29past horizons protect the main areas of activity noted above and to stop flash- flooding episodes in Bone Passage. One of these walls however stands out from the others and comprises a feature of quite monumental proportions for this site. Constructed from large granite and limestone blocks, still standing up to five courses high and having a base some two metres wide, the wall arcs around the cave and stairwell entrance defining the area where the hearths have been uncovered. Unfortunately, the area in front of this feature has suffered serious subsidence, resulting in the wall face leaning at an alarming angle. It is only the deep sequence of archaeological deposits surrounding the hearths in this area that have stopped the wall collapsing. Decorated glass bead recovered from burnt mound deposits Neolithic or Bronze Age pottery sherd from Bone Passage Cannel- coal or Jet bracelet fragment from Trench 15 Steatite spindle whorls recovered from the hearth settings in Trench 15 Bone awl recovered from hearth settings in Trench 15 Top left: Excavations in Bone Passage Top right: Martin Wildgoose standing in the paved and cobbled walkway F15.37 Top middle: Trench 19 after removal of the burnt mound deposits revealing earlier structures including walls, post- holes and post- pads continued ? ?

past horizons30 Finally, towards the end of fieldwork this year, we uncovered another major feature in this area of the site. Below the deep ash deposits surrounding the lower of the hearth settings in the sequence mentioned above, excavations revealed a curving walkway leading towards the cave entrance. This feature, which pre- dates the construction of the stairwell, comprises a paved and cobbled access to Bone Passage, with low dry- stone revetment walls to each side. Adjacent to the walkway we uncovered surfaces covered in crushed limestone. Excavations within the burnt mound have produced further evidence to suggest that the burnt stone, burnt wood and ash that make up this feature most likely originate from the hearths mentioned above. Small finds recovered from these deposits in 2008 have included metalworking residues ( iron) including hearth bases and slag, half of a fine cobalt- blue glass bead with white line inclusions, a possible Roman bronze coin, a fragment of cannel- coal or jet bracelet, a small bronze ring and a wide range of stone tools including fragments of rotary and saddle querns. Below the burnt mound deposits we have found a wide range of features including stone- built walls, post- holes and post- pads, which require further work in 2009 to fully evaluate their function. The 2008 fieldwork season also witnessed the removal of the remaining archaeological deposits from Bone Passage. Finds once again included large quantities of animal bone, red deer antler and shellfish remains, stone and bone tools, a fragmented bronze pin and ceramics. Most of the pottery sherds, some of which were quite large and refit together, were found in coarse water- washed gravels at the base of the archaeological sequence, which may relate to an episode of flooding at the site before the revetment walls mentioned above were constructed. Although we await full analysis of the pottery recovered from this deposit, the wide range of fabrics, styles and decoration, may relate to vessels spanning the Early Bronze Age to Iron Age periods. With excavations completed in Bone Passage, we commissioned a laser scanning survey of this cave passage and the adjacent stairwell by AOC Archaeology Group. The survey was completed in October and we hope to place some preliminary results on the website soon. Our funding partners in the project are Historic Scotland, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Highland 2007 Fund, Highland Council and Skye & Lochalsh Leader+. We would also like to acknowledge the university departments and freelance specialists who have assisted with the extensive programme of post- excavation analysis, and the volunteers without whose help we could not have undertaken the work in the field. In 2009, we will undertake our final year of excavations at the High Pastures site, while we will also complete our survey of the wider landscape. Excavations will commence at the start of May and will run through until September, although the tail- end of the season will be set aside for the backfilling and re- instatement of the site. Volunteers will once again be welcome to assist with all aspects of the project work in 2009, including backfilling, but we would recommend taking part during the initial 4 months of the fieldwork season. Details will be posted on the website in the New Year. www. high- pasture- cave. org ? See the May 2008 edition of Past Horizons for a previous in depth article on High Pasture Cave. Laser scanning in the cave