Wickham-Jones, C. R. and Hardy, K. (2004). Camas Daraich:. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. https://doi.org/10.5284/1017938.

The archaeological site of Camas Daraich (on the peninsula of the Point of Sleat, in south-west Skye) was revealed in November 1999 when stone tools were discovered in the upcast from a newly bulldozed track. Excavation took place in May 2000, directed by the authors and under the auspices of Historic Scotland, the Centre for Field Archaeology and the Department of Archaeology, University of Edinburgh. The excavations were small-scale and brief, but they demonstrated the survival of stratified features (scoops and a possible hearth) as well as an assemblage of nearly 5000 flaked lithics, comprising both tools and debris. There was no organic preservation, with the exception of burnt hazelnut shell. The composition of the lithic assemblage suggested that the excavated site was Mesolithic and this was confirmed by the radiocarbon determinations, which place it securely in the mid 7th millennium BC. Surface material suggested that there was evidence for more recent prehistoric (stone-tool-using) activity in the vicinity. Although the archaeological work at Camas Daraich was limited, the site is interesting for several reasons. First, it is one of a growing number of sites in the area with early dates for human settlement (until the mid 1980s dated Mesolithic evidence was lacking in the north of Scotland). Second, the lithic raw materials in use at Camas Daraich connect it firmly to a wider network of sites and provide conclusive evidence for human mobility. Third, further Mesolithic material is likely to survive at Camas Daraich so that the future well-being of the site is an important issue. Fourth, though there was no organic preservation, used pumice was recovered and this is rare on Mesolithic sites. Fifth, the lithics include both narrow-blade tools and conventionally broader/larger pieces and the relationship between these two traditions is still poorly understood in Scottish archaeology. Camas Daraich suggests that they may not be as clearly separated as previously thought.

An outline of the circumstances of discovery, methodology and a brief summary of the finds. Despite the disturbed nature of the site and the brief duration of the archaeological work, Camas Daraich is interesting because it falls within a geographical area of ongoing Mesolithic research and provides an important link between the island of Rhum and the Inner Sound to the north.

A detailed account of the excavation methodology is followed by an archaeological description. Trench 1 had been very disturbed by bulldozing for the new trackway. Four squares within the trench were excavated. Two cultural contexts contained flaked lithics and charcoal as well as several stones. Some of the stones may have outlined part of a hearth. Two scoops were cut into the raised beach. Four text pits contained lithics and three soil pits were dug for specialist analyses. Lithics were also found at two further locations.

A total of 62 lithics were examined microscopically to determine whether any traces of use wear of evidence or post-depositional movement were apparent. Artefacts comprised blades, flakes, chunks, cores and microliths in a variety of raw materials. Sixty two had traces and this number included unretouched pieces. There are suggestions of spatial diversity across the site: a range of tools were employed in a range of activities.

Four pieces of pumice were found. It has been shown that the pumice was erupted from the Katla volcanic system some time before 6800 BC and after the end of the last glaciation. This rough dating is supported by radiocarbon dating from the archaeological context in which the pumice lay. One of the pieces appears to have been worked.

The site was well placed for both fresh water and shelter as well as wider resources. Given the constraints of the data it would be unwise to attempt any detailed interpretation of the Mesolithic environment. With regard to the pollen data, comment will be limited to saying that all taxa are common indicators of open ground habitats. The only exception is the most frequently represented pollen grain on site, that of Corylus avellana-type (cf. hazel), of which 78 grains were found, as well as some macrofossil material. Hazel was an abundant member of Skye's 8th millennium BP flora. The hazelnut shells from the excavation were thus probably collected locally.

This chapter considers the significance of the site's location which offered shelter and varied resources. The evidence points to human activity in the mid 7th millennium BC. The nature of the Scottish Mesolithic in this period and the role of the site are considered in the context of the wider Mesolithic world.

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