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Aitnock

Dun (Iron Age), Coin(S) (Roman)

Site Name Aitnock

Classification Dun (Iron Age), Coin(S) (Roman)

Alternative Name(s) Aitnach Craig

Canmore ID 41205

Site Number NS25SE 8

NGR NS 27889 50875

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/41205

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Digital Images

Administrative Areas

  • Council North Ayrshire
  • Parish Dalry (Cunninghame)
  • Former Region Strathclyde
  • Former District Cunninghame
  • Former County Ayrshire

Archaeology Notes

NS25SE 8 2789 5086.

(NS 2789 5086) Dun (NR)

OS 1:10000 map (1980)

Aitnock fort, a possible dun (information from K Steer, RCAHMS, 5 November 1955) occupies the summit of a cliff which rises about 60ft perpendicularly from the Rye Water, at the SW angle of Hindog Glen. On the SW, where the land rises gently, it was defended by a deep ditch and stone walls, the foundation of part of which still remains, 15ft thick, composed of rough stones and boulders. The inner wall is 16 yds in diameter, and the outer wall is 12 yds away. The ditch has been largely filled with debris, and is horse-shore shaped, but may formerly have been circular, like the walls.

Excavations by Smith in 1901-2 showed that the interior was about 30ft in diameter, the floor had been levelled, then covered with yellow

clay over which lay a pavement of rough slabs and water pebbles.

On the pavement was an accumulated deposit, in some places 6ins deep, in and on which the relics were found, viz stone objects, a glass bead, 1st or 2nd century Samian fragments, also coarse ware, burnt bones, iron objects quern fragments etc. A sandstone cauldron was found near the centre of the interior. It is still in situ and may weigh about 2 cwts. Close by was a fireplace of slabs set on edge. An irregular lump of sandstone was found, bearing two pecked cup marks one on each side, almost opposite each other.

Four denarii, two of Antoninus Pius and one each of Vespasiam and Hadrian, came from parts of an upper black layer of occupation, 2ft above the older one.

Smith's collection of material from here was donated to the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS) in 1981 (Accession nos: HH 308-23 and HH 378-81).

J Smith 1919; 1895; A S Robertson 1970; J Curle 1932; Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1931

Activities

Field Visit (9 September 1942)

Aitnock Fort is on a low boss of rock on the S brink of a deep chasm through which the Rye Water flows just at the point where a tributary flows in from the SW. The summit is encircled by a very low grass-grown bank enclosing an irregular circular area 48ft [14.6m] across, the top of the bank being about 9ft [2.7m] above the level of the field. Lower down outside this is an outer rampart, three stones of the foundation course showing through the grass. The site was excavated by John Smith, PSAS.

Visited by RCAHMS (VGC) 9 September 1942.

Field Visit (2 June 1952)

This site was included within the RCAHMS Marginal Land Survey (1950-1962), an unpublished rescue project. Site descriptions, organised by county, are available to view online - see the searchable PDF in 'Digital Items'. These vary from short notes, to lengthy and full descriptions. Contemporary plane-table surveys and inked drawings, where available, can be viewed online in most cases - see 'Digital Images'. The original typecripts, notebooks and drawings can also be viewed in the RCAHMS search room.

Information from RCAHMS (GFG) 19 July 2013.

Field Visit (4 September 1956)

NS25SE 8 2789 5086.

Aitnock fort consists of a rocky knoll, protected on the E by a vertical drop, on the N by steep natural slopes, and defended on the remaining sides by two stone walls, now much spread and grass-covered, and an outer ditch.

The remains of the inner wall have a maximum height of 0.3m above the knoll and an exterior height of 1.2m. The outer wall, where best preserved, has an interior height of 0.3m and on exterior height of 1.1m., it is 5.0m. from the inner wall. Outside this wall, in the W quadrant, are the remains of a ditch 8.0m wide and 1.6m deep. The surface of the mound is uneven and many large stones are exposed. An excavation in the N of the knoll is due to quarrying.

Visited by OS (DS) 4 September 1956

Field Visit (29 October 1964)

NS25SE 8 2789 5086.

This possible dun is generally as described in the previous field report, except that the walls are so reduced that no inner dimensions can be given.

Resurveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (JTT) 29 October 1964

Field Visit (28 February 1983)

NS25SE 8 2789 5086.

These wasted and turf-covered remains are consistent with a dun, but it is similar in situation and construction to the homesteads to the W, viz NS25SW 6 and NS25NW 24.

Visited by OS (JRL) 28 February 1983

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