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Upper Dalhousie Quarry, Bonnyrigg
Boundary Ditch (Period Unassigned), Enclosure (Later Prehistoric), Kiln (Later Prehistoric), Pit(S) (Period Unassigned), Stake Alignment (Period Unassigned), Stake Hole(S) (Prehistoric), Structure (Later Prehistoric), Loomweight (Later Prehistoric), Pot(S) (Period Unassigned), Saddle Quern (Prehistoric)
Site Name Upper Dalhousie Quarry, Bonnyrigg
Classification Boundary Ditch (Period Unassigned), Enclosure (Later Prehistoric), Kiln (Later Prehistoric), Pit(S) (Period Unassigned), Stake Alignment (Period Unassigned), Stake Hole(S) (Prehistoric), Structure (Later Prehistoric), Loomweight (Later Prehistoric), Pot(S) (Period Unassigned), Saddle Quern (Prehistoric)
Canmore ID 368794
Site Number NT36SW 254
NGR NT 3002 6302
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/368794
- Council Midlothian
- Parish Cockpen
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District Midlothian
- Former County Midlothian
Excavation (20 May 2016 - 22 June 2016)
An archaeological watching brief was carried out during topsoil stripping at Upper Dalhousie Quarry. This watching brief led to the identification of a number of features of archaeological interest of which up to 18% of an 'L' shaped enclosure ditch was excavated; a kiln, flue and six fire-pits were fully excavated whilst 30-40% of a further sixty-seven pits were fully excavated. These features were to a programme of excavation in May to June 2016.
Information from OASIS Id: cfaarcha1-264678 (K Sludden) 2016
Excavation (May 2019 - June 2019)
NT 3002 6302 (centred) IN May and June 2019 a watching brief was carried out during topsoil stripping. A number of features of interest were identified, the majority of which were truncated by frequent animal burrowing or plough action. These included a substantial linear ditch, two stake-hole alignments, five further associated stake-holes and forty-seven pits
The substantial ditch is interpreted as a boundary, possibly delineating the area upslope to the south where the main concentration of features was situated. The two stake-hole alignments may represent the establishment of fence-lines or temporary wind-breaks, associated with small-scale crop processing carried out in the vicinity and are similar to features found in prior phases of the archaeological works.
The majority of the individual pit features were clearly cut features with well-defined edges. However, they did not appear to have any clear function and the majority contained sterile fills. A small number of pits contained sherds of prehistoric pottery and one contained a saddle quern.
Archive: NRHE (intended)
Funder: Tillicoultry Quarries
Oliver Rusk - CFA Archaeology Ltd
(Source: DES Vol 20)
Watching Brief (September 2021 - March 2022)
NT 29888 62951 A watching brief was carried out during topsoil stripping at Upper Dalhousie Quarry, between September 2021 and March 2022. There were features identified across the site with the majority concentrated in the NW area, which consisted of a possible post-built roundhouse and 29 pits. There was also evidence of post-medieval agricultural activity from three cultivation furrows.
The artefactual dating evidence suggests that there are potentially two phases of prehistoric activity occurring on the site. The earlier phase is indicative of the mid to late Neolithic, where the evidence originates from both the pottery and lithics recovered from the pits. The second phase appears to be generally later prehistoric, from the pottery recovered from the roundhouse.
The identification of further prehistoric activity ties into the previous excavations conducted across the site and further confirms the high concentration of activity in the area.
It is understood that this represents the final phase of extraction on site so no further onsite work will be required.
Archive: NRHE (intended) and report lodged with local HER Funder: Tillicoultry Quarries
Harry Francis – CFA Archaeology Ltd
(Source: DES Volume 23)
