EHG5268 - Geophysical and Metal Detecting Surveys - Culloden House, Inverness

AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by Lochaber Archaeological Society to undertake an archaeological geophysical survey (gradiometer and earth resistance) to investigate the potential for buried archaeological remains at Culloden House, Inverness (centred at NH 72034 46391). A total of 0.3 hectares were surveyed, targeting a low mound at the southwest end of the Culloden House grounds. The results of the magnetometer survey identified a number of discrete pit-like anomalies within the mound area as well as a number of linear trends of an unknown origin that, due to the small survey area size, are difficult to interpret. These also appear to match topographic changes in the area. Furthermore a large area of magnetic disturbance surrounding the mound and discrete pit like anomalies suggest human activity in the area. A number of small highly ferrous anomalies were also identified which although could be modern in origin, such as debris in the topsoil, could also be of an archaeological origin. The results of the earth resistance survey identified a number of low resistance linear trends which correlate with the location of the mound and linear trends identified in the magnetometer survey. A number of high resistance anomalies also appear to match topographical features in the area and features detected in the magnetometer data. This report also contains the results of a metal-detecting and walkover survey conducted by the Lochaber Archaeological Society. The metal detecting survey recovered a number of artefacts, most of which comprised modern detritus and mid 20th century finds. A number of potentially significant finds included mid 18th century halfpennies, lead waste from a 5.5cm sprew casting pistol ball, an iron buckle/clasp, military-style shirt buttons, set of plough ends (18th -19th century?), and a 10cm ornamental brass base. The walkover survey located the site of a low mound at the southwest end of the Culloden House grounds, in the location of the ‘brangas tree’ shown on historical mapping. A rectangular feature was also noted at the northeast end of the lawn to the southwest side of the building, which may represent a platform associated with previous structures on the site. <1>