EHG3638 - Trial trenching - Charleston, North Kessock

Trial trenching evaluation was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2011 in advance of site clearance for construction of offices at North Kessock, Inverness. It was found that the site had been considerably disturbed when the adjoining road system and A9 junction were constructed and also used for a contractor’s site compound during construction of nearby houses. In some areas, particularly in the eastern part of the site, the former topsoil had been stripped in the past and a considerable depth of excavated material had been deposited over the top. It was therefore not possible to obtain a clear indication of what if anything might survive generally within the site area as a whole. In total thirteen of the originally planned nineteen trenches, measuring 20m x 2m, were machine excavated although the positions of some were amended. In addition engineering test pitting was conducted alongside the archaeological trenches providing an additional opportunity to observe these excavations. One of these test pits (No.8) in the eastern part of the site was subsequently extended. Although Iron Age features had been recorded from areas adjoining this site, no significant archaeology was found in the trenches. Several small features, comprising sub-oval pits of indeterminate function and origin, were exposed. A watching brief on any subsequent site stripping was recommended to identify and record any surviving archaeological features or artefacts. <1><2>