Another whalebone vessel fragment
Structure O and the broch frontage
Kevin, Jaron, and Kate continued moving rubble and soil to expose the boundaries of Structure O. Several stone tools, large pieces of pottery and animal bone were found in the rubble soils. Holly continued sampling charcoal soils, exposing a large whalebone vessel fragment from the eastern wall of Structure O.
The overburden
Joanne and Alan continued to expose more of the broch wall while Ross finished sampling the heat-affected deposits below the furnace/kiln slab lifted yesterday. Pottery and bone fragments were found across the overburden, along with a quern stone and a possible worked stone.
Structure B2
Work continued with exposing the broch outer wall in Structure B2.
A possible hearth has been identified in the southwestern corner of the B2. The base of a pot, as well as several pottery fragments were found in a newly discovered alcove set in the building’s wall.
A potential gaming piece – a small, polished stone – was also found.
The cells
Many large cattle bone fragments were uncovered today, along with a whetstone.
More of the cell walls were also exposed as the team continued working through the material infilling the southernmost cells.
The broch
Amanda and Alfie continued excavation of the hearth (643) today. Earlier hearth deposits may have been uncovered below the later hearth (643), outlined by three upright stones – a possible stone setting for the earliest phase of the hearth.
Further focus today was on a small, pit-like feature in the south-western corner of the hearth, revealing a possible hearth flue. Jan, Jean, and Chris continued excavating the ash deposits in the broch’s central room. A large assemblage of pottery fragments continued to be uncovered from the ash deposits.
Jaron Rochon
UHI MLitt Archaeological Studies student
