3.1 The excavation has suggested that this bank may be natural in origin as the main context visible in section appears to be natural peat with no sign of artificial construction. The profile of the section shows only a slight rise, not a prominent bank.
10.3.2 No post-excavation studies are recommended for this site.
A832/1091/0 Page 26 CFA 11. SITE 63 – BUILDING
11.1 Baseline survey
11.1.1 During the field survey the remains of a rectangular structure were located in a semi-improved pasture field (Fig. 5; Plates 11-15; NH 0465 6156). The structure measured 8m northwest-southeast by 4m. The central part of the southeast gable wall was fully upstanding to a height of 1.8m, indicating it to have been a single storey cottage. It was a mortared wall, and incorporated a hearth and chimney, the latter including a cross-bar for hanging a cooking pot. Elsewhere the walls had been demolished to foundation level. No internal wall lines could be detected, and the entrance position was not known. A slightly raised area c. 4m across was recorded immediately northwest of the building, and could have been either the remains of a second structure or an external yard. None of the examined OS map editions depicted this building, although the mortared wall suggested that it must of relatively modern origin.
11.2 Archaeological recording
11.2.1 The site of the structure (63) was evaluated but the possible adjacent feature could not be located as the ground had been disturbed by recent machine activity in the area. An accurate plan was drawn of the site at a scale of 1:50. A T-shaped trench, c. 1.5m wide, was excavated across the interior, walls and immediate exterior of the building. This was extended to form a cross shape to obtain a full section of the site. A photographic survey was carried out specifically around the southeast upstanding gable. This allowed an assessment to be made of the character, complexity, date and function of the building, and to determine whether or not earlier buildings occupied the site.
11.2.2 The excavations revealed a turf and topsoil layer (6501) up to 0.1m thick lying directly above a natural medium brown sandy silt (6502). A small sondage was dug in the centre of the trench to ensure that natural had been reached. The remains of stone walls (6503) were uncovered standing up to 0.14m high and 0.8m wide, and only one course high. [Continuation of these walls could be seen as low banks in a rectilinear form with the upstanding gable at the southeast end.] The overall dimensions of the building were recorded as 4m by 8m with the gable standing to a height of 1.8m.
11.2.3 Several finds were collected during the excavation of this site, all of which are modern in date (Appendix 3).
11.3 Evaluation
11.3.1 No post-excavation works are required in relation to this site.
11.3.2 Based upon the lack of evidence for internal deposits and stratigraphic or structural complexity, combined with the presence of only modern artefacts, it was agreed with the Archaeology Unit that this structure did not require full excavation.
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6503 Fig. 5-Plandsecto througsie63.
A 6504 Page28
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Site 63, plan.
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6502
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CF scale 1:50 A
Site 63, NE facing section. 12. SITE 66 – FIELD BANK
12.1 Baseline survey
12.1.1 A bank was recorded during the field survey running uphill from the A832 in a gentle curve for c. 60m before surface traces ran out (Fig. 6; Plate 17; NH 049 611 area). Erosion scars indicated the bank to be of earth and stone construction. The bank was spread to 1.5m wide and 0.5m high. It is possible that the bank formed part of an enclosure comparable to site 57, although definitive evidence for this interpretation was lacking.
12.2 Archaeological recording
12.2.1 The surviving remains of the field bank were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. A sample section was excavated by hand across the bank in order to determine the nature and extent of it.
12.2.2 Topsoil and turf (6601) consisting of a dark brown peat layer 0.1m thick was recorded lying over the top of the bank. A dark brown sandy silt (6602) was recorded lying below the topsoil. This layer contained a large amount of stone (6603) though this does not appear to have formed a wall. Lenses of light brown soil were recorded within 6602. A natural orange brown silt containing a high percentage of sharp angular stones was recorded lying below 6602. A grey brown clayey silt (6606) was recorded lying on the upslope side of the bank. A grey brown clayey silt similar to 6606 but not the same, was recorded lying on the downslope side of the bank. These contexts are interpreted as slope wash and the differences are probably due to the differing conditions on the upslope and downslope sides due to the bank. The bank was recorded as 1.7m wide and 0.3m high above the natural.
12.3 Evaluation
12.3.1 The excavations revealed the remains of a bank as previously identified. No earlier remains were found beneath the bank which suggest that this feature represents a single phase of activity. Lenses within 6602 are interpreted as decayed turf, suggesting that this feature was of turf and stone construction.
12.3.2 No artefacts or significant contexts were uncovered during the excavations and therefore no post-excavation studies are recommended.
A832/1091/0 Page 29 CFA 13. SITE 67 – FIELD WALL
13.1 Baseline survey
13.1.1 A drystone wall was recorded during the field survey running up the southeast bank of a burn, from the A832 as far as the northeast limit of the study area (Fig. 6; Plate 18; NH 0507 6101 – 0517 6103). The wall had been washed away in places, but elsewhere survived to 0.8m high, often appearing to revet the stream bank. The wall probably formed the northwest limit of field system 57. Old road alignment 64 ran through a gap in the wall, suggesting that the two were in use at the same time.
13.2 Archaeological recording
13.2.1 The surviving remains of the field bank were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. A sample section was excavated by hand across the wall in order to determine the nature and extent of it.
13.2.2 A dark brown peat topsoil and turf (6701) up to 0.1m thick, were removed from the bank to reveal a grey brown wet silt layer (6702) 0.45m thick to the base of the trench. No stone was revealed within the bank though sections of the bank further upstream and outside the development area clearly contained stone. The bank was recorded as c.0.4m high and 1.2m wide. 6702 is interpreted as redeposited natural and therefore the boundary between this and the subsoil was difficult to establish.
13.3 Evaluation
13.3.1 The excavations revealed the remains of a bank as opposed to a wall as previously identified. No previous remains were found beneath the bank which suggest that this feature represents a single phase of activity. However, the evidence of a stone wall further upstream suggests that the bank may have been constructed to replace the wall at a point where it had been washed away.
13.3.2 No artefacts or significant contexts were uncovered during the excavations and therefore no post-excavation studies are recommended.
A832/1091/0 Page 30 CFA 14. SITE 68 – FIELD WALL
14.1 Baseline survey
14.1.1 During the field survey a ruinous stone wall was traced in bracken on the downslope side of old road alignment 64 (Fig. 6; Plate 19; NH 0522 6093 – 0527 6086). The foundations were spread to 1m wide and 0.5m high at maximum. For c. 60m the wall ran northwest-southeast immediately beside the old road, at the northwest end turning downhill for c. 10m before traces petered out and at the southeast end running downhill to the south for c. 40m before ending at an erosion face on the top of a steep-sided spur overlooking the A832. The wall may have been more extensive than located, but extensive bracken cover hindered the field survey considerably in this area.
14.2 Archaeological recording
14.2.1 The surviving remains of the field bank were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. A sample section was excavated by hand across the wall in order to determine the nature and extent of it.
14.2.2 Turf and mid-dark brown sandy silt topsoil (6801), 0.04m thick, were removed to reveal a mid-dark brown silty clay containing angular stones (6802), 0.32m thick. Natural orange-brown clayey sand (6803) lay below 6802. The excavation demonstrated that the bank was 0.35m high and 1.45m wide.
