Finds unearth truth of Cromarty's past
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE results of a major archaeological dig on the Black Isle are set to be revealed to the public for the first time.
Archaeologists and experts will gather in Cromarty on November 12 to share the results of four seasons of work on the site of the town’s medieval burgh excavations.
The public seminar will bring together the work of the fieldwork and specialist teams to explain the evolution of the royal burgh over 600 years.
The dig has been led by two Cromarty archaeologists, Steven Birch and Mary Peteranna, who first discovered exposed buildings and pieces of medieval pottery along the coastline after severe storms in December 2012.
Mr Birch said: "As soon as I saw the pieces of medieval pottery and tantalising fragments of a wall exposed by the sea I was excited to learn more.
"It is very rare for part of a medieval royal burgh to go out of use and return to farm land, so we knew that this site in Cromarty could potentially be very significant in adding to our understanding of Scottish history."
Ms Peteranna added: "It has proven to be potentially one of the most significant Scottish medieval excavations and we are grateful to have had the funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Highland Council and, equally as important, the support of the community and hundreds of amazing volunteers.
"Each year has presented exciting new discoveries. During 2015, and 2016 in particular, we uncovered extensive evidence for burnt structures, relating to a settlement that was destroyed by fire around the 14th century. Although the fire was obviously a disaster, the burning has helped to preserve fragments of the wood that formed the buildings.
"We also located a site where grain may have been stored, and recovered fragments of what appear to be burnt wooden containers such as barrels."
This past summer, Ms Peteranna was the lucky one to discover a medieval well, stone-built and still intact, with stepped access leading several metres underground.
Mysteriously, the carcass of a small horse or pony lay at the base of the well. The reason will always be a matter of speculation but it is hoped that analysis will provide a date for the pony, and therefore when the well went out of use.
Also among the finds this year were the fragments of a large glazed and patterned jug, whose pieces lay across a former pathway, as though the carrier had stumbled and dropped it.
Ms Peteranna said: "More than 600 years later it is still easy to feel the despair and frustration at having dropped such a prized possession."
The other many thousands of finds have a crucial part in telling the history of this part of the former royal burgh and the seminar will bring together the experts who have been studying them.
The series of talks will summarise the results of several seasons’ worth of pottery and glass objects, stone tools and querns, animal and fish bone and the many intriguing artefacts that include medieval spindle whorls, fish hooks, a tuning peg, combs, coins and a fine bronze alloy spoon.
"After all these years of work it is going to be fascinating to see how everything fits together over 500 years of living by and from the sea," said Mr Birch.
"By bringing together our knowledge of how the layout of the buildings changed through time, together with all the finds, we can really begin to have a feel for the daily lives of Cromarty people."
The free seminar, from 9.30am to 4pm on Saturday, November 12, at The Stables, Cromarty, is open to everyone but you need to book by October 31 by phoning 01381 600938.
