Monument record MHG51361 - Pits and other features south of Forres Road, Nairn

Six pits were excavated during trial trenching in September 2008. The pits varied in size, form and fills and their function could not be determined. One of the pits contained a fragment of 15th/16th-century pottery in its upper fill. A large amorphous spread (025), possibly a large pit, was identified at the north of the evaluation area in Trenches 16 and 17. One of the linear features terminated at this feature. <1>

The "amorphous spread" mentioned in <1> above was further investigated in 2011. See MHG54303. <2>

Further pits were identified during subsequent excavations in 2011 located randomly throughout all three areas. There was no discernable pattern and in most cases the function and date of the features remains unknown, although it is postulated that some of the pits may date to the later prehistoric period.
Two hearths were uncovered in the south eastern part of the site ([414] and [454]). No dating evidence was recovered from either feature. <3>

A fragment of oak charcoal from hearth [414] was subsequently radiocarbon dated producing a Mesolithic date, although there may be some time-lag effect between the felling of the tree and the use of the wood in the fire (see MHG54960). <4>