14.3 Evaluation
14.3.1 The excavations revealed a very ephemeral field bank which appears to have a very low profile. The bank was better preserved further uphill though this was outwith the development area.
14.3.2 No post-excavation works are required in relation to this feature.
A832/1091/0 Page 31 CFA 6601 6603
6602 6603 6606 6605
6604
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 66, South facing section.
6701
6702
6701
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 67, SE facing section.
6801
6802
6803
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 68, SW facing section.
Fig. 6 - Sections through sites 66, 67 and 68.
A832/1091/0 Page 32 CFA 15. SITE 76 – FIELD BANK
15.1 Baseline survey
15.1.1 A turf bank containing some stone was recorded running through level, wooded ground between the A832 and Glen Docherty Burn, immediately north of the bridge over the burn (Fig. 7; Plates 21 and 22; NH 0448 6170). The bank extended for c. 14m from the edge of the burn, terminating 7m north of the embankment for the road, and was spread to 1.5m wide and 0.75m high. The bank enclosed an area c. 12m wide (E-W) between it, the road and the burn. A ditch was noted on the west side of the bank, running parallel with it.
15.2 Archaeological recording
15.2.1 The surviving remains of the field bank were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. Two sample sections were excavated by hand across the bank in order to determine the nature and extent of it.
15.2.2 Trench 1 was excavated across the northern end of the bank; it was later extended to take in the ditch which lies to the west of the bank. A 0.15m thick layer of topsoil and turf (7601) was removed to reveal a layer of redeposited orange-yellow, clayey sand natural (7603), 0.16m thick. Below this, an old ground surface was uncovered consisting of a thin layer of dark grey/black silt (7604) followed by a thin layer of light grey/white, clayey sand (7605) which together created a layer c.0.1m thick. Natural orange-yellow clayey sand (7602) was recorded below the old ground surface. The bank measured c.2.5m across and 0.4m high. The extension excavated to the west of the bank revealed that there were no deposits within the ditch, only the topsoil (7601) and subsoil (7602).
15.2.3 Trench 2 was excavated towards the southern end of the bank to determine whether the old ground surface continued to the south. The section revealed a layer of topsoil (7601) above a thin layer of natural orange-yellow clayey sand (7602). At the boundary between 7602 and 7601, patches of dark grey/black silt (7604) were visible, and interpreted as the fragmented remains of the old ground surface.
15.3 Evaluation
15.3.1 The excavations have revealed an old ground surface which was covered in a bank of redeposited natural created during the excavation of an adjacent ditch. It would appear that the bank is quite recent in date as the associated ditch contains no significant deposits. The old ground surface would appear to predate the bank and was possibly partly removed when the ditch was dug.
15.3.2 No post-excavation works are required in relation to this feature.
A832/1091/0 Page 33 CFA
A832/1 091/
7601 7604 7604 7604 7602
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Fig. 7-Sectonshru Site76. Site 76, S facing section, trench 2 Page34
7601 7603 High c oncen 7601 tratio 7602 n of r Tree trunk oots 7602 7602 7604 stone 7605 hole 7601 7605
7602
0 0.5 1 2m CF scale 1:40 A
Site 76, N facing section, trench 1 16. SITE 82 – KILN AND HOLLOW
16.1 Baseline survey
16.1.1 A kiln was identified on the east bank of an unnamed burn, c. 4m south of the road. Moss-covered walls surviving up to 1m high define a bowl 1.5m in diameter which opens west towards the burn (Figs. 8-10; Plates 23 and 24; NH 0367 6182). The internal walls were heavily fire-reddened. A tree is growing from the wall on its east side. Immediately east of the kiln was a circular depression 2m in diameter and 0.3m deep, with a possible entrance on its west side. The function of this second feature was not known.
16.2 Archaeological recording
16.2.1 An accurate plan was drawn of the kiln and hollow site (82) and it was then evaluated by hand. Initially the walls of the kiln were cleared of vegetation, and a trench was excavated to assess the deposits within the kiln bowl and immediately outside the flue. A 1.5m wide trench was also excavated across the adjacent hollow. This allowed an assessment to be made of the character, complexity, date and function of these features. Full excavation of the kiln and hollow was carried out based on the results of the primary evaluation.
16.2.2 The hollow lies to the east and above the kiln. The excavation revealed a very thin layer of topsoil/turf (8201), c.0.03m thick. Below this a layer of dark brown peat (8215) 0.12m thick was recorded. A black silty deposit rich in charcoal (8203), a maximum of 0.07m thick, was identified in the base of the hollow, above the natural (8211). No internal features were identified within the hollow. Context 8203 was 100% sampled. The hollow measured 4.8m by 4.3m by a maximum 0.7m deep.
16.2.3 A trench 0.8m wide was excavated from the centre of the kiln and across the area of the flue. A series of deposits were recorded during this stage. Topsoil 0.2m thick was recorded at the base of the kiln and abutting it. The stone walls of the kiln (8204) were partially visible though the full extent was not uncovered at this stage. An orange-brown, clayey sand (8205) was recorded in and around the walls of the kiln. Within the base of the kiln a layer of rubble, at least 0.3m thick, was recorded consisting of a mix of stones (8206) and a dark black/brown silty clay (8207). Below this a layer of orangey yellow, clayey sand (8209) was identified and interpreted as possibly heated natural. Abutting 8209 was a layer of orange-brown sandy clay interpreted as the natural (8210). This preliminary evaluation provided information on the complexity of the site and proposals for a full excavation were drawn up based on this information.
16.2.4 The rubble layer (8206/8207) in the base of the kiln was removed in order to gain a clear idea of the construction of the kiln itself. The full extent of the kiln was revealed and it was shown to be oval in form with stone walls. The kiln had been revetted into a small slope beside the burn. A section was excavated across the walls of the kiln to determine the construction methods and relationship with the immediate vicinity. It showed that the wall was of
A832/1091/0 Page 35 CFA drystone construction. The kiln is steep sided and has a fairly flat base. Small sections of an old ground surface were discovered abutting the wall. This surface consisted of a thin layer of light grey/white clayey sand (8212 and 8213) extending from the outside of the kiln walls to the north and south. It appears that the old ground surface was cut by the construction of the kiln. The kiln was recorded as measuring 2.1m by 1.8m and 1.4m high. Samples from around the bowl and the base of the kiln were taken for magnetic susceptibility analysis to determine whether there had been in situ burning or not.
16.3 Finds
16.3.1 A pale green bottle and base were found within the rubble layer of the kiln (8206/8207; appendix 3). No other artefacts were found relating to the function of the kiln.
16.4 Evaluation
16.4.1 The excavation of the kiln and hollow have led to a better understanding of the site. The hollow contains a charcoal rich layer which indicates that it may have been used for burning or was used as a dump when cleaning out the kiln. The function of the kiln is not certain though it has been suggested that it may have been a limekiln (see section 2.4.1). A direct link between the two areas, the hollow and the kiln, could not be established. Analysis of the samples taken during the excavations may aid the interpretation of the site.
