Volunteers pitch in to unearth Nybster broch's treasures
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL groups have praised the local community for its involvement in a dig at Nybster that should help unveil some of the mysteries around brochs in Caithness.
Over four weeks this summer, as part of the Caithness Summer of Archaeology 2011, AOC Archaeology Group has assisted Caithness Archaeological Trust in its excavation of Nybster broch with help from the public.
AOC’s public archaeology officer, Charlotte Douglas, revealed over 80 volunteers of all ages got involved in the project between April 26 and May 8, and August 1 and 13 – helping to excavate and record two large trenches within the broch complex.
“Over 2000 man hours were volunteered over 24 days of fieldwork – a phenomenal effort for which AOC and Caithness Archaeological Trust are incredibly grateful,” she said.
“Schoolchildren also had the opportunity to take part, with over 130 local primary schoolchildren visiting the Caithness Broch Centre as well as the excavations in April. Moreover, we were lucky enough to receive a visit from HRH the Duke of Rothesay when he was visiting Caithness in August.”
She added: “The project would not exist but for the community’s passion and enthusiasm for their heritage.”
The dig’s director of excavations, Dr Graeme Cavers, said it has been a worthwhile project in order to further the ?general knowledge surrounding brochs in the county.
“These excavations have demonstrated just how complex stone structures in Caithness can be and how sites like Nybster repeatedly went through phases of reconstruction and change throughout the Iron Age and early historic centuries,” said Dr Cavers.
“This excavation was the first to investigate rampart structures around a broch in Caithness and will help to further our understanding of how, when and why these enigmatic structures were built.”
Dr Cavers explained there were quite a few findings from the excavations in April
He said the first phase of the rampart’s construction was around two-and-a-half metres thick, built on a steep outcrop of rock, which may have been enhanced by quarrying to create a deep outer ditch.
In a later phase of activity, the rampart was enhanced by doubling its thickness. “At this stage, the original entrance through the rampart was dismantled and rebuilt to incorporate a cell or room within the wall,” he said.
“The cell had a paved floor and was accessed by climbing a short flight of steps on the inner wall of the rampart before stepping down into the interior. A large, worn quern stone, used for grinding grain by hand, was found inside the cell.”
The final phase of activity was the insertion of stone boxes into the ruinous remains of the broch settlement, “very possibly” late Pictish or Viking burials.
Excavations earlier this month concentrated on one of the “Jelly Baby” houses, so called through their similarity in shape to the popular sweets. These buildings usually date to the Pictish period (third to 10th centuries AD).
“We excavated an oval building with a cell at both the northern and southern ends. Layers of paving and numerous hearths were revealed in the interior – these hearths will provide valuable dating evidence,” said Dr Cavers.
“An area of burnt material to the west of the ‘Jelly Baby’ house yielded the most finds in August, including part of a Roman bead, evidence that trade and exchange networks were in place.”
Other finds from the excavation included pottery, moulds for making bronze pins, crucible fragments relating to metalworking, as well as cannel coal, often used for making jewellery, a bone needle and a small stone pendant.
Analysis of these artefacts and soil samples will help date the phases of construction more accurately, and provide a more detailed picture of activity at Nybster.
The project was funded by LEADER, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Highland Council.
