Final Report of Archaeological Evaluations & Excavations at Rhicullen Quarry, Invergordon, Highland. NH 700 / 720 (centred)

Client: W Munro Construction (Highland) Ltd.

Planning Application No: 04/00501/FULRC.

By Stuart Farrell B.A A.I.F.A F.S.A.Scot. December 2005

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Acknowledgements

3. Background

4. Objectives

5. Method

6. Results

7. Conclusions

8. Recommendations

9. Archive

10. Discovery and Excavation

11. References

Appendix 1 – Samples Register Appendix 2 – Photographic Register Appendix 3 – Context Register Appendix 4 – Samples Report by Headland Archaeology Ltd Appendix 5 – AMS dating data sheets

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Non-Technical Summary

Stuart Farrell was commissioned by W Munro Construction (Highland) Ltd in April 2005 to undertake an archaeological evaluation at Rhicullen Quarry, by Invergordon (centred at NH 700/720) as part of a proposed quarry development. Highland Council Archaeology Unit produced a specification for this work. This work also follows on an earlier archaeological evaluation conducted by the author in 2003.

Work revealed a number of upstanding features comprising of clearance cairns, banks and a possible structure, archaeological evaluation and excavation work revealed them all to be of a 19th-20th century date. A programme of trial trenching and subsequent area excavation revealed a round house with a 2nd century BC Iron-Age date, also found was a possible associated oven.

No further fieldwork has been recommended and no further post-excavation work is required.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

1. Introduction

Stuart Farrell was commissioned by W Munro Construction (Highland) Ltd in April 2005 to undertake an archaeological evaluation at Rhicullen Quarry, by Invergordon (centred at NH 700/720) as part of a proposed quarry development. Highland Council Archaeology Unit produced a specification for this work. This work is to form part of the conditions for planning application 04/00501/FULRC and to follow on recommendations made in previous archaeological survey work.

The site is located to the northeast of the village of Rhicullen.

The fieldwork was conducted between May 16th and the 3rd of June 2005.

2. Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following for their help during the work:

- Mr. W Munro, of Munro Construction (Highland) Ltd; - Mr. K Cooper, Mr. S Buchanan & Mr. S Miles for onsite help; - Staff of J Hepburn-Wright Cartographic Services Ltd for site survey work; - Staff of Munro Construction (Highland) Ltd for onsite works; - Ms H White of Highland Council Archaeology Unit; - Staff of the RCAHMS; - Staff of the NMRS; - Staff of Highland Council Archives; - Dr. G Cook of SUERRC; - Dr. T Holden of Headland Archaeology Ltd for samples analysis; - Mrs S Stevenson, for illustrations.

Stuart Farrell 39a Park Street Nairn Highland IV12 4PP Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Figure 1 - General Location 1:25,000 Copyright Ordnance Survey. Licence 100041016.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

3. Historical Background

The development area had previously been partly surveyed as part of an earlier evaluation (Farrell, 2003) that noted one site (feature 4) as a possible unroofed building which is depicted only on the Ordnance Survey map of 1977, 2 other features (No.s 7 & 8) had been also noted as possible burial cairns due to them lying atop a natural ridge. This previous study included a desktop and walkover survey.

For the additional areas of archaeological evaluation nothing is marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1880 or on the 2nd edition of 1907. Again by the later edition of 1977 nothing is depicted.

A study of aerial photographs held in the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, Edinburgh revealed coverage from 1946 to 1977 but only showing the development area to be comprised of woodlands and rough grazing.

4. Objectives

To conduct an archaeological evaluation on any features previously noted and any new features and to conduct trial trenching to those areas not covered by works conducted by the author in 2003. A copy of the specification provided by Highland Council Archaeology Unit is enclosed. This work is to include the following: - Desk based survey - Evaluation - Excavation, where required - Report on results

5. Methodology

Trenches by back-acting machine were made to the additional area of the proposed quarry, with hand dug testing conducted to the features noted in the walkover survey (Farrell 2003).

A monitoring was made of the removal of topsoil and subsoil’s to a maximum depth of 250mm for the trenches to an area of 635.2m². All trenches were excavated with a straight edged bucket (all 1.4m wide) with possible archaeological features being cleaned by hand.

Trenches were surveyed using a GPS system using a total station.

As features were found in one trench (No. 2) an area excavation was conducted with procedures following those guidelines as proposed by the Institute of Field Archaeologists. A back-acting machine under direct archaeological supervision initially cleared the area of excavation with the area being extended until no other archaeological features were visible.

