A day of nice finds and clarifying structures
The overburden
(Ross D, Joanne G, Kathryne G)
Continued work along the broch frontage and tidying-up of the exposed broch wall. Ross has lifted the heat-affected slab (believed to be the base of a furnace or hearth) revealing red, heat-affected soil. Some bone found, as well as a periwinkle shell cache.
Structure O and broch frontage
(Holly Y, Kev K, Jaron R, Kate H)
Holly has fully sampled and recorded the hearth and is in the process of dismantling the feature. Kevin, Jaron, and Kate have revealed the west wall of Structure O by removing large rubble and soil, which was likely deposited during the dismantling of the broch.
Kevin has found two fragments of pottery and a piece of whalebone in the soil context surrounding the exposed wall.
The cells
(Ole T, Sylvia C, Emily R)
Many large animal bones, namely cattle, have been found in the cells structure. The individual cells are now being labelled as U1, U2, U3 and U4, as they are not likely to be a singular independent structure.
Structure B2
(Logan O, Neil B, Quin A)
The outer north-westerly wall of the broch has been uncovered and is being further excavated by Neil. Logan has revealed a substantial grouping of bones to the east of the hearth.
The broch
(Amanda B, Chris G, Alfie B, Ethan H, Jan H)
Amanda, Ethan, and Alfie are continuing to delicately excavate hearth (643). The later stage of the hearth is showing a feature of blackened soil defined by the linear paving. Leaf trowels, quadrant excavation, and a 100% sample method, are used in excavating the hearth.
Jan and Chris are in the north room excavating the floor deposits and occupation layers where dark, charcoal-rich soil is coming through. A saddle quern fragment has been found, set upside-down, in the occupation which would have been placed during the end period of the broch. Upside-down or inverted, saddle querns and their fragments have been observed elsewhere on the site, inside and outside of the broch.
Altogether the improving weather today made for a really productive day of work on the site, with some really nice finds and important confirmation of the extent of key buildings.
