MHG54233 - Prehistoric settlement - Beechwood, Inverness
Summary
A complex of ditches, pits and postholes, recorded during archaeological evaluation, comprise a probable Bronze Age/Iron Age settlement. Grooved Ware found on the site may also indicate in-situ Late Neolithic activity on the site.
Type and Period (1)
- SETTLEMENT (Neolithic to Late Iron Age - 3200 BC? to 560 AD?)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
A complex of features were recorded in Area A, during the first stage of archaeological evaluation at Beechwood. The features consisted of a cluster of postholes, pits and ditches, some intercutting, and some containing Later Prehistoric Pottery. One of the pits in Trench 1 contained a sherd of Grooved Ware, together with coarse prehistoric pottery. In trench 3, a ditch terminus was excavated, with a rounded base. A quantity of impressed daub was recorded, pressed against the Eastern side of the terminus. This ditch terminus cut a pit feature.
These features suggest a later prehistoric settlement of Bronze Age or Iron Age date, consisting of a ditched enclosure with a number of post built structures. The sherd of Grooved Ware may indicate on-site Neolithic activity dating to the end of the 4th millennium BC. <1>
Further evaluations took place over the rest of the site in October 2010. These revealed numerous features of archaoelogical significance including curvilinear ditches and a variety of pit and post-hole features. Artefacts recovered included a single flint flake and prehistoric pottery sherds. The archaeological data is suggestive of Bronze Age/Iron Age later prehistoric settlement comprising ditched enclosures and timber post-built structures. <2>
This is a general record for all the findings thus far pending the results of the next stage of work at which point the records will be split. <3>
Sources/Archives (3)
- <1> SHG25059 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Engl, R and Clements, V. 01/2009. East Beechwood Farm, Inverness, Highland: Archaeological Evaluation Phase 1, Stage 1. AOC Archaeology Group. Digital. Area A.
- <2> SHG25215 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Engl, R. 11/2010. East Beechwood, Inverness: Archaeological Evaluation (October 2010). AOC Archaeology Group. Digital.
- <3> SHG23297 Verbal Communication: Tilbury, S. Comment by Sylvina Tilbury, HER Officer.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NH 6918 4497 (697m by 1030m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NH64SE |
| Civil Parish | INVERNESS AND BONA |
| Geographical Area | INVERNESS |
Finds (4)
- SHERD (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2401 BC)
- DAUB (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2400 BC? to 560 AD?)
- SHERD (Neolithic to Late Iron Age - 4000 BC? to 560 AD?)
- FLAKE (Neolithic to Late Iron Age - 4000 BC? to 560 AD?)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (2)
External Links (0)
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