Home   News   Article

8000 years of history uncovered by Tarradale Through Time Black Isle archaeology project thrown into focus





Tarradale Through Time excavating a Bronze Age landscape.
Tarradale Through Time excavating a Bronze Age landscape.

THE work of a trailblazing Black Isle archaeology project that engaged the wider community and turned up some fascinating discoveries was the focus of the latest Cromarty History Society talk.

Eric Grant's presentation launched the new season of Cromarty History Society. Well-known in archaeology circles,since moving to Ross-hire almost 20 years ago, he has been investigating the archaeological potential of the west end of the Black Isle around Tarradale and Muir of Ord.

His lecture gave a succinct portrait of how the archaeological heritage of the area has been uncovered through six community excavations which transformed the understanding of the archaeology of the Black Isle and beyond.

The Tarradale Through Time project involved many people in the community who came along to help and were able to experience how archaeology works as a process – from walking ploughed fields to find objects from thousands of years ago to digging test pits and excavations revealing surprising discoveries and then interpreting the findings.

Eric demonstrated how the project determinedly covered 8000 years of history and archaeology, from Neolithic times, with the arrival of the first farmers, through Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish, Medieval and ending with Post Medieval abandoned settlements. Tarradale has always been an agricultural area of good soils and relatively flat land, with rougher and less cultivated land rising to the north.

Part of an antler harpoon found in an excavated shell midden.
Part of an antler harpoon found in an excavated shell midden.

This has influenced its settlement and use and determined what archaeological evidence can be found. Archaeology finds mainly “hard” things that survive – axes, flints, arrowheads, pottery, stones and shell middens. The soil at Tarradale is acidic, so will destroy evidence of bones.

Aerial photographs showing crop marks and features of archaeology illustrated Eric’s talk as well as reconstruction drawings, transcription plans and photos of artefacts. There was a wealth of information to take on board and also appreciate how enigmatic some sites can be, where interpretation can always be open to conjecture. What is clear is the continuity of settlement and land use of this area. The community project has been credited with building interest and enthusiasm among local people.

Although it has come to a close, Eric has more plans to embark on now. A CHS spokeswoman said: "We feel sure that we will be inviting him back again for further updates!"

Tarradale landscape.
Tarradale landscape.

SEE ALSO: Tarradale Through Time project reaches climax

Dingwall Academy to host family heritage day

Kiltearn kids dig into Viking history

Cromarty Firth wartime remains thrown into focus

The group's next talk is on Tuesday, October 17. The speaker will be Professor David Worthington who will be giving a new perspective on the Highlands before Culloden, based on the writings of Rev. James Fraser (1634-1709). The venue is the Victoria Hall Cromarty and the talk starts at 7.30pm and is open to all.

To find out more about Cromarty History Society, see here.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More