16.4.2 Post-excavation analysis of the magnetic susceptibility samples will help to confirm that the kiln is in fact a kiln and whether the hollow was used for burning or whether it was a dump site for the charcoal. Analysis of the samples of the charcoal-rich layer in the hollow and the contexts within the kiln may help to determine the function of this site.
A832/1091/0 Page 36 CFA C 8205
Not Ex ca vated 8204
8205
8204
D 8206 8201
8206 8206 8207 8208 8209 8210
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 82, Preliminary trench within kiln, N facing section.
B
8210 8205 8204 8213 A 8210 MS2 MS3 8214
8212 8205
8214 MS4 MS1 8204
MS5
8209
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Site 82, profile of kiln
Fig. 8 - Section through kiln site 82 and profile of kiln site 82.
A832/1091/0 Page 37 CFA E
F 8201
8203 8211 8211
8202
0 0.5 1m scale 1:20
Fig.9 - Section through hollow, Site 82.
A832/1091/0 Page 38 CFA A832/1 091/
Fig. 10-Sectonhru holwSite82andpf.
F
roots
8211 tree Sondage 8211 Page39
8201
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8204 8209
8210 E
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CF 8210 8201 0 0.5 1 2m scale 1:40
A D 17. SITE 86 – IRON WORKING
17.1 Baseline survey
17.1.1 Dixon (1886, 90-1) recorded that traces of an iron-working site were visible at the foot of Glen Docherty, a little west of the road bridge over the river (i.e. 62, not the current bridge). The site was characterised by fragments of iron slag and traces of charcoal, and was located c. 6m above the level of the road. Dixon’s account does not suggest that this site was marked by mounds or other earthworks of any note. No trace of this site was identified during field survey. The NMRS has erroneously suggested that this site is located at NH 05 60.
17.2 Archaeological recording
17.2.1 Field survey located a c. 8m diameter mound at one point on the crest of the river terrace, which could be the remains of a bloomery mound (Plate 27; NH 045 616). Test-pits were excavated into the mound and its immediate environs, searching for spreads of charcoal or iron slag, to determine whether it was the remains of a bloomery mound, or otherwise of archaeological origin.
17.2.2 Four test-pits were excavated over the mound. No evidence for a bloomery site was found. In all the test-pits the stratigraphy consisted of a layer of turf/topsoil which was directly above a pale sandy silt natural. No other mounds were identified within the area for further evaluation.
17.3 Evaluation
17.3.1 The excavations of the mound identified during the survey confirmed that this was not the site of a bloomery. The mound lies within an area of cleared forestry and the original bloomery may have been destroyed when the forestry was originally planted.
17.3.2 No post-excavation works are required in relation to this feature.
A832/1091/0 Page 40 CFA 18. SITE B2 – FIELD BANK
18.1 Baseline survey
18.1.1 An approximately 15m length of field bank (2), at most 1m wide and 0.5m high, was recorded running north-east from the farm track to Bruachaig (Fig. 2; Plate 30; NH 0403 6195). It appeared to mark the alignment of a field boundary depicted on the first and second edition Ordnance Survey maps (Ross-shire LXXI, 1881 & 1905). Further north-east the line of the field boundary was visible as no more than a slight linear scarp on the surface of the peat moorland, suggesting that here at least the boundary had formerly been defined by a fence. To the west of the Bruachaig access track, outside the proposed development area, the bank could be traced as a more prominent earthwork descending the river terrace bank and following the north side of the old road (1) to the Abhainn Bruachaig.
18.2 Archaeological recording
18.2.1 The surviving remains of the field bank were subject to archaeological recording, including a GPS survey, sample excavation and photographic recording. A sample section was excavated by hand across the bank in order to determine the nature and extent of it (fig. 2).
18.2.2 A section created by the adjacent farm track was cleaned back to identify the deposits within the bank. A layer of dark black/brown, sandy silt topsoil and turf (B201), c.0.08m thick, lay across the whole of the bank. Beneath the topsoil was a layer of dark brown/black silty sand 0.28m thick, with lenses of orange-brown silty sand and pinkish sand within it. These were interpreted as the decayed remains of turf blocks used to construct the bank. A number of large stones (B203) were visible within B202, and may represent the remains of a wall. A thin layer of dark grey silt (B204) lay between B202 and the natural bedrock. The bank measured 0.36m high by 1.7m wide.
18.3 Evaluation
18.3.1 The excavations revealed a probable turf and stone constructed bank. No remains of an earlier bank or wall were uncovered by the excavations, suggesting a single phase.
18.3.2 No post-excavation works are required in relation to this feature.
A832/1091/0 Page 41 CFA 19. CONCLUSIONS
19.1 The programme of archaeological recording has investigated a series of archaeological features that will be disturbed or destroyed with the forthcoming upgrading of the A832 road between Glen Docherty Viewpoint and Kinlochewe. The features investigated comprise former road alignments of the A832 road, iron-working sites, several field banks and walls, a building, scoops, a hollow and a kiln. All probably relate to the medieval or later exploitation of the landscape, and provide an indication of the range of archaeological features that can be expected to survive in such marginal locations unsuitable for permanent settlement and farming (at least since the medieval period).
19.2 The most significant discoveries made during this evaluation were the scoop and levee site (52) and the kiln and hollow site (82). Nothing was known of the scoops or hollow prior to the evaluation which has shown that they contained significant deposits, the analysis of which may help to further our understanding of these sites. The evaluation of the kiln provided information on its construction and analysis of the deposits may reveal the function of this site.
19.3 The other sites investigated have provided some information additional to what could be gleaned from surface survey alone. At Glen Docherty (Site 65) the evaluation works provided little additional information for this building. The various field banks and walls proved in the most part to be as expected. Site 76 proved to be relatively modern in date though the old ground surface remains beneath the bank are likely to be older.
19.4 A Costed Assessment containing detailed post-excavation and reporting recommendations relating to the kiln (82) and scoop site (52) will be produced under separate cover.
19.5 A summary statement of results will be prepared for publication in Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 2005.
19.6 The project archive, comprising all CFA record sheets, plans and reports, will be deposited with the National Monuments Record of Scotland and the Council’s Sites and Monuments Record following completion of all work for the project and approval by the client. The finds assemblage will be notified to the Treasure Trove Advisory Panel for disposal through standard procedures.
A832/1091/0 Page 42 CFA 20. REFERENCES
Brown, G 1793 A Plan of the Intended Road from Poulewe to Auchna-sheen (NAS Ref: RHP 11599).
Cameron, K 2002 A832 Road Improvements, Achnasheen to Lubmore. Archaeological Recording. CFA Report No 729.
Dixon, J H 1886 Gairloch in North West Ross-shire: its Records, Traditions, Inhabitants and Natural History with a Guide to Gairloch and Loch Maree. Edinburgh.
Dunwell, A 2001 A832 Lubmore – Kinlochewe. Archaeological Desk-based Assessment and Walk-Over Survey. CFA Report no. 661.
