Dun Deardail

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Dun Deardail

Archaeological Project Design

Lochaber Forest District Draft v3 (Nov 2014)

Dun Deardail

Contents

Summary...... 4 Introduction...... 7 Site location ...... 8 Geology and soils ...... 8 Archaeological background and previous work ...... 10 Scottish Historic Environment Strategy and Policy...... 12 Current hillfort research agendas in Scotland ...... 15 Date of construction and duration of use? ...... 15 Function of forts and why enclose?...... 16 Why vitrify?...... 17 Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (SCARF) ...... 19 Project Aims and Objectives ...... 21 Programme of works...... 23 Production of method statement ...... 23 Production of Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Plan ...... 23 Desk-based Assessment and comparative study...... 24 Stage One programme of on-site works ...... 25 Geophysics...... 25 Preparatory Works...... 27 Excavation ...... 28 General Excavation Methods ...... 33 Field team ...... 37 Stage 2 programme of post-excavation ...... 38 Interim Reporting ...... 39 Public engagement, outreach and education...... 40 On-site volunteer training ...... 40 Archaeological Outreach Programme ...... 41 Experimental reconstruction of the timber laced dry stone rampart...... 44 Evaluation of the project...... 45 Final publication...... 46 Archive Deposition ...... 46 Insurance...... 46 Professional standards...... 47

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Scheduled Monument Consent ...... 47 Conditions of Contract...... 47 Indicative project costs and indicative post-excavation costs...... 48 Excavation ...... 48 Archaeological outreach programme...... 49 Evaluation ...... 49 Vitrification experiment ...... 49 University of Stirling School of Biological and Environmental Science PhD ...... 50 Publication ...... 50 Budget Summary ...... 51 References ...... 52

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Summary

This Project Design describes an archaeological project based at the vitrified hillfort of Dun Deardail in Glen Nevis, Lochaber. The Project Design has been produced to enable Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) (on behalf of The Nevis Partnership) to seek Scheduled Monument Consent and Section 42 Consent prior to tendering a contract in regard to the professionally-led archaeological excavation, post-excavation, reporting and publication of an exciting programme of works proposed at Dun Deardail with significant and considerable public benefits. The archaeological potential of the site was highlighted as it is a significant historic asset on the popular West Highland Way – a site of considerable cultural significance within the Nevis Partnership area but with visible (and increasing) erosion problems caused by increased visitor pressure.

The Nevis Partnership is currently delivering an ambitious Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership project to engage local communities in the conservation and celebration of the landscape of Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis. This will be achieved through the protection and enhancement of the natural and built heritage of the area.

“The main aims of the project are to engage visitors and local communities in all aspects of landscape conservation and management, conserve the unique landscape character of the Nevis Area, promote understanding of, and facilitate learning about, that landscape and collect and disseminate related information” (Nevis Landscape Partnership Scheme).

One element of the Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership is an archaeological project centred on Dun Deardail. The Project Design aims to better understand, protect and value the hillfort of Dun Deardail by:

 investigating the archaeological potential of the hillfort;  enhancing the historic environmental records;  informing ongoing condition monitoring in regard to management issues and pressures;  informing current and future conservation management;  engaging and enthusing local people in archaeology and their historic environment;  providing a bespoke high-quality archaeological higher education opportunity;  ensuring practical public involvement and education in regard to archaeology and their historic environment; and  ensuring and promoting a sustainable and lasting educational legacy.

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The overall Dun Deardail project will comprise:

 a three year programme of archaeological excavation and site consolidation (by the Nevis Partnership);  the experimental reconstruction of a section of vitrified rampart (by FCS);  a PhD (in partnership between FCS and the University of Stirling School of Biological and Environmental Science) into Vitrification in the Scottish Iron Age; and  a programme of public engagement, outreach and Curriculum-for-Excellence relevant learning opportunities (by the Nevis Partnership).

The role of Scotland’s national forest estate and Strategic Directions 2013-16 sets out our priorities in terms of integrated land management. The key priorities for archaeology are that:

• “we will continue to undertake conservation management, condition monitoring and archaeological recording at significant historic assets;

• and that we will continue to work with stakeholders to develop, share and promote best-practice historic environment conservation management.”

The Dun Deardail project meets these key priorities and is also designed to meet the key objectives of the Scottish Government’s Our Place in Time: the Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland of understanding, protecting and valuing. We are proud to support Our Place in Time and the emerging Scottish Archaeology Strategy; and also seek to contribute to the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework.

The Scottish Government’s Our Place in Time: The historic environment strategy for Scotland describes a shared vision, that:

“Scotland’s historic environment is understood and valued, cared for and protected, enjoyed and enhanced. It is at the heart of a flourishing and sustainable Scotland and will be passed on with pride to benefit future generations”.

Our Place in Time aims to realise this shared vision by promoting:

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 Valuing: by sharing and celebrating the richness and significance of our historic environment, enabling us to enjoy the fascinating and inspirational diversity of our heritage.”

This Project Design (PD) was written by Clare Ellis (Argyll Archaeology) with input from Murray Cook (Rampart Scotland). Further input and editing was provided by Matt Ritchie (Forestry Commission Scotland).

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Introduction

Dun Deardail is located on an elevated rocky knoll the west side of Glen Nevis. The hillfort is overlooked by Ben Nevis and has breath-taking views over the surrounding glen. No archaeological excavation has ever taken place within the fort and it remains undated. However, excavation of other similar sites indicates that the fort may have been built and occupied (perhaps over several periods) between 700 BC and AD 900. The hillfort is a Scheduled Monument (SM 2893).

This Project Design defines the aims and objectives of the project and sets out the required methodology. It will form the basis of an application for Scheduled Monument Consent and serve to inform and guide archaeological contractors in the preparation of their tender submissions. The project will be led by a team of professional archaeologists assisted by a team of volunteers. The volunteers will be offered a comprehensive programme of training in all aspects of archaeological excavation. Outreach will include the production of educational resource packs for both primary and secondary teachers, school visits, various workshops, evening classes and open days.

The project will run over three consecutive years (starting in summer 2015), with a short season of excavation taking place every year for two weeks (12 days). Post- excavation will take place every year to inform the excavation strategy for the following year as well as allowing for the updating and development of the outreach programme of events and educational resource packs.

The project will culminate in both a popular and an academic publication. The Nevis Partnership Dun Deardail Archaeological Project steering group (Nevis Partnership, FCS Archaeologist, University of Stirling, Historic Scotland and the Highland Council Archaeology Unit, supported by appointed contractors) will oversee the research activities and input into the final project publication.

On completion the project will also be subject to a comprehensive evaluation by the Site Director, with the results presented as a written document.

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Site location

The vitrified hill fort of Dun Deardail is located in Glen Nevis on the western side of Ben Nevis, near Fort William, Lochaber. The fort occupies the summit of a natural rocky knoll on the north facing spur of Sgurr Challum (NN 2705 70131). The fall on the north- eastern side of the fort is almost sheer, dropping steeply down through forestry to the floodplain below. The northern and southern sides of the knoll are also steep but relatively short and are bounded by relatively flat terraces. The western side of the fort falls away more gently with a rocky spur running off in a south-westerly direction offering the easiest approach to the site. The hill fort commands fine views in all directions but particularly down over Glen Nevis and northwards towards Fort William.

An aerial photograph of the fort (2011).

Geology and soils

The rocky knoll upon which Dun Deardail is located comprises calcareous pelite of the Ballachulish limestone formation. The site is covered by rough grass with a thin covering of peat rich topsoil. In a few places on the outer side of the enclosure wall lumps of vitrified stone are clearly visible. A small amount of erosion caused by walkers reveals that much of the enclosure wall comprises rounded and sub-rounded cobbles with an inner core of smaller stones including sub-angular clasts. The lithology of the wall is mixed and includes pink porphyry, quartz diorite and granodiorite, calcareous pelite and

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schist. The ground cover on the terraces below and immediately around the fort comprises deer grass, bog cotton and some heather. Drainage channels show that the soil is dominated by well-humified peat.

Location map depicting the extent of the scheduled area

Hill-shaded terrain model without archaeological interpretation (view facing NE) (Rubicon Heritage 2013).

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Archaeological background and previous work

Dun Deardail fort is Barbarpapa-shaped on plan, measuring some 46m from NE to SW by up to 28m transversely. The summit of the hill is undulating and clearly defined by a grass clad, ruinous stone wall which survives up to 2.5 m in height and varies considerably in width because of its collapsed nature. The wall appears to be particularly well-preserved along the south-westerly stretch before reducing in height to the current entrance; it is not clear where the original entrance would have been located as there is no definable break within the wall. Lumps of vitrified rock are visible around the circuit of the enclosure but are most prominent on the northern side. Much of the vitrified material appears to be displaced from its original location sitting out from the main body of the wall. Actual wall facing is not discernible. The core of the wall appears to comprise loose rounded cobbles, pebbles and some angular rocks with a wide range of lithologies present. It is clear that in places the wall has collapsed down the outer slope of the fort, with resultant hollows in the wall and wall material forming exposed patches of scree spread down slope. Massive wall collapse is also evident by a cone of distinct vegetation which occurs on the steep slopes of the fort which is very different to the vegetation on the blanket bog.

