Monument record MHG55500 - Neolithic pits, east of Culduthel Mains Avenue, Inverness

Six Neolithic pits were identified and excavated during archaeological work that took place in advance of construction of the Inverness Flood Relief Channel. The pits had been truncated during past agricultural activity. Neolithic pottery, including early-middle Neolithic pottery from the "modified Carinated Bowl" tradition and Late Neolithic Grooved Ware, was recovered from all of the pits. In one of the pits the two pottery types appeared in association, the first definite case of a direct association. Other finds included flint tools, also of likely Neolithic date, a fragment of a polished stone axe, half of a stone ball and a possible fragment of an anvil stone. Charcoal samples were taken from the fills of two of the pits and radiocarbon dated.

Five other pits were identified in the same area which may be related to the Neolithic pits but which could not be characterised due to the lack of finds. These included two possible hearths or fire pits. Four further features were identified which are probably not associated and whose function remains unknown.

The Neolithic pits and their contents are discussed in detail in the excavation report. It appears that many of the pots were used in the preparation and consumption of foodstuffs and had been made locally. The different pottery traditions indicate that these pits represent the remains of a lengthy Neolithic occupation of this site. <1> <2>

<1> Peteranna, M, 01/2012, South West Inverness Flood Relief Channel Phase 3: Archaeological Watching Brief and Excavation - Data Structure Report, pp 14-43 (Text/Report/Fieldwork Report). SHG25635.

<2> Peteranna, M, 01/2012, South West Inverness Flood Relief Channel Phase 3: Archaeological Watching Brief and Excavation (Collection/Project Archive). SHG25636.