EHG992 - Trial trenching - Sandown, Nairn

A trial trenching evaluation was carried out by Glasgow University (GUARD) in 2002 ahead of proposed development at Sandown Farm, Tradespark, Nairn. A total of 31 trenches 100 m long by 1.6 m wide were opened across the whole site. The trenches were located either deliberately to investigate areas previously identified as potentially being of archaeological interest, or were dispersed randomly to locate any previously un-identified archaeological deposits. An attempt was made to distribute these trenches equally through the rest of the site. However, the centre of the southern field could not be investigated due to its waterlogged condition. In additional, the field contained lines of hay bales, which also had to be avoided. The topsoil was removed by two JCB machines, with toothless buckets, and any resulting possible archaeological material was planned and recorded by written record, drawing and photograph. Some partial excavation was also made to understand specific deposits. The fieldwork identified an agricultural landscape, together with associated farm buildings or crofts, probably of 19th-century date, but perhaps beginning in the late 18th century. A series of rectangular pits may also be of this date. Two lithics were discovered in one area of the site, but were not directly associated with any archaeological deposits. <1> NOTE: Trench 30 is shown at c.145m in length on Figure 1.