Test Pit Survey
Date 11 January 2019 - 5 November 2019
Event ID 1104600
Category Recording
Type Test Pit Survey
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1104600
The test pitting undertaken at the site of Castledykes recovered a number of artefacts which contribute to our understanding of the history of the site. The majority of the finds span from the medieval period through to the 20th century. The medieval finds comprise pottery sherds which appear to be of local manufacture and draw parallels with pottery found in the earlier excavations as well as at Whithorn and Caerlaverock. From the work at Caerlaverock, this pottery form was identified as dating from the 1220s to the 1270s, suggesting that the origins of the castle at Castledykes could have potentially earlier origins than the initial date of 1288 given by the documentary sources. The presence of smithing slag and large amounts of fuel ash slag also suggests that small-scale smithing may have taken place, although whether this was contemporary with the castle remains uncertain. The next period that is well-represented is the late 17th-20th century where a number of pottery sherds, glass vessels and small objects appear to represent domestic items discarded during the area's use as recreational ground in this period. The presence of window glass and roofing slate, however, points to the area being used for dumping until the 20th century. Outwith these main phases, a single find of a flint core platform was discovered which dates from the Neolithic or Bronze Age, further adding to the growing assemblage of prehistoric finds from the Kirkcudbright area. No archaeological features were identified within the test pits but the array of artefacts recovered hints at the potential that this area holds for future works. The works also allowed volunteers to further their knowledge of the history of this important site, and gain experience in the different techniques involved during an archaeological investigation.
Information from OASIS ID: rathmell1-326797 (C Williamson) 2019
