EHG383 - Excavation - Eastgate development, Inverness

Following an evaluation by AOC Archaeology at the Eastgate Centre, Inverness prior to commercial redevelopment in 1999-2000 (see EHG167) an open area excavation was carried out in the southern part of the site between 24th January and 4th February 2000 to further investigate the features identified in the trenches. The 'L'-shaped area of the excavation covered approximately 725m² and the substrate of the former car park and made ground were removed by machine down to the first significant archaeological deposit or natural sands and gravels. Features that were clearly modern were not sectioned. Concrete foundations and sandstone walls related to the buildings which formerly stood on the site. A large 'U'-shaped ditch oriented roughly north-south (Ditch 1), of which 45m was fully exposed, was identified as the medieval burghal ditch and sections were excavated. A second ditch (Ditch 2) which cut Ditch 1 at a right angle was identified as a possible filter or outlet for foul water in the burghal ditch. A large key-hole shaped pit was identified as the remnants of a kiln probably used to dry grain prior to milling or storage. <1> See also published article. <2>