Location
map (4.9k)
Location
map (4.9k)
Excavations by Nick Tavener in 1984 and 1985 on cropmark sites identified as pit and post alignments revealed a bow-ended pit-defined enclosure dated to late fifth to mid fourth millennium cal BC, a post-defined enclosure dated to the mid fourth to early third millennium cal BC, and possible domestic activity. The pits of the enclosure showed up to three phases of use with deposits containing Carinated Bowl-type pottery in the later phases. Medieval or post-medieval rig and furrow overlay the site. The project was funded by Historic Scotland.
The following is an edited extract from the final report. The report has been submitted to the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and should be published in volume 127 in 1998 (Rideout forthcoming). This version has two pages of text and, excluding the location map above, has only two images (thumb-nail here, larger version on a separate page). Apart from this page they are -
The site was excavated in advance of construction of the Stirling Eastern Distributor Road and construction of housing between the new road and Bannockburn (site centred NGR NS 816 901). It lay to the south of the old B9124 Bannockburn to Cowie road. An Iron Age promontory fort and a palisaded homestead to the north were also excavated (Rideout 1996).
Site photograph (12.6 k)
The excavated western end of Enclosure 1 consisted of 50 pits in three rough lines forming a U-shape, with five further pits near the line and three further away. The enclosure was 33 m wide near its western end and 36 m wide beside the eastern baulk. The original length of the enclosure is not known. A length of 35 m was excavated. The gaps between the pits varied, the gap between P5 and P6 for example was c 0.2 m; the gap between P48 and P49 was c 1.6 m. If, as noted by the excavator (Tavener 1987, 71), erosion has been greatest on the north side, then P6 and P7 may originally have merged at the original ground surface or one cut the other (greater erosion on the north side may be borne out by the average depth of pits which on the north side is 0.49 m; on the west side, 0.60 m; on the south side, 0.72 m). In their final form, they ranged in size between c 0.9 m and c 1.9 m in diameter. The irregular lines of the enclosure give the appearance of having been constructed in short lengths of a few pits at a time.
All of the samples from ten pits were assessed for seed, and other macroplant, content but few seeds were recovered.
Although three phases of use were recorded, some pits show no evidence of activity in some of the phases although a Phase 1 is assumed for all of Pits P1 to P50. Hence, for example, some pits are seen as being Phase 1/Phase 2/Phase 3 while others are Phase 1/Phase 2 or Phase 1/Phase 3. Of the pits lying outside the enclosure boundary, only two, P55 and P57, are similar to the 50 pits making up the excavated part of the enclosure. The others either were not excavated or are significantly different from the rest.
The first phase of activity involved the cutting of roughly circular pits, mostly with steep to vertical sides and level bases. One pit, P15, had apparently been 'undercut' to create a pit narrower near the subsoil surface than towards the base. The sides were scarred with spade or pick marks. Later activity has tended to mask the details of the Phase 1 pits and in some cases a Phase 1 is assumed although no fills survived the Phase 2 activity. Those which have survived show that the Phase 1 pits excavated were between 1.11m and 1.76 m wide and between 0.10 m and 0.95 m deep. The average width was 1.38 m (20 measurements) and the average depth 0.60 m (37 measurements).
Where later activity had not removed the fills of the Phase 1 pits it was apparent that the pits had been allowed to silt up to at least the depth of the subsoil surface. The nature and distribution of the surviving fills gave no indication of deliberate backfilling. Few finds were recovered. Two body sherds of Neolithic pottery were recovered from pit P42 but they were near the top of the fills and the interpretation of the pit was confused by the removal of the upper fills before the section was drawn. Another body sherd was recovered from the top of unexcavated outlier pit P58. A grinding stone was recovered from the context identified as a probable Phase 1 in pit P9 although the stone may actually have come from Phase 2. A pecked stone and a chert flake were recovered from pit P3. Very little charcoal survived, but a sample from pit P18 produced enough material for a radiocarbon date. The sample, from the bottom of the pit, proved to be large diameter oak. it was not, therefore, used for dating. No charred seeds were found in any of the Phase 1 samples included in the macroplant assessment.
Pit P45 (16.7k)
In the majority of pits P1 to P50, much of the Phase 1 silting was removed and a stone lining was inserted, occasionally off-centre (see photo above). Usually steep-sided and flat bottomed, the recuts of the pits were between 0.90 m and 1.95 m wide and between 0.27 m and 0.91 m deep. The average dimensions are 1.29 m wide (30 measurements) and 0.59 m deep (34 measurements). That this phase was a deliberate re-cut of the pits is most clearly illustrated by one pit, P38, where the Phase 1 pit, backfilled to the level of the subsoil surface, was cut by a small negative feature F3051 which was, in turn, cut by Phase 2. The stone lining often appeared near the subsoil surface as a rough ring or sub-rectangle of stones and in section as little more than a stone tumble or a few stones. The best constructed, or best surviving, lining was near vertical with more than one course. In some cases the lining survived only in part of the pit and below the level of the subsoil surface. Clean till or sand usually formed the matrix for the stones, occasionally forming a layer between the stones and the surviving Phase 1 fills. In many cases, the lining was roughly square or sub-rectangular in plan. Some pits with a Phase 2 showed no evidence of stone lining but since a number were not fully excavated the lining may not have been detected. Other activity associated with this phase resulted in evidence of burning which in some cases produced large quantities of charcoal or charcoal-stained soil.
