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MHG58705 - Rockshelters and Midden - Coire Sgamhadil 3-6

Summary

A series of conjoined rock shelter containing areas of midden. There is evidence of some small scale craft metalworking taking place at the site.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

A series of prominent conjoined rockshelters containing several areas of shell midden were investigated by the Scotalnd's First Settler's Project in 2000. These sites have a bright southerly aspect and overlook a shingle beach. Three test pits were excavated: Test Pits 1 and 2 were located inside two different rockshelters and Test Pit 3 was located on the terrace in front of the rockshelters.
There were eight lithic finds, all of chalcedonic silica. Three were regular flakes and the rest was debitage. A sub-rectangular object with uneven surfaces, presumably an accidentally-fired piece of clay, was recovered from Test Pit 2. There were several pieces of copper-alloy including a pin tip (probably from a medieval or post-medieval buckle or brooch pin), a stud and a broken lace end, all from Test Pit 2. Zinc levels of the stud indicate a post-Iron Age date. There are also two pieces of iron from the same test pit: a small iron collar; and a heavily concreted and highly fragmented object which appears to comprise fragments of a small knife. Bone and shell material was also present.
Most of the material is undiagnostic though probably post-medieval. Some craft activity may have taken place on site, perhaps non-ferrous sheet metalworking, though the stud might suggest production or repair of ornamental leatherwork. The quantity of material implies a small-scale activity, and repair work rather than production. <1>

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 7880 3820 (60m by 60m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG73NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	LOCHCARRON

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External Links (1)