Laigh Mains Geophysical and Topographical Survey

Date 2006

Event ID 1158353

Category Project

Type Project

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1158353

A Geophysical and Topographical Survey was undertaken. The primary focus for the initial research on this site was to ascertain if non-intrusive surveying techniques utilising primarily resistivity and magnetometry could gain a great understanding site's from and function and any traces of the 12th century chapel on this site. These results show that the site does have some extant features mentioned in historical records. These features are identifiable as structural remains, but they have been disrupted by what appears to be active quarrying of the monument in the past. Therefore, their function and form are not fully understandable using the gathered data. However, what is evident, from the results, is that the site has undoubtably gone through multiple phases of occupation and construction.

At present all of the main archaeological features associated with the Laigh Mains Motte are within the current scheduling area, as survey work in the fields adjoining the monument did not uncover linked structures. The form of the site is of interest also as it does not appear to adhere to the accepted form of a motte. Its double ditches and D-shaped promontory point to a possibly earlier construction phase than the 11th or 12th century.

The monument itself appears to have been completely destroyed at some point in the late 14th or early 15th century and it is possible that stonework from this site was taken for the construction of Laigh Mains Castle.

M Mitchell 2006