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MHG63090 - Broad Cave - Rosemarkie

Summary

An archaeological survey and test pitting was undertaken between 2011 and 2015 by the Rosemarkie Caves Project.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

The 2011-15 Rosemarkie Caves Project excavation report contains descriptive details of 14 caves which could potentially have been used as rock shelters in historic or pre-historic times.

From the results of our 2011-2015 programme of survey and test pitting, substantial evidence for lengthy use of the Rosemarkie Caves over the past 2000 years was gathered. A number of the caves, in particular the Learnie group, had been visited or occupied sometime during the 7th-9th centuries AD.

Broad Cave; situated just above the beach, this cave is more open that the other caves, and appears more like a rock shelter. The cave floor is at 5.5 metres OD. However, it is well sheltered and has the remains of a hearth in the centre of the floor, with a possible shell midden nearby. Although close to the beach, the outer rampart is 5 metres above it, making it 7 metres OD. The floor is 5.5 metres OD. One test pit was excavated along the WNW wall of the cave.

Test Pit 1
The test pit, measuring was 2 x 1 metres was set against the back of the cave (Figure 16), facing the sea (SE). The trench displayed a well-stratified sequence of archaeological material (Figure 17). Several pebble tools were recovered from the upper layers [001] and [002], which also contained butchered animal bone, shells and evidence for burning. Context [003] separated the upper deposits from the lower levels, where increased evidence of burning and midden material were noted. At the southeast end of the trench, a wood ash layer [005] abutted a large slab, suggesting that a possible hearth structure or surface was present. This overlay another charcoal-rich ash layer [006]. Below this, a thick midden layer [007] contained frequent animal bone, shell and charcoal fragments. Archaeological material may have continued below the base of the test pit, but excavation stopped due to depth and time constraints. A fragment of mammal bone from context [005], a sample of elm roundwood charcoal from context [006], a sample of elm charcoal from context [007] and a fragment of sheep/goat bone from context [007] were selected for radiocarbon dating.

Radiocarbon dates were obtained as follows;
Mammal mandible ramus - 1495‐1635 AD Calibrated 1‐sigma (68.2%) 1476‐1643 AD Calibrated 2‐sigma (95.4%)
Elm roundwood charcoal - 1522‐1646 AD Calibrated 1‐sigma (68.2%) 1488‐1654 AD Calibrated 2‐sigma (95.4%)
Elm charcoal (single entity) - 905‐1017 AD Calibrated 1‐sigma (68.2%) 895‐1022 AD Calibrated 2‐sigma (95.4%)
Mammal mandible - sheep/goat 1159‐1221 AD Calibrated 1‐sigma (68.2%) 1049‐1259 AD Calibrated 2‐sigma (95.4%) <1>

A list of caves, with grid references, is available on the Rosemarkie Caves Project website. <2>

Sources/Archives (6)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 7634 6137 (50m by 50m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH76SE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	ROSEMARKIE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (3)