EHG5362 - Evaluation and watching brief - Kingsteps, Nairn

An archaeological trial trenching evaluation and watching brief were carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in November 2018 on land at Kingsteps, Nairn, in advance of the construction of a new housing development with associated infrastructure. The works were part of a planning requirement, as the proposed development site was located in an area with potential for the survival of sub-surface archaeological remains. Evaluation trenching took place over five days between 26th and 30th November 2018. Thirty four trenches of various sizes were excavated across the site with an area totalling 5156m² (7.5% of the development area). Three pits of possible prehistoric origin and the remains of linear features likely to be related to rig and furrow cultivation were uncovered. A watching brief for future site clearance was recommended within a 30m radius of the recorded archaeological pit features to identify any further archaeological remains. The watching brief took place over three days between 28th – 30th November 2018, covering two areas of the development site within a badger exclusion zone. No finds or features of archaeological interest were recorded. No further work was recommended in these areas. <1> A further watching brief was undertaken in 2019 - see EHG5363. Post-excavation work revealed that the site was multi-period. The archaeological features excavated comprised a possible Mesolithic feature, Neolithic fire pits, Early and Late Bronze Age pits, Iron Age and Pictish pits, and linear post-medieval features. In addition, further pits were identified which were similar in form and size to the Bronze Age pits and have therefore been interpreted as possibly prehistoric in date. <2>