EHG6368 - Trial trenching - proposed housing, Riverford, Conon Bridge

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2024 to satisfy a planning condition in advance of a new Housing Estate at Riverford, Conon Bridge. Fieldwork was undertaken between the 25th of November to the 5th of December 2024. The work took place in a variety of conditions from heavy rains and cloudy skies, to dry, sunny and freezing. During the evaluation 34 trenches were excavated. During these works 16 possible archaeological features were recorded. These comprised 4 pits, one posthole/post-pad, 6 charcoal rich possible fire pits, one charcoal spread, 3 shallow ditches, the possible remains of a track with associated ditches and two possible large stone settings or drains. It was felt the environmental samples taken from excavated features recorded in Tr.1, Tr.8, Tr.11, Tr.12, Tr.16 and Tr.32 should be processed by flotation in order to recover all cremated and unburnt bone, charred plant remains and other cultural material that may be present. It was also felt that two areas of targeted strip map and sample should be carried out in the north and the southern extent of the site where archaeological features were most prevalent. These should be targeted in areas where there was a high density of archaeological activity noted during the evaluation. <1>