EHG4613 - Evaluation - Craig Phadrig, Inverness

Damage assessment and a small evaluation were undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2015 following severe winter storms having caused significant damage to the Craig Phadrig hillfort. Two windblown trees exposed a section of the inner rampart of the fort. Prior to consolidation and reinstatement of the damaged area, a small archaeological evaluation was conducted on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland in order to assess the level of damage and record the nature of surviving archaeological deposits within the tree exposures. Clean-up of the exposures revealed that the tree root plates had damaged the core of the upper rampart bank and the inner wall face of the main rampart. The evaluation trench revealed that the main rampart consisted of a 6.5m-wide wall with interior and exterior built faces supporting loose wall core. A ‘V’-shaped trench, interpreted as a probable palisade slot, cut through the top of the rampart. An upper rubble bank built next to the top of the ditch and possible post settings on the rampart surface may represent secondary phases of use of the rampart. Considerable vitrified and heat-affected stone was noted throughout the upper rampart but was not continuous. On the interior, a possible fire-pit cut through collapsed stone may also relate to later occupation of the hillfort. A post-excavation phase of works will be required. <1>