The excavation of a prehistoric settlement at Lower Slackbuie, Inverness

Abstract

The expansion of Inverness southwards has led to the uncovering of a landscape rich in archaeological activity, dating from the Neolithic period onwards. The abundance of archaeological evidence as been interpreted as indicating that the area was a hub for prehistoric activity (Hatherley & Murray 2021). The excavation of an area at Lower Slackbuie by Headland Archaeology in 2019 revealed evidence for Neolithic activity overlain by a series of seven roundhouses and a palisade enclosure. The later prehistoric activity likely occurred from the middle-late Bronze Age through to the Iron Age. The site at Lower Slackbuie can be linked to neighbouring sites, adding to an increasingly vibrant picture of prehistoric activity that took place south of Inverness.