Hill-shaded contour plan without archaeological interpretation (Rubicon Heritage 2013).

Within the interior of the fort there are two distinct areas demarcated by a curvilinear break in slope. The lower south-western end is the larger measuring roughly 30m by 28m. Within this lower area are two fairly well defined terraces, one in the south-eastern corner and the other in the north-western corner. There two terraces sit above a lower flat area which has much rubble under foot. A low mound of cobble rubble sits just on the south side of the current entrance, although this clearly leads over the in situ wall. The upper area (referred to as the citadel) measures roughly 20m by 15m within what

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appears to be much collapsed wall material in the northern corner. This area is relatively flat with a distinct break of slope on the western side. There is a possible, but barely discernible bank beyond this before the curvilinear break of slope leading down into the lower area.

A possible wall or outer defences were noted by Feachem (1966) located on the lower knoll to the north of the fort and separated from it by a narrow flat terrace. This wall is no longer visible, although the flatness of the knoll would easily lend itself to out-works and / or ancillary occupation possibly associated with the vitrified fort. Similarly, there is no sign of the circular depression that may have been a cistern or well noted by the OS in 1970.

A programme of repair of erosion has been recently undertaken by the Forestry Commission Scotland staff. The repairs took place on the north side of the fort and across footpaths that crossed over the ramparts. Turves were cut from out-with the scheduled monument area and laid in ruts and hollows; and, on the path now traversing the slopes of the fort, local stone in steps was laid to protect the underlying ground surface. The access path (detailed below in red) now leads the visitor to the western side of the fort and in over the lowest part of the enclosing wall (at the likely entrance). As a result of visitor pressure, erosion occurs all around the circuit of the rampart (detailed below in orange).

A topographic survey of Dun Deardail was undertaken in 2010 by Headland Archaeology. This defined in plan the extent of the enclosure wall, terraces and much of the exposed vitrified stone work. A contour survey was undertaken in 2013 by Rubicon Heritage.

No recorded excavation has taken place at Dun Deardail. An Dun, fort, Dun Deardail was scheduled under The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 in 1995.

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Scottish Historic Environment Strategy and Policy

The Scottish Government’s Our Place in Time: The historic environment strategy for Scotland describes a shared vision, that:

It aims to realise this shared vision by promoting:

 “Understanding: by investigating and recording our historic environment to continually develop our knowledge, understanding and interpretation of our past and how best to conserve, sustain and present it.  Protecting: by caring for and protecting the historic environment, ensuring that we can both enjoy and benefit from it and conserve and enhance it for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations.  Valuing: by sharing and celebrating the richness and significance of our historic environment, enabling us to enjoy the fascinating and inspirational diversity of our heritage.”

Any proposal to excavate a Scheduled Monument must take account of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) which describes a key belief:

“The protection of the historic environment is not about preventing change. Ministers believe that change in this dynamic environment should be managed intelligently and with understanding, to achieve the best outcome for the historic environment and for the people of Scotland.”

SHEP outlines three key outcomes:

 “that the historic environment is cared for, protected and enhanced for the benefit of our own and future generations;  to secure greater economic benefits from the historic environment; and that  the people of Scotland and visitors to our country value, understand and enjoy the historic environment.”

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In regard to archaeological excavation, SHEP (Section 3.22) specifically notes that:

“Any archaeological excavation or other intrusive investigation should be based upon a detailed research strategy, with adequate resources, using appropriately skilled and experienced archaeologists with a satisfactory record of the completion and publication of projects.”

In addition, SHEP (Section 5.18) notes that:

“In order to understand fully the building or site, it may be necessary to commission additional research, analysis, survey or investigation. This may be necessary in advance of carrying out works, or in the course of preparing conservation management plans, management guidelines or conservation manuals. A repair and maintenance programme on its own may be insufficient to address complex conservation problems and inherent defects.”

The Project Design meets each of the three key outcomes identified by SHEP: it seeks to involve the public in the professional research of the hillfort of Dun Deardail (one of Scotland’s key monument types) in order realise and better understand the archaeological potential (and inform the ongoing protection and conservation management); to create a situation whereby the fort comprises a sustainable and significant regional visitor asset (enhancing the local economy as one of the most significant archaeological sites on the West Highland Way); and to promote the educational aspects of the fort, improving access and understanding and reinforcing local identity and sense of place.

The Project Design aims to better understand, protect and value the hillfort of Dun Deardail by:

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The project will comprise:

SHEP outlines a key series of requirements for a successful Scheduled Monument Consent application (Sections 3.14 - 3.22). The proposed project represents the minimum level of excavation to properly date and understand the chronological sequence of the site, including any reuse and internal activity. In addition, the works will contribute to an understanding of vitrified hillforts; hillforts of the central and western Highlands; and the internal use and reuse of hillforts (as per ScARF research recommendations). The works will be undertaken in a manner that blends professional experience, academic excellence and volunteer training with an outcome that will improve the management and condition monitoring of the monument and improve access and understanding, reinforcing local identity and sense of place.

The supporting public-facing elements of the Project Design (volunteer opportunities at a high quality professional archaeological excavation; experimental reconstruction of a section of vitrified rampart; a bespoke high-quality archaeological higher education opportunity; and the proposed programme of public engagement, outreach and Curriculum-for-Excellence relevant learning opportunities) are designed to engage both the wider archaeological community and the local community in a number of additional public benefits, meeting many of the aims and objectives of Our Place in Time: the historic environment strategy for Scotland.

Our commitment to CPD within the archaeological community has been demonstrated by the recent resurvey of Craig Phadrig (a vitrified fort near Inverness) by RCAHMS in late 2013 - part of the skills development of the RCAHMS / Institute for Archaeologist's Workplace Learning Bursary scheme placement. RCAHMS and FCS then entered into a partnership project to extend the skills development into archive research and reporting. The resulting publication (McCaig 2015 / see http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/news/craig-phadrig-research-project) is an excellent overview of a hitherto much studied (but little published) site of truly national importance. With little additional resource - but much collaborative goodwill - we enhanced the various historic environment records and enabled further CPD on top of the excellent IfA Workplace Learning Bursary Scheme.

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Current hillfort research agendas in Scotland

A fort or hillfort is defined by its topographic advantage and by virtue of being enclosed. However, the term implies a warlike function or impetus to the construction of the site which is not necessarily the case (cf Armit 2007; Lock 2011). Dun Deardail is a relatively small fort and it is tempting to describe it as a nuclear fort (Stevenson 1949) or citadel fort (Alcock 2003; Ralston 2004; Harding 2012) typical of the Early Historic period. However, embodied within this definition are many uncertainties and it is these which will form the basis of the research agenda at Dun Deardail.

Date of construction and duration of use?

Very few hillforts or forts in Scotland have been subject to large scale excavation hampering our understanding of them (Scottish Archaeological Research Framework www.scottishheritagehub.com) and in general recent research has tended to focus on key-hole excavations (Dunwell and Strachan 2007; Cook 2013; http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/humanities/research/archaeologyresearch/projects/serf/), although there are clear exceptions such as Rhynie (Noble and Gondeck 2011). This is primarily because of the scale of the task; hillforts are large complex monuments and to undertake sufficient work to characterise them is a complex task. In addition, of the hillforts excavated in Scotland, the majority have been in Eastern Scotland (Harding 2012; Halliday and Ralston 2009). Indeed, the 2001 Iron Age Research Agenda describes the West Highlands and Argyll as black-holes (Haselgrove et al 2001, E2).

Typically, although not exclusively, Iron Age hillforts often spread across a broad summit whereas the Early Historic nuclear forts are located on small rock knolls or conical hills. However, excavation has revealed that in some cases Iron Age hillforts were remodelled in the Early Historic period. The vitrification of ramparts appears to be both an Iron Age and Early Historic phenomenon.

