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 2 | Dun Deardail | Clare Ellis, Murray Cook and Matt Ritchie | 19/11/2014 Dun Deardail 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 3 | Dun Deardail | Clare Ellis, Murray Cook and Matt Ritchie | 19/11/2014 Dun Deardail 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. 4 | Dun Deardail | Clare Ellis, Murray Cook and Matt Ritchie | 19/11/2014 Dun Deardail 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