Weather on the days of work (May 16th – June 3rd 2005) was mixed with sunny periods and wintry showers.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

6. Results

The evaluation and excavation was carried out in accordance with accepted professional archaeological standards as published by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA 1999). During the works a suitably qualified archaeologist was on site to carry out observations and assessment of the area affected by the excavation works.

Site Location The site lies to the north of the town of Invergordon and slightly northeast of the village of Rhicullen on a slight south facing flat ridge, with ground cover of a mixture of rough grazing, gorse and natural woodland.

Results Trial trenching results were as follows:

1 – Aligned NW-SE – 35.5m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

2 – Aligned NW-SE – 31m in length – A number of single-cut features were revealed, which led to an open area of excavation 11.5m by 15m (Total area 172.5m²). Excavation revealed a series of post-holes (some being double), a kiln and three pits. A number of post-holes were cut or lost by 2 later field drains [contexts 33 & 45] of unknown date though likely to be modern in date or related to agricultural improvement (see figure 3). The kiln [context 39] was round in plan being stone lined with a flat stone base and a small flue [context 37]. A number of the post-holes had evidence for being burnt insitu or having stone packing. The layout of the post-holes suggest a roundhouse though with a possible secondary use at a slightly later date, especially in relation to the pits, which likely did not belong in the house, no hearth was located in the house.

Finds Very limited finds were made to features excavated that would be able to spot-date the site; the only finds made were a few very small pieces of burnt bone [contexts 50 & 67], a fragment of burnt flint [context 16], and one very small piece of well-worn orange-red ware pottery [context 4 - the latter coming from the top part of a fill of a post-hole that had seen some disturbance] and a possible fragment of an iron nail [context 8]. No finds were made to the pits or the kiln. All the finds were too small for detailed post-excavation identification.

Samples All secure contexts were sampled and processed by Headland Archaeology Ltd for environmental analysis (for full report see Appendix 4). An additional amount of burnt bone was noted to most of the fills sampled but none of the fragments found were big enough for identification. Grain was sparse to most contexts but the fills of 2 post-holes [55 & 75] contained a larger number of grains, with the suggestion of the area being used for the processing of grain. Only limited grains were found in the pits.

Dating As there was a lack of finds made during the excavation a total of 9 samples were taken for radiocarbon dating (for full report see Appendix 5), the reason for this was because during initial onsite works it was thought that the site may have been later in date than was proved due to the find of the piece of a small piece of well-worn orange-red ware pottery and the fragment of a possible iron nail. The initial thought was of an early medieval date. Dating however proved that that the building dated from the mid 3rd to 2nd century BC, giving an Iron Age date. The dating of the fill of the kiln [context 42] gave a slightly later date suggesting that the site had seen 2 phases of use, this with the dating of 2 post-holes [contexts 71 & 73] which were again later than the number of post-holes sampled and close to the dating of the kiln. Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Discussion Currently it may be possible that the series of post-holes form a roundhouse (see figure 4) with a possible later phase of use, possibly within a generation, with a kiln situated to the NE associated with a number of post-holes and the group of pits. No hearth was found in the roundhouse and the layout of the central postholes in relation to the kiln may have been the result of a series of wind-breaks to provide shelter for the kiln.

Below: View of site upon excavation facing SSW – scales 2m. Kiln is immediately in the foreground.

Below: View of kiln upon ½ section facing NW – scales 1m. Over: View of kiln upon excavation facing N – scale 0.5m.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

3 – Aligned NW-SW – 39.5m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

4 – Aligned NW-SE – 32.4m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

5 – Aligned E-W - 30m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

6 – Aligned E-W – 43.6m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

7 – Aligned E-W - 58m in length - One possible feature was revealed to the edge of the trench, though excavation revealed it to be a tree bole.

Below: View of tree-bole upon excavation facing N – scale 0.5m.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

8 – Aligned E-W - 28m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

9 – Aligned E-W - 20m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

10 – Aligned NE-SW - 30m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

11 – Aligned NW-SE – 22.5m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

12 – Aligned W-E - 24m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

13 – Aligned SW-NE - 38m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

14 – Aligned SW-NE - 21.2m in length - No features or deposits revealed.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Excavation of Upstanding Features All upstanding features were hand excavated.

F1 – Bank, section 9m in length by 3.1m wide and 0.5m high, possibly continues NE through fence, though very denuded. Excavation revealed 19th century glass in fill with stones topped with turf.

Below: View of section through bank facing E.

F2 – Clearance Cairn 4.7m in length, 2.8m wide and 0.7m high. Excavation revealed it to be of unknown date, though likely to be 19th century in date.

Below: View of section through clearance cairn facing E.

F3 – Clearance Cairn 3.7m EW by 2.9m NS and 0.7m high. Excavation revealed it to be of 19th century date with find of bottle glass in fill.

