EHG5319 - Watching Brief - A9 Berriedale Braes, Berriedale, Caithness

An archaeological watching brief carried out in advance of improvement works to the existing A9 road. The watching brief was required due to the presence of a previously known unroofed structure in the development area. This structure was evaluated by AOC Archaeology in 2017, revealing a post-medieval structure with a wellpreserved cobble floor with drains likely representing use as a byre/bothy with secondary re-use. The watching brief was carried out during topsoil stripping around the site as part of the removal of the postmedieval structure, to ensure that all archaeological features related to this structure were recorded. Fieldwork was carried out from 13th to 17th August 2018. Ground clearance and dismantling of the postmedieval building was monitored and while further recorded of the structure was carried out, no further archaeological discoveries were made relating to it. At the same time as these works, visual inspection of recently disturbed ground resulting from ground investigations adjacent to the east side of the cemetery identified scatters of lithics debitage over the area. The archaeologists excavated a series of test pits in the area and discovered that while some lithic material had been displaced, there was significant lithics material surviving in an undisturbed underlying soil. Initial identification of these lithics indicates that Mesolithic material is present, along with possible Neolithic finds. It is recommended that further archaeological excavation is carried out to allow greater understanding of the site and further recovery of artefacts before the ground works commence for improvements to the road. <1>