Dun Fhinn, Islay: excavation, woodland exploitation and building an Iron Age chronology for Argyll

Regan, R., Maričević, D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8647-6250, Barnett, C. and Mithen, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3391-7443 (2022) Dun Fhinn, Islay: excavation, woodland exploitation and building an Iron Age chronology for Argyll. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 151. pp. 75-102. ISSN 2056-743X doi: 10.9750/PSAS.151.1329

Abstract/Summary

Duns are a problematic class of monuments for Argyll. They encompass an ill-defined and diverse range of structures, with limited evidence for their chronology and functions within late prehistoric and early historic society, settlement and economy. The Isle of Islay has a notably high concentration of duns, especially in its south-east region. We describe a small-scale excavation at one of these, Dun Fhinn, designed to establish the date of its construction and that of a circular internal structure, the latter proposed by the RCAHMS as a later addition. These are shown to have functioned at the same time in the later half of the 1st millennium bc, the roundhouse likely being an integral part of the original construction. Finds were limited to a few utilised stones, fragments of burnt clay and the rim of a wooden bowl, while a charcoal assemblage provides insights into the surrounding landscape and its exploitation for fuel. We consider the significance of Dun Fhinn for development of an Iron Age chronology for Argyll.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/108177
Identification Number/DOI	10.9750/PSAS.151.1329
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Social Archaeology Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Archaeology
Publisher	Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
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