Archaeological Evaluation

Date 1 October 2016 - 30 November 2016

Event ID 1018626

Category Recording

Type Archaeological Evaluation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1018626

NS 97480 80320 - This evaluation was carried out in support of the design of access improvement work for a footpath along a stretch of the Antonine Wall in Kinneil Woods. All works were conducted under the terms of Scheduled Monument Consent, issued and overseen by Historic Environment Scotland.

Three trenches were excavated within the study area to characterise the visible bank running on the top lip of the Cow Bank, and the character of the existing path immediately downslope. The bank proved to be a relatively slight simple earthen feature, while the modern path lay within a much broader ledge that appears to have been cut when it was built. The only artefact recovered was a ceramic base sherd from a white glazed pottery vessel of post medieval or later date from within bank material.

While the works provide information to assist the design work, no conclusive information was garnered as to the origin of the visible bank. By inference, it is slightly more likely this is a post-medieval feature – but this cannot be confirmed.

Information from OASIS ID: rathmell1-270018 (L McKinstry) 2016