EHG5316 - Excavation and sampling - Crannog, Loch Vaa

Excavation and sampling at Loch Vaa crannog were undertaken in May 2019. The work was carried out due to exceptionally low water levels which received media attention (BBC 2019). The low water levels were seen as a potential risk to sensitive organic archaeological deposits as well as an opportunity for the Living on Water project (led by SUERC) and the Comparative Kingship project (led by the University of Aberdeen) to assess the site for potential to carry out further work in support of their ongoing crannog and settlement research. The work consisted of survey and evaluation of the crannog both above and below water to assess what, if any, impact lower water levels had on the survival of organic remains. Survey of the islet demonstrated that no timber or organic material was exposed due to the lower water levels. The underwater survey identified a number of timber elements visible on the crannog mound. Two small trenches revealed organic deposits and structural timbers which were still at least 0.15 m below water as it was on 16 May 2019. Samples of three structural timbers were taken for radiocarbon dating, one of which was progressed for measurement. <1>