highland archaeology services ltd

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Highland Archaeology Services Ltd Bringing the Past and Future Together

Controlled Topsoil Strip

Gollanfield Avenue, Rosemarkie, Ross-Shire

Gollanfield Avenue – Controlled Topsoil Strip March 2014

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Controlled Topsoil Strip

Gollanfield Avenue, Rosemarkie, Ross-Shire

Report No. HAS140303

Site Code HAS-RGA14

Client Michael Hossack

Planning Ref 12/02248/FUL

OS Grid Ref NH 737 573

Date/ revision 16/04/2013

Author Lachlan Mckeggie

Summary This report covers fieldwork undertaken at Gollanfield Avenue, Rosmarkie, Ross-Shire on 18th to 21st March 2014 in response to a planning condition on permission a new house on the site. Site stripping for a driveway was observed and reported previously in July 2013. This report covers the clearance of the remainder of the site for the house and services. On this occasion, three features were recorded, but based on the results, no further archaeological work is recommended.


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Contents Location ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Aims and objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Legislation and Policy ................................................................................................................................... 6 Archaeology background ............................................................................................................................... 6 Method ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 Desk Based Assessment and Initial Recording .............................................................................................. 7 Controlled Topsoil strip ................................................................................................................................. 8 Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 12 Appendices Tables, Drawings, Photo locations .......................................................................................... 13

Illustrations Figure 1 Site location (general) ................................................................................................................................. 4 Figure 2 Site location (detail as for planning application) ......................................................................................... 5 Figure 3: Extract from 1st edition OS 25inch (1:25000) map, surveyed 1871 ............................................................ 8 Figure 4 Excavated areas and archaeological features. ............................................................................................. 9 Figure 5: Dr1 Feature 1 pre-ex plan .......................................................................................................................... 17 Figure 6: Dr2 Feature 1 Section ................................................................................................................................ 17 Figure 7: Dr3 Feature2 Pre-ex plan .......................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 8: Dr4 Feature 2 East Facing Section ............................................................................................................ 18 Figure 9: Dr5 Feature 3 Pre-ex Plan ......................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 10: Dr6 Feature 3 Post-ex Plan ...................................................................................................................... 19 Figure 11: Dr7 Feature 3 section .............................................................................................................................. 20 Figure 12: Dr8 Feature 3 section .............................................................................................................................. 20 Figure 13: Photo locations (Camera Points) ............................................................................................................. 21 Plate 1: Feature 1 post excavation (RGA14_39&40) ............................................................................................... 10 Plate 2: Feature 2 Post excavation (RGA14_57) ...................................................................................................... 11 Plate 3: Feature 3 Post excavation (RGA14_144) .................................................................................................... 12 Plate 4: Site post-excavation (RGA14_118-120) ..................................................................................................... 13

Acknowledgements Fieldwork and reporting were undertaken by Lachlan Mckeggie. Project management overall was by John Wood, who also edited this report. Background mapping has been reproduced by permission of the Ordnance Survey under Licence 100043217. Historic mapping is courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. The report’s author(s) and Highland Archaeology Services Ltd jointly retain author’s copyright in all reports produced but will allow the client, the Highland Council, and the RCAHMS to make the report available for reference and research (but not commercial) purposes, either on paper, or electronically, without charge, provided this copyright is acknowledged.


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Location The development is located on the east side of Gollanhead Avenue, in Rosmarkie, centred at approximate grid reference NH 737, 573 on the east side of the road at about 10m above sea level.

Figure 1 Site location (general)

From OS mapping, reproduced under Licence. Not to original scale


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Figure 2 Site location (detail as for planning application) Courtesy of client


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Aims and objectives • To determine as far as possible the character, extent, condition, date and significance of any archaeologically

significant remains; and to record these where necessary in line with national and local policies and standards.

• To minimise any possible delay or cost to the development by anticipating archaeological requirements as far as possible, timetabling and integrating archaeological recording work with the project, and dealing with any issues arising quickly and efficiently.

