Monument record 2071 - ALLT CHRISAL, BARRA

NL69NW 7.37 6425 9774

T26A: The area N of NL69NW 7.06 was excavated (in 1989-94) to bedrock for about 85% of its known area, revealing a complex mass of superimposed hearths, pits, post-holes, stone settings and general occupational and industrial debris. This area of activity clearly extended to the S, under NL96NW 7.06, the construction of which eradicated any prehistoric deposits.
Samples taken from a charcoal deposit were submitted for radiocarbon dating, and a date of cal BP 5643-5474 (GU-3922) was returned. A second hearth/kiln gave a date of cal BP 4700 + 100 (GU-3467).
Among the artifacts found were pieces of Neolithic pottery (including Unstan ware) stone axes, Beaker pottery, flint implements and knapping debitage.
P foster 1989; P Foster 1992; K Branigan 1993; K Branigan and P foster 1995; NMRS, MSS. 595/3 and 595/9.

The monument known as Alt Chrisal, multi-period settlement 750m ESE of Gortein, Barra, comprises the remains of a multi-period settlement site that also includes some evidence for prehistoric ritual activity. Survey & excavations between 1989 and 1994, by Sheffield University, found evidence for settlement dating from the Neolithic (about 3600 years BC) to the 18th and 19th centuries. The stone-built elements of the excavated structures are still largely visible on site today, where not destroyed by the road and sheep pen. The area to be scheduled is irregular, with maximum dimensions of 300m NNW-SSE by 270m NNE-SSW, to include the main focus of surviving above-ground structures at Alt Chrisal and an area in which evidence related to their construction and use may survive. The fenceline along the roadside and around the sheep pen (which forms the S boundary of the site) is excluded from the scheduling, to allow for maintenance.
HS scheduling document, 8.11.2005

P Foster, 1989, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 69 (Bibliographic reference). SWE10416.

P Foster, 1992b, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 88 (Bibliographic reference). SWE25421.

K Branigan, 1993a, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 109 (Bibliographic reference). SWE28575.

K. Brannigan & P. Foster, 1995, Barra: archaeological research on Ben Tangaval from the end of the Ice Age to the Crofting Commissio, 51, 72-93, 97-8, 100-16, 120-1, 124-5, 131, 135-9, 142-58 figs. 4.16-4.23 and 4.50-4.51 (Bibliographic reference). SWE33223.