EHG5184 - Survey and Small Scale Excavation - Loch of the Clans Crannog

A small-scale excavation of a crannog in the former Loch of the Clans, Nairnshire, was carried out by M Stratigos of SUERC in 2017. This project was carried out with funds from the Findlay Harris Dick Prize for Pictish Research with the express aim to test the potential of the Loch of the Clans crannogs to contain mid-late first millennium AD phases. The work included topographic survey and excavation of a single 2x2m trench over the artificial island mound of Loch of the Clans I crannog. The excavation revealed poor survival of organic material where it was hoped waterlogged conditions would result in better preservation. Survival of deep (>3 metres) deposits of lacustrine mud and peat were identified in coring in the centre of the loch, but no trace of Loch of the Clans II crannog was identified. However, at Loch of the Clans I, clear anthropogenic layers of the crannog were identified that included substantial charred organic and charcoal remains. Two single entity samples for radiocarbon dating returned a dates from the 1st-2nd century AD. No later first millennium AD phases can be confidently assigned to the crannog, but given the significant antiquarian and Improvement period intrusion, Pictish period (AD 400-800) occupation at this site cannot be ruled out. <1>