Over: View of section through clearance cairn facing NW – scales 1m.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

F4 – Possible structure. Evaluation work here in 2003 (Farrell, 2003) had suggested that this was possibly a building due to the find of a possible clay floor. Excavation work revealed no trace of any kind of building as had been suggested in the earlier work. The clay surface found in the trial trenching was revealed as a natural deposit very heavily disturbed by tree root action. Only to the East edge of the possibly building was a small section of upright stones visible that may have formed part of a structure but unfortunately successive dumping of clearance material atop and around the possible structure made it very difficult to determine what this structure was, as no wall lines could be found to its S or W sides. There was no wall structure on its N side and no indication that it would have utilised the slight bank here. If there was a structure here is may have been some kind of enclosure to the corner of the field. The few finds made were of an iron spoon [context 101], bottle glass [contexts 101 & 103] and brown glazed redware pottery [context 103] of an 18th/ 19th century date and were found in the later clearance material dumped here. Excavation work by machine to remove clearance material to the W and S revealed no other features or deposits. Further work would likely reveal no further information.

Below: View of find of iron spoon insitu – scale 0.5m. Over top: View of section through structure facing SW – scale 2m. Over below left: View of extended trench to W facing W – scale 2m. Over below right: View of possible remnants of wall facing E.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

F5 – Clearance Cairn 2.1m NS by 2.3m EW and 0.7m high. Excavation revealed it to be of an early 20th century date, with the find of 2 metal gin-traps in the fill.

Below: View of section through clearance cairn facing NW – scales 1m.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

F6 – Clearance Cairn 6m EW by 5m NS and 0.45m high. Evaluation work here in 2003 (Farrell, 2003) had suggested that this was possibly a burial cairn due to being sited on a prominent ridge. Excavation work nade no trace of any burials but revealed it to be a denuded clearance cairn. No finds were made to date the cairn.

Below left: View of section through clearance cairn facing N – scales 1m. Below right: View of section through clearance cairn facing SSE – scales 1m.

F7 – Clearance Cairn 7m EW by 6m NS and 0.45m high. Evaluation work here in 2003 (Farrell, 2003) had suggested that this was possibly a burial cairn due to being sited on a prominent ridge. Excavation work revealed no trace of any burials but revealed it to be a denuded clearance cairn. No finds were made to date the cairn.

Below: View of section through clearance cairn facing SW – scales 1m.

F8 – Clearance Cairn 6m EW by 4m NS and 0.7m high. Excavation revealed it to possibly be 2 phases of clearance cairn with find of 12 shards of 19th century bottle glass to base but 20th century glass to top. Due to the cairn collapsing upon section being excavated a section drawing was not possible due to Health & Safety procedures.

Over: View of section through clearance cairn facing SW – scales 1m.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

F9 – Bank, section 24m in length by 3-3.5m wide and 0.5m high, possibly continuation of feature 1 though having some modern clearance dumped atop. Very denuded due to tractor access and cattle trails. Excavation not conducted as deemed to be an extension of Feature 1.

7. Conclusions

Overall the upstanding features all date to the 19th or early 20th century and relate to agricultural improvement and are probably a result of the improved fields that lie to the south and west of the ridge, which they sit upon. The structure to the corner of the field may have been a possible enclosure but due to the later dumping of clearance material, no trace of its original layout could be ascertained.

The roundhouse is possibly similar to two post-built roundhouses noted at nearby Dalmore Farm (NH 666/990) by Jonathon Wordsworth in 1993 during work in advance of the Dingwall to Invergordon Gas Pipeline. As well as the roundhouses, a grain storage pit and evidence for iron working was noted (Wordsworth, 1993). Unfortunately no dating is yet available for this site but an Iron Age date was made. Work by the Centre for Field Archaeology at nearby Preisthill in 1993 (Neighbour, 1998) a probable roundhouse was noted with an associated ditch possibly of a field system dating to the late 2nd to mid 1st century BC. The find of barley here lead the excavator to propose that this was a lowland farm but as prehistoric domestic sites in the local vicinity were lacking it was deemed difficult to place it in a lowland settlement pattern.

Both these previously noted sites are situated closer to the existing A9 road and lie at a lower altitude than that at Rhicullen, though it has been recognised that settlement can take place as single roundhouses without associated field systems which have been interpreted by Roger Mercer of the RCAHMS as possibly being marginal or evidence for transhumance settlement (McCullagh & Tipping, 1998) though this model has been placed to upland settlement rather than a lowland one. Only with other excavations of this kind of site in the local area or the publication of the roundhouses at Dalmore will that of Rhicullen be better understood.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

8. Recommendations

No recommendations with regard any further fieldwork for this project is to be proposed due to all features revealed being excavated, and it is likely that few other features if any would be revealed with any further work. A subsequent watching brief on the clearance of the site by Alba Archaeology Ltd revealed no additional features or deposits (pers comm. Stewart Buchanan).

