Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
NJ 665565. An enlarged food vessel urn containing a multiple cremation deposit (one adult female,... more NJ 665565. An enlarged food vessel urn containing a multiple cremation deposit (one adult female, one child and one infant) had been inverted on to a stone pavement in a small pit. Grave goods included a stone pendant, a pottery ball decorated with incised concentric circles, and a plano-convex flint knife. A R
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Records the find of a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age artefact from a boggy glacial depression wi... more Records the find of a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age artefact from a boggy glacial depression with disturbed organic deposits. Discusses the possibility that it may have votive significance but considers it unlikely based on an examination of palynological evidence.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Activity within caves provides an important element of the later prehistoric and historic settlem... more Activity within caves provides an important element of the later prehistoric and historic settlement pattern of western Scotland. This contribution reports on a small-scale excavation within Croig Cave, on the coast of north-west Mull, that exposed a 1.95 m sequence of midden deposits and cave floors that date between c 1700 BC and AD 1400. Midden analysis indicated the processing of a diverse range of small fish and the collection of shellfish throughout this period, showing a high degree of continuity involving low-risk inshore fishing. At c 950 BC, a penannular copper bracelet and an amber bead were deposited within a small, shallow pit within the cave floor, suggestive of a discrete ritual episode within the cycle of otherwise potentially mundane activities. Lead isotope analysis indicated an Irish origin for the copper ore. A piece of iron slag within later midden deposits, dated to c 400 BC, along with high frequencies of wood charcoal, suggest that smithing or smelting may ha...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Alan Saville, the archaeologist and prehistorian and a former President of the Society of Antiqua... more Alan Saville, the archaeologist and prehistorian and a former President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, died in his adopted city of Edinburgh at the age of 69, following a long illness.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Pottery from at least sixteen sites in eastern and central Scotland can be attributed more or les... more Pottery from at least sixteen sites in eastern and central Scotland can be attributed more or less certainly to the Earlier Neolithic. Although the quality of much of the evidence precludes detailed classification, at least some of the groups, characterised by the presence of carinated bowls, may be presumed to date from an early stage of the Neolithic. Other types, including a range of heavy unshouldered bowls, were certainly current by the mid-- to late fourth millennium BC, in terms of calibrated radiocarbon dates, while the evidence from other regions suggests that some decorated pottery may have made a similarly early appearance. The Later Neolithic pottery from the region is discussed briefly, mainly to highlight some of the problems which may be resolved by future discoveries. Major domestic assemblages of Earlier Neolithic pottery are yet unknown; some material derives from intact contexts involving structured deposition, but much is from residual and unrepresentative scatters.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Excavations undertaken in 1984 and 1985 on cropmark sites identified as pit and post alignments r... more Excavations undertaken in 1984 and 1985 on cropmark sites identified as pit and post alignments revealed a bow-ended pit-defined enclosure dated to late-fifth to mid-fourth millennium BC, a post-defined enclosure dated to the mid-fourth to early-third millennium BC, and possible domestic activity. The pits of the enclosure showed up to three phases of use with deposits containing Carinated Bowl-type pottery in the later phases. Medieval or post medieval `rig & furrow' overlay the site and a small assemblage of medieval pottery is also described. There are notes on: `Geology, geomorphology, and soils' by David Jordan (29--31); `Archaeological background' by J S Rideout (31--2); `The palaeochannel' by David Jordan (43--4); `Neolithic pottery' by Trevor Cowie (44--7); `Stone artefacts' by Ann Clarke (48--51); `Radiocarbon dated charcoals' by Michael Cressey (51); the results of radiocarbon dating; `Macroplant assessment' by Tim Holden (53--4); and `Appen...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Discusses excavations which revealed evidence for multiple phases of activity including two burnt... more Discusses excavations which revealed evidence for multiple phases of activity including two burnt mounds, two round-houses, part of a probable ring-groove structure which may be a platform house and a metal-working area, with the main foci on the Late Neolithic, Bronze Age and early medieval periods. There are specialist contributions on: ceramics from all periods in the `Pottery report' by Trevor Cowie (70--5); `Coarse stone artefacts' by Caroline R Wickham-Jones (75--7); `Chipped stone' by Bill Finlayson (77--8); `Stone axehead flake' by Alison Sheridan (78--9); `Cannel coal 'napkin ring'' by Fraser Hunter (79--82); `Burnt and industrial debris' by Irene Cullen (82--3); and `Palynological analysis of burnt mound material' by Ciara Clarke (84--6).
