
The Cairns dig diary – day ten
Human tooth found outside the broch entrance – and more whalebone, worked stone and a pig’s tusk!
Human tooth found outside the broch entrance – and more whalebone, worked stone and a pig’s tusk!
‘A whole new world has opened up beneath my feet!’ – a day of stone tools, pottery and shells.
Sunshine, planning, antler and bone – work continues apace inside and outside the broch.
After a day of rain halted proceedings, it was back on site again today, where the broch was gridded to allow sampling.
A summary of week one and a look at what lies ahead.
Animal bone deposits and ritual activity? The archaeology keeps on coming in the broch as the team continued to unearth more of this fascinating Iron Age structure.
Whale rib and saddle quern inside the broch – another glorious day at The Cairns! The scale of activity has increased as the team get to work on specific areas around and inside the broch.
Revisiting Structure N – the site has been a hive of activity today as the excavation gets into full swing.
The covers are off and the broch interior revealed…
We’re back! We have been largely absent from site for far too long, but this year we are finally returning in strength!
Volunteer opportunities available at the Burn of Swartigill excavation, Caithness, in August and September.
A group of postgraduate students have been in South Ronaldsay this week carrying out survey work around the Howe of Hoxa.
A team from the UHI Archaeology Institute will be back at the Burn of Swartigill from August 14 until September 8.
The first UHI Archaeology Institute online research seminar of 2023 takes place next week and will see Martin Carruthers and Scott Timpany casting a fresh eye on Iron Age stalled buildings.