EHG5477 - Watching brief - housing development, Phases 5A and 5B, Dalmore

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in 2020 on land 200m southeast of Alness Academy, Dalmore, Alness, which forms part of a larger housing development. The proposed development area has historically consisted of improved ground forming part of Dalmore Farm and has remained relatively undeveloped. The previous phases of the development had also been subject to several programmes of archaeological monitoring which uncovered two roundhouses and many prehistoric pits and postholes. The features have been dated to the Bronze Age and Iron Age. The watching brief for Phases 5A and 5B of the development were carried out between 10th February – 13th March 2020. A total of 77 features were uncovered in four distinct pit groups comprising: one cremation urn, two cremation burials, 18 postholes and 56 pits. The cremation urn was undecorated and deposited upright. The cremation burials comprised bone-rich pit features with flat stones at the base, and it is likely that the cremated remains were deposited on top of these stones in an organic vessel that has since degraded. The postholes identified were mostly found amongst pit groups, with some in isolation, and may represent the truncated or partially visible remains of structures. The pit features comprised fire pits and numerous pits of unknown function, the majority of which are likely refuse pits. A range of artefacts were uncovered including prehistoric pottery, lithics and stone tools. <1>