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Investigation prior to the construction of the bypass revealed features relating to various perio... more Investigation prior to the construction of the bypass revealed features relating to various periods of activity. Pits were identified at several locations containing prehistoric pottery, while the northern and western perimeters of a Roman temporary camp were examined. The foundations of an Iron Age timber structure c. ten metres in diameter were excavated. Extensive excavation around the western entrance of the Roman temporary camp located a concentration of features including a spread of pits containing Neolithic pottery and chipped stone, four later prehistoric structures and Roman/Early Historic field ovens. Twenty-five Neolithic to Early Romano-British radiocarbon dates are reported. Includes separately authored reports on:
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Six burials of ninth--tenth-century date recorded between 1991 and 1994, plus one tenth-century b... more Six burials of ninth--tenth-century date recorded between 1991 and 1994, plus one tenth-century burial recorded in 1979, lead to the suggestion that the headland was a Viking cemetery area. There is an appendix `Surface collection of artefacts' by Tim Neighbour & Andrew Dunwell (747--9).
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
In February 2000, ploughing disturbed the capstone of a cist, located on the side of a prominent ... more In February 2000, ploughing disturbed the capstone of a cist, located on the side of a prominent knowe at Rameldry Farm, near Kingskettle in central Fife. Excavation by Headland Archaeology Ltd on behalf of Historic Scotland revealed a short cist which contained the crouched inhumation of a man aged 40–50, who had suffered from arthritis, some tooth loss and possibly Paget’s Disease. He had been buried wearing a garment adorned with six V-perforated buttons. Five of these are of Whitby jet (including one with unique decoration including inlaid tin); the sixth is of the mineral lizardite, and has an enigmatic coating, possibly a glaze. Behind his shoulder was a dagger, of ‘Milston type (East Kennet variant)’; it had had a fancy horn hilt and a scabbard lined with animal skin. The scabbard yielded two AMS radiocarbon dates, with a mean value of 2280–1970 cal BC at 2s.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Limited excavations were carried out in advance of pipeline construction in the area between two ... more Limited excavations were carried out in advance of pipeline construction in the area between two adjacent cropmark enclosures at Hillend, near Roberton, Clydesdale District, Strathclyde Region. The principal features comprised three pits which produced an assemblage of Grooved Ware, strengthening the possibility that one of the enclosures may have been a henge monument and inviting speculation as to the date and relationship of the other enclosure, hitherto identified tentatively as a later prehistoric settlement. An isotopic date for one of the pits is discussed. The archaeological potential of the sites has been highlighted and their fragility demonstrated.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Reports on work carried out in advance of forestry development which revealed Bronze Age hut circ... more Reports on work carried out in advance of forestry development which revealed Bronze Age hut circles, cairns and burnt mounds.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
A rich female grave found in 1979 contained two gilt-bronze oval brooches, forty-four glass beads... more A rich female grave found in 1979 contained two gilt-bronze oval brooches, forty-four glass beads, a bone comb, an iron knife, whetstone, bone needle case and needles, iron sickle, bronze ringed pin, bronze buckle and strap-end, iron rivet and textile fragments. Brooches and pin suggest a late 10th century date. AR
The townships of Barabhas are on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides betwe... more The townships of Barabhas are on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides between the blanket bog of Barabhas Moor to the east, and machair and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Barabhas Machair (centre NGR: NB 351 513) has been eroding for at least a century, and of archaeological interest for nearly as long. Survey and excavations over the last 40 years have revealed settlements from the Early Bronze Age to the present day, in a landscape that has been used and reused.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1994
The portions of the Balfarg/Balbirnie ceremonial complex excavated between 1983 and 1985 are desc... more The portions of the Balfarg/Balbirnie ceremonial complex excavated between 1983 and 1985 are described and related to the portions dug previously: Balbirnie stone circle (76/3594) and Balfarg henge (83/10516).The prehistoric ceremonial use of the area seems to have lasted from early in the third millennium until late in the second millennium BC (in terms of uncalibrated radiocarbon dates). The sequence began with pit-digging and pottery deposition in two parts of the site, near Balfarg Riding School (BRS) and to the west of Balfarg henge. Then, two timber structures, possibly with a mortuary function, were erected at BRS, probably in the early/mid third millennium BC (uncalibrated). The later of the two was mounded over and surrounded by a circular ditched enclosure (a henge?); this activity was associated with the deposition of Grooved Ware. At about the same time, at the west end of the site, a similar deposition of burnt and broken Grooved Ware predates the construction of the Ba...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1984
