Abercairny
Cist (Period Unassigned), Corn Drying Kiln (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Abercairny
Classification Cist (Period Unassigned), Corn Drying Kiln (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Abercairney; Abercairny Policies
Canmore ID 26177
Site Number NN92SW 16
NGR NN 904 224
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/26177
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- Council Perth And Kinross
- Parish Fowlis Wester
- Former Region Tayside
- Former District Perth And Kinross
- Former County Perthshire
NN92SW 16 904 224.
A knoll in a field on Abercairny Estate is to be levelled. During top soil stripping of the knoll in December 1983 a cist was discovered after its capstone had been removed. The cist, c.1.2m long, c.0.6m wide and c.0.35m deep internally, was built in a large pit cut into the top of the knoll. Animal burrowings had destroyed most of the cist floor and had filled the cist with soil. The remains of a skeleton, accompained by a jet necklace and a flint scraper were recovered from the burrows and cist fill.
In January 1984 the rest of the topsoil was removed and the area was examined to look for further burials and to assess the nature of the knoll. The knoll proved to be of natural origin and no more burials were found. A corn drying kiln was found cut into the foot of the knoll. Excavated in February 1984 it comprised a circular chamber c.1.5m in diameter and a flue c.2m long. The lower part of the chamber was stone walled to a height of c.0.7m and the upper part was composed of turf. Carbonised grain was found in the flue.
A Gibson and J Rideout 1984.
Radiocarbon date (sealed deposit of grain on floor of flue) 1075 +/- 50 AD (GU-1927 and 1928).
A Gibson 1989.
Nothing remains visible of the cist and kiln that were excavated in advance of a proposal to level a natural knoll in a field on the Abercairny estate. The sand-and-gravel knoll remains standing.
Visited by RCAHMS (ARG, IF), 20 November 1995.
Excavation (December 1983 - February 1984)
A knoll in a field on Abercairny Estate is to be levelled. During top soil stripping of the knoll in December 1983 a cist was discovered after its capstone had been removed. The cist, c.1.2m long, c.0.6m wide and c.0.35m deep internally, was built in a large pit cut into the top of the knoll. Animal burrowings had destroyed most of the cist floor and had filled the cist with soil. The remains of a skeleton, accompained by a jet necklace and a flint scraper were recovered from the burrows and cist fill.
In January 1984 the rest of the topsoil was removed and the area was examined to look for further burials and to assess the nature of the knoll. The knoll proved to be of natural origin and no more burials were found. A corn drying kiln was found cut into the foot of the knoll. Excavated in February 1984 it comprised a circular chamber c.1.5m in diameter and a flue c.2m long. The lower part of the chamber was stone walled to a height of c.0.7m and the upper part was composed of turf. Carbonised grain was found in the flue.
A Gibson and J Rideout 1984.
