Barflat

An aerial transcription was produced from oblique aerial photographs. Information from Historic Environment Scotland (BM) 31 March 2017.

Cropmarks have revealed the site of a fortification now known to be of early medieval date on a low spur of a terrace above Rhynie old burial-ground, its position marked by the Pictish symbol stone known as the Craw Stane. In all, three concentric lines of defence can be seen on the aerial photographs, the two inner represented by ditches and the outermost by a palisade trench apparently accompanied by an internal line of pits. The innermost ditch, which is only intermittently visible, encloses an oval area measuring no more than 30m from NE to SW by 20m transversely (0.05ha), while the rather bolder mark of the second ditch, 4m in breadth and some 7m outside it, encloses an area measuring 45m by 32m (0.11ha). The enclosure formed by the palisade trench measures 62m by 48m (0.23ha). Excavations directed by Aberdeen University have concentrated on stripping and mapping the enclosures, coupled with more limited excavation. The palisade trench held squared planks with a supporting row of timbers in the pits to its rear and was evidently a timber rampart rather than a simple fence. Nevertheless, this work has demonstrated that all three circuits, while not necessarily directly contemporary with each other, are of early medieval date, with evidence of phases of destruction and reconstruction, and the presence of substantial rectangular timber buildings. The Craw Stane itself seems to have formed part of an elaborate entrance on the E. Artefacts recovered include sherds from probably two different types of imported Late Roman Amphorae of 6th-century date, a fragment of 6th-century continental glass, bronze and iron pins, metalworking moulds for pins and a brooch, glass-working and metalworking debris, iron tongs, an iron axe and amber beads.

Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 31 May 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC2941