Archaeology Notes

Event ID 803701

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/803701

NT27SE 118 2745 7250.

NT 2745 7250.There are the slight remains of a fort on Samson's Ribs, a narrow rocky ridge sloping precipitiously to S and W, and overlooked by Nether Hill from which it is separated by a narrow gully.

It measures 130m E-W by a maximum of 40m transversely, and is enclosed by a severely reduced stone rampart of which a few outer facing stones survive together with a thin scatter of core stones. No inner facing stones remain to allow the width to be determined. The entrance is marked by a slight hollow through rock outcrops on the W where an annexe some 40m NW-SE by 30m transversely, provided an additional defence covering the easiest approach.

The interior contains two circular house-platforms, each about 7.0m in diameter, and apparently stone walled. The presence of stone walled huts raises the possibility that two phases of occupation are represented, a fort and later settlement.

In 1969 a fine intaglio-sadonyx (? idealized bust of Alexander the Great), set in the remains of an iron ring, was found by a boy under a stone which may have been part of a structure in the interior of the fort. It belongs perhaps to the 1st century BC, but was presumably lost after 80 AD.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (R D) 14 December 1970; Information contained in letter from R B K Stevenson, NMAS, to OS 29 December 1969.

Ring donated to NMAS by Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer in 1969.

NMAS 1970.

This fort and settlement is as described by previous field report.

Visited by OS (S F S) 2 December 1975.