Legislation and Policy The common principles underlying international conventions, national legislation and local authority planning policies are that cultural heritage assets should be identified in advance of development and safeguarded where practicable; if disturbance is unavoidable appropriate recording of features and recovery of portable artefacts should take place. These have been set out in international and European Union agreements, and UK and Scottish legislation, as well as national and local planning policies1.

Professional standards during the present project were secured by adherence to the Codes of Conduct and Approved Practice and Standards of the Institute for Archaeologists and the Highland Council’s published Standards for Archaeological Work.

Archaeology background This report covers the ground-breaking work for a house at Land 40m south west of 7 Gollanhead Avenue, Rosemarkie, Ross-shire. A number of archaeological features are recorded in the general area on the Council’s Historic Environment Record (HHER), and a planning condition for archaeological monitoring was imposed because there was thought to be some potential for archaeological evidence to be discovered. In particular, a copper flat axe of early Bronze Age date was found in 1993 ‘on a building site’ close to the present site (HHER MHG16090). This axe is now in Inverness Museum.

A controlled topsoil strip was undertaken by Highland Archaeology Services in July 2013 for an access drive area on the south side of the site. Three small features were recorded at that time, but all appeared to be of modern date2.

Method The methodology adopted was designed to meet the requirements of a condition placed on the planning permission for this development by the Highland Council. It is set out in the Project Design and Risk Assessment

1 A full statement of current legislation and public policy is available from the Highland Archaeology Services office on request 2 Mckeggie L. 2013 ‘Controlled Topsoil Strip Gollanfield Avenue, Rosemarkie, Ross-Shire HAS-130715’ Cromarty, 2 Mckeggie L. 2013 ‘Controlled Topsoil Strip Gollanfield Avenue, Rosemarkie, Ross-Shire HAS-130715’ Cromarty, Highland Archaeology Services report HAS130715


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document agreed at the outset by all parties3. It was also informed by the previously mentioned observation of stripping for the site driveway in July 2013, which demonstrated the possible presence of a palaeo-soil. Stripping was therefore undertaken in two spits: first the modern topsoil was removed and any archaeological features were inspected, excavated and recorded. Next the lower horizon was removed and the process repeated (See Figure 4 below).

Desk Based Assessment and Initial Recording Relevant archaeological / historical records, maps and aerial photographs were checked as proposed, and photographs were taken to record the site as found. Only one archaeological site is recorded close to the development area: D1 HER: MHG16090 Grid Reference: NH 7370 5740

Description: A copper Early Bronze Age flat axe was found by a metal-detectorist on a building site in Rosemarkie. It has been claimed as Treasure Trove and allocated to Inverness Museum.

This find spot was recorded as less than 3 metres from the site, but this is unlikely to be accurate. Stray finds of this nature are not necessarily indicative of buried features although it is a possibility. No other finds or features are known from the immediate vicinity of the development, but there is considerable potential for new buried evidence to be found.

Historical Maps Relevant historical maps were also consulted and no further features were identified that might be affected. The first edition OS mapping (1871) shows this as open agricultural land (Figure 3). The 1st and 2nd Statistical Accounts for the area were also checked for this but no specific mention was found for this site4.

3 Wood J. 2013, Project Design Risk Assessment and Method Statement Gollanfield Avenue, Rosemarkie HAS130703. Cromarty, Highland Archaeology Services 4 http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/link/1791-99/Ross%20and%20Cromarty/Rosemarkie/ http://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/link/1834-45/Ross%20and%20Cromarty/Rosemarkie/


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Figure 3: Extract from 1st edition OS 25inch (1:25000) map, surveyed 1871

Ross and Cromarty Ross-shire Sheet XC.3. Not reproduced to scale, site location approx. only.

