EHG3611 - Excavation - Swordle Bay, Ardnamurchan (2007 season)

Further excavations were carried out in the summer of 2007 as a part of the Ardnamurchan Transitions Project at Swordle Bay, Ardnamurchan. Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) was granted by Historic Scotland for the excavation of three small trenches within the designated area of the Cladh Aindreis chambered cairn. A small cairn was uncovered in trench 1 as well as a sub-oval pit, a ditch and stones possibly associated with the chambered cairn. Trench 2 revealed multiple layers of deposits suggesting that the chambered cairn was originally built on natural sand, probably a low dune. Trench 3 revealed a sequence of buried soils which were decided to be a focus for the 2008 season. Eleven further test pits were carried out along the edge of the knoll and to the east of the chambered cairn to try and situate the site within its localised context. <1> This research field school, run jointly between Newcastle University and Manchester University, was carried out between the 24th of June and the 8th of July 2007 where three trenches were opened at the chambered cairn of Cladh Aindreis as well as numerous test pits to the south of the cairn. This work aimed to provide information about the sequence of tomb construction and the subsequent robbing of the monument. The ATP team also aimed to further explore the relationship between the cairn and activity in its forecourt, immediately to the south of the cairn. Evidence for, and confirmation of, robbing was discovered in two trenches. A single piece of prehistoric pottery as well as prehistoric pieces of flint were uncovered. <2>