West Barns Mains

NT67NE 129 NT 66680 77340

NT 666 777 Evaluation work undertaken during October and November 2001, in advance of upgrading of the A1 near Dunbar, revealed significant archaeological sites in two areas. Excavation of these sites took place through December 2001 to March 2002.

Area 2

Excavation revealed three major groups of features: two E-W aligned pit and post-hole defined linear alignments, and a large circular post-hole defined enclosure.

One pit alignment was a sinuous line of 62 pits and post-holes, running E-W for 96m. There was considerable variation in the size and shape of pits/post-holes, ranging up to 1.05m in diameter and to 1.04m in depth. Twenty-one of the pits had evidence of post-pipes and/or packing. Several finds were recovered from fills, including sherds of Late Neolithic Impressed ware, together which indicate a later Neolithic date.

Another pit alignment lay 44m to the N, also with a broadly E-W orientation. The exposed extent measured 38m, and comprised 13 features, spaced at intervals of 1.5-2.5m apart. There was considerable variation in the size and shape of pits/post-holes, ranging up to 1.3m in diameter and to 0.9m in depth. Ten of the pits had evidence of post-pipes and/or packing. A flint flake and chert flake were recovered from the fills of two of the pits.

A pit and post-hole defined circular structure was situated at the N end of Area 2, approximately 6m N of the northern pit alignment, and ran under the baulks. It measured 19.5m N-S and 20m E-W, with 70 pits and post-holes in all. They were circular or oval in plan and ranged from 0.3-0.6m in diameter, 0.07-0.52m in depth, and were spaced at intervals of 0.3-1.0m apart.

Sponsor: Scottish Executive Department of Transport and Planning

G MacGregor and I Shearer 2002