Examples of principally prehistoric hillforts that have seen some excavation include Brown Caterthun (Dunwell & Strachan 2007), Craig Phadrig (Small & Cottam 1972) and Broxmouth (Hill 1982). Timber within one of the rampart at Brown Caterthun yielded Early Iron Age dates (circa 760-400 BC), charcoal from under and within the tumble of inner wall places Craig Phadrig in the middle of the first millennium BC and the dates from Broxmouth indicated activity from circa 800 BC to 350 AD. Examples of excavated Early Historic forts include Dundurn (Alcock et al 1989), Clatchchard Craig (Close-Brooks 1986) and Dunadd (Lane & Campbell 2000). More recent sample excavation of forts in

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Aberdeenshire has yielded an interesting set of dates indicating three periods of enclosure, the Late Bronze Age (circa 1000 BC), the Middle Iron Age (circa 500-200 BC) and the Early Historic Period (circa 400-800 AD) (Cook 2013b). Furthermore, it is clear that some Iron Age hill forts were re-used and remodelled in the Early Historic period (Feacham 1966, Ralston 2004 & Driscoll 2011). For example given the artefactual evidence it is presumed that the refurbishment of the outer wall at Craig Phadrig is Pictish (Ralston 2004). At Hill of Barra the Middle Iron Age hillfort was also refortified in the Early Historic period (Cook 2013b). At Trusty Hill the Iron Age site was reoccupied and the inner rampart constructed in the Early Historic period (Toolis & Bowles 2012). Similarly Dunadd was first constructed in the Middle Iron Age and became the royal fort of Dál Riata in the Early Historic period (Lane & Campbell 2000). However, reuse of Iron Age forts is not obligatory as the forts of Dundurn and Clatchchard Craig demonstrate; these sites appear to be entirely Early Historic in date.

Function of forts and why enclose?

Traditionally, forts were regarded as primarily places of defence and for many archaeologists given the fluidity of the political situation in the Late Iron Age and throughout the Early Historic Period in Scotland this seems as good as explanation as any, although academic debate continues to rage (Lock 2011). Large enclosing ramparts may also have served as a status symbol of the occupants’ wealth and power to command resources and labour beyond their immediate kin; such large scale engineering works could also help to bond communities together and establish and maintain identity (Lock et al 2005, 134). Additionally, visual display and setting are key factors in hillfort design (Driver 2007).

In the absence of significant excavation it is not clear if Iron Age hillforts were used for seasonal occupation or permanent settlement, although by contrast permanent settlement is the prevailing paradigm for Early Historic hillforts.

In the Early Historic period these enclosed sites may have served as central military and administration places, controlled by an elite and within which specialised goods were made, imported and redistributed e.g. Dunadd (Campbell 1999) and Trusty’s Hill (Toolis & Bowes 2012). Furthermore, it has been suggested that these sites were intermittent residences of a peripatetic elite (Ralston 2004). Indeed, there are existing historical accounts to back these functions and indeed their role in conflict (Alcock 1988). However, forts may have served many functions, both practical and symbolic, for the elite and well as for the broader community (Harding 2012) and this must be emphasised with particular reference to Early Historic hillforts where the theoretical position is less advanced than that for the Iron Age (Cook 2013a), though it does exist (eg Campbell 2003). What little excavation of forts there has been in Scotland has

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largely concentrated on the ramparts. This has resulted in some understanding of site specific chronological development but consequently there is very little information on the activities taking place inside. Recovery of animal bones, querns, spinning and weaving tools, accumulation of midden as well as limited evidence for domestic structures from excavations at Dunadd (Lane and Campbell 2000), Maiden Castle (Cook 2013b) and Dundurn (Alcock et al 1989) indicates that these sites also witnessed and supported more mundane domestic tasks. However, given the relatively small size of many of the nuclear forts there is some suggestion that they may have been used for a wide range of seasonal or episodic activities (Scottish Archaeological Research Framework www.scottishheritagehub.com), but without excavation of their interiors the role of the nuclear forts remains rather elusive. Similarly, there have been even less excavation of the space out-with forts, but can it be assumed that activity was confined by the enclosing walls or ramparts? Certainly, where excavation has taken place it has often revealed spectacular results, eg Broxmouth, East Lothian (Armit et al 2013).

Why vitrify?

Vitrification is the process by which stones are fused together at temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius (Ralston 2006, 146), represents an even more impressive investment (Ralston 1986). Vitrification requires timber-laced stone built ramparts and involves substantial quantities of fuel over an extended period of time, possibly days if not weeks (ibid). The resulting smoke during the day would be seen for miles while the fire at night would be seen over an even further distance, creating a stunning display.

While initially thought to be a purely Scottish phenomenon, vitrification has no chronological or geographical significance, and occurs across Europe (Ralston 1981; 2006, 143-63) and the process is likely to be related to the slaked (limestone) ramparts of the Welsh Marches (Cunliffe 2005, 636; Moore 2006, 63). However, Scotland has one of the highest densities of vitrified forts in the world with for example a similar number to France (Mackie 1976; Ralston 1981).

Several models behind vitrification have been discussed: accidental fire; constructional factors; and a deliberate act of destruction, whether as an act of attack, of ceremony or of vanquish (Mackie 1976; Ralston 2006, 162-3). Accidental fires would be unlikely to have such sustained effects, except in the most localized of settings and the unpredictability of the process suggests it was not constructional (ibid). Given the inherent difficulties of achieving vitrification, the current totals presumably represent an

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underestimate of the total number of hillforts fired, the majority reaching insufficient temperature to vitrify sufficient material to be observed.

Current views tend to see vitrification as either an act of aggression following capture (Armit 2005, 59; Ralston 2006, 163; Harding 2012, 188) or as ‘ritual closure’ at the end of the site’s active life (Armit 2005, 52-3; Moore 2006, 63), akin to the destruction of many Neolithic ritual monuments (Noble 2006, 45-70). How one might distinguish between motives is difficult to ascertain: in a historic context one may attempt to link the recorded destruction of a hillfort to archaeological deposits as undertaken by Alcock at Dumbarton Rock (1976) or Dundurn (Alcock et al 1989). However, it is not always clear if one is dealing with the same site or indeed the destruction event described, equally, there are vitrified hillforts for which there are no early historic records, for example Green Castle (Ralston 1980).

In a prehistoric context, the identification of motive is much harder, although one may attempt to advance arguments based on a number of factors. For example, the more extensive the vitrification around the circuit, the more effort required and therefore the less likely to be enemy action; or perhaps if vitrification is focused on a gate, it may be more likely to be the result of enemy action. Finally, was the site reoccupied and how soon after its initial destruction, with the sooner the reoccupation took place the more likely it derived from enemy action, assuming its strategic location remained valid (Cook forthcoming). Individual and specific arguments must be advanced for each vitrified site and it is not possible to come to a single all-encompassing theory.

One argument is that timbers laced walls and ramparts were lined with wood (presumably oak and yew which burns hot) which was set on fire, the heat of this fire causing the smaller core material within the wall to partially melt and fuse. However, intriguingly, at Dun Deardail and also the vitrified fort at Carradale (Argyll) it is clear that the original wall was lined with much smaller stones and it is this outer portion of the wall that has vitrified, with the core material remaining largely unaffected.

The proposed excavation of Dun Deardail represents the first significant excavation of a vitrified hillfort since Mackie’s excavation at Finvaon in the 1960s (Mackie 1976; Ralston 2006) and, as such, confirms the wider cultural significance of the project, meeting many of the aims and objectives of Our Place in Time: the historic environment strategy for Scotland and the emerging Scottish Archaeology Strategy.

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Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (SCARF)

The proposed excavation represents an opportunity to provide information on a number of areas: prehistoric settlement in Glen Nevis, a west coast hillfort, the internal settlement of a hillfort and information about vitrification.

Driscoll (2011) identifies the priorities for Pictish hillfort studies as:

 a sustained excavation of a Pictish hillfort;  an investigation of an Iron Age hillfort which appears to have been reused in the Pictish period; and  the excavation of a later medieval power centre which continued to be significant in the Middle Ages.

The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (SCARF) Section 6.9 identifies a number of key research questions with regard to Iron Age hillfort studies. While the Medieval section is not explicit with regard to Early Historic hillforts, the Iron Age questions are equally as relevant. Specific Iron Age and Early Historic hillfort research questions include:

 Why enclose?  Is there evidence for warfare?  What is the social context of hillforts?  What is their duration of use?  Is the Early Historic re-use and remodelling of some Iron Age forts based on convenience and / or ancestral associations?  What is the role of the hillfort? Were they places for elites, production centres, community markets, domestic settlement, does this role change over time?  Did activity expand out-with the confines of the enclosing walls or ramparts?  Were hillforts used continuously, seasonally or episodically?  Why does the basic domestic form change from circular in the Iron Age to rectangular in the Early Historic?  Was agricultural surplus being produced?  Is vitrification coincident with the demise of the hillfort?

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ScARF has therefore identified a lack of information about a number of aspects relating to Iron Age and Early Historic hillforts within Section 6.9; specific ScARF research recommendations that will be addressed by the project are as follows:

 “Enquiry must move to a situation where regions can be compared on a more equal footing. Some key ‘black holes’ sitting between other better understood areas are immediate targets for research (e.g. Fife, between the Lothians and Angus; the western seaboard between Galloway and Argyll; the central and western Highlands).

