EHG5301 - Trial Trenching - Alness Academy

An archaeological evaluation carried out at Alness Academy in advance of the construction of a new school building and 3G sports pitch with associated infrastructure and landscaping. The evaluation was required as part of a planning requirement as the site is within in an area of rich archaeological potential. The archaeological evaluation comprised 32 trenches spread across two areas of the development, one to the southeast of the current school building in an area of playing fields and one to the northwest side of the present school. Trenches in the southeastern area contained modern field drains with no archaeological evidence uncovered. While the majority of the trenches in the northwestern area contained no archaeological material, one area contained a close group of 25 pits. The features were recorded and evaluated, producing a struck flint flake and evidence for burning, interpreted to be likely of prehistoric date. A programme of mitigation has been recommended to limit the impact of the development on the buried archaeology. <1>