Archaeological Evaluation

Date February 2001

Event ID 922647

Category Recording

Type Archaeological Evaluation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/922647

NS 331 180. An archaeological evaluation was carried out in February 2001 of a proposed development area immediately to the W of Alloway Kirk, the ruined medieval parish church. The evaluation established the presence of human remains outside the W boundary wall of the kirkyard. Articulated burials in an extremely poor state of preservation were found extending for at least 12m beyond the wall, in the immediate vicinity of the alleged findspot of a cross-slab of 8th to 12th-century date (NMRS NS31NW 5). The burials were aligned NNE-SSW, noticeably different from that of the ruined kirk and perhaps indicating association with an earlier ecclesiastical structure on the site. The position of a railway tunnel, built beneath the site in the early 20th century and crossing it diagonally from SW to NE, was also established. In the western part of the area, the evaluation also found a large cut feature, probably a ditch, which contained burnt and organic material, including burnt bone, in its lower fills. Charcoal from near the base of the ditch produced a calibrated date of AD 610-770 (see radiocarbon report, 126). (GUARD 987).

Sponsor: J Pollock-Morris.

O Lelong 2001.