 Why did people choose to inhabit places such as hilltops, promontories jutting into the ocean and artificial islands in lochs? There is a need not only to study the setting of sites but also to try to reach a better understanding of how landscapes were conceived.

 There is no overall picture regarding the role of ‘hillforts’, whether as tribal capitals, (seasonal) meeting places, elite residences, or other functions and it is likely that their role varied across time and space. This impacts directly on social models for the Iron Age; regionally-based diachronic models are a key desiderata.

 The lack of dating evidence for enclosed sites is an issue across the board, as it is a severe constraint in understanding them. ‘Key-hole’ work offers the prospect of obtaining at least an outline chronology in an area relatively quickly, but with the caveat that such approaches will inevitably simplify each site sequence and can only produce a first-stage model.

 The lack of evidence for activities within enclosed sites, due to limited work in enclosure interiors, is a severe constraint, as are the difficulties in connecting interior activity to enclosure sequences. (http://www.scottishheritagehub.com/content/69-research-recommendations)”

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Project Aims and Objectives

The primary aims of the project are to establish the nature, position and role of Dun Deardail within a broader landscape and social context. The working hypothesis is that Dun Deardail is a Middle Iron Age hillfort (middle to late first millennium BC) that was reoccupied and remodelling in the Early Historic / Pictish period (middle to late first millennium AD). Excavation at Dun Deardail will provide a rare and much needed opportunity to investigate a relatively small ‘citadel’ hillfort with extant and visible vitrifaction. Excavation will contribute to our understanding of how such sites came to be, how they were used and how they fit into a wider socio-political and socio-economic context. However, by necessity the research aims have to be iterative and will be revisited at the conclusion of each of the first two fieldwork seasons as the results have the potential to alter the nature of subsequent research questions.

This Project Design defines the main research questions that require further archaeological investigation. These are:

 Has the erosion present impacted on any underlying deposits?  Is the varying thickness of the ramparts visible from the survey the product of differential weathering or different phasing?  What is the relationship between the two halves of the hillfort?  Is the gap in the rampart on the west an entrance or a subsequent breach and has the visitor erosion impacted on any underlying deposits?  When was Dun Deardail vitrified?  Is Dun Deardail a Late Iron Age hillfort remodelled into an Early Historic citadel fort?  Is Dun Deardail a high status fort the populous of which had a wide range of economic and social contacts?  Are the walls constructed from stone and interlaced timber?  Was vitrification of the walls achieved by the addition of smaller stones of mixed geological types?  Does vitrification occur at the end of the use of the hillfort?  Was the entrance into Dun Deardail elevated and contained within the enclosing wall, explaining why none is visible in plan?  Because of its high altitude was Dun Deardail seasonally occupied?  Did specialised craft production take place at Dun Deardail?  Were other non-specialised domestic activities taking place within Dun Deardail?  Will the archaeological evidence for Late Iron Age structures within the interior comprise postholes and stone walls?  Will the archaeological evidence for Early Historic structures within the interior comprise post-pads and sill beams rather than postholes?

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Dun Deardail

 Will the Late Iron Age internal structures be circular in plan?  Will the Early Historic internal structures be rectangular to sub-rectangular in plan?  Was agricultural surplus stored within Dun Deardail?  Was settlement or other activities taking place on the terraces located immediately below Dun Deardail?

The archaeological aims and objectives of the project are to:

 Establish the extent of the archaeological deposits and any damage to them.  Provide interpretation of Dun Deardail through archaeological research, exploring the phases of occupation of the site and any evidence for re-use of the site;  Excavate a sufficient area of the site to establish the extent and character of the archaeological remains present within the interior and around the exterior of the fort in order to identify individual structures, internal features and deposits;  Recover environmental samples and artefacts which will assist interpretation and chronology of the past activities within the site and the function of the structures;  Obtain secure dating material / artefactual evidence from the site to be used in chronological interpretation.  Enhance the historic environment records.  Contribute to the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework and the emerging Scottish Archaeology Strategy.  Record and protect damaged areas of the rampart and entrance;  Consolidate previously damaged areas;  Inform the long term conservation management of the site;  Provide opportunities through the provision of community outreach and archaeological training in excavation and recording;  Present the site for visitors in a sustainable manner;  Provide high-quality outreach and educational opportunities;  Record and explain the process of vitrification;  Assess the success of the project;  Produce both an academic report and a popular publication; and  Provide tourism and economic benefits to the local community.

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Programme of works

The project is divided into two stages of work. Stage One will comprise the archaeological fieldwork and interim reporting and Stage Two will comprise post- excavation analysis, final reporting and publication. Fieldwork will take place over three years with three seasons of two to three weeks excavation. Stage One and Stage Two will take part consecutively with a programme of post-excavation taking place after each season of fieldwork in order to inform the excavation strategy of the following season.

The Site Director will prepare a Method Statement, a Risk Assessment and a Health and Safety Plan on acceptance of the contract. Along with this Project Design the Method Statement will be used to obtain Scheduled Monument Consent and Section 42 Consent.

Production of method statement

A Method Statement will be produced by the successful archaeological contractor. This Method Statement will detail the methods to be followed to ensure the successful implementation of the project as detailed in this Project Design. The Project Design and the Method Statement will be submitted as supporting documentation for the application for SMC and Section 42 Consent.

Both the Project Design and Method Statement will be archived at the Highland Council Historic Environment Record and will be made available immediately. This open and transparent excavation strategy is in line with sustainable procurement methodology (Rees and Ritchie, forthcoming).

Production of Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Plan

A risk assessment covering all on and off-site works will be produced prior to the commencement of the project and every member of staff and on-site volunteers will be required to read it prior to starting work. A health and safety plan will be produced prior to the start of fieldwork. This document will then be available on site for consultation. Given the volume of lifting involved in any hillfort excavation a key focus on this will be manual handling, the use of boots, gloves and TILE (Task, Individual, Load, Environment).

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Desk-based Assessment and comparative study

A desk-based assessment will be undertaken which will consolidate existing information on Iron Age and Early Historic hillforts in Scotland, focussing in particular on the central and western Highlands. Resources that should be consulted include:

 Academic publications;  Grey literature;  NMRS (Canmore), Highland Historic Environment Record (HER), PastMap, HLA, HS (SM lists);  Ordnance Survey maps and historical maps held at the National Map Library of Scotland;  Statistical Accounts;  National Archives of Scotland and other collections of historical archives;  National Library of Scotland; and  Aerial photograph collections (NMRS).

In addition, this review should review existing academic theses, and approaches being taken to vitrified forts elsewhere in Scotland.

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Stage One programme of on-site works

One of the inevitable variabilities of working on any large scale prehistoric site is that one becomes more attuned to the site’s nuances over time and the longer one spends on the site in differing weather and light conditions, the better. Therefore the excavation strategy has to take account of this possibility and any proposed works beyond Year 1 can only be indicative. In addition, each fieldwork season should enhance the existing survey record, for example by increasing the number of survey points and by recording in more detail the nature of the visible vitrification. It is also likely that more areas of vitrification will be identified across the site.

Geophysics

The interior of the hillfort appears to have been significantly remodelled and there is a considerable amount of internal rubble and stone work presumably derived from the collapsed enclosing wall and internal structures. In addition, the vitrified enclosing wall appears to be rich in iron base material. Although the ground conditions and the nature of the geology suggests that the use of geophysical techniques are not suitable for Dun Deardail, previous work at the vitrified hillfort of Craig Phadrig (Noble and Sveinbjarnarson, forthcoming) is informative.

As part of the University of Aberdeen’s Northern Picts Project, two short seasons of geophysical survey in July and December 2013 were conducted on Craig Phadrig (where important Iron Age and early medieval phases have been identified).

During the July survey magnetometry was attempted on the interior of the fort, but the vitrification and geology rendered the results unusable. Survey shifted to resitivity and four 20m x 20m grids in July and eight further grids in December covered the interior and lower citadel of the fort. The survey grids were recorded with dGPS.

The survey has shown the potential for geophysical survey to reveal details on the internal layout of forts such as Craig Phadrig. Possible features identified included potential circular structures in the southern end of the upper citadel and activity areas in the lower citadels. The most intriguing features are two linear low resistance features with a bowed end. These features may be the remains of an internal palisade or large structure within the northern end of the upper citadel. A possible entrance to this structure is on the northern end where the linear anomalies curve towards one another.

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The results of the resistivity survey at Craig Phadrig with approximate location (Noble and Sveinbjarnarson, forthcoming).