Dunwell, A 2004 A832 Glen Docherty Viewpoint – Kinlochewe: Environmental Statement. Chapter in Environmental Statement
Dunwell, A 2005 A832 Proposed Agricultural Improvement site at Bruachaig: Environmental Statement
Johnson, M. & Kirby, M. 2004 A832 Achnasheen to Kinlochewe Road Upgrade Phase 2: Lubmore to Glen Docherty Viewpoint. Archaeological Recording and Excavations. CFA report no. 919
Ordnance Survey 1881 Ross-shire, sheets LXXI, LXXXIII & LXXXIV, scale 1:10,560, surveyed 1875.
Ordnance Survey 1905 Ross-shire, sheets LXXI, LXXXIII & LXXXIV, scale 1:10,560, surveyed 1902.
Ordnance Survey 1968 Sheet NH 06 SE, scale 1;10,560.
Ordnance Survey 1971 Sheets NH 05 NW & NH 06 SW, scale 1:10,000.
Roy, W 1747-55 Military Survey of Scotland, sheet 24/5.
Taylor, W 1976 The Military Roads in Scotland. Newton Abbot.
Thomson, J 1826 Ross and Cromarty Shire.
Wilson, A 1811 Plan of the Proposed Road betwixt Auch-na-sheen and Loch Maree (NAS Ref: RHP 11675).
A832/1091/0 Page 43 CFA APPENDIX 1 - Context list
No. Description 3601 Turf and topsoil 3602 Drystone wall 3603 Natural subsoil comprising a light brown silty sand containing a large percentage of pebbles 5201 Turf and topsoil 5202 Natural subsoil, an orangy red/beige sand with up to 80% gravel inclusions. Interpreted as streambed. 5203 Lens of yellow grey sand, deposited as a result of flooding. 5204 A black brown lens of peat with some root inclusions, below (5203) and above (5205) 5205 A very clear lens of black charcoal rich silt, above (5202) and below (5204) 5501 Dark brown silty peat topsoil and turf 5502 Natural tan/white silty sand 5503 Medium brown silt 5504 Yellow sand 5505 White sand 5701 Topsoil and turf, dark brown silty clay 5702 A yellow brown silty sand, interpreted as natural, below (5703) 5703 Light brown silt, possibly redeposit natural. 5710 Turf and topsoil, a dark brown clayey silt above (5711) 5711 A stone wall comprising of medium and large water worn stones which is infilled by (5712) 5712 A dark brown black silty clay infill of wall (5711) 5713 A dark grey silty clay with inclusions of medium and small pebbles, interpreted as natural 5714 A layer of mid brown silty clay subsoil, cut by (5715) in the north end of trench 5715 Cut for wall (5711), only evident at north side of trench 5901 Turf and topsoil, a dark brown black silty layer with lots of root inclusions. 5902 A dark black brown layer of peat up to 0.40m deep. Possible remains of a field boundary 5903 A layer of dark grey brown clayey silt interpreted as natural. Inclusions of medium pebbles and boulders 6301 Turf and topsoil, above (6302) 6302 Natural subsoil, a medium brown sandy silt. Inclusions of sandstone, pebbles and cobbles up to 50% 6303 Basal wall course of shieling hut consisting of large rectangular slabs, bonded with cement 6304 Chimney breast comprising large angular and sub angular stones. 6601 Turf and topsoil, a dark brown peat layer with inclusions of stone 6602 A dark brown sandy silt with stone inclusion, interpreted as remains of a turf bank 6603 Stone fill within bank, does not appear to have been part of a wall as similar to natural 6604 A grey brown clayey silt, natural peat, different in colour to the turf and topsoil 6605 An orangy brown silt, very stony interpreted as natural 6606 A grey brown clayey silt layer. A natural peat deposit on upslope side of bank. 6701 Turf and topsoil, a dark brown peat layer with inclusions of moss, heather and roots 6702 A grey brown wet silt layer, possibly redeposit natural or natural 6801 Turf and mid-dark brown sandy silt topsoil containing roots and decaying plant matter 6802 Mid-dark brown silty clay containing angular stones. 6803 Natural orangey brown clayey sand 7601 Turf and topsoil 7602 Natural subsoil, an orange yellow, clayey sand comprising up to 60% cobbles 7603 A lens of orange yellow clayey sand, up to 40% cobbles. Probably redeposited natural 7604 A lens of dark grey black silt, possibly an old ground surface 7605 A lens of light grey/white clayey sand, possibly an old ground surface 8201 Turf and topsoil, consisting of decayed plant and tree material, very rooty. 8202 Natural within hollow, a mottled light brown clay which has possibly been heated. 8203 A black silty deposit with rich concentrations of charcoal at the base of the hollow on site 82 8204 Circular wall of a possible kiln, consisting of large rounded and angular boulders 8205 A matrix of orangey brown, clayey sand surround wall of the kiln (8204) 8206 A layer of medium and large rounded and angular boulders, in centre of structure. Appear to
A832/1091/0 Page 44 CFA be rubble infill, possibly from collapse of kiln 8207 A dark black brown silty clay matrix surrounding rubble infill (8206) at east end of trench. 8208 Orangy brown silty clay matrix around stone infill (8206) at west end. Very similar to natural, could be over cut or mixing 8209 A patch of orangy yellow clayey sand. Interpreted as heated natural, located at east end of trench below (8207) 8210 A layer of orangy brown sandy clay interpreted as natural 8211 Light brown clayey silt, natural subsoil below (8201), in hollow 8212 Old Ground Surface to north of kiln, thin band of light grey/white clayey sand 8213 Old Ground Surface to south of kiln, thin band of light grey/white clayey sand 8214 Soil below old ground surface 8215 Dark brown peat 8601 Topsoil turf 8602 Pale grey sandy silt natural B201 Topsoil, dark black brown sandy silt with inclusions of roots B202 A dark brown black silty sand with lenses of orangy brown silty sand and pinkish sand. Could be remains of turf covered wall B203 Possible remains of a boundary wall consisting of medium and large, cobbles and boulders, below (B202) B204 A dark grey silty layer surrounding bedrock, natural
A832/1091/0 Page 45 CFA APPENDIX 2 - Photographic Register – Colour Slide
Film 1
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1-2 Site 63, general pre-excavation shot NW Sunny 3 Registration shot 4-5 Site 82, pre-excavation shot of kiln NW Sunny/ shaded 6-7 Site 82, pre-excavation shot of hollow S Sunny/ shaded 8-9 Site 63, general shot NW Sunny 10-11 Site 63, detail of concrete on NW facing wall NW Sunny 12-13 Site 63, detail of concrete on SW facing wall SW Sunny 14-15 Site 63, fireplace and flue, general shot NW Sunny 16-17 Site 63, flue showing detail of panel pins SW Sunny 18-19 Site 63, general shot SE Sunny 20-21 Site 63, sondage general shot NW Sunny 22-23 Site 82, kiln after vegetation removed NW Sunny/ shaded 24-25 Site 63, chimney breast SE Bright 26-27 Site 63, NE facing chimney breast gable, showing cement NE Bright raggle 28-29 Site 63, SW wall after removal SW Bright 30-31 Site 52, general shot showing hollow NE Bright 32-33 Site 52, general shot N Bright 34-35 Site 52, general shot showing second hollow SE Bright 36-37 Site 52, general shot SE Bright
Film 2
