EHG907 - Excavation - roundhouse, Navidale, Helmsdale (A9 road realignment)

An archaeological excavation of a rouundhouse was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in late 2002 to the northeast of Helmsdale, Sutherland. The excavation of the roundhouse, was required as the upgrade of the main trunk road, the A9 would result in damage or its destruction. The excavation recorded several structural features, recovered in situ charcoal sample and several finds including a fragment of a carved spindle whorl (possible stone pendant), a few prehistoric pottery sherds and numerous coarse stone implements including saddle querns, weights, hammerstones and a possible mortar/lamp. During the excavation it was possible to accurately survey in two other roundhouses that were situated a few hundred metres southeast of the excavation area. These two roundhouses were both well preserved and appeared superficially to be very similar to that excavated. Also surveyed was a field bank lying outwith the CPO. <1> The site was fully published in 2007. <2> The excavation assemblage from the roundhouse was submitted to Treasure Trove (TT 192/09) and allocated to Inverness Museum. See attached TT fieldwork report. <3> <4> A short summary report of the 2002 excavation is held in the Inverness Museum archives, which also lists the carved spindle whorl or pendant under Acc. No. 2010.023. <5>