Balnabodach is a small township on the east side of Barra, its present-day houses strung out along either side of the road, overlooking Loch Obe. Down by the shore of the loch are the remains of two earlier settlements, and it is here that the present archaeological studies are focused.

In 2005 a major storm eroded a dune next to the beach at Allasdale, Barra, exposing human remains. They were first noticed by Barra artist Moira Bard and identified as human by a local doctor, after which a team of archaeologists was called in. The site was clearly at risk from further erosion, so Historic Scotland funded an urgent rescue dig.