NEW SERIES, VOLUME 18, 2017 DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND A’ LORG AGUS A’ CLADHACH AN ALBAINN NEW SERIES, VOLUME 18 2017 Editor Paula Milburn Archaeology Scotland Archaeology Scotland is a voluntary membership organisation, which works to secure the archaeological heritage of Scotland for its people through education, promotion and support: • education, both formal and informal, concerning Scotland’s archaeological heritage • promotion of the conservation, management, understanding and enjoyment of, and access to, Scotland’s archaeological heritage • support through the provision of advice, guidance, resources and information related to archaeology in Scotland Our vision Archaeology Scotland is the leading independent charity working to inspire people to discover, explore, care for and enjoy Scotland’s archaeological heritage. Our mission …to inspire the discovery, exploration, stewardship and enjoyment of Scotland’s past. Membership of Archaeology Scotland Membership is open to all individuals, local societies and organisations with an interest in Scottish archaeology. Membership benefits and services include access to a network of archaeological information on Scotland and the UK, three newsletters a year, the annual edition of the journal Discovery and excavation in Scotland, and the opportunity to attend Archaeology Scotland’s annual Summer School and the Archaeological Research in Progress conference. Further information and an application form may be obtained from Archaeology Scotland Email [email protected] Website www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk A’ lorg agus a’ cladhach an Albainn The Gaelic translation of Discovery and excavation in Scotland was supplied by Margaret MacIver, Lecturer in Gaelic and Education, and Professor Colm O’Boyle, Emeritus Professor, both at the Celtic, School of Language and Literature, University of Aberdeen. Cover images 1 3 5 2 4 6 7 1 Mapping Magnus – A substantial stone wall exposed in Trench A. Copyright: Daniel Lee – Archaeology Institute, UHI (see page 144) 2 The Howff – Surveying in progress at the Howff burial ground. Copyright: Dundee Howff Conservation Group (see page 69) 3 Bealach na Gaoithe, by Glenuig – The intact cleit (Site 10), Bealach na Gaoithe, by Glenuig. Copyright: Ken and Jean Bowker (see pages 99–100) 4 Iona Primary School – The carved stone cross found within the topsoil of the primary school playground. Copyright: Clare Ellis – Argyll Archaeology (see page 52) 5 Dun Deardail Fort, Glen Nevis – Dun Deardail (NN17SW 6) photogrammetric survey by drone (oblique view). Copyright FCS by Skyscape Survey (see page 116) 6 Westing Dig – Let Da Stons Spaek – Let Da Stons Spaek volunteers digging at Collaster Croft. Copyright: Elizabeth Jones and Daniel Rhodes, Unst Partnership (see page 180) 7 Loch Langabhat – Excavation under way at Loch Langabhat, July 2017 Copyright: Duncan Garrow, University of Reading (see pages 193–194) Price £25 Published, designed and produced by Cathedral Communications Limited, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire, England SP3 6HA © Archaeology Scotland 2018 ISSN 0419-411X 2 A’ LORG AGUS A’ CLADHACH AN ALBAINN CONTENTS CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................3 EDITORIAL POLICY .................................................................................................................................................................................4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................................................................................ 4 NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS ............................................................................................................................................ 8 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND ...................................................................................................................................... 201 RADIOCARBON DATES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SCOTTISH HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY DEPARTMENT, NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND, 2016/17 ............................................................ 209 THE SCOT2K NATIVE PINE DENDROCHRONOLOGY PROJECT: DATING SUMMARY ............................................... 215 CURRENT POST-GRADUATE SCOTTISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE UK ............................................... 219 LOCAL AUTHORITY ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORS AND THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY ............................ 221 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS ................................................................................................................................................................. 222 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................. 226 INDEX ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 227 DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND 3 NEW SERIES, VOLUME 18, 2017 THE JoURnaL oF aRCHaEoLogY SCoTLanD EDITORIAL POLICY DES aims to provide a rapid, comprehensive summary of Since the first volume in 1947 Discovery and excavation in all archaeological work undertaken in Scotland each year Scotland (DES) has played a vitally important role in Scottish by the end of May in the succeeding year. This imposes archaeology. Each new issue offers a simple way to keep up a very tight timescale on the production process. These to date with current work in the field, and the back issues considerations underlie and constrain the editorial policy provide a research tool for anyone seeking information about reflected in the notes for contributors below. It seeks to the archaeology of Scotland. balance maximum information value and accuracy with The full run of DES is now available digitally, except speed of production and minimum cost. It is divided into for the most recent two volumes. These are available two sections: notes for contributors on the format and in print form to members of Archaeology Scotland. All deadlines for submissions, and a section on conventions, volumes from 1947 onwards are available as PDF files. arranged in alphabetical order. They may be downloaded for research and teaching purposes but must not be resold or made available on any other web site or any other medium with or ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS without charge, unless with the prior written consent I am grateful to Jack Stevenson for his support during the of Archaeology Scotland and the relevant © holders. production of this volume and in particular his assistance The digital archive may be accessed via a link on the with the proof-reading. Special thanks to Jennifer Shore Archaeology Scotland website. for undertaking final checks. My thanks also go to Gordon DES is not intended as a medium for final publication. Sorensen and Helen Sawyer at Cathedral Communications Ltd It is a reference work, an annual summary of activity in for all their hard work and to Susan Vaughan for compiling the technical form. A fuller account will eventually appear in index. The assistance I received from the people mentioned print elsewhere, and/or further detailed records will be above undoubtedly immensely improved DES. deposited with Historic Environment Scotland and in the Thanks are due to the Stationery Office Ltd Cartographic appropriate museum service. It is a condition of Historic Centre for the Local Authority map. Environment Scotland funding that entries should be Archaeology Scotland is in receipt of an award from supplied for publication in DES. Historic Environment Scotland voluntary sector grants Archaeology Scotland publishes DES as a service to programme. its members and to archaeology generally. It is aimed Archaeology Scotland wishes to acknowledge the at a readership with a specialist interest in archaeology following bodies for generous financial assistance and welcomes contributions from all sectors of the in respect of the reports relating to their particular archaeological community. Financial support is received contributions to this volume: from various bodies for entries relating to their work, • Forestry Commission Scotland and further contributions are received for reports on • Historic Environment Scotland developer-funded projects. Paula Milburn, Archaeology Scotland 4 A’ LORG AGUS A’ CLADHACH AN ALBAINN 1 NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS quality. The number of illustrations (photographs and plans etc) selected for inclusion reflects the space 1.1 Content of DES available in the journal. The editor will accept appropriate accounts of all forms of • Not all illustrations will be included, but the submission archaeological discoveries. It is preferable to submit entries of a range of illustrations is helpful. We aim to include a in the year of discovery, but contributions may also be variety of images and plans, showing different types of submitted up to three years later. They may cover: finds, sites and activities. • Assessment (desk-based assessments should only be • Please supply colour and black and white greyscale submitted if undertaken as part of additional work) images as jpg