Monument record MHG55812 - Prehistoric pit - Slackbuie Way, Inverness

A watching brief in 2010 by GUARD along the proposed line of the Inverness Flood Relief scheme south of Inverness at Slackbuie following previous evaluation and excavation phases produced evidence of prehistoric occupation. The work covered a linear route from Essich Road (NH 656 414) to Culduthel Road (NH 668 414) in the west and an area of land at Slackbuie in the east.

In Area C a single feature was exposed and excavated. It containined charcoal, and possible heat-affected stones. It may have been a fire pit <1>

Post-excavation work, including the obtaining of radiocarbon dates and environmental sample analysis has further refined the interpretation of the feature found in Area C of the watching brief. It contained carbonised remains of alder, birch and hazel and it has been interpreted as hearth waste, probably of early prehistoric date. <2>

<1> Kilpatrick, M C, 07/2010, Inverness Flood Relief Channel: Data Structure Report (Text/Report/Fieldwork Report). SHG25320.

<2> Kilpatrick, M.C., 2012, Relieving Floods, Revealing History: Early Prehistoric Activity at Knocknagael Farm in South-West Inverness (Text/Publication/Article). SHG23404.