Overview
The project aims to identify further sites from the Mesolithic to Bronze Age periods through a walkover survey of selected areas of the peninsula. Through these walkover surveys selected sites will be identified for further investigation, through such means as geophysics, detailed electronic survey, test pitting, excavation etc., as appropriate.
Rapid Walkover Survey at Sanna Bay, Season One (2006)
Season One
In Season one a rapid walkover survey assisted by members of the Moidart Local History Group, was undertaken at Sanna Bay, at the west of the Peninsula, and within the hills to the south of Sanna Bay, in the area between Portuairk and Grigadale. Sanna Bay has a large shifting dune system in which finds from the Mesolithic to the Viking period have periodically been noted, including a series of possible multi-period middens in the 1920s (Lethbridge 1927). Most recently a series of prehistoric flint and pottery finds have been made by local expert Jim Kirby and other members of the Moidart Local History Group. Additionally a possible shell midden has been noted around the Grigadale area, perhaps relating to caves in the peak of Sgurr nam Meann (pers com. J. Kirby).
Examining a dune blow out at Sanna Bay
A rapid walkover survey of these areas found little material, however 2 buried land surfaces revealed by dune blowouts that have previously been identified by Jim Kirby were revisited. At one of these a spread of shells and a piece of flint were noted. At another a series of eroding land surfaces could clearly be seen within the dune blow out and two different types of pottery were found in these; a burnished piece that is probably medieval and a more rough piece which is likely to be later prehistoric. This area will be given a further detailed examination future seasons.
Additionally the other two chambered tombs on the peninsula were visited by the project team and the areas around them were subject to a brief walkover survey. No material was found but it is the intention of the project to revisit and survey these sites.
Season Two
This yer we mainly focussed on the site of Cladh Aindreis, but some basic walkover survey work was also undertaken in Sanna Bay once again, and also west of Kilchoan. Here, under the guidance of Trevor Potts, we found a series of caves with large deposits which we hope to visit and test pit in Season Three. We also visited the standing stone at Branault.
Helena disappearing into one of the caves west of Kilchoan! (July 2007)
Walkover Survey at Sanna Bay 2007
The ATP Season Two team at the standing stone of Branault