Monument record 14955 - Tolsta Chaolais, Uig, Lewis

Summary

Old track way

Location

Grid reference NB 19412 38226 (point)
Map sheet NB13NE
Island Lewis
Parish UIG, Western Isles

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

1.4.8 Old Track Way 3
another old track way can be seen snaking its way up Cnoc Iseal on the west side of the glen. This varies in width dramatically over its length and is clearly not mean for as much traffic as the others. It has been well constructed, especially evident where it crosses a stream by way of a solid stone bridge or has been hew through small outcrops of bedrock. The track disappears underneath the modern single track road to the cemetery at the top of the hill and may have been the original road to the cemetery, which was first used in 1908.
McHardy 2007, 7

Old trackway 3
Again, the exact line of the sewage system in this area was marked by the contractor's surveyor, but this time the excavation took place just a few metres to the west. This was because the sewage pipeline crosses the trackway precisely where the trackway crosses a burn via a small bridge, and although part of the bridge and the track would likely be destroyed in the process of construction, excavatin a little to the west gave a proper cross section across the track and surrounding soils.
The track was found to be a single phase construction of large gneiss flagstones laid in between and on top of many smaller 20-30cm diameter gneiss stones which were laid directly onto a deep deposit of peat. The full depth of the peat here was not established past one metre due to the large amount of water present below 500mm, making further excavation in a trench this size impractical. No distinct horizons were visible within the peat. The track is therefore of relatively recent construction (probably 18th century at the very earliest, see discussion in 1.4.8) and moreover was not in use for very long, having no evidence of upkeep or repair.
A quartz tool was discovered within the peat to the east of the track. It appears to be a large scraper, much like those found from pre-historic, specifically Neoliithic (c. 5,000 - 1,500 BCE) times (Dr Chirs Barrowman, pers comm). ….
McHardy 2007, 12
NB I remember looking at this and suggested it was natural! Certainly would not have said it was Neolithic. CSB 21/3/08


Ian McHardy, 2007, An Archaeological Study of Tolsta Chaolais (Unpublished document). SWE41190.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • --- Unpublished document: Ian McHardy. 2007. An Archaeological Study of Tolsta Chaolais.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Mar 27 2008 10:58AM

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