THREE bronze age burial chambers have been unearthed during excavations to lay foundations for 11 homes in Armadale on Skye.
UBC workmen discovered the first stone kist, measuring two metres long by half a metre wide, around three weeks ago at the Pier Road site. The stone-clad space contained a pottery urn and other remains. An archaeological watching brief was immediately put on all work at the site as its historical importance became clear. A further two kists were unearthed in succeeding days; all are believed to date to around 2,000 years BC.
A specialist archaeological team led by specialist Mary Peteranna is currently working to date, map, record and remove finds before the area is built on. UBC is building the five rented and six shared equity homes for Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association (LSHA), which are due for completion in summer 2010. Publicity has been at a minimum so far over fears the ground, which is owned by LSHA, could be damaged by sightseers.
LSHA boss Lachie MacDonald said: ‘The archaeologists wanted to avoid the area becoming contaminated and destroyed by individuals coming down and tramping through the site.’ The Scottish government has been informed, Mr MacDonald said, and instructions had gone out to ensure treasure trove legislation was complied with.
Local opinion currently seems to favour having the finds, and possibly the kists themselves, displayed in a local museum.
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