Peterhead

NN 9243 0980 As part of continuing research on the archaeological context of early historic Scottish carved stone monuments a resistivity survey was undertaken focusing on the monument known as the Peterhead Farm (Blackford) Class I symbol stone (NN90NW 3) and including part of an enclosure within the same field (NN90NW 26, NGR NN 9242 0975). Both areas are SAMs and permission was granted by Historic Scotland and the Gleneagles Trust for the survey. Work was conducted over a period of five days, 12–16 August 2008, and provided a training opportunity for SERF field school students.

The results highlighted known features such as the nearby circular enclosure visible on APs and previously unknown sites such as a small circular feature, possibly a building, a possible cairn around the symbol stone and potential Pictish type square burial monuments. A small test trench across the wall of the possible circular building confirmed its existence, but the feature was heavily truncated and provided no secure

dating evidence.

Report: Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust and Historic Scotland

Funder: Support was received from the University of Chester and the University of Glasgow

Meggen Gondek (University of Chester and University of Glasgow) - In association with SERF, 2008

NN 9233 0975 An evaluation, consisting of 16 trenches, was carried out 21–23 October 2008. Four negative linear features, generally aligned N/S, of potential archaeological significance were recorded.

Archive: RCAHMS. Report: Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust

Funder: Muir Homes

Douglas Gordon (Rathmell Archaeology Limited), 2008

NN 9233 0975 A programme of archaeological works was carried out, 19–26 January 2009, in advance of the extension planned for the A9 Loaninghead Junction Development. The area of the study is currently a greenfield site of 840m2. Work involved the machine stripping and selective hand cleaning of an area 120 x 7m and the subsequent excavation of exposed archaeological features.

The excavation revealed a series of negative features consisting of a possible ring groove, a prehistoric curving post

alignment and linear ditches which showed the presence of prehistoric activity in close proximity to the Peterhead Farm Standing Stone. Given the truncation of the features and limited size of the excavation one can only speculate about the activity these features represent.

Archive: RCAHMS. Report: Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust

Funder: Muir Homes

Douglas Gordon – Rathmell Archaeology Limited

NN 924 098 An excavation was undertaken 19 October–24 November 2010 on a cropmark enclosure to the S of Auchterarder. An area of this scheduled ancient monument had partly been removed during the creation of a borrow pit. When stripped of topsoil the site was seen to contain a sub-oval enclosure, a number of scattered features, two souterrains and at least two long cists. The souterrains were very well preserved and contained extensive deposits showing evidence of burning and potentially of the storage of crops. One souterrain had the remains of a lintel stone in situ, and it was therefore felt appropriate to stop excavation and backfill the structure, leaving it largely unexcavated. The other souterrain was excavated down to basal deposits, although the stone lining of the structure was left in place. No radiocarbon dating has been undertaken, but the deposits within the structures seem to point to a medieval rather than prehistoric date. The cists identified are thought to be of Early Christian date. One contained a relatively well preserved skeleton, while the other had the remains of what might be a log coffin along its base. The cists are likely to be contemporary with a nearby standing stone, which has carved Pictish symbols.

Archive: RCAHMS (intended). Reports: PKHT and RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: I and H Brown

Headland Archaeology Ltd, 2010