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MHG51360 - Cultivation remains south of Forres Road, Nairn

Summary

A number of undated linear ditched features revealed during trial trenching, probably furrows from rig and furrow cultivation.

Type and Period (5)

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Full Description

A number of undated linear ditched features were revealed during trial trenching in September 2008. Nine of the 24 trenches contained such features, which may be related to rig and furrow cultivation, field drainage or other agricultural activities. With the exception of two, all the features shared similar characteristics and the fills were indicative of a relatively recent date for infilling. <1>

Further excavations in 2011 demonstrated that the majority of the ditches either run parallel or perpendicular to, or terminate adjacent to each other, suggesting they are contemporary. They all appear to have silted up naturally over time, and coupled with the lack of domestic debris or finds, this suggests that they represent agricultural ditches forming part of a large field system. The differential spacing suggests an irregular arrangement probably with smaller enclosures within fields, with the adjacent and parallel ditches forming trackways or walkways between the fields. The few finds from the ditches, including a single shard of glass (possibly intrusive) and small amounts of industrial waste, suggest a medieval to post-medieval date. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 89456 56145 (138m by 157m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH85NE
Civil Parish	NAIRN
Geographical Area	NAIRN

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)