EHG3739 - Trial trenching - Rhicullen, near Invergordon, Rosskeen

An archaeological evaluation, comprising trial trenching, was carried out by S Farrell in November 2011 at Rhicullen, Newmore, Invergordon as part of a project for 8 house plots with associated access and services. Topsoil was removed to an average depth of 0.3m across the site. Excavation of c10% (a total of 31 trenches or 1848.2m²) of the main development area revealed a number of archaeological features with the possible remains of rig and furrow and a spade-cut pit being found to the north edge of the development site but disturbed by later ploughing. Towards the centre of the site an amount of C19 clearance material was revealed, dumped probably as a result of field clearance, though also found were a pit of an unknown date, which contained slag and/or furnace lining material and which seemed to have been burnt in-situ and a possible tree-bole or disturbed pit. Two trenches were also excavated on the line of a proposed new access road, though this lay in an area of semi-woodland. Recommendations for further archaeological work were proposed, in the form of a watching brief to the lower part of the site for the construction of the access road and two house plots and post-excavation work. <1>