Soil micromorphology

Four micromorphology samples were analysed from the primary occupation deposits within a structure connected to a corn-drying kiln at the site of Bornais, on the island of South Uist, in the Outer Hebrides. The floors were composed predominantly of peat ash, which alternated with lenses of course shell sand originating from the machair sands the structure had been dug into. The peat had been well-humified prior to burning, and contained well-sorted, fine silicate sands that must have been deposited into the developing peat by wind. In addition to peat, there were small quantities of wood ash and dung ash, and the ubiquitous presence of non-metallurgical slag (vitrified ash) attested to the high temperatures achieved in the kiln.