EHG5584 - Geophysical survey - A9 Dualling (Northern Section, Dalraddy to Slochd)

AOC Archaeology Group, commissioned by Atkins Mouchel Joint Venture, undertook an archaeological geophysical survey (gradiometer and earth resistance) in 2017 to investigate the potential for buried archaeological remains along the route of the Northern Section of the A9 Dualling Programme, on behalf of Transport Scotland. The gradiometer survey focussed on four specific survey parcels located between Dalraddy and Slochd (NH 86815 10080 to NH 90963 17773) totalling an area of approximately 8 ha across mixed pasture land. The earth resistance survey targeted features of interest observed in the gradiometer survey results. The gradiometer survey results identified a number of linear and curvilinear trends, as well as a number of areas of magnetic disturbance, all with unclear origins. The anomalies in particular are weak in form compared to the natural geology of the area and it is difficult to interpret whether these anomalies have an archaeological origin or if they are more natural in form. In Area 1, a number of weak linear trends were identified alongside a couple of discrete pit like features, all of unclear origins. A possible service was also detected. In Area 2, large swathes of geological variations were identified in the dataset along with a number of trends and areas of magnetic disturbance of an unclear origin. In particular, the unclear trends in the south of the dataset were detected in the earth resistance results and are likely to be archaeological in origin. Features of a modern origin were also detected. In Area 3, similar swathes of geological variations were also interpreted as well as areas of modern disturbance. Unclear trends were also identified which could have archaeological origins. In Area 4, four areas of magnetic disturbance were interpreted as well as several linear and curvilinear trends, all of which have unclear origins. In particular an amorphous trend in the north of the area was also identified in the earth resistance results which could have archaeological origins. A possible service was also identified as well as a small area of geological variations. A number of areas of magnetic disturbance most likely the result of modern activity were also recorded across all datasets as well as a number of ferrous anomalies. <1>