ARCHAEOLOGISTS have been called in to investigate what is thought to be a Bronze Age tomb uncovered in the garden of a house in Spinningdale.
The burial cist, a stone-lined chamber sealed with a large flat capstone, contains human remains and a pottery bowl or beaker placed near the skull. They are thought to be around 3500 years old.
The find was made by Tain digger driver Ronnie Fraser during construction of an extension to Glenys Munro's home at Keas Cottage, Spinningdale.
"It's right outside my bedroom window," Glenys said.
"Ronnie was digging a hole for the new septic tank when he hit a big flat stone about six feet down.
"He caught the edge of it and started to move it up the bank, but when he saw what was inside he knew what it was and he stopped straight away. It's quite exciting."
She added: "Ronnie dug another hole for the septic tank, so it hasn't held up the work at all."
After Glenys reported the find, an archaeologist from Highland Council made a preliminary inspection of the grave and has called in experts from Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division to make a fuller investigation.
They are expected to be on site at least until the weekend.
"They seem to think it's quite an important discovery," Glenys added.
Source: The Northern Times [September 29, 2011]
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| Part of a skull found at Spinningdale [Credit: Northern Times] |
The find was made by Tain digger driver Ronnie Fraser during construction of an extension to Glenys Munro's home at Keas Cottage, Spinningdale.
"It's right outside my bedroom window," Glenys said.
"Ronnie was digging a hole for the new septic tank when he hit a big flat stone about six feet down.
"He caught the edge of it and started to move it up the bank, but when he saw what was inside he knew what it was and he stopped straight away. It's quite exciting."
She added: "Ronnie dug another hole for the septic tank, so it hasn't held up the work at all."
After Glenys reported the find, an archaeologist from Highland Council made a preliminary inspection of the grave and has called in experts from Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division to make a fuller investigation.
They are expected to be on site at least until the weekend.
"They seem to think it's quite an important discovery," Glenys added.
Source: The Northern Times [September 29, 2011]