EHG4186 - Trial trenching - Auchterblair Farm, Carrbridge

Trial trenching was carried out by Highland Archaeology Services at Auchterblair Farm, Carrbridge in 2013. On arrival it appeared that the area to be investigated had been reduced in size from the original proposal of approximately 1094m² to around 700m² and the shape had also changed slightly. The trenches were laid out within this new area as per the original proposal and covered around 29% of the new area. A 1.5m wide toothless ditching bucket was used and trenches were at least this wide. All other methodology was as per the original proposal. Seven features were recorded cutting into the subsoil, of which three were considered to be of potential archaeological significance. These were of significant size and were cut deep into the subsoil. Bulk samples were taken from these features and recommendations for some further post-excavation work were made. During subsequent site visit it was seen that similar features had existed between the trenches but these were unfortunately destroyed before they could be recorded. <1> Subsequent environmental analysis recovered one small fragment of apparently prehistoric pottery, together with barley grains and evidence of burning. <2>