EHG214 - Trial trenching - Dellfield, Inshes

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by CFA at Dellfield of Inshes in May 1998 in advance of a proposed retail park development at Dellfield, Inshes, Inverness. The objectives of the project were: to identify the nature and extent of any archaeological remains which may exist within the application area; to propose arrangements for the safeguarding where possible and recording where necessary of any archaeological features or finds identified; and to ensure that the needs for archaeological conservation and recording are met without causing any unnecessary delay or disturbance to the development project. A total area of 1680m², over 2% of the total development area, was excavated. Twenty-three trenches of various sizes were machine-stripped and cleaned by hand. Fifteen of the trenches contained no archaeological sub-surface features. Buried features were identified in eight trenches. Small pits were located in trenches 4, 14 and 15. Two of the pits in trench 15 were rich in charcoal. Linear features, possibly old agricultural furrows or ditches were identified in trenches 8, 16 and 21. An amorphous spread of silt was identified within a hollow in trench 16; a single piece of charred wood was recovered from this context but was not believed to be of archaeological significance. A substantial modern stone-lined culvert was located in trench 12. No artefacts were retrieved from any of these features, with the exception of modem pottery and glass from trenches 4 and 12. All of the features identified appear to be isolated remains. As such there was no evidence for a major archaeological constraint. There was the potential for a site to be present at the southern end of the development area, for which conducting a watching brief during the development works was recommended <1>