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underwater survey & excavation
Survey
The underwater archaeology project permits us to understand elements of the archaeology surviving beneath Loch Tay. Phase 2 of the Shore and Underwater Survey took place in March 2004. The shorewalking that began in 2003 was concluded and about 300 features have now been recorded. Phase 2 saw the planning of some of the shore features but concentrated on the snorkel survey of the shallows along the shore and sampling of the crannogs in the area.
Snorkelling was carried out by volunteers. Some had diving experience but others were new to snorkelling and to wearing dry suits, which were essential to keep them warm. In two weeks they snorkelled the whole shoreline covering about 15 kilometres and examined the loch bed from the edge out to the point where visibility made it impossible to observe features clearly.
Diving team in the shallows
Nick Dixon briefing his team before the dive
A number of timber alignments and piles were seen underwater and they may be the remains of early buildings once on shore. Four particularly large timbers may be the remains of log boats. Possible cup-marked rocks and a stone mound were also noted in the shallows.
Areas of the loch bed too deep for snorkel survey were examined by divers. Only certain areas were surveyed as the potential area is massive and much of it will be looked at during the planned remote sensing survey. The areas adjacent to the crannogs were specifically targeted as were the crannogs themselves. Where possible, a timber sample was taken from an upright pile and a sample was taken of the associated organic matrix in which it was embedded.
Milton Morenish Crannog in the middle of the area was particularly exciting with a radiocarbon date of 580±50BC (GU-12123) making it contemporary with Oakbank Crannog nearer the east end of Loch Tay. Cloudberries, only found at Oakbank previously, also came from Milton Morenish and seeds of barley, spelt and emmer wheat and flax show that they were sophisticated farmers. Another exciting date of 430±50 AD came from Eilean Breaban, a substantial island known to have been inhabited as late as the 17th century AD. This is the first Dark Age crannog in Loch Tay and may have been occupied throughout the Pictish Period.
All of the crannogs showed that the people collected a wide range of wild fruits, including raspberries, brambles and blaeberries, from the rich landscape around them. 
Diver removing a sample from the crannog
Excavation
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.
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.
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.