In one pit (P6), the surviving carbonised wood had the appearance of collapsed plank -built lining. Most of the burning appeared to have been in situ but there was little evidence of scorching on the stones or surrounding soil. The charcoal-bearing soil usually overlay a light grey silty loam which was also found in pits with little or no charcoal. The excavator suggested that the layer could be interpreted as the product of wood ash (Tavener 1987, 72). In some cases, there appeared to be more than one event involving burning. Upper and lower layers of charcoal-bearing soil in pit P25 produced samples for identification and radiocarbon assay (see Table 1 for all dates). The lower sample was large and exclusively of oak. The upper sample contained mostly oak with pine, hazel and alder in small quantities. The hazel charcoal was submitted for AMS dating (4830 ± 60 BP (AA-20412)). A sample from the bottom of Phase 2 in pit P5, another large sample of oak with small quantities of hazel and pine was not used for dating. Similarly, a sample, exclusively oak from the bottom of Phase 2 in pit P6, was sub-sampled to provide three AMS dates (5130 ± 60 BP (AA-20409); 5145 ± 80 BP (AA-20410); 5135 ± 70 BP (AA-20411)).
Following the burning activity, the pits filled with topsoil-like soils, again apparently to the level of, or nearly to the level of, the subsoil surface. Finds included body sherds of Neolithic pottery from pits P17, P41, P45, P46, P47 and from outlier pit P57. Pit P25 produced a chert flake , an inner chunk of chert and a chert blade. A pitchstone blade was recovered from pit P34, and a chert flake was found in pit P48 . Single charred grains of Triticum (wheat) were found in samples from pits P11, P23 and P25. Other charred seeds from Phase 2 were a single charred seed of Ranunculus flammula (Lesser spearwort) which was found in a Phase 2 sample from pit P1, single seeds of Ranunculus flammula and Galium aparine (Cleavers) from pit P48, and two seeds of Galium aparine and a small grass seed from pit P6.
This phase was often the first feature noted in the first season, being visible before the other fills at subsoil level. The impression given by the sections was that Phase 3 could be the product either of activity in or around the Phase 2 pits before they were fully backfilled or of activity in second, shallower recuts into the pits. In profile, they ranged from deep and steep-sided to shallow and bowl-shaped, 0.33 m to 1.45 m wide and 0.12 m to 0.76 m deep. On average they were 0.81 m wide (22 measurements) and 0.44 m deep (26 measurements). In many cases, the Phase is defined by a deposit of charcoal or charcoal-bearing soil below topsoil-like material. Since some of the Phase 3 features show in section as being deep, steep-sided, and with clear boundaries, it is possible that some, if not all, were deliberate recuts. Some, however, look like little more than the final fills of Phase 2 pits.
Three samples were selected for identification and radiocarbon assay. None proved suitable. A rim sherd of a Neolithic carinated vessel was recovered from pit P17. Pit P43 produced another rim sherd as well as two body sherds. Other body sherds were found in pit P40 and pit P44. A retouched mudstone flake was found in pit P18. Pit P35 produced a flint flake, pit P37 produced a pitchstone flake, pit P39 and pit P42 produced chert flakes. Singe charred seeds of Galium aparine (Cleavers) and Vicia/Lathyrus (vetch/pea) were found in a Phase 3 sample from pit P6.
Only two miscellaneous pits are of similar form to the enclosure pits. In addition to the pits, there were a number of small negative features forming a group inside the enclosure. No pattern can be seen in their distribution. One cuts Phase 1 of pit P38; another cuts pit P36. Three of the small features were seen to have been cut by one of the agricultural furrows. Most of the features are small and shallow, from 0.10 m to 0.58 m in diameter and up to 0.20 m deep. A chert flake was recovered from F3106, a flint flake from F3105, two chert blades from F3097, a chert flake from F3107 and a chert chunk from F3237.
One feature, to the north of pit P42, is also shallow (0.15 m deep) but is 1.10 m in diameter. A shallow linear feature of indeterminate length, to the east of the small negative features, was cut by the furrows. A possible pit (F3122), only partly investigated, was cut by Pit P52. It produced a quartzite core or flaked chunk.
A gap of 11 m at its narrowest separated Enclosure 1 from Enclosure 2. Enclosure 2 appears to have been roughly rectangular and was defined by post-holes. It measured 27.5 m wide at its widest known point, near the eastern end, and 25.5 m further to the west. The eastern end of the enclosure survived best. Not all of the trenches located post-holes and it appears that erosion has removed much of the middle sections and all of a putative western end. The known length of the northern side is c 50 m, while the surviving length of the southern side is 89 m. The south side is aligned WNW to ESE (c 64º west of True North). What survives of the north side is not exactly parallel to the southern side being c 68º 30' west of True North.
