EHG6586 - Watching brief - Evelix Quarry extension (Initial phase)

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in 2026 in advance of an extension to Evelix Quarry, Dornoch. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20th January and 25th February 2026 (with further work planned) and encompassed only 18% of the site a its northern extent. The work took place in a variety of weather conditions, varying from overcast and rainy to cold and sunny. During this initial phase of watching brief 57 archaeological features and one stone structure were recorded. These were concentrated in three distinct zones, including a group of 29 pits and postholes (Zone 1), 26 pits and postholes (Zone 2), and two connected pits and a posthole (Zone 3). Zones 1-2 were considered to represent the possible remains of roundhouses. The excavation of a sunken, sub oval stone-lined structure in Zone 2 was considered the most significant and unusual of the excavated features. This was characterised by a slabbed stone floor flanked by large foundation boulders and blocks which was overlain by several regular horizontal stone courses and steep entrance steps. The bonding of the lower levels of this structure with a viscous, clay-like mortar likely points to its function for holding liquid, and its use as a ritualised well has been suggested. Within the structure’s internal area were a series of infilled deposits, the basal material being used to lay out an adult human burial. No grave goods were found, though the presence of a large quantity of animal bone in the deposit overlying the skeleton, itself capped by a layer of otherwise sterile charcoal-rich material, may point to the structure’s ceremonial decommissioning. The apparent blocking of the stepped staircase into the structure appeared to bear this theory out. The structures and features within Zones 1-2 were thought to be of an Iron Age date due to the recovery of broadly dateable material culture, including a shale bangle fragment and a broken steatite bowl. It was felt that additional post-excavation analysis of the human skeleton, material culture, soil samples and ecofacts would add to the understanding of these features and, therefore, a range of further post-excavation analysis work was recommended. <1>