Tres Ness Neolithic Cairn Excavation, 2019 WK 2

3D Model

Tres Ness Neolithic Stalled Cairn Excavation, 2019 week 2

A vast quantity of stone has been removed in the second week of excavation revealing much of the Neolithic monument. The beautifully constructed dry stone walls survive over 1.6m high in parts of the site and they will be higher still when all of the deposits have been excavated.

Much of the week was spent investigating late phases of activity on the site. To our surprise this included a Bronze Age cist constructed in the north cell, which was constructed after the roof of the chamber had been backfilled. This cist was heavily disturbed, perhaps by antiquarians, on at least two occasions. We also investigated the two insubstantial walls that encircle that appear to encircle the mound and form a kerbed cairn around the cist.

Excavations directed by Prof Vicki Cummings (University of Central Lancashire) and Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark (National Museums Scotland).