Controlled Topsoil strip The work on site was undertaken over four days between 18th and 21st March 2014. Conditions varied between bright sunshine and heavy wintery showers. Topsoil was stripped from the north side of the site as far south as the driveway already cleared in July 2013. The method adopted was as outlined in the proposal previously circulated and agreed5 with the addition of a double stripping (see above). This was carried out across the whole area excavated for the house (Figure 4).

5 J. Wood 2013, Project Design Risk Assessment and Method Statement Gollanfield Avenue, Rosemarkie HAS130703. Cromarty, Highland Archaeology Services


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Figure 4 Excavated areas and archaeological features.

Results A test pit excavated in the SE quarter of the site to test the drainage was used as an opportunity to look at the stratigraphy of the site. Three distinct layers were identified. A rich dark topsoil (A) extending down 0.5-0.6m. Beneath this a sandy brown mixed layer around 0.2-0.3m deep (B) and beneath this . clean yellow-orange sand and pea gravel with rounded stones (C). It was decided to remove topsoil down onto layer B and clean, inspect and record this photographically in case any features were visible at this level; then once recording was complete, removing this down onto the clean sand.

Feature F1 This was a large sub-rectangular feature, appearing at the surface of horizon B close to the NW corner of the site. This was half sectioned and found to consist of two cuts and five fills. The lowest and earliest cut was U shaped with steep sides and a curving base [007]. It was around 1.3m long, 0.9m wide and 0.45m deep and cut into the yellow sandy sub soil (C). This cut was filled by mixed yellow sand and dark black turf like layers (006). These bands appeared in narrow strips and were very mixed following the rough curve of the cut. A piece of modern curved clear glass was found close to the base of this fill in a dark band. Apparently cut through (006) and the top of [007] was a second shallower cut [001], also with steep sides and a curved base. This cut was particularly steep at the West end. It was 1.9m long, 0.9m wide and 0.5m deep with


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long axis running roughly E-W. [001] cut through the disturbed subsoil (B) and yellow natural (C) and contained four distinct fills. The uppermost (002) was a black/brown soil with organic matter and some stones. It was very similar to surrounding subsoil and filled the west and middle top layer of [001]. It was 1.5m long, 0.9m wide and 0.2m deep. Covering most of the top in a band at the east end was a light coloured, very clean sand (003). This sand was 0.5m long, 0.9m wide and 0.2m deep. Beneath the sand (003), and showing through in a small patch at the surface, was a black-brown soil (004) with some small stones similar to (002). It was 0.4m in length and breadth and extended down 0.3m. Underlying most of (002) was a dirty yellow brown sand (005) including lenses and patches of turf (still with roots). This was a very mixed layer, but was clearly distinct from (003) and (002). (005) filled the base of cut [001] and was directly over (006). Modern clear glass and tinfoil was found within this deposit (005). (Plate 1)

Plate 1: Feature 1 post excavation (RGA14_39&40)

Although the exact function of this feature is unclear the material found within particularly the clear curved glass and un-decomposed turf suggests it was filled in relatively recently.

Feature F2

This feature only appeared following removal of horizon B. It consisted of a shallow scooped cut [008] which had a ridged base and two parallel straight sides. It was filled with a dark brown/black topsoil fill with some small stones (009). A piece of coal (find1) and small bone fragment (find 2) were found in this deposit. Mixed into this topsoil was a brown soil, also with small stones (010). This was clear of artefacts and was very similar to the mid brown layer found across the site. (Plate 2)


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Plate 2: Feature 2 Post excavation (RGA14_57)

It seems clear that this is the scoop of a toothed excavator bucket and is therefore of modern date. The finds were consistent with the site topsoil.

Feature F3

This feature only appeared following removal of horizon B. It was large and poorly defined at the surface, and on excavation appeared to have been formed of two separate cuts superimposed. The upper fill (011) was dark black, with grey patches and indistinct edges. This deposit was sandy and clear of stones or any other material, and samples were taken of it (sample <001>). Context (011) was 2m long and 0.7m wide, with dark material appearing to bleed into the fill below. Beneath this, and around the edges of the feature, was a second deposit 2.5m long and 0.8m wide. Fill (013) was grey-brown sandy material, with black patches and some rounded stones. It was sometimes hard to distinguish from the surrounding sand. It was free of artefacts.

