2012 Ardnamurchan Transitions Dig - 2

The second area in this year's dig was a steep-sided ridge which runs north from the Ockle road half a kilometre to the east of Kilmory.  Called Dun Mhurchaidh, a number of pits were dug along it last year, and produced so much of interest that a great deal more time was invested in it this year.  The word dun suggests an Iron Age fort, but last year's excavations had already proved that it was far more complex - and this year's work has produced yet more mysteries.

In all, five sites were excavated.  This view looks along the ridge.  The far end of Site 1, in the foreground, has the remains of a small, probably roofed structure whose walls were formed of a foundation of stone with possibly two metres of turf blocks above to complete the walls.  A hammer stone was built into the walls.

Site 2 shows evidence of a hearth (nearer end of excavation) which had been used over a long period, with a ditch beyond filled with orange-brown soil.  It's not at all clear what this is.

Site 3 has a small oval building (to the right) formed of a stone base and turf walls into which hammer stones had been built, and a cobbled surface which may have been a path.

Site 4 has another wall (to the left) and a flat, paving area (upper right).  Slag, which suggests iron working, and beads have been found here.  Paul Murtagh, a PhD student at Durham, is specialising in Iron Age structures.

The paved area was carefully built, but its purpose is, again, unclear.

The ridge may have been some sort of ritual site associated with iron working.  That the iron workings were carried out on such a raised area, so they would have been visible for many miles, is unusual.  The structures the team found suggest that thought and effort had gone in to how the ritual area was approached.  The buildings are too small to have been permanent dwelling houses, but they might have been guard houses.

The team is hoping to return in January.  So far, their researches have unearthed material from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, Viking period, 17th/18th centuries, and 19th century, all in the small area around Swordle.  It's fascinating to watch as the land reveals layer after layer of secret history.

The Ardnamurchan Transitions website is here.