EHG5694 - Watching brief - new housing, Dean's Park, Dornoch

A watching brief was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2018 during groundworks in advance of a phased housing development at Deans Park, Dornoch. In 2008 Alba Archaeology undertook a programme of archaeological works, including a trial trench evaluation and desk-based assessment (see EHG3390). This work uncovered a range of archaeological features, including ditches and a possible Bronze Age ring- ditch barrow monument. In November 2018, AOC Archaeology undertook a watching brief on one phase (Phase 3) of the site, which uncovered one ring-ditch and three pit- defined round structures. Other features identified included a pit and three linear features. A programme of post-excavation analysis was undertaken, which determined that the fills of the features were heavily disturbed. The three pit- defined round structures contained a metal find and glass. Two radiocarbon dates were obtained, one modern and the other Iron Age. The function and use of these features are unknown but could represent small structures. The identified ring-ditch is likely the truncated remains of a Bronze Age burial monument, while the linear features identified on site are post-medieval boundary ditches. <1>