Excavation

Date 24 October 2017 - 25 October 2017

Event ID 1040732

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1040732

NT 49969 09598 (centred on) A community excavation was undertaken, 24–25 October 2017, which aimed to investigate a section of the path of the narrow-gauge tramway that entered Stobs Camp. The location was chosen as visible linear depressions were observed in the ground. It was also where the tramway split, with one line heading for the camp bakery and one heading to the hospital. To this end, one trench measuring 5.1 x 1m on a NW/SE alignment was opened by hand.

Two bands of a large stone surface were revealed, each c1m wide running approximately NE/SW. Excavating a section in the NW band found that it contained large (0.2m) boulders loosely deposited in a deep cut. Recording was able to measure the depth of the cut to 0.5m but the bottom was not reached. A section in the SE band revealed a shallower concentration of more compacted stones. The height of this band was 0.2m. Finds included broken glass and nails. A larger nail was found and is believed to be a rail spike or crampon.

Archive: NRHE and Scottish Borders Council (intended)

Funder: Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, Borders LEADER, Fallago Environment Fund and BCCF Environmental

Andrew Jepson and Dianne Swift – Archaeology Scotland

(Source: DES, Volume 18)