Print

MHG51572 - Early Bronze Age burnt mound - Arisaig

Summary

An early Bronze Age burnt mound discovered and subsequently excavated during works in advance of the A830 road improvements between Loch nan Uamh and Arisaig in Lochaber.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

An early Bronze Age burnt mound discovered and subsequently excavated during works in advance of the A830 road improvements between Loch nan Uamh and Arisaig in Lochaber.

A programme of archaeological trial trenching and test pitting was undertaken by CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) between June and July 2005 within the corridor of the proposed A830 Fort William to Mallaig Trunk Road upgrading, between Loch Nan Uamh in the south-east and Arisaig in the north-west. Significant sites at Arisaig, Borrodale and Lochan Torr na Nighinn (Brunary Burn) were evaluated, with additional work being undertaken at a number of other sites of less significance. Trial trenching in the area of Site 51 (from the walkover survey - see EHG4901) comprised 142m². The placement of trenches was restricted by the presence of overhead power lines, trees, exposed bedrock and a foul sewer. Six trenches were excavated which were initially partially placed to investigate a linear field bank and most of the available level ground. Only Trench 16 located any archaeological remains and these consisted of what appeared to be a burnt mound. It was recommended that the burnt mound and adjacent and subjacent features would be fully investigated. <1>

Between September and November 2005 a trench measuring c 13 x 12m was machine excavated by CFA Archaeology, revealing a weathered spread of reddened fire-cracked stones with intermittent charcoal covering an area of 11 x 6m and to be aligned north/south. Although damaged by the later excavation of a ditch and field drain, it appeared the burnt mound lay on low banks of sand, which may have been natural or introduced to the site. There was a stream on one side and a marshy area on the other. The sand banks sealed an underlying primary deposit of burnt material containing stones that were not similarly reddened and this was associated with a stake-hole. It was suggested that the material represented more than one phase of use, in what was clearly a wet area. Few artefacts were recovered from the burnt mound site, a common trait with monuments such as these. Ecofacts were common but in variable condition. There were no remains of wooden structures and no hearth. Substantial quantities of charcoal were recovered, with particular emphasis being placed on the palaeochannel where post-depositional disturbance and compaction had been minimised and preservation was best. Further post-excavation work was planned. <2>

Further to the excavation of the burnt mound, subsequent topsoil stripping across this area was monitored by CFA Archaeology in 2007. No features of archaeological significance were found. A lens of burnt material related to the previous excavation of the burnt mound was noted along the northern edge of the monitored area. <3>

The excavation and post-excavation analysis of the site was subsequently published as SAIR Vol. 39. The burnt mound at Arisaig is the first to be recorded
in Lochaber and is therefore an important contribution to our understanding of the distribution of these features. A small assemblage of twelve artefacts of local quartz from within the burnt material was discussed. The charcoal assemblage was compared to spectra of pollen from contemporary deposits of peat in the area. Studies of the nature and origin of the burnt material via the results of soil magnetic susceptibility and thin-section analyses were also presented. Six radiocarbon dates from three associated contexts were found to span the period from 2550 to 1900 BC and suggested the burnt mound accumulated during the Early Bronze Age. <4>

The excavation assemblage from the overall A830 Loch nan Uamh to Arisaig project is listed in the NMS catalogue under Acc. No. 2012.11. <5>

Sources/Archives (5)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NM 6668 8650 (13m by 13m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NM68NE
Civil Parish	ARISAIG AND MOIDART
Geographical Area	LOCHABER

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (3)

External Links (2)