The hillfort of Dun Deardail will be subject to a programme of resistivity survey and electrical resistance tomography. Methodology will comprise a standard topographic survey in combination with an aerial survey for 3D modelling and reconstruction purposes. This will be combined with a 2ha gradiometer survey, which will cover the extent of the site, followed by a more detailed resistivity survey, targeting areas of interest from the gradiometry – this is planned at 0.5ha due to the high cost and time involved in resistivity. There will be six transects of ERT (electrical resistance tomography) to characterise the stratigraphy and model the deposits on the site. These will be targeted on promising areas identified during the topographic and geophysical surveys.

The results will be combined with existing topographic data and will be used to confirm the indicative trench layout described below. The survey will also fully record (on plan and with both written description and photography) all areas or erosion and potential erosion on the fort.

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Preparatory Works

Using the results of the geophysical and photogrammetric surveys, in combination with existing topographic data, trench layouts will be confirmed on the ground. The survey will also fully record (on plan and with both written description and photography) all areas or erosion and potential erosion on the fort. A preparatory visual archaeological evaluation will be undertaken to ensure the protection of the main access and route ways into and around the fort. Robust matting will be used to protect ground surfaces from visitor and excavation footfall.

Site Access

Site access will be via the forestry track leading up from the Braveheart car park; the access gate is locked and a key will be required for the duration of each field season. Volunteers should be met in the Braveheart car park and driven up to the site at the beginning of each day in the site minibus and returned to the car park each evening. Similarly, visiting school parties may be driven up to the site or alternatively the walk up the site is incorporated into the overall experience. Site vehicles can be taken up to the western side of Dun Deardail with the remaining 500m to the hillfort accessed via a recently constructed forestry path, which includes steps, and is therefore only passable on foot. When recruiting volunteers and organizing school and other visits the limitations of the access to the site should be made clear well in advance.

On-site facilities

On site facilities will comprise two serviced portaloos which will be located in the hammer-head of the forestry track located just beyond the path leading up to the fort. In addition a steel container with secure door and window will be located here within which tools etc. can be securely stored overnight. Depending upon the weather a large tent will be erected outwith the scheduled area but on one of the lower terraces which will serve as the day to day mess hut, daily store for finds, samples and tools, site office and on the open day exhibition area for the finds etc. However, in adverse conditions the site is so exposed that it may not be possible to maintain near on-site cover and in this instance the steel container will double up as the mess hut and store. All site records will be taken off site each evening and stored at the accommodation. All finds will be removed from site each night and housed at the accommodation. Finds will generally not be brought back to site on a day to day basis. However, selected finds will be brought to site for booked school visits and also for the open day when visitors can view them under close supervision of the training officer and/or a member of the excavation team.

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Dun Deardail

Wet sieving

At the time of the site reconnaissance visit, June 2013, there was no running water near to the site or to the proposed location of the portaloos and steel container. Therefore, it seems unlikely that it will be practical to conduct on-site wet sieving.

Site preparatory works for excavation

All site preparation works, including the laying out of trenches, de-turfing and site reinstatement will be carried out by hand. The location of trenches (see above) will be demarcated and where applicable de-turfing will be carried out using spades. All turf will be laid on tarpaulin adjacent to the trench from which it was derived for reinstatement at the end of season of excavation. All excavated soil and sediment will also be temporarily bunded on tarpaulin next to the trench of origin for subsequent re-instatement. All stone will be kept separate to ensure satisfactory site reinstatement.

Excavation

As the hillfort has never been ploughed there is the potential that the topsoil contains objects associated with the hillfort’s use. Therefore, prior to excavation each trench location will be metal detected and 30% of the soil removed from the site will be dry sieved and metal detected. If this process identifies significant objects then the level of sieving will be increased. In addition, bulk soil samples will be taken from each and every excavated context.

A common problem with the excavation of ramparts is the volume of stone present, which is unknown and may result in deep trenches with unstable sides, therefore trenches have to be wide enough to allow stepping. This of course minimises damage to the deposits.

Excavation will be minimised to achieve the project aims (as per SHEP) and in effect comprise key-hole strip and map with full recording and limited, targeted further excavation. In addition, wherever possible the excavation trenches will be located over areas of erosion, to explore its nature and any impacts on the underlying deposits.

The excavation strategy will be broadly undertaken according to this Project Design. Any variation from this Project Design and the successful contractor’s Method Statement should be discussed and agreed with Historic Scotland and FCS before implementation. Within the scheduled monument there will be six excavation trenches. It is anticipated

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that Trenches 1 and 3 will be excavated over the three seasons, Trench 5 over one to two seasons depending upon the findings and Trenches 2, 4 and 6 over a single season. Trenches 7-10 will be excavated in Seasons 2 and 3 outside the Scheduled Area.

Site grid

A grid, laid out with a total station, will be set up prior to any excavation works starting. The grid will be employed over the whole site and all trenches and archaeological features will be related to this grid. This grid will be related to Ordnance Datum.

Plan of Dun Deardail hillfort with indicative Trench locations 1 to 6.

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Trench 1:

This trench will be located at the eastern end of the hillfort and straddle the enclosing wall into the interior, 10m NW/SE and 4m NE/SW. The research questions to be address in this trench are:

 What is the nature of the enclosing wall?  Is vitrification present that was not visible by the survey?  What impact if any has the circuit path had on the underlying deposits?  Are there internal structures or is this a single large sub-circular structure?  What is the depth of the stratigraphy, can multiple phases of occupation be determined?  How is this terrace constructed?  What are the dates of construction, use and abandonment?  Is there vitrified material present not visible via survey?

It is likely that not all of the area of Trench 1 will be fully excavated. The strategy should be to strip, map and sample excavation, with significant structural elements being preserved in situ. Turf and topsoil will be hand cleared over the whole extent of Trench 1 to reveal the uppermost archaeological deposits and features. This will allow for the identification of specific deposits and/or features that will require excavation in order to address the research questions listed above. It is likely that in seasons 2 and 3 not all the original excavation area will be re-opened but areas of potential targeted.

Trench 2:

This trench will be located opposite to Trench 1 straddling the mapped vitrification and erosion as well as the visitor path and will be located across the enclosing wall; it will measure 10m NW/SE and 2m NE/SW. The enclosing wall will be removed in this trench and later reinstated). The results of this trench will be compared to those of Trench 4 in order to assess whether there is single phase of outer enclosing wall construction or whether there has been later refortification.

 What is the nature of the inner and outer face of the enclosing wall?  Is there any reason for the increased thickness on the northern side?  What impact if any has the erosional path had on the underlying deposits?  Where is the vitrified material located?  Does vitrification only occur on the outer face?  How is the enclosing wall constructed?  When was the enclosing wall constructed?  Are there internal structures and deposits?

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 What are dates of internal features?

Trench 3:

This trench will be located over the southernmost internal terrace and the visitor path. It will measure 10m NW/SE and 4m NE/SW. The research questions to be addressed in this trench are:

 Are there internal structures and deposits?  What are dates of internal features?  What is the depth of stratigraphy?  How is the terrace constructed?  Was this area used at the same time as the upper ‘citadel’ area?  What impact if any has the circuit path had on the underlying deposits?

It is likely that not all of the area of Trench 3 will be fully excavated. The strategy should be to strip, map and sample excavation, with some significant structural elements being preserved in situ. Turf and topsoil will be hand cleared over the whole extent of Trench 3 to reveal the uppermost archaeological deposits and features. This will allow for the identification of specific deposits and/or features that will require excavation in order to address the research questions listed above. It is likely that in seasons 2 and 3 not all the original excavation area will be re-opened but areas of potential targeted.

Trench 4:

This trench will be located over the south-western enclosing wall and will measure 6m NE/SW and 4m NW/SE and will be located across the enclosing wall. The enclosing wall will not be removed in this trench. The enclosing wall at this location appears particularly high and well preserved and in addition the outer face has been vitrified. The outer slope below the enclosing wall, although steep is not precipitous and thus can be worked on. The trench will also encompass a small portion of an inner terrace. The research questions to be address in this trench are:

 What is the nature of the inner and outer face of the enclosing wall?  Where is the vitrified material located?  How is the enclosing wall constructed?  When was the enclosing wall constructed?  Are there internal structures and deposits next to the inner face of the wall?  What impact if any has the circuit path had on the underlying deposits?  What are dates of internal features?

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Trench 5:

This trench will be located straddling the inner bank and the two breaks of slope that occurs between the lower and upper portions of the hillfort. Nettles were relatively prolific in this area at the time of the reconnaissance visit and therefore it is possible that midden material, perhaps relating to later activity within the upper citadel, is located here. This trench will measure 15m NE/SW by 2m NW/SE. The research questions to be address in this trench are:

 What is the nature of the low bank oriented roughly north-south?  What is the nature of the lower terrace and the break of slope?  Are midden deposits preserved here?  What are the stratigraphic relationships?  What date is the bank?  What is the depth of stratigraphy?  How do the lower and upper areas relate stratigraphically?  What is the stratigraphic relationship of the enclosing wall and the break of slope that defines the upper ‘citadel’?  When was the wall or the break of slope constructed?

