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MHG37318 - Rockshelter and Midden - RUBHA A GHAIR

Summary

A rockshelter and midden were investigated during the Scotland's First Settlers Project.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Created automatically by NMRS Register Utility
User: Admin, Date: Wed 13 Oct 2004
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NG76SW 9 7230 6121
The following sites were recorded between October 1999 and May 2000 as part of the Scotland's First Settlers Project (See DES 2000, 44):
NG 7230 6121 Rubha a Ghair Rockshelter. + *
Notes: + = containing visible midden.
* = test-pitted sites.
> = sites considered inappropriate for test pitting.
A full report has been lodged with the NMRS.

This site was investigated by the Scotland's First Settlers Project in 2000. It was a low, damp rock-shelter which faced roughly north across Loch Torridon towards Craig and Redpoint. It lay at the eastern end of an old sea cliff that trailed westwards down to the water. There was a very small deposit of midden at the rear of the cave, but no walls or other occupation traces were apparent. Only one test pit was excavated as the midden was relatively inaccessible. There were six pieces of quartz, six of chalcedonic silica,and a debitage flake of Rùm bloodstone. Seven of these pieces were debitage, and the rest were regular flakes. The finds also included a single bevelled pebble (a type of tool which has been linked with Mesolithic sites elsewhere), and the tip fragment of an iron knife with remains of an organic scabbard.
The lithics were undiagnostic, the coarse stone tool may be Mesolithic, and the knife was of Early Historic or medieval date. <1>

See link below to the published Scottish Archaeological Internet Report 31 for further details.

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 7230 6120 (20m by 20m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG76SW
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	APPLECROSS

Finds (4)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

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External Links (2)