EHG5812 - Excavation - new housing and retail, Church Street, Inverness

An archaeological evaluation and excavation were undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2020-21 prior to the construction of 10 flats and ground floor retail space at 99 Church Street, Inverness. The requirement arose because the development site is located within the medieval town core of Inverness, an area of rich archaeological potential. Following the demolition of the historic building on site, the archaeological evaluation and subsequent excavation was carried out between 16th November 2020 and 19th January 2021, which revealed medieval structures, complex deeply stratified deposits, and associated artefacts. The results were grouped into three approximate phases of occupation. Phase 1 represented a period of post-medieval settlement, dominated by a row of up to five substantial stone buildings. Phase 2 was represented by a medieval wattle and daub structure, which had been destroyed by fire. Phase 3 contained earlier medieval settlement, including a stone wall and layers of structural debris. An extensive artefact and ecofact assemblage, including iron-smithing debris, medieval ceramics and artefacts, animal bone, and well-preserved burnt wood timbers, was recovered during the excavation. A programme of post-excavation analyses is required in order to interpret the chronology and activities on the site. <1>