Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Clean-up Reveals 6000 Years Of Human History

24th March 2011

Photograph of Clean-up Reveals 6000 Years Of Human History

Getting rid of Britain's 20th century experiment with fast breeder nuclear reactors is illuminating the history of human settlement on Scotland's north coast stretching back 6000 years.

Archaeologists hired as part of the closure of the nuclear site at Dounreay have pieced together the legacy left by previous generations who occupied the site as long ago as 4000BC.

Headland Archaeology Ltd spent September and October excavating open ground adjacent to the redundant nuclear site that is earmarked for the disposal of low level radioactive waste from its decommissioning.

Their digging found the remains of a cairn - a stone-covered cist used to inter bodies, often with their jewellery and weapons - thought to date from the Bronze Age (circa 2300 - 700BC).

The cairn had been disturbed and emptied at some point in the past. The only remaining artefact discovered was a flint flake.

A nearby Neolithic cairn discovered in 1928 with the bodies of five people inside is already fenced off and protected by law as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It dates from 4000BC.

Headland has interpreted the area's archaeology in posters. These are now on display in Thurso at the Dounreay.com public information centre and Caithness Horizons exhibition.

Dounreay heritage officer James Gunn said: "The work carried out by Headland adds to the knowledge of the site and boosts the legacy of information we can leave behind when the nuclear facilities are gone."

The site of the archaeological excavation is earmarked for development as a shallow repository for up to 175,000 metres3 of solid low-level radioactive waste from the clean-out and demolition of the reactor experiment.

Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd announced in January that Graham Construction had been selected as its preferred bidder for the design and construction of the facility, with a formal award of contract due later this month.

Subject to regulatory and other consents, construction of the first two vaults is scheduled to begin in the autumn and take two years to complete.

The facility will enable DSRL to clear all the low-level radioactive waste from the site and dispose of it in a way that protects future generations.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Sellafield Ltd Welcomes Its Largest Ever Graduate CohortThumbnail for article : Sellafield Ltd Welcomes Its Largest Ever Graduate Cohort
More than 140 graduates have started at Sellafield Ltd.   Over 140 graduates have just started their exciting careers with the company in a range of business and technical disciplines, supporting Sellafield Ltd in its mission to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.  
UKAEA Newsletter - Edition 11 Published TodayThumbnail for article : UKAEA Newsletter - Edition 11 Published Today
Find out what has been happening at UKAEA in our monthly newsletter.  Read about our recent activities and upcoming events.  
NDA Group Investing In Our CommunitiesThumbnail for article : NDA Group Investing In Our Communities
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group has on 26 September 2024 published its 2023 to 2024 socio-economic report detailing a record investment in projects across the UK.   Over the last five years, the NDA group has invested £60 million in projects that enable permanent and sustainable change in its site communities, leveraging many millions more from partners.  
Record Numbers Join The NDA Group Graduate ProgrammeThumbnail for article : Record Numbers Join The NDA Group Graduate Programme
Over 100 graduates join the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group today as applications open for 2025.   As applications open for 2025, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group also welcomed its largest ever cohort of graduates today, with more than 100 new recruits ready to support delivery of one of the world's most important environmental programmes.  
Autonomous Robot Paves The Way For Future Fusion MaintenanceThumbnail for article : Autonomous Robot Paves The Way For Future Fusion Maintenance
In a world-first, a fully autonomous robot has been used to inspect the inside of a fusion energy facility.   In a world-first, a fully autonomous robot has been used to inspect the inside of a fusion energy facility.  
NDA Announces Multi-million Phd Bursary Commitment At SummitThumbnail for article : NDA Announces Multi-million Phd Bursary Commitment At Summit
At the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority biannual stakeholder summit, CEO David Peattie announced up to £5 million over five years to support around 20 PhDs.   On the 17th and 18th of September the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) hosted its biannual in person stakeholder summit, bringing together over 170 delegates from national and local government, the nuclear sector and site communities.  
NDA Group Showcases Progress On SustainabilityThumbnail for article : NDA Group Showcases Progress On Sustainability
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group publishes overview of progress being made against sustainability goals.   The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group has today published an overview of progress being made against its sustainability goals.  
NDA Group Establishes Innovative Partnership To Manage Asbestos Waste At Legacy Nuclear SitesThumbnail for article : NDA Group Establishes Innovative Partnership To Manage Asbestos Waste At Legacy Nuclear Sites
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), in collaboration with its subsidiary Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), has awarded two contracts to establish an innovative partnership for the enhanced management of asbestos waste.   The Asbestos Innovation Partnership (AIP) will work with the NDA, NWS and the supply chain, to test and develop new solutions to treat asbestos waste, helping to deliver efficiencies and enable more effective waste management.  
Corwm Visits Dounreay Nuclear SiteThumbnail for article : Corwm Visits Dounreay Nuclear Site
Members were given an overview of the scale of the problem and challenges faced in the decommissioning of the site.   In the last week of March 2024, several members of CoRWM led by the Chair, Sir Nigel Thrift, made the long journey up to the North of Scotland to visit the Dounreay nuclear site, now managed by Nuclear Restoration Services.  
NDA Group Establishes Innovative Partnership To Manage Asbestos Waste At Legacy Nuclear SitesThumbnail for article : NDA Group Establishes Innovative Partnership To Manage Asbestos Waste At Legacy Nuclear Sites
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), in collaboration with its subsidiary Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), has awarded two contracts to establish an innovative partnership for the enhanced management of asbestos waste.   The Asbestos Innovation Partnership (AIP) will work with the NDA, NWS and the supply chain, to test and develop new solutions to treat asbestos waste, helping to deliver efficiencies and enable more effective waste management.