Woodend

NY19NW 4 1053 9516.

Waugh notes a 'fort on Woodend Farm', Johnstone. Its double ramparts and medial ditch are visible on air photographs RAF/541(A)/397 F21 4370-1, dated 20 May 1948.

W Waugh 1932.

Situated in a flat field overlooking the River Annan, are the much reduced remains of two earth-and-stone banks, and a medial ditch, enclosing an area c.59.0m NNE-SSW by c.48.0m transversely. The outer bank is visible only sporadically, but the inner can be traced on the ground for the whole circumference and is on average c.5m wide and 0.3m high. Two breaks are visible - one in the NW which has no corresponding gap through the inner bank, and the other in the SE, where although the outer bank has disappeared, Waughs'(W Waugh 1932) plan shows a corresponding gap. Sub-oval marks on APs in the interior do not relate to any of the undulations on the ground. Although little now remains of this site, the non-defensive situation and the characteristic double bank and medial ditch suggest that it is a settlement.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Sketch plan

Visited by OS (D W R) 25 November 1971.

A geophysical survey and area excavation were carried out here in late summer of 1994 by GUARD in advanece of the construction of the M6 extension. Geophysical results indicated a potential third bank beyond the two upstanding banks. This was supported by the excavation results. Within the interior, eight separate blocks of structures were observed. Most of these blocks consisted of sequences of buildings overlying one another, although in one case there was only one phase. A larger structurewas also identified, for which there was no evidence to suggest a roof; this is interpreted as an animal pen. Artefacts were few, consisting of worked stones, querns, and three fragments of pottery.

I Banks 1994; NMRS MS/725/77.

NY 1053 9516. In late summer 1994, GUARD carried out a geophysical survey and an excavation on a double-banked enclosure at Woodend Farm, Annandale in advance of the construction of an access road relating to the upgrade of the A74 to motorway (fig.4, 18). Although the major part of the enclosure was to be destroyed, the side which included the putative entrance was not excavated since this lay outside the construction area.

The geophysical survey was rather disappointing, indicating little other than the presence of the banks of the enclsoure. The one point of interest was an indication of a possible third external bank which was not visible on the ground.

Sections were machine-cut across the banks in three places, with a further trench hand-excavated to examine the top of the banks. A further six sections were machine-dug towards the end of the excavation to trace the line of the ditch. The sections revealed a ditch lying between two banks, the inner bank being stone-capped, with a possible third bank on the outside and supporting the geophysical survey. The banks consisted of dunps of topsoil, turf and subsoil with no indication of an old ground surface. The presumption is that the ground was cleared to subsoil before the banks were constructed, the spoil being used to form the banks. This belief is supported by the size of the banks which are considerably more extensive than the upcast from the ditch could explain.

Within the enclosure, eight separate blocks of structures were observed. Most of the blocks consisted of two phases of buildings overlying one another, in one case there was only one phase while in another there was a sequence of six successive structures. A larger strcture was also identified, for which there was no evidence to suggest a roof, this is interpreted as an animal pen. In advance of radiocarbon dates, the sequence of structures suggests occupation over a relatively long period. Artefacts were few, consisting of worked stones, querns and three fragments of pottery. There were no artefacts of Roman date; it is suggested that the site operated in the early Iron Age in view of the proximity of the site to the concentration of Roman activity around Beattock.

Sponsors: SOInD (Roads Directorate, Historic Scotland

I Banks 1995

NY 105 952 The majority of the internal area of an Iron Age enclosure was excavated by GUARD in 1994. However, during the watching brief the remains of two circular structures were observed outside the enclosure. Both were severely truncated, although the remnants of a possible occupation layer was present inside one structure.

A third circular structure was observed inside the enclosure within an area which was not excavated in 1994 due to flooding. Several worked stones were recovered from inside and outside the enclosure along with an iron object, which may be a form of 'currency bar'.

J S Duncan and S Halliday 1997