EHG5407 - Excavation - Tornagrain Phase 1A

An archaeological excavation was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2015 on behalf of Moray Estates ahead of a start of long-term residential development with retail, commercial and community elements at Tornagrain, Croy, Inverness-shire. This followed an evaluation comprising trial trenching (see EHG5406). The excavation of three targeted areas revealed a stratigraphic sequence of sandy topsoil overlying natural deposits of sand and gravel. Numerous archaeological cut features were identified, most of which were variously sized pits alongside several possible post-holes. Amongst the finds recovered from the features were large amount of slag material, indicative of Iron Age smelting and/or smithing, as well as prehistoric ceramic sherds. The preliminary examination of the pottery assemblage suggests material present from is from the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age through to Later Prehistoric periods. <1>