Accessing Scotland's Past Project
Event ID 561237
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Accessing Scotland's Past Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/561237
The remains of a cist were discovered in 1948 during ploughing in a field known as Wester Anna, about 600m north of Roxburgh Barns steading.
Reports indicate that a skeleton, in a crouched position, was discovered inside the cist. No other finds are recorded. The cist itself was composed of four side slabs, with a thick cover-slab on top. Examination of the skeleton suggested it was that of an elderly man.
Usually these types of cists, which are known as 'short-cists', date to the Early Bronze Age. Burial practices at this time seem to have either involved cremation, with the ashes laid in the cist or, as in this case, laying the dead on their sides in a crouched position within the grave.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project