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1 Registration shot 2-3 Site 52, south facing section evaluation trench, from east S Sunny to west 4-5 Site 52, south facing section, evaluation trench S Sunny 6-7 Site 52, south facing section, evaluation trench S Sunny 8-9 Site 86, pre-excavation shot S Bright 10-11 Site 86, pre excavation shot N Bright 12-13 Site 82, kiln with section excavated NE Dull 14-15 Site 82, kiln with section excavated NW Dull 16-17 Site 82, trench excavated across hollow N Overcast 18-19 Site 82, trench excavated across hollow S Overcast 20-25 Site 82, east facing section through hollow E Overcast 26-27 Site 86, test pit 1 E Bright 28-29 Site 86, test pit 2 S Bright 30-31 Site 86, test pit 3 W Bright 32-33 Site 86, test pit 4 SW Bright 34-35 Kinlochewe bridge, general shot N Bright 36-37 Kinlochewe bridge3, general shot NW Bright
Film 3
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1 Registration shot 2-5 Kinlochewe bridge, general shot S Bright 6-7 Kinlochewe bridge, general shot W Bright 8-9 Kinlochewe bridge, general shot E Bright 10-11 Site 76, general pre-excavation shot S Overcast 12-13 Site B2, general shot of bank NW Overcast
A832/1091/0 Page 46 CFA 14-15 Site B2, general shot of bank NE Overcast 16-17 Site B2, general pre-excavation shot of bank NE Overcast 18-19 Site B2, general shot of bank NW Overcast 20-21 Site B2, post-excavation shot through bank NE Overcast 22-23 Site 59, general pre-excavation shot W Overcast 24-25 Site 59, general pre-excavation shot E Overcast 26-27 Site 66, general view, pre-excavation SW Overcast 28-29 Site 66, general view, pre-excavation NE Overcast 30-31 Site 76, North facing section from east to west N Overcast 32-33 Site 76, North facing section N Overcast 34-35 Site 76, North facing section N Overcast 36-37 Site 76, North facing section N Overcast
Film 4
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1 Registration shot 2-3 Site 66, section through bank showing stones S Overcast 4-5 Site 57, pre-excavation trench 1 SE Overcast 6-7 Site 57, pre-excavation trench 1 S Overcast 8-9 Site 57, pre-excavation trench 1 NW Overcast 10-11 Site 67, pre-excavation E Overcast 12-13 Site 67, pre excavation W Overcast 14-15 Site 59, post-excavation through bank N Overcast 16-17 Site 57, south facing section trench 1 S Overcast 18-19 Site 67, south facing section W Overcast 20-21 Site 57, trench 2, pre-excavation W Overcast 22-23 Site 57, trench 2, pre-excavation NE Overcast 24-25 Site 57, trench 3, pre-excavation NW Bright 26-27 Site 66, post-excavation of section S Bright 28-29 Site 57, trench 3, west facing section W Bright 30-31 Site 57, trench 2 showing wall N Bright 32-36 Site 55, pre-excavation
Film 5
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1 Registration 2-3 Site 55, post-excavation of east facing section E Bright 4-5 Site 36, pre-excavation S Bright 6-7 Site 36, west facing section W Bright 8-9 Site 83, Kinlochewe lodge wall, general shot NE Shaded 10-11 Site 83, Kinlochewe lodge wall, close up south end S Shaded 12-13 Site 83, Kinlochewe lodge wall, general from south end S Sunny 14-15 Site 83, Kinlochewe lodge wall, general shot S Sunny 16-17 Site 83, Kinlochewe lodge wall close up S Sunny 18-19 Site 83, Kinlochewe lodge wall, general shot S Sunny 20-21 Site 83, Kinlochewe lodge wall, close up S Sunny 22-23 Site 83, Kinlochewe lodge wall, general shot W Sunny 24-25 Site 74, trackway, general shot SE Sunny 26-27 Site 74, trackway, general shot NW Sunny 28-29 Site 74, trackway, general shot N Sunny 30-31 Site 74, trackway, general shot W Sunny 32-36 Site 76, trench 1 extension, north facing section from east N Sunny to west
A832/1091/0 Page 47 CFA Film 6
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1 Registration shot 2-7 Site 76, trench 1 extension, north facing section from east N Sunny to west 8-9 Site B1, trackway, general shots E Sunny 10-11 Site B1, trackway, general shots S Sunny 12-13 Site B1, trackway, general shots E Sunny 14-15 Site B1, trackway, general shots W Sunny 16-17 Site B1, trackway, general shots N Sunny 18-19 Site B1, trackway, general shots S Sunny 20-21 Site B1, trackway, general shots N Sunny 22-23 Site B1, trackway, general shots S Raining 24-25 Site 62, trackway, general shots SW Overcast 26-27 Site 62, trackway, general shots NE Overcast 28-29 Site 62, trackway, general shots NW Overcast 30-31 Site 62, trackway, general shots SE Overcast 32-33 Site 62, trackway, general shots NE Overcast 34-end Site 62, trackway, general shots NE Overcast
Film 7
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1 Registration shot 2-3 Site 76, trench 2, south facing section from west to east S Overcast 4-5 Site 76, trench 2, south facing section S Overcast 6-7 Site 64, general view near sheepfold NW Bright 8-9 Site 64, general view near sheepfold SE Bright 10-11 Test pit, site 82, post-excavation NE Bright 12-13 Site 68, pre-excavation SW Overcast 14-15 Site 68, post-excavation Southwest facing section SW Bright 16-17 Site 55, trackway, general shot SE Overcast 18-19 Site 55, trackway, general shot NW Overcast 20-21 Site 37, trackway, general shot SE Overcast 22-23 Site 37, trackway, general shot N Overcast 24-25 Site 37, trackway, general shot NW Overcast 26-27 Site 37, trackway, general shot SE Overcast 28-29 Site 52, south facing section KB tins in situ S Overcast 30-31 Site 52, scoop 1, south facing section S Overcast 32-33 Site 52, scoop1, south facing section S Overcast 34-35 Site 52, scoop 1, general post-excavation shot E Overcast 36-37 Site 52, scoop 1, general post-excavation shot W Overcast
Film 8
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1 Registration shot 2-3 Site 52, scoop 2 post-excavation ------Overcast
Film 9
Shot Description Taken from Conditions 1-2 Hollow site 82, post-excavation shot SW Shaded 3 Registration shot ------4-5 Kiln site 82, view of wall at back of after rubble removed SW Shaded 6-7 Kiln site 82, view of N-facing wall after rubble removed N Shaded
A832/1091/0 Page 48 CFA 8-9 Kiln site 82, view of S-facing wall after rubble removed S Shaded 10-11 Kiln site 82, W facing section, N end W Shaded 12-13 Kiln site 82, W facing section, S end W Shaded 14-15 Kiln site 82, post-excavation after stones removed W Overcast 16-17 Kiln site 82, post-excavation after stones removed S Overcast 18-19 Kiln site 82, post-excavation after stones removed N Overcast
A832/1091/0 Page 49 CFA APPENDIX 3 – Finds quantification
Site Context Find type No Wt Notes 53 surface slag 5 445 dense dark grey with some large air pockets, possible smelting residue 63 cleaning pottery 14 216 white stoneware preserve jar fragments 2 9 refined whiteware plate rims 1 2 refined whiteware cup handle 1 2 refined whiteware body with blue handpainted decoration CBM 3 1298 soft, fully oxidised, fine sandy micaceous late bricks, handmade? mortar 1 25 cementitious with lots of voids glass 1 157 brown mould-blown bottle neck 8 228 2 necks, 6 body sherds, uncoloured bottles; one with screw bung ‘HAY’S’ 1 18 handmade green bottle neck 1 13 moulded pale green glass bung 5 136 plate glass window fragments iron 1 260 large spike, 221mm long, square section shaft, corrosion at head contains modern glass 1 509 claw hammer head 1 33 vessel handle, hollow coal 1 6 burnt 82 test pit leather 2 - large cut sheet fragments 8203 charcoal 6 - roundwood fragments kiln glass 1 475 pale green mould-blown bottle with handmade rim, complete apart from base 8207 glass 1 47 base of above bottle Notes: all finds were weighed unwashed; CBM = ceramic building material.
