Radiocarbon Results

The above table shows the Radiocarbon results as analysed by SUERC.

Contexts beginning with 1 are central trenches, and those beginning with 2 are trenches across the wall, the sample being taken from the inside of the wall.
 

Loch Raa

• The dates refer to the latest and earliest of the three hearths uncovered.
• The late date is contemporaneous with the date from Achnahaird, and is Early Iron Age.
• The earliest is Mid Bronze Age

Achnahaird

• The date is contemporaneous with the later date from Loch Raa, Early Iron Age.

Auchtercairn 1

• The dates are from the top and bottom of the intensely burned reddish soil layer. They are not significantly different and are Early Iron Age.

Auchtercairn 2

• The date in Trench 1 indicates Late Bronze Age activity.
• The date in Trench 4 (a neighbouring circular structure) shows that much earlier activity was taking place, late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age.

Auchtercairn 3

• The earlier date taken from the hearth area shows that activity was taking place in Late Neolithic.
• The later date taken from under the wall shows Middle Bronze Age activity, before the wall was in place.

Srathain 1

• This seemed to be a recessed platform with no wall structure; the date indicates Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age activity there. The date is contemporaneous with the central trench date from Rhue.

Rhue

• The date from the central trench is contemporaneous with the Srathain date.
• The date from the wall trench is Later Iron Age.