VIKING UNST PROJECT: FIELD SEASON 2008 - Nabo

External DepositsA section was excavated through the fuel ash slag deposit in Area A, ([003], [093], [216])to examine its depth and horizontal extent and to collect further dating samples. Thematerial appeared to have been burnt in situ, [216] and [093] being the main burningepisodes. The area of burning was contained by a low stone boundary [119], which both[216] and [093] butted against. North of this boundary were peat layers [118] and [128]which were sterile of anthropogenic material.Immediately north of the structure, further investigation of the gully was made includingthe removal of the small north-south baulk that remained from last season’s excavations.Removal of this baulk revealed a number of peaty layers ([113], [115], [116]) sealing theremnant of the wall of the structure [007], the top of the fuel ash slag deposit [003] and therubble in the top of the gully fill [062]. The east end of this gully had been partiallyexcavated in the 2007 season; this involved the removal of rubble [061] (equal to [062])and fill [063] revealing cut [064]. As found in Area B in 2007 excavations this seasonrevealed this cut to be a later re-cut through earlier fill [184] which was removed andsampled. [184] proved to seal the primary fill, a greenish deposit [188] which sealed thebedrock.On the south side of the structure further investigations were made into the peat growthwhich had been found to be sealing flagging [029] in the 2007 season. A series of sampleswere taken from the peat sections in Area A, further details of which are given in section5.4, this volume. In addition a small (1x3m) trench was opened up over the field boundaryto the south of the main excavation area. This showed that the boundary predated the peatgrowth found on top of paving [029] and also most likely predated the longhouse structure.It is thought that the peat growth was triggered by the building of the longhouse, creating awet basin microclimate between the structure and surrounding field boundaries thusencouraging peat growth (M. Church & G. Swindles, pers. comm.).AnnexesThree structures, physically attached but external to the main structure, were identified. Thefirst of these, the south east annexe (figure 2.5), was partly excavated in the 2007 season;see Bond et al. (2007) for a description of the walls. At the end of the 2007 season thisstructure was left with its internal occupation deposits intact. [053], a greasy blackoccupation type deposit was excavated this season to reveal a hearth and other occupationdeposits. Removal of [053] revealed a light brown ashy deposit [172], which in turn sealed[174], a charcoal rich deposit with orange mottles. Removal of this revealed the full extentof a rectangular feature [166], probably a hearth, which sealed [177], another occupationdeposit. [166] was bounded by flags [176] which covered most of the interior of the annexeroom. This deposit contained the charred remains of complete ears of cereal, which wereremoved as a block sample SF894 for processing in the laboratory. External to this annexeand sealing the south wall [039], deposit [131], a dark peaty deposit with small stones wasremoved revealing that the annexe wall was built directly on top of the bedrock, indicatingthat it was likely associated with the main structure from its earliest occupation. Access intothe annexe appears to have been from the south along paving [038] which turns 90˚ to run23