EHG3112 - Excavations at Uamh an Eich Bhric, Fiskavaig, Isle of Skye

Excavations took place at Uamh an Eich Bhric (Cave of the Speckled Horse) following preliminary rescue work and site evaluations undertaken between October 2006 and March 2008. The excavations were grant aided by Historic Scotland and aimed to further evaluate the extent and preservation of the surviving portions of a Late Iron Age midden while at the same time removing sections of the midden from further erosion by storm action. Two trenches were excavated, one at the southern end of the exposed midden and one at the north. The excavations revealed a short-lived sequence of occupation deposits and associated hearths with large quantities of ecofactual material including a well-preserved faunal assemblage. A wide range of small finds was also recovered including stone, iron, copper-alloy, bone and antler artefacts, ceramics and evidence for both iron and copper-alloy working. The excavations have demonstrated the potential importance of the site, both in a local and an Atlantic Iron Age context. A second season of excavations is scheduled for 2009. <1>-<3>