No further post-excavation work is required.

9. Archive

The following is to be deposited in the National Monuments Record in Edinburgh: - Notebook of results - Black and white photographs & negatives - Plan and section drawings - Context sheets - Photographic record sheets - Colour chart - Copy of this report

A set of black & white photographs of the features excavated and colour slides showing the progress of the work has been deposited with Highland Council Sites and Monuments Record. Digital images to be used in the final data structure report are deposited with HSMR on disc as well as a copy of the report as a PDF file.

10. Discovery & Excavation in Scotland

A short summary of the results of this project will be submitted to the Council for Scottish Archaeology’s publication Discovery & Excavation in Scotland.

11. References

Farrell, S (2003) Report of Archaeological Evaluation Rhicullen, Invergordon. Unpublished report – copy held by HSMR.

IFA (1999) By-laws, Standards and Policy Statements of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. Reading.

McCullagh, R P J & Tipping, R (eds) (1998) The Lairg project 1988-1996 -The Evolution of an Archaeological Landscape in Northern Scotland. Star Monograph 3. Edinburgh.

Neighbour, T (1998) Excavation of a Presumed Round House and Associated Features at Priesthill Farm, near Delny, Ross and Cromarty District, Highland Region, 1993. Northern Studies 33, 67-91. The Scottish Society for Northern Studies.

Wordsworth, J (1993) Dingwall to Invergordon, British Gas Pipeline. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1993, 49-50. Edinburgh.

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Maps Consulted

Ordnance Survey 1st edition 6inch-mile sheet 54 Ross-shire of 1880 surveyed 1872.

Ordnance Survey 2nd edition 6inch-mile sheet 54 Ross-shire of 1907 revised 1904.

Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 for NH67SE for 1977.

Aerial Photographs Consulted

RAF 1069/Scot/UK114 3155-3159 23-4-1946 1:10,000

OS OS/69/089 404-407 6-4-1969 1:7,500

OS Fairey 7711 185-187 4-7-1977 1:10,000

Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Appendix 1 - Samples Register Each Bag is 5 Kg.

Number Context Number of Bags 1 8 1 2 4 2 3 22 2 4 20 1 5 10 1 6 16 2 7 12 1 8 14 2 9 28 1 10 24 1 11 26 1 12 30 1 13 38 2 14 36 (kiln flue) 1 15 36 (top of kiln) 1 16 40 (charcoal in kiln) 2 17 46 2 18 42 1 19 52 1 20 48 1 21 50 2 22 55 1 23 61 2 24 57 2 25 65 1 26 69 2 27 67 1 28 63 1 29 71 1 30 73 1 31 75 1

Appendix 2 - Photographic Register Black & White and Slide

Film1 Context Camera Facing Scales Description NE 1m x 1m Pre-ex of possible structure NW 1m x 1m Pre-ex of possible structure 2 NE 1m x 1m Pre-ex 2 N 1m x 1m Post-ex 2 NE 1m x 1m Post-ex 3 NE 1m x 1m Pre-ex of clearance cairn 3 NW 1m x 1m Pre-ex of clearance cairn 3 NE 1m x 1m Post-ex of clearance cairn NE 1m x 1m Pre-ex of possible structure 5 N 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 5 NNE 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 5 NNW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 7 W 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 9 NE 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 11 E 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 13 NE 0.5m Post-ex of posthole Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

SE 1m x 1m Pre-ex of clearance cairn 15 NE 0.5m Post-ex of posthole N 0.5m Stone 17 SW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 19 S 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 21 E 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 23 NW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 29 NW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 29 NW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 25 W 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 25 W 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 27 E 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 27 E 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 33 E 0.5m Post-ex of possible posthole 33 E 0.5m Post-ex of possible posthole 39 NW 1m x 1m Structural remains of kiln 39 N 1m x 1m Structural remains of kiln 39 N 1m x 1m Structural remains of kiln 39 W 1m x 1m Structural remains of kiln

