Pricing Change
New pricing for orders of material from this site will come into place shortly. Charges for supply of digital images, digitisation on demand, prints and licensing will be altered.
South Platt Hill
Cist(S) (Period Unknown), Encampment (Period Unknown), Human Remains (7th Century), Witch Association (Post Medieval)
Site Name South Platt Hill
Classification Cist(S) (Period Unknown), Encampment (Period Unknown), Human Remains (7th Century), Witch Association (Post Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Platt Hill
Canmore ID 50744
Site Number NT17SW 32
NGR NT 1311 7100
NGR Description NT c.1311 7100
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/50744
- Council Edinburgh, City Of
- Parish Ratho
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District City Of Edinburgh
- Former County Midlothian
NT17SW 32 c.1311 7100
NT 139 710. The South Platt hill near the manse is the site of an ancient encampment. The remains of it were to be seen about 30 years ago, when the ground was turned up, and the stones used for building the walls on the Ratho Hall property. The camp is described in a letter by George Reid, at that time proprietor of the ground. It occupied about one acre on the summit of the eminence, surrounded by a ditch and rampart made of large stones mixed with black earth. There were also two circular enclosures, one on the E, the other on the W side of the main camp, of from 30' - 40' diameter, similarly surrounded by a substantial rampart of large blocks and black earth, and paved internally with flags of freestone, which must have been brought from a distance.
On removing the rubbish, the bones of some persons of large size were found, all enclosed in freestone cists. A stone from one of the cists now forms a seat on top of the hill, at the corner of the wood. Some large blue and yellow beads were also found; none are known to have been preserved.
There was also a tradition of a woman having been burned here for witchcraft. On examining the spot specified, a quantity of burnt ashes was found quite entire.
New Satistical Account ( NSA 1845, J Clason); G Chalmers 1889
External Reference (23 January 2004)
South Platt Hill trig point is at NT 13107 71003.
Information via e-mail to RCAHMS from Dr Sweeney-Turner, 23 January 2004
Excavation (15 November 2011 - 15 November 2011)
A desk-based assessment and programme of archaeological trial trenching was carried out by Headland Archaeology Ltd in order to satisfy a condition of the planning consent for the construction of a single dwelling at Hillwood Farm, South Platt Hill, Ratho. The desk-based assessment identified a number of significant archaeological features in the surrounding area of the proposed development. These features appeared to range in date from the prehistoric through to industrial periods. The evaluation covered an area close to the top of South Platt Hill. The trial trenching comprised 8 trenches measuring 145 linear metres. These trenches revealed areas of stone rich geological subsoil and undulating bedrock, sealed beneath topsoil on average 0.35m deep. A left sided human femur was recovered from the topsoil. No features or further artefacts of archaeological significance were revealed during this work.
Information from Jürgen van Wessel and Donald Wilson (Headland Archaeology), November 2012 (updated May 2013). OASIS ID: headland1-137762
Desk Based Assessment (15 November 2012 - 25 April 2013)
NT 13124 71016 A desk-based assessment and trial trenching evaluation was carried out, 15 November 2012 – 25 April 2013, prior to the construction of a house. The assessment identified a number of significant archaeological features in the area surrounding the proposed development. These features ranged in date from the prehistoric through to the industrial period.
A total of eight trenches, covering 145m, were excavated in an area close to the top of South Platt Hill. The trenches recorded c0.35m of topsoil overlying a stone rich subsoil and undulating bedrock. A left-sided human femur, dated to the 7th to 8th century AD, was recovered from the topsoil. A watching brief carried out during the removal of topsoil from the house footprint and access track recorded no finds or features of archaeological significance.
Report: RCAHMS
Funder: Mr R Fleming
Donald Wilson, Headland Archaeology Ltd, 2013
(Source: DES)
