Excavation

Date July 1954

Event ID 1111107

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1111107

Investigations by the Glasgow Archaeological Society commenced in July and were continued for three weeks in broken weather. The main enclosure about fifty yards in diameter, lies on the flat top of a small hill overlooked by the Campsies immediately to the north. Excavation showed that this enclosure was surrounded by a stone wall 12 feet thick; the revetments were formed of large slabs and blocks, apparently with a filling of smaller stones between, though a section has not been cut. The wall had been sited so that there was a distinct platform between the outer revetment and the steep slope down the hill. Surface indications suggested too entrances, one in the S.E. and one in the west. The latter was found to consist of a passage way extending obliquely down the hill well beyond the wall; the sides were rather badly ruined, but it is clear that the inner end was only 3 feet 2 inches wide. Well worn stone steps formed part of the pavement. Immediately inside the enclosure were the foundations of part of a circular hut in such a position as seriously to impede the entrance way. The slope of the hill to the north of the entrance passage was scarped to form too and possibly three platforms, which converged upon the revetment of the passage.

The approach to the hill from the north formerly consisted of a neck of higher ground which thus formed a weak flank; this had been strengthened by three ramparts and three ditches, crescentic in plan. A section was cut outwards from the wall, across the platform, and as far as the outer side of the middle rampart. The ramparts themselves were smooth banks of earth and stone, but on the summit of the inner one very large boulders were found to be spaced closely along the top as an additional defence. The inner ditch was in the form of a narrow V, 11 feet deep at the section; the inner side was almost vertical and had been strengthened by dry stone walling between large boulders in situ, but this revetment had slumped down into the ditch.

Clear evidence of occupation was everywhere apparent. Carbon, slag and coal appeared frequently and proof was obtained that coal was used as a fuel. Of pottery there was not a trace, and a crude stone lamp and a spindle whorl were the only manufactured objects recorded. Two pieces of stone, probably dressed to a shape, were too much of a puzzle to be anything more than tantalising. So far there is nothing to suggest more than one period of occupation.

Dr H Fairhurst (DES 1954, 16-7)