EHG3209 - Excavation of early medieval burial ground, Newhall Point, Balblair

Rescue excavation was carried out in 1985 on the recorded site of an early medieval burial ground and chapel prior to the construction of a new dwelling house at Newhall Point, Balblair. Initially two small trenches were opened and a probe survey was conducted across the threatened area. Followig the discovery of three burials within the trial trenches, three larger areas were opened and exavated. A complex cluster of east/west and north/south orientated skeletons was uncovered. The roughly circular cemetery, c.20m in diameter, was at least partly enclosed by a ditch. Crudely worked, sandstone blocks found within some grave fills formed "head-sets". No artefacts were found in any of the graves. The project was funded by Historic Scotland. <1>