EHG6562 - Watching brief - housing development, Conon South

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2025 ahead of the development of a new residential housing estate at Conon South, Conon Bridge. Fieldwork was undertaken following a previous trial trenching evaluation (see EHG6406). The fieldwork targeted areas notable for their high degree of archaeological activity during the evaluation, with three large areas and one smaller area stripped across the site. During these works 41 possible archaeological features were recorded. These features were particularly concentrated in the north and central areas of the east trench while several roughly dispersed features were discovered at a comparatively low intensity in the central and west trenches. Throughout the fieldwork and subsequent analysis it remained clear that the presence of archaeological features on the site was closely related to areas of higher ground. The positioning of the curvilinear ditch and associated features at the highest point within the East Trench exemplifies this.The excavated features comprised 26 pits, six post pits or postholes, three ditches, three postholes or pits, a curvilinear ring ditch (itself containing three probable postholes), and a charcoal rich stone rubble spread. A notable quantity of 72 probable prehistoric ceramic pot sherds were recovered during the works, 62 of which originated from the fill of a single pit feature. In view of these discoveries, it was recommended that a limited programme of post-excavation analysis should be undertaken. A Post-Excavation Research Design (PERD) should be prepared. <1>