A832/1091/0 Page 50 CFA APPENDIX 4 - Samples register
No. Contex Description Size t 1 5205 Black charcoal rich lens 1L 2 8203 Black charcoal rich deposit 45L 3 Site 52 KB1 ------4 Site 52 KB2 ------5 Site 52 KB3 ------6 Site 52 KB4 ------7 Site 52 KB5 ------8 5205 Black charcoal rich lens 40L 9 Site 52 MS1 ------10 Site 52 MS2 ------11 Site 52 MS3 ------12 Site 82 Kubiena of natural from hollow ------13 Site 82 Matrix around rubble infill of kiln 7L 14 Site 82 MS control sample for kiln ------15 Site 82 MS c.8205 from kiln ------16 Site 82 MS c.8203 charcoal layer in hollow ------17 Site 82 MS c.8201 topsoil in hollow ------18 Site 82 MS c.8202 possibly heated natural in hollow ------19 Site 82 MS 1 Kiln ------20 Site 82 MS 2 Kiln ------21 Site 82 MS 3 Kiln ------22 Site 82 MS 4 Kiln ------23 Site 82 MS 5 Kiln ------24 8205 C.8205, burnt natural? Around stones of kiln wall 5L 25 Site 82 MS C.8214? natural in base of kiln ------26 Site 82 MS C.8209? heated natural in base of kiln ------
A832/1091/0 Page 51 CFA APPENDIX 5 - Field drawings register
Sheet No Drawing No Scale Section/Plan Contexts 1 1 1:50 Plan Post-excavation plan of site 63 1 2 1:20 Section NE facing section, site 63, A-B 2 3 1:20 Section South facing section site 52, scoop 2 2 4 1:50 Plan Plan of site 52 3 5 1:10 Section North facing section through kiln, site 82 3 6 1:10 Section East facing section through hollow, site 82 4 7 1:50 Plan Site 82 plan 5 8 1:10 Section North facing section through site 76, trench 1 5 9 1:10 Section West facing section through site 57, trench 1 5 10 1:10 Section SE facing section through site 67 6 11 1:10 Section NE facing section through bank, site B2 6 12 1:20 Plan Plan of bank slot, site 66 6 13 1:10 Section North facing section through site 59 6 14 1:10 Section South facing section through site 66 7 15 1:20 Plan Plan of wall, trench 2 site 57 7 16 1:10 Section East facing section through wall, site 57 trench 2 7 17 1:10 Section East facing section through site 55 7 18 1:10 Section West facing section through site 63 4 19 1:10 Section SW facing section through bank, site 68 8 20 1:10 Section North facing section, site 76 extension, trench 1 8 21 1:10 Section South facing section, trench 2 site 76 9 22 1:20 Section South facing section site 52, scoop 1 9 23 1:50 Section Site 52, post –excavation plan, site 52 scoop 2 10 24 1:20 Plan Site 82 11 24 1:20 Plan Site 82 12 25 1:10 Section/Profile Site 82 kiln 13 26 1:20 Plan Site 82, kiln 14 27 1:20 Plan Post-excavation plan site 82 kiln
A832/1091/0 Page 52 CFA APPENDIX 6 – Written Scheme of Investigation
1. Background
1.1 The Highland Council Transport, Environmental and Community Services (TECS) require a programme of archaeological recording to be conducted in advance of the construction works associated with the A832 Achnasheen to Kinlochewe Phase 3 road upgrade, between Glen Docherty viewpoint and Kinlochewe.
1.2 In 2001 The Highland Council (THC) commissioned CFA Archaeology Ltd to conduct a baseline survey of the proposed Phase 2 and Phase 3 road upgrade corridor between Lubmore and Kinlochewe, based upon a preliminary route alignment design. The survey was conducted to fulfil the requirements of a Specification produced by the Archaeology Unit of the THC’s Planning and Development Service. A report detailing the results of that study (CFA Report 661; Dunwell 2001) has been lodged with the Council’s Sites and Monuments Record.
1.3 In 2004 the baseline data gathered during the 2001 study was incorporated into an Environmental Statement for the proposed road upgrade project, at which time more detailed development design was available for assessment. As part of the EIA additional survey work was undertaken on the south side of the existing road between the Glen Docherty Burn and Kinlochewe, where the finalised road alignment and associated landscaping areas lay outside the original study corridor. A surplus materials disposal site at Bruachaig was also assessed in early 2005, and a separate report was produced.
1.4 A Brief for a programme of archaeological recording has been produced by THC’s Archaeology Unit. The work proposed in this document will meet all requirements of the Brief.
2. Aims and Objectives
2.1 The objectives of the study are to:
• Identify the location, nature and extent of any features or objects of archaeological significance that would be damaged or destroyed by the road construction works;
• Undertake recording of archaeological and/or historical features that will be damaged or destroyed by the development;
• Make sure that the needs for archaeological recording and conservation are met without causing any unnecessary delay or disturbance to the road improvement project; and
• Meet the archaeological requirements of planning permissions issued for this development.
A832/1091/0 Page 53 CFA 3. Methods Statement
3.1 General
3.1.1 All work will be conducted with regard to the Institute of Field Archaeologists Code of Conduct and relevant Standards.
3.2 Desk-Based Assessment
3.2.1 CFA has assessed the need for updating the desk-based assessment and has concluded that there is no need. The desk-based information available is up- to-date as of September 2004.
3.3 Recording Strategy
3.3.1 Table 1 contains a summary statement of the requirements of the programme of archaeological recording to be conducted prior to the commencement of development construction works, as contained within the Brief. The site numbers are those included in CFA Report 661, apart from B1-B3, which refer to the three sites discovered by field survey within the surplus materials disposal site at Bruachaig.
3.3.2 If significant discoveries are made during sample excavations, more extensive excavation and recording may be required. The scope of such work will require to be agreed in consultation with THC’s Archaeology Unit and TECS prior to their commencement. Those sites indicated by an asterisk in Table 1 are considered to be those more likely to require recording additional to that specified in this WSI.
