Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 130

Investigation prior to the construction of the bypass revealed features relating to various periods of activity. Pits were identified at several locations containing prehistoric pottery, while the northern and western perimeters of a Roman temporary camp were examined. The foundations of an Iron Age timber structure c. ten metres in diameter were excavated. Extensive excavation around the western entrance of the Roman temporary camp located a concentration of features including a spread of pits containing Neolithic pottery and chipped stone, four later prehistoric structures and Roman/Early Historic field ovens. Twenty-five Neolithic to Early Romano-British radiocarbon dates are reported. Includes separately authored reports on:In which studies a course rim sherd and reports that the visible vitreous residue contained high amounts of copper, lead and tin with a trace of nickel, confirming the identification as a crucible fragmentWherein 633 pieces of chipped stone are documented. Suggests a date of production in the Neolithic or possibly Early Bronze Age. Includes a catalogue of significant pieces

Excavation identified the remains of at least two timber roundhouses, one of which was dated to the mid second millennium BC. The site also contained a Neolithic structure and series of pits, some of which contained fragments of Grooved Ware pottery. Includes separately authored reports on: Charcoal, Pottery (which features a catalogue of recovered sherds), Lithics, Plant remains, Soils.

Reports two excavations at a round mound, conducted in 1925 and 1952, which revealed quantities of Early Neolithic artefacts and features. Include two specialist reports on: Worked stone, Human bone.

Excavations were undertaken at a multi-vallate enclosure in advance of the construction of an extension of the M6 motorway. Geophysical survey and excavation revealed a third bank beyond two upstanding banks. Within the interior, seven separate blocks of superimposed buildings were observed, together with an eighth, single-phase structure interpreted as an animal pen. Artefacts were few, consisting of worked stones and querns, while the radiocarbon dates indicated a Romano-British date for much of the occupation, although the enclosure was built in the pre-Roman Iron Age. Includes separately authored reports on: Palaeobotany, Soil micromorphology, Phosphate analysis, Coarse stone tools (which discusses querns, butchering implements, hammerstones, rubbers, cup-marked stones, anvils, and chisels), Industrial material.

Reports investigations at Dun Ardtreck, a small D-shaped drystone strong-hold surrounded by an outer wall, which is located on the west coast of Skye, on a rock knoll with a sheer cliff. It could be one of a small group of sites with a high broch hollow wall but which were not circular towers. Considers the original height of the now ruined wall. Construction was probably in the first or second centuries BC and was followed by two distinct phases of occupation. In the second phase of occupation a wooden roundhouse with a raised floor may have been located within the higher-walled structure, although direct evidence is lacking. A fierce fire put an end to this occupation and the wall was pulled down. The ruins were re-occupied after a ramp containing Roman material was built against the entrance passage, facilitating easier access. Native pottery and Roman material suggest that occupation did not continue beyond the third or fourth centuries AD, however a sherd of E ware on top of layer implies that it went on at least until AD 500. Includes separately authored appendices on: Appendix 1: catalogue of illustrated finds; Appendix 2: Roman material from Dun Ardtreck, Skye; Appendix 4: mammalian bone from Dun Ardtreck; Appendix 5: chemical analysis of the native glass beads; Appendix 6: metallurgical analysis of ferrous industrial waste; Appendix 7: two fragments of pumice.