Cressey, M. and Anderson, S. (2011). A Later Prehistoric Settlement and Metalworking Site at Seafield West, near Inverness, Highland . Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. https://doi.org/10.5284/1017938.

Construction in 1996 at a major retail development site close to Inverness, Highland resulted in the destruction of two known cropmark sites. One set of cropmarks was found to be associated with a Bronze Age log-boat burial site and the results of the ensuing excavation are published elsewhere (Cressey & Sheridan 2003). The excavation of a second area of cropmarks forms the subject of this publication. The archaeological remains consisted of a series of negative features, post-holes and annular ditches which form parts of at least nine separate structures of a later prehistoric unenclosed settlement. A mould fragment indicated Late Bronze Age sword production in the vicinity. A palisaded enclosure produced a copper-alloy brooch that is a rare find for the region. Evidence of copper-alloy objects and metalworking from a smelting hearth and slags show that the occupants were of some status. Some of the structural and artefactual evidence compellingly points to an in situ ironworking workshop. A large cache of smithing charcoal found in association with a smelting hearth was radiocarbon dated to 180BC'“AD70 and represents one of the few dated in situ Iron Age ironworking episodes in Scotland.

This chapter provides information on site location, previous work, methodology and objectives.

The density of archaeological features was far greater than suggested by cropmark evidence and geological survey. Metalworking activity appears to have been undertaken during both the late Bronze Age and the late Iron Age though there is insufficient evidence to suggest continuity of settlement.

A list of all known Roman finds from the Moray Firth.