3.3.3 The following sections propose working methods to address the requirements of the archaeological recording, grouped thematically. The methods proposed for Site 86 vary from those indicated in Table 1, as additional field survey (reported in the Environmental Statement) has been conducted since CFA Report 661 was produced, and has provided a potential location for that site.
A832/1091/0 Page 54 CFA No Site type Recording methods 36 Field wall Sample excavation / photographic record 37 Trackway Photographic record of areas to be infilled 45 Structure Fence off 48 Shieling Check existing fencing 49 Shieling Fence off 52 Levee (poss), scoops Sample excavation / photographic record 53 Iron-working Walkover survey; evaluation / recording if bloomery located within development area; fence off if outside development area 54 Enclosure, structure Fence off 55 Track, wall Sample excavation / photographic record 57 Enclosures Sample excavation / photographic record 59 Field bank Sample excavation / photographic record 62 Old road alignment Photographic record of areas to be infilled 63 Building Field evaluation 64 Old road alignment Photographic record of areas to be infilled 65 Cairn Confirm outside development area; fence off 66 Field bank Sample excavation / photographic record 67 Field wall Fence off section outside development area Sample excavation / photographic record of part within development area 68 Field wall Fence off section outside development area Sample excavation / photographic record of part within development area 72 Field walls Sample excavation / photographic record parts within development area 74 Trackway Photographic record of areas to be infilled 75 Clearance cairns Fence off 76 Field bank Sample excavation / photographic record 82 Kiln, hollow Field evaluation 83 Kinlochewe Lodge Photographic record of walls 84 Kinlochewe Bridge Walkover survey; photographic record if appropriate 86 Iron-working Walkover survey; evaluation / recording if bloomery site located within development area (unlocated) B1 Old road alignment Photographic record of areas to be infilled B2 Field bank Sample excavation / photographic record B3 Kiln Fence off N/a N/a Provide ‘on-call’ archaeological service during development, to record previously unrecorded finds or features that come to light Table 1 – Summary requirements of archaeological recording
A832/1091/0 Page 55 CFA Additional walk-over survey
3.3.4 Reconnaissance field survey in 2001 detected a potential iron-working bloomery site in Glen Docherty (53). Detailed walk-over survey will be conducted to ascertain whether any other physical remains of that site are visible, and whether or not they lie within the proposed development areas. Current evidence suggests that the site will not be affected, in which case it will be fenced off (see below). If the site cannot be preserved, it will be evaluated (see below).
3.3.5 The location of a putative cairn (65) will be checked and it will be determined whether or not the cairn will be affected by the development. Current evidence suggests that it will not be affected, in which case it will be fenced off (see below). If the cairn cannot be preserved, it will be evaluated to a strategy to be agreed with THC’s Archaeology Unit (see below).
3.3.6 Kinlochewe Bridge (84) appears to be a modern construction replacing an earlier structure recorded photographically by John Hume in the 1970s. The bridge will be examined to determine whether any features survive of the original 19th century structure survive. A photographic record will be made of the bridge, with particular emphasis placed upon recording any original features.
Photographic recording
3.3.7 A photographic record will be made of all areas of old road line and trackways that will be infilled and/or removed during development construction (37, 62, 64, 74, B1).
3.3.8 A photographic record will be made of the walls around Kinlochewe Lodge (83) that will be replaced.
Sample excavation / photographic recording of linear features
3.3.9 Several field walls or field banks, and a possible levee (36, 52, 55, 57, 59, 66, 67, 68, 72, 76, B2) are located either wholly or partly within the proposed development corridor. All features will be subject to photographic survey. Following the methodology adopted for recording comparable features in the Phase 1 road area (Cameron 2002), a sample section will be excavated through each feature to record its character and construction details, and to provide dating material if possible. Should field evidence suggest any feature to be a composite feature, the excavation of an additional sample section will be recommended, to examine the variable character and composition of the features and if possible sequence the construction of the feature. Field survey evidence suggests that few, if any, of the features to be recorded are visibly of composite origin.
3.3.10 Samples will be taken of deposits with the potential to contain palaeoenvironmental significance, either sealed within or beneath linear features.
A832/1091/0 Page 56 CFA Field evaluations
3.3.11 The site of a kiln and adjacent hollow (82) will be evaluated. An accurate plan will be drawn of this site, at a scale of 1:50. The walls of the kiln will be cleared of vegetation, and a trench will be excavated to assess the deposits within the kiln bowl and immediately outside the flue. A 1.5m wide trench will be excavated across the adjacent hollow. This will allow an assessment to be made of the character, complexity, date and function of these features. Depending upon the results, further excavation work may be required.
3.3.12 The site of a structure and adjacent feature (63) will be evaluated. An accurate plan will be drawn of this site, at a scale of 1:50. A T-shaped trench, c. 1.5m wide, will be excavated across the interior, walls and immediate exterior of the building. A c. 1.5m wide trench will be opened across a 4m diameter raised area of unknown function visible adjacent to the building. This will allow an assessment to be made of the character, complexity, date and function of these features, and to determine whether or not earlier buildings occupied the site. Depending upon the results, further excavation work may be required.
3.3.13 Field survey conducted as part of the EIA revealed that the site of a previously unlocated iron-working bloomery site (86), as recorded and described by Dixon (1886, 90-1), must have lain on the upper edge of a river terrace on a west bank of the Glen Docherty Burn, in area proposed for landscaping as part of the proposed development. Field survey located a c. 8m diameter mound at one point on the crest of the river terrace, which could be the remains of a bloomery mound. Test-pits will be excavated into the mound and its immediate environs, to determine whether it is the remains of a bloomery mound, or otherwise of archaeological origin. If the mound proves not to be related to the bloomery site, hand-dug test-pits (0.5m x 0.5m) will be excavated into any other potential mounded features along the crest of the river terrace, in the topographic zone described by Dixon as the location of the findspot (although it should be noted that reconnaissance field survey already undertaken has revealed no other obvious candidate locations for the site). Depending upon the results of this evaluation, further excavation work may be required.
Fencing off
3.3.14 Several identified sites present close to the development areas (45, 49, 54, 75, B3) or sections of linear features extending beyond the development areas (67- 68), will be fenced off to prevent accidental damage occurring to them during construction works. Other sites will be fenced off if further walkover survey confirms that they lie outside development areas (53, 65). Existing fencing at site 48 will be checked, to confirm that it is still present and robust.
3.3.15 CFA will mark off the site including a suitable buffer zone (normally extending at least 5m from the outer edge of the visible remains) with brightly coloured, painted posts. It will be the responsibility of the construction contractor to ensure the site is properly fenced off around the marked off area
A832/1091/0 Page 57 CFA prior to construction. These arrangements were used during Phase 2 road construction.
