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Loch Lomond, Midross, Boiden 1
Cemetery (Period Unassigned), Enclosure (Period Unassigned), Pit(S) (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Loch Lomond, Midross, Boiden 1
Classification Cemetery (Period Unassigned), Enclosure (Period Unassigned), Pit(S) (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 281512
Site Number NS38NE 71
NGR NS 356 860
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/281512
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Luss
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Dumbarton
- Former County Dunbartonshire
NS38NE 71 NS 356 860
Located 100m E of Boiden Cottage, in an area of flat ground that falls steeply to the E and S, the site was first uncovered during the 2003 evaluation when several features were observed within one trench. The full extent of the site, its date and function were unclear from the evaluation. Initially, an area 40 x 25m was opened around the location of the trench; this proved to be archaeologically rich and was extended until the full extent of the site was exposed - 50m (E-W) x 60m.
The main elements of the site proved to be an early medieval Christian graveyard with enclosing cemetery ditch up to 4m wide and 1.8m deep, with an entrance in the SE. From the alignment of the graves it is possible that there was more than one phase within the graveyard. Several grave goods were recovered, including shale ringlets, a whetstone and two possible spearheads. Also recovered within the graves were nails, some human teeth and bone, and possible organic remains.
Locating a church site within the enclosing cemetery ditch was problematic due to the glacial soils and the heavy erosion caused by agricultural activity in the area. The graveyard appeared to be cut into an earlier site of post-holes, pits and a sub-circular feature that was first identified during the evaluation. This feature proved to be a large curvilinear slot with a diameter of 29m, which was truncated by the large cemetery ditch, and was interpreted as a palisade enclosure.
Within this enclosure a complex of post-holes suggested the presence of interior structures, possibly associated with the Iron Age. Around the edges of the site, but within the boundary of the cemetery ditch, several pit complexes were excavated. Some fragments of unglazed pot, worked lithics and stone tools were recovered from these deposits. Extensive evidence of burning was apparent, in the form of fire pits; these have been given a preliminary Neolithic date. The large cemetery ditch also truncated these features. This can be seen most clearly in the SE entrance of the ditch were several pits were cut by the ditch: these proved to be rich in lithics.
Report lodged with WoSAS SMR and NMRS.
Sponsor: Tyton Design for De Vere Hotel & Leisure Ltd.
D M Maguire, A Becket 2005
