Monument record MHG56030 - Pits and hearths - Culduthel, Inverness

A group of seven pits, associated with burning and some interpreted as hearths, were exposed during excavation by Headland Archaeology in 2005 at Culduthel. The features were seen in Area C in the northeast corner of the excavated area. Pits 419 and 451 were sub-oval and the presence of heat affected natural and concentrations of charcoal suggested that they were the remains of hearths. A small quantity of iron slag was recovered from the fill of Pit 451. Pit 431 was oval in shape and its fill contained six body sherds of prehistoric pottery. A further thirteen fragments were recovered from post-excavation environmental processing. A further feature of note was Pit 434 which contained multiple fills and had been re-cut once. A small flint flake was recovered from the basal fill. <1>

Further analysis and final dating of the finds assemblage and general site are awaited.

<1> Murray, R., 2007, Culduthel Mains Farm, Inverness: Phase 5: Excavation of a Later Prehistoric Settlement, pp.11-12 (Text/Report/Fieldwork Report). SHG23330.