Monument record 12174 - Allasdale short cist cemetery, Barra

The site is approximately 45m by 10m. The exposed surface consisted of a dark brown deposit, strewn with marine shell and cobbles (frequently fire-cracked). A surface collection of artefacts was made, amounting to 5 pot-sherds (one with ring-pin decoration, indicative of Middle Iron Age occupation) and two pieces of struck flint. A small amount of burnt bone (mammal & cetacean) was also noted. Recently disturbed disarticulated human bone was found on the surface in the eastern half of the site.
Two burials were found in the western half of the site.
Kate MacDonald, Nov. 2005

Four cist burials were excavated by AOC Archaeology Group in December 2005. Two contained neo-natal skeletons, and two adult skeletons, one of which was crouched, the other disarticulated. Further features were identified, including the possible remains of a round house (in addition to known wheelhouse smr no. 529), walls, a cairn and other stone settings. Finds from the deflated surfaces included a polished stone axe, and ceramics dating from the Neolithic to the Iron Age
Cook, 2005

Evaluation and excavation carried by Wessex Archaeology for Time Team. Two further cist burial were investigated. The first was ovoid in shape with a lining of Lewisian gneiss stones. The majority of the lining stones were upright although a number were horizontal, giving the impression of the cist originally having a corbelled roof . It contained a single inhumation burial, in a tightly flexed position. This skeleton was radiocarbon dated to 1880-1630 BC, the Early Bronze Age.
The second cist was ovoid in shape and lined with vertical Lewisian gneiss stones, a number of which were horizontal, again suggesting a corbelled roof . Within were the remains of inhumation burial, in a flexed position.

K.Murphy (CnES Archaeologist) 22/02/2019

Martin Cook, AOC Archaeology, 2005, Historic Scotland Human Remains Call-Off Cotnract: Allasdale, Barra (Unpublished document). SWE41088.

Kate MacDonald, 2005, Traigh Hamara: Rapid Evaluation (Unpublished document). SWE41115.

Martin Cook, AOC Archaeology, 2006, The Excavation of a Bronze Age Cemetery at Allasdale, Barra, Western Isles (Article in serial). SWE41116.