Trench 6:

This trench will be located over the north-western enclosing wall and will measure 6m E/S and 5m N/S and will be located across the enclosing wall at the supposed entrance. Any remains of the enclosing wall found within the existing entrance will be removed and recorded, the entrance being made safe and any existing archaeological deposits recorded prior to erosion. The research questions to be address in this trench are:

 What is the nature of the inner and outer face of the enclosing wall?  What is the nature of the gap?  Where is the vitrified material located?  How is the enclosing wall constructed?  When was the enclosing wall constructed?  Are there internal structures and deposits next to the inner face of the wall?  What impact if any has the entrance path (leading to circuit path) had on the underlying deposits?  What are dates of internal features?

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Trenches 7-10:

Neither the location of theses trenches nor their scale has been determined, following the completion of Season 1 and the use of volunteers to systematically walk the exterior slopes it is expected that a more nuanced understanding of the site’s exterior and the potential features identified by Feachem will have been reached. In broad terms these trenches will test for the presence or absence of archaeological deposits and/or structures located beneath the hillfort. The depth of peat immediately around the hillfort is not thought to be great. However, Trenches 7-10 will also provide a section through the peat which can be sampled for palynology, namely pollen and spores.

 Is there evidence for contemporary activity out with the hillfort?  What is the depth of stratigraphy?  Is there evidence of buried soils and old ground surfaces?

General Excavation Methods

Field recording will be in accordance with standards of the MoLAS Archaeological Field Manual and current IfA standards and practices. All excavation will be undertaken by hand. The trenches are to be de-turfed by hand and the turf stacked adjacent to each trench for end of season backfilling; turf, soil and stone will be kept separate to aid backfilling and site contour reconstruction. In general, total excavation is expected but it is at the discretion of the Site Director to determine whether sample excavation or total excavation is appropriate. Any significant variations to the agreed Project Design, Scheduled Monument Consent (and Conditions) and Method Statement must be discussed and agreed with Historic Scotland and FCS before they are implemented.

All features will be allocated individual numbers and blocks of numbers should be used for individual trenches to easily distinguish different excavation areas. Site records and precious artefacts must be removed from site at the end of each day and must not be left on site unattended. Consideration of the impact of erosion on the preservation of the archaeological remains should be assessed during the excavations.

Written Records

 Site records will be kept for all features.  Pro-forma context sheets and, if required, skeleton recording forms will be used.  Site notebooks / daybooks will supplement the context sheets.  Registers of finds, samples, drawings will be maintained.

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 Sample forms will be used for all environmental, radiocarbon and special samples.  A level and survey book will be maintained.

Drawings

 Drawings will be at 1:20 for plans and 1:10 for sections.  Burials will be drawn at 1:10.  All drawings will be allocated unique numbers and recorded in a register.  All drawings will show the scale, north arrow, a key, site code, date and author and will be drawn on drawing film.  All drawings will be located on the site grid (tied to the National Grid).  All levels on plans and sections and all drawings will be related to Ordnance Datum.

Photography

 Photographs will be taken and stored as .jpeg files, as per RCAHMS recommendations.  Use will also be made of low altitude aerial photography (drone / kite) and pole cameras.

Artefacts and Ecofacts

 All significant artefacts will be located in three dimensions and recorded on both the context sheet and in a finds register.  All significant artefacts are to be treated as special / small finds. However, if pottery sherds are numerous and undecorated these will be recorded according to context only.  All artefacts and ecofacts will be retained.  Artefact treatment and processing will be in accordance with the Institute of Conservation’s Conservation Guidelines No.2.  Precious artefacts – gold, silver, copper alloy items, coins, carved stones etc will be removed from site at the end of the day’s excavation.  All vitrified material identified will be recorded as if a small find.

Environmental and Dating Sampling Strategies

 A standard bulk sample of 10 litres for the retrieval of charred plant remains and faunal remains is required for all deposits except turf and the topsoil. Collapse and

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abandonment deposits should be sampled in order to provide comparative data for in situ occupation deposits and buried ground surfaces.  Bulk samples are to be processed by flotation, although the lack of water on or near to site prevents this taking place during the course of fieldwork. Flotation should follow standard procedures.  If waterlogged or charred organic material survives this will be collected.  Routine soil samples of at least 500g must be collected from all deposits other than turf. These samples may be utilised for pollen analysis, pH analysis, and phosphate, loss on ignition or particle size analysis and for characterisation of the sediment.  Particular attention will be paid to the recovery of charcoal from key stratigraphic locations: for radiocarbon dating, ideally samples should be recovered from four types of context associated with the hillfort: pre-hillfort; construction/use of the hillfort; destruction; remodelling and reuse.  Dry sieving of all contexts to ensure the recovery of all artefacts.  In situ vitrified material will be identified for the potential for archaeomagnetic dating.  Depending on the results of the dating strategy it may be appropriate to undertake Bayesian Analysis on the dating of the site’s occupation.

Topographic survey and site specific 3D recording

A total station will be utilized for the duration of the fieldwork. A detailed micro- topographic survey of the hillfort, the lower slopes and surrounding terraces will be made over the duration of the project. The total station will also be used to set out the site grid and record all significant finds in three dimensions. All three dimensional data and all site plans will be entered into a GIS system, thus enabling complex spatial interrogation of all the datasets.

The duration of the project also allows for an archaeological management survey to be undertaken, mapping erosion, visitor pressure, animal burrows and vegetation (ie bracken). The methodology will follow Historic Scotland’s Technical Advice Note 16: Burrowing Animal and Archaeology (Dunwell & Trout 1999). This should allow an enhanced understanding of the pressures facing the site.

Metal detecting

Following successful application for Section 42 Consent a metal detector would be on site every day and used to scan each significant archaeological horizon prior to excavation. The metal detector will also be used to scan spoil heaps on a daily basis.

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Human remains

The local police will be informed in the event that human remains are encountered. The treatment of human remains will comply with historic Scotland’s policy paper ‘The Treatment of Human Remains in Archaeology’. In addition the Code of Ethics and Code of Practice produced by the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology will be adhered to http://www.babao.org.uk/index/ethics-and- standards.

Conservation

Provision must be made for the on-site services of a conservator in the event that significant and delicate artefacts or delicate charred in situ rampart timbers are discovered. Basic conservation of artefacts (slow drying out, packaging, finds washing/dry brushing etc) will be undertaken within the site accommodation. However, if more specialist conservation of objects is required this will have to be carried out within a professional conservation laboratory.

Site reinstatement and conservation works

Site reinstatement begins with deturffing. A deturffing tool will be used to ensure consistency of turf thickness; the turves will be lifted in as large a block as can be safely lifted. The turves will be placed opposite the place they derived from soil side down to ensure they go back from where they came from, the turves will be watered each day. Soil and stone from the topsoil will separated as indeed will structural stone. Following the completion of excavation the trench will be lined with terram; if structural stone has been removed this will be replaced first and then covered with more terram, then stones from the topsoil will be placed first (not thrown), following this topsoil will be placed in the trench in spits, with regular raking and compression. Some 0.5% of the topsoil will be kept to one side and not backfilled. The turves will be replaced with the spare soil being placed in any conspicuous gaps. At this point any spills of compacted spoil will be raked up and placed in gaps between turves.

Where appropriate, any areas that cannot be re-turfed will be seeded with a locally- sourced hardy species of grass. All areas of erosion unaffected by the excavation will also be repaired to the same standards.

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Field team

The project steering group comprises The Nevis Partnership, Forestry Commission Scotland, Historic Scotland, Highland Council and the successful archaeological contractor.

The professional field team must comprise six experienced field archaeologists supported by specialists renowned in their particular field or fields of expertise. The team should aspire to provide a high quality product in the form of community engagement, archaeological and historical research, archaeological excavation, post-excavation analyses and publication. The site Director’s company or institution will represent the steering group with regard insurance, health and safety policy, financial arrangements and project management.

The specific roles of the core team are:

Site Director

Responsibilities:

 Director of the archaeological project.  Reporting to the Nevis Partnership Dun Deardail Archaeological Project Steering Group.  Application for Scheduled Monument and Section 42 Consent and ensuring the conditions are met.  Production of Method Statement.  Direction of excavations and management of professional archaeological team.  Management and implementation of the archaeological outreach programme.  Management of all administrative tasks and other logistical arrangements.  Adapting excavation strategy in response to on site discoveries and liaison with specialists as required.  Writing and co-ordinating the Data Structure Report, post-excavation research design and the final post-excavation report.  Writing and submitting Discovery and Excavation in Scotland and OASIS entries.  Final archiving of the project including Treasure Trove reporting and delivery of the final archive to RCAHMS.  Arranging and ordering portable toilets, all on-site facilities and equipment etc.  Production of the final publication in the form of an illustrated book.

