A history project in the remote north west of Scotland has discovered that local clays are well-suited to Neolithic-style pot firing. This was the result of a simple experimental archaeology process, as part of a project called Life and Death in Assynt’s Past.

Gordon Sleight, projects leader for Historic Assynt said, ‘Alongside three archaeological digs, the team has begun some experimental archaeology investigations into early pottery. We started this as a way to give local people a chance to become involved in the project and to get a sense of what life might have been like for those who used the buildings we are excavating, but the results are already turning out to be really interesting.’

On Saturday 24 September, the team explored the idea that in the Neolithic period, pots may have been fired on an ordinary open fire rather than in a specially built kiln. Pots, which had been made in the weeks previously by a wide range of members of the local community, were warmed then placed into a fire. The pots were of two types: some made with modern, specialist ceramic clay, and some made with clay dug up from a local seam at Elphin. Most of the pots exploded, but those made of the local clay were most robust and tolerant of this primitive firing technique. This may perhaps be due to the presence of organic material in the clay.

Brenda Gibson, project officer and potter, said, ‘This has been a fascinating experiment which now points the way to other things we might try, in order to end up with useful pots. Surely the early potters went through similar trials, learning from their experiences as they went along. I feel as though we are travelling the same journey of discovery that our ancient ancestors travelled before us all those years ago.’

Further experiments with the Elphin clay and with clay dug up at Clachtoll will be carried out in coming months, to determine how it performs in kilns. The team is now discussing more simulations of early firing methods, perhaps constructing simple kilns. Ultimately the aim is to be able to produce reproductions of some of the shards of pots dug up in local excavations, such as the recent finds at Clachtoll broch and earlier finds from Neolithic chambered cairns.

Having dug a Neolithic cairn at Loch Borralan, Ledmore, and an Iron Age broch at Clachtoll, the project is now starting work on an excavation of a pre-Clearance longhouse in Glenleraig (from 26 September until 8 October). The three digs are being organised by Historic Assynt and funded by Historic Scotland, Leader and the Lottery. Visitors are welcome to the digs at any time between 9am and 5pm and there will be someone who can show them round. Volunteers are most welcome. No experience is required and there are things to do for all abilities.

For more information and photographs, contact:

Gordon Sleight, Phone: 01571 855207, Email: gordon@gsleight.freeserve.co.uk

or see the dig diary at http://www.aocarchaeology.com/ldap/

Source: Historic Assynt