Court Hill

Two parallel pit alignments have been recorded as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs (RCAHMSAP 1992) some 80m NE of Court Hill barrow (NM03SE 3). Set 10m apart, both are about 30m long and are aligned NNE-SSW . A scatter of pits extends across the surrounding area. The pit circle recorded previously was not identified during a review of the photographs and has been removed as a classification.

Information from RCAHMS (KMM) 23 May 2014

Archaeological works were undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group at the site of a temporary compound at Bankfoot, Perthshire (NGR: NO 0780 3319).

The works consisted of a monitored topsoil strip and subsequent excavation or preservation in situ of features; due to the temporary nature of the compound.

Three features were uncovered during the works: a post medieval pit; a possible clearance cairn of unknown date (preserved in situ) and a linear feature of unknown date and function.

Information from OASIS ID: aocarcha1-336742 (J Lowther) 2018.

NO 07400 33200 A monitored topsoil strip was carried out, March to May 2019, in advance of the formation of a borrow-pit on land at Loak Farm, Bankfoot. This monitored topsoil strip was undertaken within two conjoined areas, with the eastern area being designated for a concrete plant, asphalt plant and stocking area, and the western area being designated for the borrow pit and wash-plant. Cropmarks identified from aerial photographs suggested that there was a prehistoric pit alignment (Canmore ID: 239560) within the eastern area consisting of at least seven pits, and that there were a further two prehistoric pit alignments (Canmore ID: 27032 and 82087) located immediately to the S of the proposed development area.

There were features identified within both the eastern and the western areas. They consisted of seven roundhouses, eight four-post structures, two six-post structures, two ring ditches, an oval post-built structure, a lightweight post-built structure, a post and post-trench structure, and numerous isolated pits and groups of pits. These features indicate an extensive settlement of later prehistoric (Late Bronze Age or Iron Age) date.

A number of finds were recovered from these features. They consisted of burnt animal bone, prehistoric pottery, a saddle quern and two possible saddle querns, two possible hammer-stones, two pierced stones (possibly loom weights), a grinding stone, and a number of pieces of iron slag. This would indicate various activities taking place on the site including small-scale iron smelting, grinding of grain-crops, and possibly weaving. All the finds recovered are consistent with the later prehistoric date indicated by the type of feature.

Archive: NRHE (intended). Reports lodged with Council HER

Funder: Breedon Aggregates

Magnus Kirby − CFA Archaeology Ltd

OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-372969

(Source: DES Volume 21)