Site type HEARTH(S), UNIDENTIFIED POTTERY
Canmore ID 9709
Site Number NF60NE 7
NGR NF 693 057
Council WESTERN ISLES
Parish BARRA
Former Region WESTERN ISLES ISLANDS AREA
Former District WESTERN ISLES
Former County INVERNESS-SHIRE

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Archaeological Notes

NF60NE 7 693 057.

On a rocky outcrop, rising out of the eroded sand-dunes centred 366m NNW of the Harling Factory, a line of 4 hearths c 4m apart, consisting of roughly rectangular settings of large blocks of gneiss. Finds include shells and bones (mostly burnt): numerous pieces of slag; hammer-and anvil-stones in various rocks; a flint pebble and two flint flakes (one with slight retouch) and sherds of very thick coarse pottery. Some of the slag incorporated burnt bones and pieces of fused gneiss. It is probable that one or more of the hearths were used for smelting. More pottery, a bone spatula and a piece of pumice came from nearby. Three sherds are of Dunagoil ware; most of the rest is typical iron age pottery.
Finds are in the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow University.
J Davies 1973.

Davies, J (1973a) 'Barra, Vaslain, hearths', Discovery Excav Scot
Page(s): 27-8