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Site Archaeologists

Responsibilities:

 Ensuring the instructions of the Site Director are carried out successfully  Responsibility for accurate excavation and recording.  On the job training of volunteers (see below).

Individual roles to be assigned will include:

 EDM / Total Station surveying: setting out of site grid, earthworks survey of the hillfort, location of plans and sections, levels, three dimensional recording of artefacts.  Environmental sampling: responsibility for ensuring that all appropriate deposits are sampled and labelled correctly, all sample forms are completed and cross referenced to the feature forms, storage and transport of samples.  Training Co-ordinator / officer: responsible for the managing and overseeing of the on-site training of the volunteers, booked school and other organisations site visits and greeting and engaging with any casual visitors (see below).

Stage 2 programme of post-excavation

At the end of each season a Post-Excavation Research Design (PERD) will be produced. The objective will be to have some results available before the start of the second season so that the excavation strategy can reflect the findings and outreach material can be updated accordingly.

A final comprehensive PERD will be produced on completion of excavation of Dun Deardail and the experimental vitrification site. All interim and the final PERD will require the input and approval of FCS and HS before it is implemented.

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Interim Reporting

Within one month of the completion of each fieldwork season the results of the archaeological works will be presented in the form of a written Interim Data Structure Report. A site database will be complied utilising Access and updated each year.

The reports will be prepared in accordance with current standard Historic Scotland procedural requirements and standard procedures. The Interim Data Structure Report will contain the following:

 a location plan of the site;  a location plan of the trenches;  plans and sections of features;  appendices to include: context descriptions, drawing record, photographic record, sample record, special samples record and finds record;  summary description of the results of each trench;  summary interpretation of the results of each trench; and  summary conclusions.

Following the production of the Interim Data Structure Report a costed Post-Excavation Design will be prepared; the costed Post-Excavation Research Design will be produced within two weeks of the completion of each Interim Data Structure Report. Following consultation with HS and FCS a preliminary programme of post-excavation will be undertaken following the completion of fieldwork in season one and season two. A final costed Post-excavation Research Design will be produced after the completion of the final Interim Data Structure Report. The final publication will be produced within a year of the agreement of the final Post-Excavation Design.

A summary report on the works and its findings will be submitted to Discovery and Excavation in Scotland at the end of every season to ensure compliance with standard practice; and a digital copy of all the Interim Data Structure Reports will be available free of charge on the Dun Deardail web site.

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Public engagement, outreach and education

On-site volunteer training

Each season will provide up to 168 volunteer days (maximum of 2 volunteers per archaeologist) and thus a maximum of 12 volunteers per day. It is anticipated that volunteers will have to sign up for a minimum of 5 days to receive the full training programme in archaeological excavation and recording techniques. The successful archaeological contractor will manage the attendance of volunteers and will have set up a booking system for the days of the excavation. A daily list of volunteers will be given to the training co-ordinator who will meet the volunteers in Braveheart car park and bring them up to Dun Deardail in the site minibus. Each professional archaeologist will be daily assigned two volunteers for whom they are responsible. However, the professional archaeologists will be rotated around the volunteers so that volunteers are given as broad an experience as possible.

Each week there will be a series of ‘master classes’ covering all the basic principles of field archaeology for those volunteers signed up for at least one week. These master classes will be held on site with an open classroom element and also where possible a practical element. During the excavation particular elements of the master classes will be highlighted to volunteers by practical examples as and when they occur on site.

Master classes will comprise:

 De-turfing. Safe use of spades and shovel;  Manual handling  Troweling (also appropriate use of hand shovels, buckets etc);  Feature recognition. Soil colours, soil textures. Stone structures, walls, rubble, turf banks and walls;  Principals of archaeology: contexts, cuts, fills, layers, features etc;  On site recording. Context register, context sheets, drawing sheets, photograph register, bulk sample register, routine soil register, special sample register, find register;  Drawing. Plans, sections, elevation. Scales of drawing, 1:10, 1:20. How to draw, convention of symbols used. Artefact recognition, handling and recording;  Set up and use of EDM. Setting out;  EDM topographic survey;  EDM small finds location and levels;

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 Use of dumpy level;  Dry sieving; and  Archaeological photography.

A training book will be devised and issued to all those volunteers who have signed up to participate in the formalized training schedule. This will include all the basic on site skills required of a field archaeologist: troweling, feature recognition, recording (contexts sheets etc), artefact recognition, finds recording and handling, sampling (bulk, routine and special), planning, elevations, set up and use of dumpy level, set and use of total station, dry sieving, photography, walkover survey techniques and the rapid recording of sites etc. This will allow a more flexible approach to volunteer training, as volunteers not able to attend at the beginning of a week will be able to receive a full programme of training guided by their individual training book.

Archaeological Outreach Programme

This will comprise a series of lectures, evening classes (training workshops), school workshops, the development of educational material, initiatives linked into the Curriculum for Excellence and a project website or blog. All events will be evaluated by means of a feedback form.

Evening classes

If there is sufficient interest a number of evening classes will be held (location to be decided) to demonstrate and teach the basics of downloading data from the total station, the basic plotting of three dimensional data and the use of data in GIS. These skills will be readily transferable to any other archaeological survey or excavation work that volunteers may plan to undertake in the future. Dates of the evening classes will be announced to on-site volunteers during the course of the excavation.

School visits

The archaeological contractor will be responsible for contacting the local primary schools and the secondary school and encouraging and arranging site visits and school based workshops.

School visits to Dun Deardail will be encouraged. Schools will be given an outline of what their pupils might do at the site and this geared towards primary and secondary pupils. The suggested activities may include: photography, filming, recording (text and artistic

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sketches), scaled drawings, use of compass, observing the on-going excavation and interviewing one of the archaeologists.

Primary school based workshops may include mock excavation based around what it is to be an archaeologist (see below for further information regarding Teachers packs). For the secondary school it is proposed that a lecture is given on what it is to be an archaeologist with particular emphasis on the multidisciplinary nature of field archaeology and the many and diverse skills a field archaeologist needs in order to do his/her job. Written material may include information necessary to carry out a themed school assembly, as well as other ways for the pupils to share their experience with other pupils and utilise the data from their visit in subjects across the curriculum.

Learning resource

A primary and secondary school teachers’ learning resource relevant to the Curriculum for Excellence will be produced. These resource packs will be accompanied by teacher training seminars. The suggested content includes:

 A summary of the background to the Iron Age and Early Historic periods, description of the site (this can be updated each year incorporating results of the on-going excavation); comparison with other Scottish hillforts; Iron Age people; the Picts and Dál Riata (Gaels); warfare; food and farming; industry and craft production; connections with other communities and contacts further afield; beliefs and symbol stones; and documentary sources.  Modern and schematic maps locating the site in a broader social and geographic context.  A description of what archaeologists do, how they work, the tools they use and how they interpret and record any finds.  Work Sheets (with instructions) of suggested classroom activities for different age groups.  A collection of items to do a practice excavation, post-excavation and display of artefacts based around the Iron Age and Early Historic Period: excavation box, appropriate tools, replica artefacts. Instructions for teacher how to: prepare the excavation, how to excavate and record. Sheet of finds explain what they are, their social and/or economic significance etc.  Illustrations for use in classroom.

It is anticipated that the schools involved in the project will comprise: Lochaber High School, Lochyside Primary, Fort William Primary, Fort William RC Primary and Banavie Primary. It is possible that further afield primary schools such as Ardgour, Saint Brides and Spean Bridge primary schools may be interested in becoming involved with the

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project. It is also possible that students following courses such as Adventure Tourism Management and Rural Skills and the local college may also been interested in participating in the project.

Open days

An open day will be held on-site each season prior to backfilling. Excavation will continue in order that visitors may see archaeology in practice, but all the archaeologists will actively engage with visitors as and when required. It is anticipated that a series of guided tours will be undertaken of the site; the times of the guided walks will be well advertised in advance. Key finds will be displayed in the tent (if weather permits) or in the secure store on the forestry track and an archaeologist will be present at all times to ensure finds remain with their appropriate labels and are not damaged. The site minibus will be used to ferry those visitors not wanting or able to walk the 3 km up from the Braveheart car park.

Publicity material

A Dun Deardail excavation web site will be produced, weekly excavation reports will be put on the web site and pdf versions of the interim reports and the final publication will also be made available for free download. A day to day account of the excavation will be reported via Dun Deardail’s Facebook page, also to be created. Posters advertising the open day and any other events held in association with the excavation will also be produced.