The irregular boundary of Enclosure 2 gives the appearance of having been constructed in short, slightly curved rows of between six and eight post-holes. Except for a short stretch of smaller post-holes near the middle of the east side, the lengths are convex to the inside of the enclosure. The gaps between the post-holes in Area 2 ranged between 0.10 m and 1.00 m with the average being 0.45 m (59 measurements - original measurements to nearest 0.05 m). The gaps on the south side were generally wider (average 0.42 m : 10 measurements) than on the north and east sides, which averaged 0.52 m (19 measurements) and 0.49 m (28 measurements) respectively.
Post-holes PH62 to PH65 which lie inside and outside the enclosure near its north-east corner and are not necessarily of the same date as the enclosure. Measurements based on section drawings show that the post-holes were between 0.33 m and 0.85 m wide and between 0.11 and 0.38 m deep. On average they were 0.57 m wide and 0.21 m deep (22 measurements). Most of the post-holes contained evidence of post-pipes in a packing of redeposited subsoil. A few packing stones were recorded. Where measurable, the post-pipes are between 0.30 m and 0.50 m wide, with most of them around 0.35 m wide. Few finds were recovered. Neolithic pottery was found in PH19, PH22 and PH57 (rim or carinated sherd). A chert chip was found in PH13, a chert flake in PH21, a flint chip in PH47 and a chert chip from PH57. A burnt flint chip was also found in outlier post-hole PH65.
Flotation samples from eight of the post-holes were included in the macroplant assessment (odd numbers between PH45 to PH59 inclusive). One seed of Hordeum (Barley) was found in PH45, one indeterminate cereal seed in PH51 and two seeds of Hordeum sativum in PH57.
Two of the post-holes (PH21 and PH22) in the north-east corner of Enclosure 2 cut a shallow pit (P59) described in the site record as a 'fire pit'. The pit, 1.20 m in diameter and 0.34 m deep had a lower sandy fill containing charcoal and an upper charcoal stained, charcoal-bearing fill. The upper fill contained a few fragments of burnt bone. Neolithic pottery was recovered from the upper fill (body sherds, carinated sherds and rim sherds). The same context produced two burnt cobbles, chert flakesand a chert core. One of the post-holes in Area 5 produced a chert flake. Three samples of carbonised material produced hazel charcoal, hazel nut shells and pine charcoal. The hazel nut shells were submitted as AMS dating samples and produced a date of 6530 ±75 BP (AA-20413). To compare to this date, the largest charcoal sample, exclusively oak, from PH43 was identified and sub-sampled for two AMS dates. The result was 4490 ± 110 BP (AA-20414); 4530 ± 110 BP (AA-20415).
In addition to 'fire pit' P59, described above because of its relationship to Enclosure 2, and two possibly medieval post-holes in Area 11, a number of negative features were noted in the vicinity. Most were recorded on pre-excavation plan only and were left unexcavated. The majority were in, or near, the gap between Enclosure 1 and Enclosure 2. No pattern can be discerned in their distribution. Some, like a curvilinear band of iron-stained soil linking small negative features near the end of Enclosure 2, may be natural features. Inside Enclosure 2 are two un-numbered, unexcavated possible pits.
| Context interpretation | Sample (AA-) | Date (BP) | 1 sigma (CAL BC) | 2 sigma (CAL BC) |
| Lower, Phase 2, charcoal fill of pit P6 | 20410 | 5145±80 | 4035-3819 | 4222-3780 |
| Lower, Phase 2, charcoal fill of pit P6 | 20409 | 5130±60 | 3997-3820 | 4040-3790 |
| Lower, Phase 2, charcoal fill of pit P6 | 20411 | 5135±70 | 4031-3819 | 4215-3780 |
| Phase 2 fill of pit P25 | 20412 | 4830±60 | 3696-3529 | 3778-3384 |
| Upper fill of 'fire pit' P59 | 20413 | 6530±75 | 5508-5368 | 5621-5248 |
| Fill of Enclosure 2 post-hole PH43 | 20414 | 4490±110 | 3360-2930 | 3510-2910 |
| Fill of Enclosure 2 post-hole PH43 | 20415 | 4530±50 | 3353-3103 | 3369-3041 |
The radiocarbon dates from the site show that it may have been in use at the same time as a settlement at Chapelfield, Cowie, 2 km to the east. For further musings on Neolithic linear monuments see Kenny Brophy's Home Page.
The (edited) Discussion from the publication report can be found here.
Rideout, J S 1996 `Excavation of a promontory fort
and a palisaded homestead at Lower Greenyards, Bannockburn, Stirlingshire,
1982-1985', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 126 (1996), 199-269.
Rideout, J S forthcoming `Excavation of Neolithic
enclosures at Cowie Road, Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, 1984-5', Proc Soc
Antiq Scot, 127 (1997)
Tavener, N 1987 `Bannockburn: The Pit and Post Alignments
Excavated in 1984 and 1985', Central Excavation Unit and Ancient Monuments
Laboratory Annual Report 1988, 71-6.
Scotland
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Written by J S Rideout
Last updated 6 April 1998