Underwater Excavation Season
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The 2005 season of the Underwater and Shore Survey was carried out
between 29 March and April 2005. Areas and features noted in 2004 were checked out and significant sections of the loch were examined by divers down to 7 metres. The size of the whole area is so large that it could not all be covered in the time available and more work is planned for the future. Areas of shoreline were surveyed by John Lewis of Scotia Archaeology using a Total Station. |
Diving team in the shallows |
Timber from small wreck |
Two notable features found in Area 10, in Balnasuim Bay, were an anchor
with 5 flukes and timbers that appeared to be part of a small wreck. They
were examined and the timbers were excavated. A chain leads away from
the anchor and it seems likely that they are relatively modern, within
the last century or two. The timbers were drawn, photographed and planned.
One of the most interesting features examined was the array of piles that lead out towards Boathouse Crannog at the west end of Area 3. These timbers were seen as particularly important as it proved impossible to get a sample from the crannog for radiocarbon dating. There is no direct connection between the crannog and the piles leading out from the shore but it is reasonable to assume that they were related. |
| The piles were planned in 2004 and this year they were re-planned more
accurately using an EDM. One of the 9 oaks was chosen for sampling and
a 1 metre square trench was laid out around it. About 15 cms to the north
of the oak pile, the top of a very soft pile was uncovered. It is reddish
and probably alder which is commonly found on crannogs in the loch. It
broke easily in comparison to the oak that was very hard. The date acquired
for the oak was 2425±35 BP (475±35 BC, GU-13023) and the alder produced
2400±35 BP (450 BC, GU-13024). If the piles are contemporary with the
crannog then it is roughly the same date as Milton Morenish Crannog, the
next crannog to the east and to Oakbank Crannog and Fearnan Hotel Crannog
nearer the east end of the loch. Another particularly interesting feature was a group of piles in Area 9 to the east of Tombreck Crannog (0 BC/AD). The piles are on a ledge 3 – 5 metres wide in about 2 – 2.5 metres of water, depending upon the time of year. The piles are large oaks, some of them upright and others sloping steeply, mostly towards the shore. |
Oak and Alder pits in loch bed |
Two of the timbers were sampled, one from the group near the east end and another from about 100 metres to the west. The radiocarbon dates were 3905±35BP (between 2480BC and 2280BC calibrated according to OxCal3, GU-13025) for the eastern pile and 4705±40BP (between 3540BC and 3370BC according to OxCal3, GU-13026) for the one to the west, putting them in the Neolithic Period. Whether the timbers are part of a structure or the remains of natural woodland is not clear but they are very exciting and sampling of the material in which they are embedded will give important data regarding the Neolithic environment at the time.
Acknowledgements:
Many thanks to Clive Booth of Loch Tay Highland Lodges for the use of his harbour and facilities. Thanks also to John Lewis of Scotia Archaeology for the surveying. The dive team members, Barrie Andrian, Maria Guagnin, Ashley Beamer, Ioanna Damanaki, Panos and Julia Gerken, worked in cold and often harsh conditions. Support was also kindly contributed by Jo Scott.
| Nick Dixon The Scottish Crannog Centre [External Link] |
|