Film 2 Context Camera Facing Scales Description S 0.5m Section of rubble E end possible building S 0.5m Ibid 31 SW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 31 SW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 37 SW 0.5m ½ section of flue 37 SW 0.5m ½ section of flue 35 SW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 35 SW 0.5m Post-ex of posthole 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln 39 NW 1m x 1m Kiln SW 2m Work in progress – building S 2m Work in progress – building NW 2m Possible wall of possible building 100/104 W 2m Sondage at W end of possible building 100/104 E 2m S wall of possible structure 100/104 E 2m S wall of possible structure 100/104 NW 1m x 1m S wall of possible structure 100/104 NW 1m x 1m S wall of possible structure 100/104 S 2m x 2m Pre-ex of structure 39 S 1m x 1m Post-ex of kiln 39 E 1m x 1m Post-ex of kiln Feature 4 W 1m x 1m Post-ex Feature 4 W 1m x 1m Post-ex Feature 5 W 1m x 1m Post-ex Feature 5 W 1m x 1m Post-ex 702 W 0.5m ½ section of tree bole

Film 3 Context Camera Facing Scales Description Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

702 W 0.5m Post-ex of tree bole 702 N 0.5m Post-ex of tree bole Feature 5 W 1m x 1m Post-ex Feature 5 W 1m x 1m Post-ex 43 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 43 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 45 SW 1m x 1m Cut of field drain 45 SW 1m x 1m Cut of field drain 47 SW 1m x 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 47 SW 1m x 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 49 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole with stone packing 49 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole with stone packing 51 NE 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 51 NE 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 49 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 49 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole Feature 6 1m x 1m Post-ex Feature 6 1m x 1m Post-ex Feature 6 1m x 1m Post-ex Feature 6 1m x 1m Post-ex 54 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 54 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 56 SE 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 56 SE 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 56 SE 0.5m ½ section of post-hole with stone base 56 SE 0.5m ½ section of post-hole with stone base Feature 7 S 2m Slot through clearance cairn Feature 7 S 2m Slot through clearance cairn Feature 7 SW 1m x 1m Slot through clearance cairn Feature 7 SW 1m x 1m Slot through clearance cairn Feature 8 SW 1m x 1m Slot through clearance cairn Feature 8 SW 1m x 1m Slot through clearance cairn Feature 8 NW 1m x 1m Slot through clearance cairn Feature 8 W 1m x 1m Slot through clearance cairn 70 & 58 S 2m ½ section of pit 70 & 58 S 2m ½ section of pit

Film 4 Context Camera Facing Scales Description 60 NW 1m x 0.5m Cut of post-hole 60 NW 1m x 0.5m Cut of post-hole 62 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 62 E 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 64 W 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 64 W 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 66 N 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 66 N 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 68 S 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 68 S 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 72 NW 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 72 NW 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 74 SSW 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 74 SSW 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 76 N 0.5m ½ section of post-hole 76 N 0.5m ½ section of post-hole Trench 4 N 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 5 W 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 6 W 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Trench 7 W 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 8 W 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 9 W 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 10 SW 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 11 SE 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 12 W 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 13 SW 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Trench 14 W 1m x 1m Post-ex view of trench Feature 9 W 2m x 1m View of feature (Not excavated) W 2m x 2m Post-ex of area of excavation SSW 2m x 2m Post-ex of area of excavation SW 2m x 2m Post-ex of area of excavation S 2m x 2m Post-ex of area of excavation 2m x 2m Post-ex of area of excavation 2m x 2m Post-ex of area of excavation 2m x 2m Post-ex of area of excavation N 2m x 2m Post-ex of area of excavation

Appendix 3 - Context Register

Number Description Size 1 Topsoil, dark brown 100mm depth Feature 2 Clearance Cairn Feature 3 Clearance Cairn Feature 4 Clearance Cairn Feature 5 Clearance Cairn 4 Fill of posthole [5] Dark brown-black sandy silt 82mm x 67mm x 39mm deep 5 Cut of posthole, round 82mm x 67mm x 39mm deep 6 Fill of posthole [7] Dark brown-black sandy silt 40mm x 40mm x 12mm deep 7 Cut of posthole, round with flat base 40mm x 40mm x 12mm deep 8 Fill of posthole [9] Dark brown-black sandy silt 32mm x 31mm x 13mm deep 9 Cut of posthole, round 32mm x 31mm x 13mm deep 10 Fill of posthole [11] Dark brown-black sandy 41mm x 46mm x 29mm deep silt with charcoal 11 Cut of posthole, round with flat base 41mm x 46mm x 29mm deep 12 Fill of posthole [13] Dark brown-black sandy 37mm in diam x 30mm deep silt with charcoal 13 Cut of posthole, flat base partly disturbed 37mm in diam x 30mm deep 14 Fill of posthole [15] Dark brown-black sandy 54mm x 53mm x 30mm deep silt with packing stones 15 Cut of posthole, flat base 54mm x 53mm x 30mm deep 16 Fill of posthole [16] Grey brown sandy silt, with 56mm x 55mm x 30mm deep some redeposited natural 17 Cut of posthole, flat base 56mm x 55mm x 30mm deep 18 Fill of posthole [19] Dark brown-black sandy 50mm in diam x 28mm deep silt 19 Cut of posthole, flat base 50mm in diam x 28mm deep 20 Fill of posthole [21] Grey brown sandy silt 37mm x 29mm x 16mm deep 21 Cut of posthole, poorly defined 37mm x 29mm x 16mm deep 22 Fill of posthole [23] Dark brown-black sandy 50mm x 60mm x 28mm deep silt 23 Cut of posthole, disturbed by field drain 50mm x 60mm x 28mm deep 24 Fill of posthole [25] Dark brown-black sandy 56mm x 54mm x 38mm deep silt with stone packing 25 Cut of posthole, flat base 56mm x 54mm x 38mm deep 26 Fill of posthole [27] Dark brown-black sandy 48mm in diam x 29mm deep silt, large stones forming packing Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

