Archaeology Notes

Event ID 705692

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/705692

NS82SW 2 807 215 or 8039 2126.

(NS 8039 2126) Earthwork (NR) (Site of).

OS 6" map (1911)

Roman Camp (R) (Site of)

OS 6" map (1900)

In 1858, according to the Ordnance Survey Name Book (ONB), this "Roman camp" could be easily traced, consisting of a low embankment about 6 in high and 1 chain (20.1m) square. Some years previously "the blade of a sword, thought to be Roman, and a seal finely cut with the head of one of the Emperors (information from T R Scott letter 1 May 1958) were found. In 1858, the former was in the possession of Lord Belhaven, while the latter was owned by T R Scott (Name Book 1858) (Irving notes the find of a bronze spur-rowel, an intaglio, at this site.) Neither he, nor Christison, was able to plan the site, Irving noting that it was confused by modern turf walls, while Christison mentions only "insignificant mounds".

G V Irving 1855; D Christison 1890

No trace of any earthworks was seen during field investigation in 1955, though several drainage ditches and hollows caused by peat digging were noted.

Visited by OS (JD) 16 July 1955

Newall, however, states that this Roman Camp was located at NS 807 215. He describes a rectangular earthwork, 28.05m x 26.5m within a low spread 7.0m turf wall. It appears to have an entrance just N of the SE corner. The outer edges may have been rounded, and possibly the interior, the rectangular pattern being dictated by broad 18th c type cultivation rigs which have passed along the sides and through the interior.

F Newall and W Lonie 1972

This alleged earthwork does not appear in the RCAHMS inventory of monuments in Lanarkshire.

Information from OS Recorder (IF) 10 October 1977

There is no trace of an earthwork in the areas indicated.

Visited by OS (JM) 24 March 1978