National Trust archaeologists get stuck in to prehistoric rubbish tip on Iona

Derek Alexander, National Trust for Scotland (NTS) archaeologist, has discovered a prehistoric rubbish tip in an area of erosion on the bank of a burn at Port Ban on the west side of Argyll’s Isle of Iona.

The pit, which over time has been cut in half by the burn and by a sheep path. is 2,000 years old and NTS archaeologists have now spent several days recording its contents. It contained a wealth of prehistoric domestic refuse, including limpet and whelk shells, burnt and unburnt bones from sheep, goats and a grey seal, shards of pottery thought to date from the late Bronze Age or Iron Age. They also found flint and a large cobble stone tool.

Trust experts say that the remains may suggest there was a nearby settlement. Derek Alexander, who found it, says: ‘Although this is only a small site, the finds are quite exciting as they suggest a settlement close by. Despite the obvious early Christian history of Iona very little is known of its prehistoric settlement, so this discovery is an important addition to our knowledge of this remarkable island.

The photograph above of NTS archaeologists at work on the site at Port Ban has been provided free of copyright by NTS.