27 Cut of posthole, irregular with rounded base 48mm in diam x 29mm deep 28 Fill of posthole [29] Grey brown sandy silt, 44mm x 47mm x 28mm deep some damage to S by burrowing 29 Cut of posthole 44mm x 47mm x 28mm deep 30 Fill of posthole [31] Dark brown-black sandy 66mm x 50mm x 40mm deep silt 31 Cut of posthole, irregular 66mm x 50mm x 40mm deep 32 Fill of field drain [33] Orange-brown sandy silt 32mm x 46mm x 17mm deep 33 Cut of field drain, aligned NE-SW 32mm x 46mm x 17mm deep 34 Fill of posthole [35] Dark brown-black sandy 84mm x 55mm x 30mm deep silt. Possibly double PH 35 Cut of posthole 84mm x 55mm x 30mm deep 36 Fill of oven flue [37] Dark brown-black sandy 44mm x 46mm x 20mm deep silt 37 Cut of oven flue 44mm x 46mm x 20mm deep 38 Stone lining of kiln [39] N/a 39 Cut of kiln [with fills 38, 40, 41] 70mm x 95mm x 62mm deep 40 Fill of kiln [39] Charcoal rich fill 30mm in diam x 20mm deep 41 Fill of kiln [39] Yellow-brown silt 30mm in diam x 20mm deep 42 Fill of posthole [52] Dark brown-black sandy 62mm x 82mm x 18mm deep silt 43 Cut of posthole [fills 42, 52] 62mm x 82mm x 20mm deep 44 Fill of field drain [45] Brown sandy silt 6.2m x 46mm x 17mm deep 45 Cut of field drain 6.2m x 46mm x 17mm deep 46 Fill of posthole [47] Dark brown-black sandy 1.2m x 0.5m x 0.5m deep silt 47 Cut of posthole 1.2m x 0.5m x 0.5m deep 48 Fill of posthole [49] Dark brown-black sandy 60mm x 28mm x 26mm deep silt 49 Cut of posthole 60mm x 28mm x 26mm deep 50 Fill of posthole [51] Dark brown-black sandy 60mm x 1.2m x 22mm deep silt 51 Cut of posthole 60mm x 1.2mm x 22mm deep 52 Fill of posthole [43] Blue-Black silt 62mm x 82mm x 1mm deep 53 Fill of posthole [54] Dark brown-black sandy 41mm in diam x 26mm deep silt 54 Cut of posthole 41mm in diam x 26mm deep 55 Fill of posthole [56] Grey-black sandy silt 31mm x 32mm x 33mm deep 56 Cut of posthole 31mm x 32mm x 33mm deep 57 Fill of pit [58] Dark brown-black sandy silt 94mm x 60mm x 26mm deep 58 Cut of pit 94mm x 60mm x 26mm deep 59 Fill of posthole [60] Dark brown-black sandy 64mm x 1.1m x 38mm deep silt 60 Cut of posthole 64mm x 1.1m x 38mm deep 61 Fill of pit [62] Dark brown-black sandy silt 60mm x 1.4m x 20mm deep 62 Cut of pit 60mm x 1.4mm x 20mm deep 63 Fill of posthole [64] Dark brown-black sandy 39mm in diam x 33mm deep silt 64 Cut of posthole 39mm in diam x 33mm deep 65 Fill of posthole [66] Black-grey sandy silt 34mm x 38mm x 18mm deep 66 Cut of posthole 34mm x 38mm x 18mm deep 67 Fill of posthole [68] Dark brown-black sandy 29mm x 47mm x 17mm deep silt 68 Cut of posthole 29mm x 47mm x 17mm deep 69 Fill of pit [70] Dark brown-black sandy silt 66mm x 61mm x 32mm deep 70 Cut of pit 66mm x 61mm x 32mm deep 71 Fill of posthole [72] Dark brown-black sandy 50mm x 45mm x 28mm deep silt Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

