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

31past horizons Past Horizons TV AOC Archaeology Group produced this laser scan of the Bone Passage and adjacent stairwell at High Pasture Cave in October 2008. To read more about their laser scanning service go to: http:// www. aocarchaeology. com/ laser- scanning. htm ? Laser Scanning