EHG5319 - Watching Brief - A9 Berriedale Braes, Berriedale, Caithness

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in 2018 at Berriedale Braes in advance of improvement works to the existing A9 road. The watching brief was required due to the presence of a previously known unroofed structure in the development area. This structure had been evaluated by AOC Archaeology in 2017, revealing a post-medieval structure with a well-preserved cobble floor with drains likely representing use as a byre/bothy with secondary re-use. The watching brief was carried out during topsoil stripping around the site as part of the removal of the post-medieval structure, to ensure that all archaeological features related to this structure were recorded. Fieldwork was carried out from 13th to 17th August 2018. Ground clearance and dismantling of the post-medieval building was monitored and while further recording of the structure was carried out, no further archaeological discoveries were made relating to it. At the same time as these works, visual inspection of recently disturbed ground resulting from ground investigations adjacent to the east side of the nearby cemetery identified scatters of lithics debitage over the area. A series of test pits were excavated in the area and discovered that while some lithic material had been displaced, there was significant lithics material surviving in an undisturbed underlying soil. Initial identification of these lithics indicated that Mesolithic material was present, along with possible Neolithic finds. It was recommended that further archaeological excavation be carried out to allow greater understanding of the site and further recovery of artefacts before the ground works commenced for improvements to the road. <1> See EHG5320 and EHG6431 for the two subsequent phases of excavation.