Print

MHG62066 - Late Iron Age human remains - Allt Glac an Tioradh, Loch Eriboll

Summary

Late Iron Age human remains found near the Allt Glac an Tioradh to the east of Loch Eriboll.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Late Iron Age human remains found near the Allt Glac an Tioradh to the east of Loch Eriboll.

The chance discovery of human remains near the Allt Glac an Tioradh to the east of Loch Eriboll, Sutherland was reported to the police in January 2020. Estate workers quarrying stone for repairing a nearby dyke made the discovery. <1>

Dundee University examined the remains and confirmed there were fragments of human skull, cervical and neck vertebrae, humerus, thigh bone and shin bone which were all adult in their maturation. <2>

A sample of the remains was sent to the Glasgow University Radiocarbon lab for analysis. The sample returned a calibrated date of 215-405 AD, so late Iron Age. <3>

Archaeological works were undertaken at the findspot by AOC Archaeology Group under the terms of the Human Remains Call-off Contract in 2021 following the reporting of the finds to Historic Environment Scotland (HES). The remains were located on a slope overlooking Kempie Bay to the North. The work consisted of the retrieval of the exposed human remains, and an investigation of any possible parent features relating to the remains. A walkover survey of the area surrounding the findspot also identified several additional possible archaeological features.

The remains consisted of 61 fragments of bone with subsequent analysis establishing that 26 were identifiable. Radiocarbon dating of a bone fragment had already been submitted on behalf of Police Scotland and had produced a date of AD215–405, within the Late Iron Age. The remains were associated with an oval-shaped cut demarcated by a NE/SW aligned stone setting. The grave had been truncated by natural erosion and disturbance by a mechanical excavator. Osteological analysis indicates that the remains probably relate to a single individual - adult male. Evidence of a congenital abnormality were identified suggesting the individual may have suffered from a rare condition called Klippel-Feil syndrome.

While evidence for Iron Age burial is at present lacking in the area surrounding the burial the immediate landscape setting is rich in prehistoric sites including hut circles, cairns, mounds, souterrains and broch sites. The burial at Loch Eriboll may relate to a number of traditions carried out in the wider setting including the use of stone to demarcate the burial and possible use of stones to create a covering cairn. <4>

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 4552 5816 (20m by 20m) Indicative centroid
Map sheet	NC45NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (0)