2005 Artefact Analysis
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The programme of artefact and environmental analysis continued this year in light of the discoveries made during the 2004 excavations. This work is undertaken in order to catalogue all artefacts, ecofacts and soil samples recovered during the archaeological field schools and permit preliminary analysis of important materials during the lifetime of the project.
This year’s work has focused on the cataloguing of the remaining assemblages from September 2004 to date and processing of all palaeo–environmental samples up until the June 2005 season. This has allowed specialists to begin work on the assemblages.
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In addition to the finds and ecofacts work a suit of radiocarbon dates have been sought, which casts light on the history of a range of sites excavated during the project. The dates ranged from 2790–2570 BC for a hearth at Meall Greigh, at the head of the Lawers Burn to 260–50 BC for a hut circle at Croftvellich. Of more pertinence to the project however, where a series of exciting dates from above the head–dyke at Kiltyrie, which suggest occupation occurred in the 13th and 14th centuries (1190–1300 AD and 1300–1440 AD). These dates were accompanied by two further dates from the laird’s house at Blarmore and a shieling hut on Meall Greigh, both of which were statistically identical (1440–1640 AD). The Kiltyrie dates in particular are very important as they seem to indicate the sites of medieval rural settlement in the Highlands. |
| The finds work this year has continued with further assessment of the 2002 and 2003 seasons pottery assemblages and specialist analysis of the glass by Robin Murdoch recovered from 2004. Interestingly, the majority of the assemblage was produced in the 19th century, which is comparable with the ceramic vessels as discussed in last year’s report. However, there is a small but important proportion of glass vessels identified within the assemblage, which relate to the 18th century. These were generally in the form of finer tableware, e.g. wine glasses. The earliest example was from Blarmore where an early to mid–18th century shard from a sweetmeat glass was recovered. |
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This recovery of 18th century finer tableware is interesting, given
that few traces of ceramic vessels are apparent. It may be as a result
of re–cycling of glassware from estate properties, rather than directly
being imported into the area for sale to the tenantry of the townships.
John Atkinson GUARD [External] |
