EHG6130 - Topographic survey - crannog, Loch Achility, Contin

A topographical survey was undertaken by members of NoSAS and the Nautical Archaeological Society (NAS) in 2022-23 of Loch Achilty Crannog. The survey sat within the wider NOSAS crannogs project. It had been decided to concentrate on sites where there was no record of diving having taken place, no excavation had taken place in modern times and there was no scientific dating evidence. It was clear that the vast majority of sites had never been studied since they were first recorded in antiquarian times. The aim of the survey at Loch Achilty was to establish not only the extent of the island above water but to record the full extent of the artificial mound rising from the bed of the loch. The artificial mound and the loch bed surrounding it were examined underwater to look for any artefacts associated with it, particularly anything which might provide dating evidence. The survey was carried out 18-19th August 2022. At the end of the survey the NAS divers discovered two timbers which were embedded in the stone mound on the crannog's north side. Subsequent dives were arranged on 11 March and 16 April 2023, the first with an NAS trustee and the second with a diver who had recently joined NOSAS. Samples of the embedded timbers were taken for carbon dating. One timber was sampled on each dive, the timber proving very hard and time consuming to cut. <1>