Prehistoric rubbish under inspection on Iona

Archaeologists from the National Trust for Scotland have spent days recording the remains of a 2000 year old rubbish pit on Iona.

Archaeologists from the National Trust for Scotland have spent days recording the remains of a 2000 year old rubbish pit on Iona.

The site was discovered eroding out of the sandy bank of a burn on the west side of the island by National Trust for Scotland Archaeologist, Derek Alexander.

The pit, which was cut in half by a burn and a sheep path 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. Flint and a large cobble stone tool were also found.

Trust experts say that the remains may suggest there was a nearby settlement.

Trust archaeologist Derek Alexander said:

“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.”