72 Cut of posthole 50mm x 45mm x 28mm deep 73 Fill of posthole [74] Dark brown-black sandy 41mm x 40mm x 22mm deep silt 74 Cut of posthole 41mm x 40mm x 22mm deep 75 Fill of posthole [76] Dark brown-black sandy 48mm x 40mm x 20mm deep silt 76 Cut of posthole 48mm x 40mm x 20mm deep 100 Turf/topsoil over feature 4 N/a 101 Tipped stone deposit 60mm in depth 102 Possible wall stones, 5m EW x 4m NS 30-50mm 103 Deposit of clay, yellow-brown 10m x 5.5m x 60mm deep 104 Deposit of peat/loam, Dark brown-black 20mm deep 700 Turf/topsoil, Dark brown-black 100mm 701 Deposit – black, charcoal rich c30mm x 35mm x 25mm deep 702 Tree bole c30mm x 35mm x 25mm deep

Appendix 4 – Samples Report By Tim Holden of Headland Archaeology Ltd

SAMPLE STRATEGY FOR BULK SAMPLES Bulk soil samples ranging from 8 to 20 litres in size were taken from a series of post-holes from two possible buildings, some pits and a possible oven. No dating evidence is presently available.

METHODOLOGY FOR SAMPLE PROCESSING Bulk soil samples were subjected to a system of flotation in a Siraf style flotation tank. The floating debris (flot) was collected in a 250 m sieve and, once dry, scanned using a binocular microscope. Any material remaining in the flotation tank (flot) was wet-sieved through a 1mm mesh and air-dried. This was then sorted and any material of archaeological significance removed.

Total number of samples 31

RESULTS The results are summarised in Tables 1 & 2.

Quartz fragment: A single fragment of quartz, albeit small ( c. 1.5 cm x 0.5 cm) was recovered, and this may show signs of been worked.

Iron objects: A single corroded iron find (c. 2 cm x 0.75 cm), possibly a nail or similar, was recovered from Context 08. A piece of ferrous slag was also retrieved from Context 50.

Animal bone: Sixteen of the samples contained fragments of poorly preserved, burnt, bone from a large mammal. Due to the fragmentary nature of the material, it would not be possible to make identification to species level.

Botanical remains: Preservation: The botanical remains were preserved by charring in all cases.

Wood charcoal: Charcoal was recovered from all of the samples with volumes ranging from <10 ml to approximately 250 ml. Most could provide pieces suitable for AMS dating is required (i.e. those identified with an asterisk (*) in Tables 1 and 2).

Cereal remains: Cereal remains were very sparse and restricted to the grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and two oat (Avena sp.) grains. Two main concentrations (i.e. over 20 grains) were Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

identified from Contexts 55 and 75 with the remainder containing no more than 1 or 2 grains.

Weed seeds: Very few weed seeds were encountered and these were, in all cases, typical weeds of cultivation and waste places.

Hazel shell: A number of samples produced fragments of hazel shell. These probably represent the discarded remains of human food.

Other: A number of charred vesicular fragments were recovered and may be indicative of the burning of organic rich soil. This was supported by the presence of the sclerotia (dormant stages) of soil living fungi. On item that appeared to be animal dung, probably sheep or goat, was recovered from one sample (Context 75.

DISCUSSION A low concentration of carbonised cereal grain was recovered from a high proportion of samples. At least some of the barley could be identified as the hulled variety and although this has been a major staple since the late Bronze Age its presence would not be unexpected on a site with a suggested Medieval date.

There were two significant concentrations of cereal grain in Post holes 55 and 75, but it is unlikely that this material was charred in situ. The suspicion has to be that these two post-holes lay close to the place where grain was originally burned. Whether the post- holes were in use at the time of the fire or whether they were later features incorporating the charred debris in their backfill would be difficult to say on the basis of the samples alone. Events that would account for such quantities of grain becoming charred would include the conflagration of storage facilities or accidents during the kiln drying of the crop.

The lesser concentrations of grain encountered in many of the features are difficult to interpret with certainty. The most obvious explanation is that they represent the diluted remnants of some larger burning event that have become incorporated into the settlement deposits and hence into the back fill of many negative features.

The charcoal fragments from the samples are variable in size and concentration but those from Context 69 were particularly large and may represent the remains of structural timbers that burnt in situ.

The burnt bone and other finds from the samples offer no great insight into the character or age of the settlement but they do reflect a low level of domestic type waste.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Quartz fragment Specialist input might be required if it furthers the project objectives but it is unlikely to offer much scope of analysis.

