WHAT IS THE ARDNAMURCHAN TRANSITIONS PROJECT?
The Ardnamurchan Transitions Project is undertaking a detailed examination of the many transitions that have taken place on the Ardnamurchan peninsula during its occupation in history and prehistory.
In its first three seasons of work, between 2006 and 2008, the project began with the aim of investigating evidence for the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age periods (from about 9000 to 1000 BC) on the peninsula, and the nature of the transitions between these crucial periods. In future seasons it will expand to cover all chronological periods. The project is directed by Hannah Cobb (University of Manchester), Phil Richardson (University of Newcastle), Oliver Harris (University of Cambridge) and Helena Gray (CFA Archaeology Ltd).
The project has been funded by the Royal Archaeological Institute, the Council for British Archaeology, the Prehistoric Society, the Russell Trust, Glasgow Archaeological Society, the Universities of Newcastle and Manchester, and the "Students as Partners" scheme at the University of Manchester. More thanks...
Season 1 (2006) team at Sanna Bay
WHERE DO WE WORK?
The project is focussed upon the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, Argyll, Western Scotland. Over the next decade we will undertake a walkover and test pit survey of selected areas on the peninsula, some buildings survey at certain structures, and as well as completing excavations at the Neolithic chambered tomb of Cladh Aindreis, Swordle Bay we will also excavate at other key locations throughout the peninsula.
Swordle Bay from Cladh Aindreis
WHEN IS THE PROJECT RUNNING?
The project began initially with the intention of running for 5 years, however we now hope to work in the area for at least a further 10 years in order to provide as comprehensive a study of the peninsula as possible. The first season of work took place in August 2006, the second season took place in June/ July 2007 and the third season took place during August/September 2008. Dates of our fourth season of work will be published soon.
Working hard in the forecourt of Cladh Aindreis, Season Two (2007)
WHY ARDNAMURCHAN?
Research into the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age periods in Western Scotland has been intensive over the last few decades, and concerted programmes of excavation and survey have seen our knowledge of these periods increase significantly. However the Ardnamurchan Peninsula remains a relatively understudied area within Western Scotland for all of these key periods. Consequently other than Henshall’s classifications of the three Neolithic chambered tombs on the peninsula, and the excavations of the Mesolithic site of Risga in Loch Sunart, little is known of the transitions from hunting and gathering to farming and metalworking in the area. It seems likely however that this paucity of knowledge does not reflect the true record. Indeed the continuous informal survey work of local amateur enthusiasts has seen a number of finds of lithic scatters, occasional pieces of pottery and some traces of occupation over the last 20 years. Furthermore in the light of recent research which has stressed the mobility of the prehistoric populations of the area, and the geographical position and central location of the peninsula between the northern and southern Inner Hebrides, it seems likely that this area could have played an important role during critical periods of early prehistoric change in Western Scotland.
As such, the Ardnamurchan Transitions Project aims to investigate the transitions between the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age in the area through a combination of site specific excavation and wider survey work. This work will not only increase knowledge about the peninsula itself, but also aims to set it in its wider regional context.