‘On-call’ archaeological service
3.3.16 CFA will provide an ‘on-call’ archaeological service during development, to record previously unrecorded finds or features that come to light during construction works. The construction contractor will be provided with a document detailing how buried remains of archaeological significance can be recognised, and how any unexpected archaeological discoveries (structures, artefacts, human remains) should be reported to CFA Archaeology and THC’s Archaeology Unit. If in the opinion of THC’s Archaeology Unit reported discoveries appear of archaeological significance, a CFA Field Officer will visit site to assess the findings and make arrangements for further recording as appropriate.
3.4 Recording methods
3.4.1 Recording of all elements will be done following established CFA methods.
3.4.2 Photographic recording will involve making a colour slide and digital record of all features to be recorded. Photographs will comprise both general location shots and detailed shots taken from at least two different angles. Photographs will be clearly labelled and numbered. A photographic record will be made, and will be linked to site numbers identified on location plans included in the Data Structure Report (see below).
3.4.3 All trenches and test-pits will be excavated by hand. Where evaluation is being conducted, sufficient of the exposed features will be excavated to evaluate their nature and depth. The stratification of all excavated areas will be recorded, whether or not significant archaeological deposits have been identified. Recording of all elements will follow established CFA methods. All excavation sections will be drawn at 1:10, excavation plans will be drawn at 1:20 and colour slide photographs and digital images will be taken including scale bars. The locations of all trenches will be recorded using industry standard Total Station surveying equipment. Trenches will not be backfilled on completion of excavation, unless otherwise requested.
3.4.4 The positions of all features subject to archaeological recording will be surveyed by Leica GS50 GPS survey equipment, with sub-metre accuracy. This will provide an accurate record of all features located, as reconnaissance field survey conducted in 2001 provided a less precise record of the locations and morphologies of identified features. This survey will be particular importance in recording the layout of the various components of the medieval and later field system present in Glen Docherty.
A832/1091/0 Page 58 CFA 4. Mitigation
4.1 This section outlines possible mitigation measures that may be required as a result of the evaluations. Mitigation can take several forms depending on the scale and quality of the remains identified. Such measures range from watching briefs to open area excavation of areas prior to any development.
4.2 If remains of little archaeological interest are identified during the evaluations then CFA can recommend that no further work in mitigation will be required prior to development. However the final decision regarding mitigation lies with Highland Council Planning and Development Service Archaeology Unit. Where further work is required we propose to move on to the next stage of work without a break, subject to approval.
4.3 If substantial remains are revealed as a result of the evaluations, further work may be required, and in these cases additional time and resources will be required. Should substantial remains be discovered CFA will make recommendations for mitigation to be discussed between CFA, the client and THC’s Archaeology Unit. Significant discoveries likely to require further work will be reported to the client and Archaeology Unit within 24 hours.
5. Products and Reporting
5.1 An illustrated Data Structure Report describing and interpreting the results of the recording, evaluations, and any consequent works will be produced and distributed according to standard CFA procedures and to the requirements of the Brief. We will produce a Costed Assessment containing appropriate post- excavation and reporting recommendations, if necessary. These documents will be submitted to THC within six weeks of the completion of fieldwork.
5.2 In the event that the results of the investigation are of sufficient significance to merit full publication, we could proceed to this stage subject to the approval of the client and in consultation with THC’s Archaeology Unit.
5.3 A summary statement of results will be prepared, for publication in Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 2005.
5.4 The project archive, comprising all CFA record sheets, plans and reports, will be deposited with the National Monuments Record of Scotland following completion of all work for the project and approval by the client. The finds assemblage will be notified to Treasure Trove Advisory Panel for disposal through standard procedures.
5.5 The results of the project will be presented to the local community within a year of the completion of fieldwork, should the quality of the results merit this. Arrangements will be agreed with THC’s Archaeology Unit.
A832/1091/0 Page 59 CFA 6. Resources and Programming
6.1 The works will be managed by Andrew Dunwell BA FSA(Scot) MIFA, who has considerable experience of managing comparable projects across Scotland, both for CFA.
6.2 Field Director for CFA will be Samantha Badger MA AIFA, who has considerable experience of conducting survey and excavations across Scotland.
6.3 CFA’s Graphic’s Manager is Kevin Hicks BA AAAI&S. Mr Hicks has a professional qualification in graphic design as well as archaeological experience dating from 1989, and has worked on research projects since 1992.
6.4 If appointed, CVs for the appropriate staff can be forwarded prior to the start of the project.
6.5 All CFA staff are inducted into the Company’s Health and Safety Policy. All CFA fieldwork projects are subject to formal, written Risk Assessment procedures.
6.6 We understand that all fieldwork must be completed prior to the end of June 2005, when construction works are scheduled to commence. The recording and evaluation work detailed within this document will be conducted over a two-week period by a team of four, between 30 May and 10 June 2005. This will allow sufficient time for any further excavations considered appropriate as a result of the evaluations of sites 63, 84 and 86 to be agreed with THC’s Archaeology Unit and completed prior to the end of June.
6.7 The work will be scheduled to take account of the prevailing weather conditions, and we will provide the Archaeology Unit of a minimum one week’s written notice to commence works.
7. Monitoring
7.1 Close contact will be maintained with the developer and The Highland Council Archaeology Unit for the purposes of managing the project. Important or unexpected discoveries will be communicated to the developer and THC’s Archaeology Unit, to allow arrangements for their safeguarding or further recording to be agreed. Contact numbers and names, and access arrangements for the site, will be forwarded in advance of the work starting.
A832/1091/0 Page 60 CFA Plate 1 - Site 36, west facing section.
Plate 2 - Site 37, track taken from north west. Plate 3 - Site 52, pre-excavation view of scoop 2.
Plate 4 - Site 52, post-excavation view of scoop 2. Plate 5 - Site 55, view of track from SSE.
Plate 6 - Site 55, north facing section through bank. Plate 7 - Site 57, trench 1, south facing section.
Plate 8 - Site 57, trench 2, east facing section. Plate 9 - Site 59, north facing section.
Plate 10 - Site 62, track taken from side of existing A832, facing NNW. Plate 11 - Site 63, view of site, post-excavation from the NNW.
Plate 12 - Site 63, upstanding gable end from the NNW. Plate 13 - Site 63, gable end from SSE.
Plate 14 - Site 63, gable end from the ENE. Plate 15 - Site 63, section showing building wall.
Plate 16 - Site 64, track from SSE. Plate 17 - Site 66, north facing section of bank.
Plate 18 - Site 67, south facing section. Plate 19 - Site 68, southwest facing section.
Plate 20 - Site 74, track from the east. Plate 21 - Site 76, north facing section, east end showing old ground surface.
Plate 22 - Site 76, north facing section, west end showing old ground surface. Plate 23 - Site 82, pre-excavation view of hollow.
Plate 24 - Site 82, kiln after rubble removed, showing stone walls of kiln. Plate 25 - Site 83, Kinlochewe Lodge wall, east end.
Plate 26 - Site 83, Kinlochewe Lodge wall, central section. Plate 27 - Site 86, possible bloomery mound, ranging rod marking the apex.
Plate 28 - Site B1, old road alignment, now a farm track. Plate 29 - Site B1, old road alignment, defined by remains of a wall to the east side.
Plate 30 - Site B2, east facing section of bank. Plate 31 - Kinlochewe Bridge.