Iron object Specialist input might be required if it furthers the project objectives but it is unlikely to offer much scope of analysis. Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Hazel shell No further work recommended.

Animal bone: No further work recommended.

Botanical remains: No further analysis is required but the methodology should be included in any final report.

Other: The vesicular fragments and sclerotia offer no scope for further work. Animal droppings are of inherent archaeoobotanical interest but in this case, with only one item recovered, there is only very limited scope for meaningful interpretation. Stuart Farrell Excavations at Rhicullen

Table 1. Composition of retents

Context Sample Context Fe Worked Burnt Charcoal Hazelnut Comments number number description object quartz bone Qty AMS shell 4 2 Post hole +++ * +++ Only large charcoal frags. kept 8 1 Post hole + +++ * Iron object; Only large charcoal frags. kept 10 5 Post hole +++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 12 7 Post hole ++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 14 8 Post hole ++ * 16 6 Post hole ++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 20 4 Post hole Archaeologically sterile 22 3 Post hole + +++ * + 24 10 Post hole +++ * + Only large charcoal frags. kept 26 11 Post hole + ++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 28 9 Post hole + +++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 30 12 Post hole +++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 36 14 Fill of oven flue + ++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 36 15 Fill of oven + ++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 38 13 Top fill of oven +++ * Bottom fill of 40 16 +++ * oven 42 18 Post hole + +++ * Worked quartz? 1.5 cm x 0.5 cm 46 17 Post hole + +++ * 48 20 Post hole + + 50 21 Post hole + + ++ * + Ferrous slag 52 19 Post hole ++ * 55 22 Post hole + ++ * 57 24 Post hole + +++ * 61 23 Fill of pit + +++ * 63 28 Post hole +++ * 65 25 Post hole ++ * 67 27 Post hole + ++ * + 69 26 Fill of pit + +++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 71 29 Post hole + +++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept 73 30 Post hole + +++ * 75 31 Post hole + +++ * Only large charcoal frags. kept Key: + = rare, ++ = occasional, +++ = common and ++++ = abundant * = sufficient charcoal for AMS dating

Table 2. Composition of flots

Context Sample Context Total Cereal Weed Charcoal Comments flot Number number description vol grains seeds Qty AMS (ml) 4 2 Post hole < 50 + + ++ * 1 x barley grain 1 x Rumex sp. nutlet 2 x barley grain 8 1 Post hole < 50 + + ++ * 1 x large grass caryopsis 10 5 Post hole < 50 ++ * 12 7 Post hole < 50 ++ ++ * Chenopodium/Polygonum sp. 14 8 Post hole < 10 ++ * Numerous fungal sclerotia 16 6 Post hole < 10 + 20 4 Post hole < 10 + 22 3 Post hole < 200 +++ * 24 10 Post hole < 10 + * 26 11 Post hole < 10 ++ * 28 9 Post hole < 10 + * Vesicular fragments (+) 30 12 Post hole < 50 ++ * 36 14 Fill of oven < 10 + ++ * 1 x barley grain flue 36 15 Fill of oven < 50 ++ * 38 13 Top fill of < 50 + ++ * oven 40 16 Bottom fill of < 10 + ++ * 1 x barley grain oven 42 18 Post hole < 50 ++ ++ * Barley grain 46 17 Post hole < 50 ++ ++ * 4+ barley grains 48 20 Post hole < 10 + * 50 21 Post hole < 10 + + 1 x barley grain 52 19 Post hole < 10 + 1 x barley grain 20+ barley grains, many fungal 55 22 Post hole < 10 ++ ++ * sclerotia 57 24 Post hole < 100 + +++ * 2 x barley grains 61 23 Fill of pit < 100 + +++ * 2 x barley grains 63 28 Post hole < 10 + ++ * 2 x barley grain 65 25 Post hole < 10 + 67 27 Post hole < 10 + + 2 x barley grains 69 26 Fill of pit < 250 +++ * V. large charcoal fragments 71 29 Post hole < 50 + ++ * 2 x barley grain 73 30 Post hole < 10 + * Sheep/goat dung (+), oat (+) and 75 31 Post hole < 100 +++ +++ * barley (+++) grain Key: + = rare, ++ = occasional, +++ = common and ++++ = abundant * = sufficient charcoal for AMS dating

Stuart Farrell. Excavations at Rhicullen

Stuart Farrell. Excavations at Rhicullen

Stuart Farrell. Excavations at Rhicullen

Stuart Farrell. Excavations at Rhicullen

Stuart Farrell. Excavations at Rhicullen

Stuart Farrell. Excavations at Rhicullen