Excavation

Date May 2011 - June 2011

Event ID 963271

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/963271

A programme of investigation (DES 2010, 48 49) continued at the scheduled ancient monument of Cnoc an Rath between May and July 2011. The work formed part of the DBLPS’s programme of community archaeology projects for 2011.

A resistivity survey of the monument was undertaken by Dr Oliver O’Grady in May 2011 (see above entry).The results of this work aided in the production of the project design for a programme of excavation, which was undertaken 20 June–11 July 2011.

Three trenches were opened at the monument to examine the ditch, the bank and a proportion of the central area inside the bank. Frustratingly, few artefacts were recovered and there was no evidence of any structural features. Instead, evidence of re-cutting suggested that the ditches had been cleaned out, and the banks enhanced from ditch derived material in more modern times. A preliminary interpretation suggests that much of the visible form of the monument probably dates to the 18th century and later. The most probable candidate for this work is the last Lord Bannatyne of Kames, at the turn of the 18th century, though the next owner, James Hamilton of Kames may also have undertaken work. However, there remains the possibility that the work modified an earlier thing site, or prehistoric enclosure. A post-excavation programme is planned and a second phase of geophysics will investigate the surrounding area.

The excavation was an excellent training opportunity and over the three weeks of the excavation over 35 people volunteered over 200 days of work, many of whom were taking part in an excavation for the first time. Over 250 visitors also attended the excavations.

Archive: Bute Museum and RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: Discover Bute Landscape Partnership Scheme

Discover Bute Landscape Partnership Scheme 2011