EHG5327 - Watching brief and evaluation - Dounreay-Mybster OHL mitigation works

Archaeological mitigation works were undertaken by CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) between March 2015 and February 2016 for the Dounreay to Mybster Overhead Line upgrade works in Caithness. The objectives of the project were: demarcation of sites lying in close proximity to the construction access routes and overhead line - this included Sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 12 and 15 and targeted watching briefs to be conducted during ground breaking works in areas identified as being of cultural heritage sensitivity within the ES. Following on from discoveries made during the watching brief, additional excavation work was conducted near Tower UT1-2-TWR3 following agreement with HCHET, to excavate and record the features revealed within the stripped area to a sufficient level to elucidate their likely function, date and character. Trial trenching evaluation was also conducted near tower TP1-2-TWR12 (Area D) in advance of soil stripping for a new tower foundation. Area A: a concentration of features was revealed to the immediate west of Knock Urray Broch which comprised an oval structure defined by ditches with three interior pits. It is uncertain what the structure represents, though its form and the location of the pits suggest the possibility that it was a house, however it may also be the remains of a hengiform monument. It is considered likely to be prehistoric in date. A second ditch and a shallow pit nearby were also identified. Area D: two longhouses and associated features were demarcated. A suite of features were directly impacted by the work, including a linear field bank, a hollow-way, a rectangular quarry pit and agricultural terraces. These features are most likely the remains of agricultural and building activity associated with the longhouses. <1> The excavation assemblage was submitted to Treasure Trove (TT 120/18) and allocated to the NMS. <>