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Colpy

Palisaded Enclosure (Period Unassigned)

Site Name Colpy

Classification Palisaded Enclosure (Period Unassigned)

Alternative Name(s) Waulkmill; Culsalmond School; Kirkton Of Culsalmond; Colpy Cottage

Canmore ID 18297

Site Number NJ63SW 32

NGR NJ 64168 32869

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/18297

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer. © Bluesky International Limited 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms

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Administrative Areas

  • Council Aberdeenshire
  • Parish Culsalmond
  • Former Region Grampian
  • Former District Gordon
  • Former County Aberdeenshire

Archaeology Notes

NJ63SW 32 6418 3284

(Location cited as NJ 6415 3283). Air photography (AAS/83/10-11/R27/13-14, flown 27 July 1983) has recorded the cropmark of a roughly circular enclosure, which may have been palisaded, at an altitude of 158m OD.

NMRS, MS/712/62.

Aerial photography (GRC/AAS 1981] has revealed a circular enclosure defined by a narrow cropmark some 230m ENE of Colpy farmsteading (NJ63SW 81.00). It measures about 18m in diameter overall, and its perimeter may represent a palisade trench.

Information from RCAHMS (JRS), 31 October 2000.

Scheduled as 'Colpy Cottage, palisaded enclosure... an enclosed settlement of prehistoric date, visible as a cropmark on oblique aerial photpgraphs.'

Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 23 November 2006.

Activities

Magnetometry (20 September 2021 - 24 September 2021)

NJ 64161 32880 A geophysical survey was undertaken at Colpy Cottages on 20–24 September 2021. Gradiometer survey was undertaken over an area of approximately 10.5ha. The geophysical survey forms part of a wider assessment being undertaken in connection with proposals for the A96.

Strong natural geological responses have been detected throughout the surveyed area, which is adding an element of confusion in the data. These are particularly strong in the S of the surveyed area and may be masking weaker responses from archaeological features, if present. Numerous additional trends and zones of enhanced magnetism have been noted and are believed to have a natural origin. However, the possibility of some of these responses having an archaeological origin cannot be entirely dismissed.

In the northern half of the surveyed area a cluster of anomalies has been detected which may indicate possible archaeological deposits. While they are near the known presumed palisaded enclosure (Canmore ID: 18297), there is no clear correlation with the recorded cropmark. It is possible that only elements of the recorded feature are being detected due to a lack of enhancement due to the nature of the archaeological remains of the feature or because of truncation of the archaeological deposits. It is also possible that the gradiometer survey is detecting features not visible as cropmarks. Additional discrete positive anomalies have been recorded which may suggest internal features associated with the postulated enclosure(s). The data suggests a possible multiphase site, although interpretation is confused a little by responses from natural variations and agricultural activity.

In the centre of the survey area, a strong rectilinear anomaly has been detected. This response suggests an oval enclosure some 20 x 13m with an internal pit. However, the response is very strong which might alternatively suggest a natural or modern origin is more likely.

The data from the N of the survey area is dominated by linear responses indicative of modern field drains.

Archive: Rose Geophysical Consultants

Funder: Transport Scotland

Susan Ovenden – Rose Geophysical Consultants

(Source: DES Vol 22)

References

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