These two fills filled what appeared to be two cuts. A U shaped even cut at the SE end with steep sloping sides and a V shaped base [012] (around 0.8m in diameter, 0.5m deep) and a more elongated steep sided cut with gently sloping base to the NW [014]. This second cut was around 1.4m long and 0.8m wide and 0.4m deep. (Plate 3)


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Plate 3: Feature 3 Post excavation (RGA14_144)

This feature is of unknown function and might represent two pits superimposed or one extensively recut. There were no finds, but the cleanness of the fills together with its curving cuts suggest it might be less likely to be a modern feature. It is possible that this could have been a post-hole setting, but no post-pipe was visible and the fills were remarkable in how they had mixed together.

Conclusions and Recommendations The double stripping of this site did add marginally to the time taken, but this was justified as it demonstrated that Feature 1 cut soil horizon B as well as the natural C, while features 2 and 3 only appeared after B was removed. Since horizon A seems to represent full depth ploughing, it seems unlikely that Horizon B represents deeper


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ploughing in the past. Rather it appears more likely that the ground has been built up by the addition of topsoil or manure. Feature 1 contained modern finds at a base level, and Feature 2 appears to have been cut using a mechanical excavator. Feature 3 may have an earlier date, but it seems disturbed, was not connected with any other features and was totally devoid of any dating evidence. Although this was sampled we do not consider that further analysis would be useful in this case. No further archaeological work is recommended for this site or material from it.

Plate 4: Site post-excavation (RGA14_118-120)

Appendices

Tables

Table 1 Features

Feature no. Contexts Interpretation

F1 001-007 Modern rubbish pit

F2 008- 010 Toothed bucket scoop from mechanical excavator

F3 011-014 Two pits of unknown function


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Table 2 Contexts Context

no. Feature Type Description

001 1 Cut Cut threw (006) and [007] with steep sides and curved base

002 1 Fill Maine top fill of Feature 1 a black/brown soil with organic matter and some stones very similar to surrounding subsoil.

003 1 Fill Top layer, a light coloured very clean sand

004 1 Fill Visible at surface black brown soil with some small stones

005 1 Fill A dirty yellow brown sand with lenses and patches of turf (still with roots) and topsoil.

006 1 Fill Mixed yellow sand and dark black turf like topsoil layers

007 1 Cut Large U shaped with steep sides and curving base

008 2 Cut A shallow scooped cut with ridged base and two parallel strait sides.

009 2 Fill A dark brown/black topsoil fill with some small stones

010 2 Fill A brown soil with small stones.

011 3 Fill Dark black upper fill with gray patches and indistinct edges

012 3 Cut A U shaped even cut at the SE end with steep sloping sides and a V shaped base

013 3 Fill A gray brown sandy fill with black patches

014 3 Cut Elongated steep sided cut with genially sloping base

Table 3 Finds

Find No.

Feature Contest Description

1 2 009 Small coal lump 2 2 009 Small bone chunk 3 - Topsoil Orange fabric ceramic fragment with small glaze patches. Most likely

medieval jug handle.


