Pollard, T. (2005). The excavation of four caves in the Geodha Smoo near Durness, Sutherland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. https://doi.org/10.5284/1017938.

In response to the threat posed by marine and river erosion, a series of deeply stratified midden deposits was excavated in caves leading off a narrow, rock-cut inlet known as the Geodha Smoo, near Durness, Sutherland. These included the famous Smoo Cave (NGR: NC 4136 6714), at the southern end of the inlet; two smaller caves cut into the western wall of the inlet (Glassknapper's Cave and Antler Cave); and a fourth cave (Wetweather Cave) in the eastern wall. The majority of excavated deposits from these caves appear to relate to Viking/Norse or post-Norse activity, with fish bones, marine shells and mammal and bird bones representing the processing and consumption of marine and terrestrial foods. Possible evidence for metalsmithing in the form of iron slag and boat nails could suggest that boats were repaired in the sheltered inlet. Four radiocarbon dates from Smoo Cave and Glassknapper's Cave provide evidence for use of these sites between the eighth and 11th centuries AD. Convincing evidence for pre-Norse activity, although unsupported by radiocarbon dates, was recovered from Glassknapper's Cave in the form of probable Iron Age pottery, while late Neolithic pottery came from floor deposits in the Wetweather Cave.

An account of the methodology employed is followed by a detailed archaeological description of the excavated section. It is acknowledged that the identification of six main archaeological horizons is a simplification of the stratigraphy. Features included two middens, a hearth and possible stone structural elements. A radiocarbon date of 780-1120 AD at 2 sigma confidence was obtained from the hearth. There was certainly evidence for earlier activity and the possibility of continuity into the medieval period.

The pottery assemblage comprised approximately 350 sherds of various dates (Neolithic, Norse, medieval and tentatively post-medieval) indicating that the caves were a focus for sporadic activity if not continuous occupation over several successive periods in the past. A small group of well preserved bone and antler items were recovered although Antler Cave had only antler tines. Iron nails included clench nails which have a strong association with boat construction but not of any specific period. A copper-alloy pin from Wetweather Cave could have been Norse or medieval in date.

A series of specialist reports on fish, mammal, bird, amphibian bones, marine shells and plant remains from the caves forming the Geodha Smoo. The evidence seems to favour fishing for consumption in the caves rather than for the preservation and consumption of the fish elsewhere. The marine shells indicate the use of molluscs for quite specific purposes with each cave demonstrating a different use, as a food resource, for fishing bait and the extraction of purple dye. This combined with the evidence of the plant remains suggests an economy seeking to support itself on a local scale, possibly supplemented later by grain and other goods transported over short distances.