Public lectures

At least one public lecture on the results of excavation will be given each season in Fort William (location to be decided).

Photographs

Photographs out with the formal excavation photographs will be taken on a regular basis for publicity purposes. It may be necessary to obtain written consent from parents if children are to be photographed. However, most schools have already done this and so photographing and using pictures of school visits in publicity material is not envisaged as problematic.

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Presentation

Preparation of information to update or add in an additional all-weather board will be undertaken in consultation with FCS after the excavation has finished. A temporary banner/ sign will be erected at the junction of the road and footpath up to the hillfort for the duration of each season of excavation; this will include the logo of all funders and match the requirements as specified by the funders.

Experimental reconstruction of the timber laced dry stone rampart

The process of vitrification will be investigate by reconstructing a section of rampart (off- site and location to be decided) and then vitrified by fire. Ian Ralston (1986) conducted a similar experiment (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIoYZLZySzI), and found that only a small portion of the rock melted despite the addition of an enormous amount of wood. It has been noted that at Dun Deardail and also especially at the vitrified fort at Carradale (Argyll) where some of the wall is undercut, that the vitrified material is not in fact core material, as such material is generally referred to in the literature, but comprises smaller welded stone located on the outer face of a wall with a non-vitrified inner original wall built from larger stone.

Specialist knowledge will be provided by the successful archaeological team (probably including external specialists in smelting and geology) to the contractor, who will be selected and separately contracted by The Nevis Landscape Partnership to actually construct the experimental rampart. The reconstruction will measure 20m in length x 2.5m in width and will be up to 2m in height. It is likely that the rampart will be topped by a wooden palisade and tribal flags (funder logos, project logos etc). The specific design of the experimental rampart will be informed by the excavation of the enclosing wall at Dun Deardail. Therefore to inform the experiment Trench 2 or 4 should be excavated in the first season. The experimental rampart would then be constructed taking into account the results of excavation at Dun Deardail.

Once the experimental rampart has been burnt a portion or portions of it, if slightly different construction techniques are used along its length, will be excavated by the professional archaeologists aided by volunteers, with the remainder being left in situ as a visitor attraction. The experimental rampart will be accompanied by an explanation board to include a brief section covering vitrified forts, the process of vitrification and an explanation of the experiment. The results of the excavation of the experimental rampart will be incorporated into the final publication.

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Evaluation of the project

All volunteer activities will be evaluated by means of participant evaluation / feedback forms to be produced by the archaeological contractor; this will be managed on site by the training officer. A sample of casual visitors to the site will also be asked to complete a feedback form once they have been given an informal tour of the excavation. All evaluation material submitted by volunteers and participants taking part in any of the numerous archaeologically related events will be collated. In addition a sample of volunteers, field staff, school staff and stakeholders will be interview with a view to gauging their experience and perceived outcomes of the project. The data will be analysed and a final evaluation report produced which will aim to measure and assess the success of the project implementation.

The aim of the evaluation will be:

 To quantify to what extent the project achieved its aims and whether this was good value for money; and  To showcase the achievements and legacy of the project.

The anticipated audience for this evaluation are:

 Archaeological Project steering group and peers; and  Nevis Partnership stakeholders.

The report of the evaluation will include the evaluation of:

 The volunteer programme, using evaluation material collated during the project;  The education programme, including interviews with local schools;  The publication, including local public perception and a wider audience;  The press coverage (were the aims and outcomes of the project distributed successfully?);  The effectiveness of the project management and the partnership; and  The overall project legacy, including training, education, raising awareness and long term resources provided.

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Final publication

The final publication will be produced by the archaeological contractor, with editorial services being provided by the FCS Archaeologist. The project is to be published in the form an illustrated book (similar to the RCAHMS publication the Archaeological Landscape of Bute – available to download free http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/rcahms- publications/the-archaeological-landscape-of-bute). The focus of the publication will be the results of the excavation at Dun Deardail and those of the vitrification experiment. In addition the site will be presented within its local setting, as well as a broader regional and national archaeological context.

A copy of the book will be presented to all volunteers and stakeholders (though some may prefer the digital version) and a limited number of copies will also be available free from the Nevis partnership.

Archive Deposition

The archive from these works will be prepared for deposition in the National Monuments Record of Scotland.

The disposal of small finds will be conducted according to the standard procedures in Scotland.

Insurance

The successful archaeological contractor will have the following insurance as a minimum:

 Public Liability (£5,000,000)  Employer’s Liability (£10,000,000)

A copy of the employer’s liability certificate will be displayed on site. Provision within the Insurance Policy should be made for the presence of volunteers on site. The liability of the landowner, FCS, should be ascertained by the successful archaeological contractor.

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Professional standards

The Site Director will be a Member of the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA). All work will be carried out in accordance with the current IfA standards of good archaeological practice.

Scheduled Monument Consent

The Site is a Scheduled Monument (SM 2893). Scheduled Monument Consent will be required before the start of fieldwork. Historic Scotland has been consulted about the project and has indicated that SMC may be granted on receipt of the completed SMC application forms and this Project Design. The Site Director is responsible for liaising with Historic Scotland and ensuring that all requirements of SMC are complied with in full and within the agreed timescale.

Conditions of Contract

The Conditions of Contract for the Purchase of Consultancy Services may only be varied with the written agreement of Forestry Commission Scotland. No terms or conditions put forward at any time by the appointed archaeological contractor shall form part of the Contract unless specifically referred to in the Contract.

The Conditions of Contract which will apply may be viewed at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-8xtkx5 and refer to the ‘Contract for Consultancy Services’ version applicable at the date of issue of any resulting contract document.

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Indicative project costs and indicative post-excavation costs

Excavation

The three season programme of excavation and post-excavation of Dun Deardail and the experimental vitrified rampart site has an overall budget of £97,500 + VAT. It is anticipated that the excavation budget for each season will be roughly £20,000 + VAT with a budget of £10,000 + VAT for post-excavation in seasons one and two and £17,500 + VAT after the completion of the fieldwork in season three. However, detailed breakdown of all costs should be provided in the Tenders submitted for these works.

The works to be covered include:

 Full project management;  All excavation;  All post-excavation;  Reporting, including the content of the popular book; and  Volunteer recruitment, training and supervision.

FCS will contribute in-kind:

 Preparatory and later conservation management and stabilisation work required (costs unknown at this stage).

An in-kind contribution to the project from volunteer activities will include:

 300 to 432 man-days of volunteer involvement over three seasons of excavation;  Approximately 60 man-days of volunteer activity in supporting outreach events; and  25 man-days of volunteer activity in the vitrification experiment project.

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Archaeological outreach programme

The archaeological outreach programme has a budget of £30,000 + VAT. The works to be covered include:

 Full project management;  Lectures;  Community and teacher training seminars;  Learning resources;  Other education material and literature;  School workshops;  Project web site and facebook page; and  Wider, linked training events.

Evaluation

The evaluation of the whole archaeological project has a budget of £10,000 + VAT. This budget will include:

 Full project management; and  Development, analysis and final reporting of project evaluation.

Vitrification experiment

The vitrification experiment is to be constructed and managed by an external contractor appointed by FCS. The vitrification experiment has a budget of £35,000 + VAT. This budget will include:

 Full project management and construction;  Burning; and  Subsequent excavation, post-excavation and reporting.

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University of Stirling School of Biological and Environmental Science PhD

A PhD into Vitrification in the Scottish Iron Age will be funded in partnership between FCS and the University of Stirling School of Biological and Environmental Science. Associated with the Dun Deardail initiative, this PhD will investigate the phenomena of vitrification (of which several key sites are found on the national forest estate, including Craig Phadrig, Dun Deardail, Tor Dhuinn and Knock Farril). The PhD student will be expected to take an active role on the excavation of Dun Deardail and the vitrified fort reconstruction project as a paid site assistant.

The current cost of a three year PhD stipend, fees and training support is £57,293, with associated funding for travel, consumables and analytical costs, estimated at c. 9k over the three years. Match funding costs then would total £33,147 (£11,050 per year for 3 years) to be matched by the university.

Publication

The publication budget is £20,000. The budget for the final reporting, illustration and academic publication is £10,000. Estimates for the design and layout of the popular publication are £3500, cartographic and image reproduction £3500 and printing of 500 copies £3000, all prices + VAT. The publication budget will cover:

 Full project management; and  Production of 500 copies of the popular book.

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Budget Summary

Excavation Post- Outreach and Vitrifaction PhD Excavation evaluation experiment and reporting Year 1 £20k £10k £12k £20k £22k Year 2 £20k £10k £12k £5k £22k Year 3 £20k £20k £16k £10k £22k Year 4 £20k (publication) Totals £60k £60k £40k £35k £66k

FCS FCS / Nevis Partnership FCS / University of Stirling

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