Covers come off for restart of Swartigill archaeological dig near Thrumster next week – 'Swartigill continues to raise the profile of Caithness archaeology, and is attracting interest locally, and, indeed, worldwide'
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On Monday (August 15), the covers come off the "remarkable community excavation" at Swartigill, near Thrumster, in preparation for this year’s phase of archaeological investigation.
Islay Macleod from Thrumster House, director of the body organising the dig (Yarrows Heritage Trust/YHT), said that work will continue until September 9.
"It is rare to find a major site that has never been excavated in the past, without modern technology and methods," she said. "Swartigill continues to raise the profile of Caithness archaeology, and is attracting interest locally, and, indeed, worldwide."
Careful sifting of soil samples from the archaeological site has revealed several minuscule pieces of Iron Age jewellery that could originate from recycled Roman glass. The structures being uncovered seem to date from the same era as the Iron Age brochs that Caithness is famous for and suggest that a village of some complexity existed there for a number of centuries.
An underground chamber called a souterrain was found and may have been cooled by water flowing through small underground channels underneath its base – the most recent excavations appear to show water being diverted from the nearby burn for exactly that purpose. One of the archaeology team said it was not too far-fetched to think of it as an "Iron Age fridge".
As Rick Barton, dig supervisor said: “The Burn of Swartigill Iron Age Settlement is a hidden gem. The site has a wealth of archaeological information to help us understand lives of the people of Caithness from over 2000 years ago.
"The project provides an opportunity for archaeologists to collaborate with the members of the public, to share the experience of discovery and enhance our collective understanding of past societies. The original perception was it could have been related to a [nearby] medieval farm," said Rick in reference to the initial investigation back in 2012 when YHT had contacted Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology after discovering part of a structure along the edge of a burn on the Thrumster Estate.
Anyone can take part, and the site is also open to visitors at any time for a tour and explanation of it. If you want to take part in the dig, instruction on digging and handling artefacts will be given.
A preview of the work will be on show at the Thrumster Game Fair on Saturday (August 13), aided by the Living History Group, which will act to bring the past to life. Look for this at the old railway station at Thrumster.
YHT would like to thank its funders, LybsterTananch, Informal Learning fund (Eneco), Camster EON fund (Foundation Scotland) and Caithness Archaeological Trust.
