Monument record MHG35894 - SKYE, CILL ASHIK

Summary

No summary available.

Location

Grid reference Centred NG 6870 2423 (14m by 14m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet NG62SE
Geographical Area SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Civil Parish STRATH

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Created automatically by NMRS Register Utility
User: Admin, Date: Wed 13 Oct 2004
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NG62SE 34 6871 2424 and 6866 2420

The following sites were recorded between January and September 1999 as part of the Scotland's First Settlers Project. A full report has been lodged with the NMRS.
NG 6871 2424 Ashaig 1 This substantial shell midden is associated with the ancient cemetery and lies inside (Ashaig 2) and outside (Ashaig 1) the cemetery wall. A 1 x 0.5m trench was opened in Ashaig 1. Midden material was extensive, consisting of approximately 90% periwinkle with occasional fragments of animal bone and limpet shell. Coring with a post auger established that the site continued about 1m eastwards from the test section and suggests that the midden is extensive.
NG 6866 2420 Ashaig 2 Open midden.
Sponsors: British Academy, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Society of Antiquaries of London, Percy Hedley Trust, Russell Trust, Prehistoric Society, Applecross Trust.
B Finlayson, K Hardy and C Wickham-Jones 1999


Description from SAIR 31:

2.2.11 SFS 6: Ashaig 1, NGR NG 6866 2420

Type of Site: Open-air midden
SFS Record: 1999
Survey Area: South Skye
Size: Unknown
Aspect: North-east
Height OD: 5m
Ground Cover: Short mown turf
Distance to Sea: 20m to north, indented marsh and shingle
Distance to Fresh Water: 30m to east
Threats: Grazing, rabbit burrowing
Description: A substantial open shell midden associated with an ancient cemetery (see Illustrations 114, left & 115, right)
Archaeology: One test pit (1m×0.5m) was opened to assess the depth of midden deposits

* Context 1 Turf
* Context 2 Midden material, mostly periwinkle
* Context 3 A series of large boulders with midden material in the soil matrix, lying between the boulders. Excavation was stopped at 76mm as the boulders impeded further work.

Finds

Lithics: There were three lithic finds at Ashaig 1, all came from Test Pit 1 and all were debitage. There were two pieces of baked mudstone and one of quartz.

Metalwork: 15.9g unclassified ironworking slag.

Shell: Oyster, limpet, periwinkle and cockle were all found.
Dates

This site has three radiocarbon dates, all taken from Test Pit 1 (see Table 32, below). All relate to activity in the 13th century AD.

Table 32
SFS 6 Context Material Date BP Age
TP1 Spit 4 OxA-9278 Hazel charcoal 771±32 AD1215–1290
TP1 Spit 6 OxA-9279 Birch charcoal 723±33 AD1220–1390
TP1 Spit 12 OxA-9277 Birch charcoal 769±36 AD1210–1295

Discussion

The large boulders uncovered in Test Pit 1 appear to have been displaced from further up the slope and may have originated from a collapsed revetment from earlier structures pre-dating the present cemetery. The lithics are likely to relate to general background ‘noise’, but the dates and general proximity to the graveyard suggest that this was a site of some interest in more recent times. Metalworking at such locations would not be unexpected.

Karen Hardy & Caroline Wickham-Jones (eds). Mesolithic and later sites around the Inner Sound, Scotland: the work of the Scotland’s First Settlers project 1998–2004 (SAIR 31). Www.sair.org.uk/sair31/section2-2.html <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Collection/Project Archive: Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH). 2012. Digital site gazetteer and archive for ARCH Community Timeline Project: Broadford. Yes. Digital. Site 33.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jan 28 2008 12:00AM

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