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Table 4 Photos Photo No (RGA14_)

From Facing Showing

18th of March 2014 1-3 CP1 -E- General pre-ex of site 4-7 CP2 -NW- General pre-ex of site 8-9 CP3 -SW- Percolation test pit 10 - - Peculation test pit showing two sub soil layers 11-14 CP4 -SE- General pre-ex of site 15 - - Work in Progress 16-18 - - Pit showing depth of deposits to clean natural sand 19-20 CP5 W Mid layer first spit of north side of site showing mid layer 21-22 CP6 W Mid layer of north strip from middle 23-24 CP7 E Mid layer of north strip from West end 25 CP5 W Lower subsoil of north strip from East end 26 CP8 W Possible feature 27 CP8 W Showing this is not a feature 28-30 CP9 W Feature 1 Rectangular feature, Pre-ex, Bracketed 31-33 CP10 S Feature 1 Rectangular feature, Pre-ex, Bracketed 34-36 - S Feature 1, mid ex, with wood and stones and (005), 37-42 - S Feature 1 post ex, Bracketed 19th of March 2014 43-46 - E Feature 1 post ex, Bracketed 47 NW S West strip of site showing mid layer (Feature 1 in foreground) 48-50 CP11 S Pre-ex Feature 2, Bracketed 51-53 - W Mid-ex Feature 2, with bone, Bracketed 54-56 - W Post-ex Feature 2, Bracketed 57-59 - S Post-ex Feature 2, Bracketed 60 CP12 E Mid layer exposed on East side of site 61-62 CP13 W Mid layer exposed on East side of site 20th of March 2014 63 CP12 N Mid layer East side of site 64-67 CP14 W Mid layer East side of site 68 CP15 S Mid layer in extension on East side of site (no archaeology) 69 CP12 N East side of site cleared 70 - W Mid layer East side strip (no Archaeology) 71-72 CP13 S East side of site cleared (no archaeology) 73 CP16 S Mid layer middle East strip (no archaeology) 74 CP17 N Mid layer middle East strip (no archaeology) 75-79 CP18 N Feature 3 pre excavation 80 - SW Feature 3 pre excavation 81 CP19 W Mid layer central area (no archaeology) 82 CP20 E Mid layer central area (no archaeology) 83 CP21 W Mid layer central area (no archaeology) 84-86 CP22 NE Feature 3 SE quad end of day 87-89 CP23 NW Feature 3 SE quad end of day


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Photo No (RGA14_)

From Facing Showing

21st of March 2014 90-91 CP24 SW Mid layer central and West (no archaeology) 92 CP25 E Mid layer central and West (no archaeology) 93 CP26 SW Mid layer central area small part (no archaeology) 94-95 CP12 NW General View 96-97 - - Bench decoration 98 CP22 NE Feature 3 post excavation SE quad 99-101 CP23 NW Feature 3 post excavation SE quad, Bracketed 102-104 CP22 NE Feature 3 post excavation SE quad, Bracketed 105-106 CP27 SW Mid layer close to SW corner (no archaeology) 107 CP28 W Mid layer close to South central area (no archaeology) 108 CP28 W Mid layer close to SW corner (no archaeology) 109-111 CP29 SW Feature 3 Post Excavation NE quad, Bracketed 112-114 CP30 SE Feature 3 Post Excavation NE quad, Bracketed 115-117 SE -NW- General post excavation view 118-120 NW -SE- General post excavation view

Table 5 Drawings Drawing

no. Type Showing

1 Plan Feature 1 Pre excavation 1:20 2 Section Feature 1 post excavation section 1:10 3 Plan Feature 2 pre excavation plan 1:20 4 Section Feature 2 post excavation section 1:10 5 Plan Feature 3 pre excavation plan 1:20 6 Plan Feature 3 post excavation plan 1:20 7 Section Feature 3 post excavation NW - SE section 1:20 8 Section Feature 3 post excavation NE- SW section 1:20


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Drawings

Figure 5: Dr1 Feature 1 pre-ex plan

Figure 6: Dr2 Feature 1 Section


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Figure 7: Dr3 Feature2 Pre-ex plan

Figure 8: Dr4 Feature 2 East Facing Section


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Figure 9: Dr5 Feature 3 Pre-ex Plan

Figure 10: Dr6 Feature 3 Post-ex Plan


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Figure 11: Dr7 Feature 3 section

Figure 12: Dr8 Feature 3 section


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Photo locations

Figure 13: Photo locations (Camera Points)

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