Holm Park

NX08SE 3 0825 8177.

NX 0825 8177. Eight, oriented, unenclosed, extended inhumations were found in an area 20ft square in the raised beach at Dounan in 1879 or 1880. The skeletons, supine, lay with legs together and the hands closed over the stomach. Each lay on shingle and was covered by 2 to 3ft of sand, then a layer of flat pebbles, a layer of sea shells about 9 ins thick and finally more sand. The site was indicated by Mr T Walker, of Burnbank, Ballantrae, now aged 82, whose father made the discovery during the construction of an embarkment to prevent soil erosion by the river, and who recalls that although the heads were all to the west the burials were not positioned regularly. The burials were left in situ and no further excavation has been made to Mr Walker's knowledge.

At the site there are a large number of dog whelk shells, not common in the area and a few flat pebbles about 4 ins in diameter.

J C Moore 1881; 1885; J Smith 1881; 1885; 1895

Visited by OS (DS) 25 July 1956

Mr Walker is now dead. No further information.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 10 December 1970

The site falls on the landward edge of a coastal embankment in an arable field under grass. The farmer reports no significant finds in this area, apart from unusual quantities of surface shells.

Visited by OS (JRL) 8 March 1977