Three sites were excavated: a class II henge, a massive round barrow and a pair of ring-ditches. ... more Three sites were excavated: a class II henge, a massive round barrow and a pair of ring-ditches. Five periods of activity were noted on the henge site: I - pre henge-bank activity, including one burial; II - the class II henge, a ditch with an external bank enclosing a timber ring (late third millennium BC); III - burial and ritual/domestic activity, the former associated with food vessels, cinerary urns and a beaker, the latter with beaker material (second millennium BC); IV - in situ cremation and burial (late second/early first millennium BC); V-long grave cemetery (mid/late first millennium AD). A second timber ring, three burials and a number of pits could not be securely related to this sequence. One of the Period III food vessels had contained a cereal-based material.The barrow covered a substantial area of old land surface (Period II) exhibiting probable cultivation traces which in turn sealed small pits (Period I). The construction of the barrow (Period III) was undertaken ...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1996
The complete excavation of a post-defined Neolithic enclosure took place in 1979 and 1980 in adva... more The complete excavation of a post-defined Neolithic enclosure took place in 1979 and 1980 in advance of the construction of a gas compressor station for the British Gas Corporation. The enclosure appeared to have been constructed in two parts. There was little evidence for any associated activity except for a pit in the north half. Three charcoal samples from the post-holes produced radiocarbon dates in the range 3930-3390 cal BC. A small sample of a scatter of pits visible on aerial photographs was also excavated. Six penannular ring-ditch houses dating to the mid first millennium BC were also investigated. The houses were of the broad ring-ditch type with internal ring beam support. Other features included six-post structures and crescent-shaped hollows which might be the truncated remains of further house sites. There was little horizontal stratigraphy. The project was arranged and funded by Historic Scotland and its predecessor departments, with a contribution by British Gas.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 2005
Separately authored summaries of lectures given to or sponsored by the Society of Antiquaries for... more Separately authored summaries of lectures given to or sponsored by the Society of Antiquaries for Scotland.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
NJ 665565. An enlarged food vessel urn containing a multiple cremation deposit (one adult female,... more NJ 665565. An enlarged food vessel urn containing a multiple cremation deposit (one adult female, one child and one infant) had been inverted on to a stone pavement in a small pit. Grave goods included a stone pendant, a pottery ball decorated with incised concentric circles, and a plano-convex flint knife. A R
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Records the find of a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age artefact from a boggy glacial depression wi... more Records the find of a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age artefact from a boggy glacial depression with disturbed organic deposits. Discusses the possibility that it may have votive significance but considers it unlikely based on an examination of palynological evidence.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Activity within caves provides an important element of the later prehistoric and historic settlem... more Activity within caves provides an important element of the later prehistoric and historic settlement pattern of western Scotland. This contribution reports on a small-scale excavation within Croig Cave, on the coast of north-west Mull, that exposed a 1.95 m sequence of midden deposits and cave floors that date between c 1700 BC and AD 1400. Midden analysis indicated the processing of a diverse range of small fish and the collection of shellfish throughout this period, showing a high degree of continuity involving low-risk inshore fishing. At c 950 BC, a penannular copper bracelet and an amber bead were deposited within a small, shallow pit within the cave floor, suggestive of a discrete ritual episode within the cycle of otherwise potentially mundane activities. Lead isotope analysis indicated an Irish origin for the copper ore. A piece of iron slag within later midden deposits, dated to c 400 BC, along with high frequencies of wood charcoal, suggest that smithing or smelting may ha...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Alan Saville, the archaeologist and prehistorian and a former President of the Society of Antiqua... more Alan Saville, the archaeologist and prehistorian and a former President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, died in his adopted city of Edinburgh at the age of 69, following a long illness.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Pottery from at least sixteen sites in eastern and central Scotland can be attributed more or les... more Pottery from at least sixteen sites in eastern and central Scotland can be attributed more or less certainly to the Earlier Neolithic. Although the quality of much of the evidence precludes detailed classification, at least some of the groups, characterised by the presence of carinated bowls, may be presumed to date from an early stage of the Neolithic. Other types, including a range of heavy unshouldered bowls, were certainly current by the mid-- to late fourth millennium BC, in terms of calibrated radiocarbon dates, while the evidence from other regions suggests that some decorated pottery may have made a similarly early appearance. The Later Neolithic pottery from the region is discussed briefly, mainly to highlight some of the problems which may be resolved by future discoveries. Major domestic assemblages of Earlier Neolithic pottery are yet unknown; some material derives from intact contexts involving structured deposition, but much is from residual and unrepresentative scatters.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Excavations undertaken in 1984 and 1985 on cropmark sites identified as pit and post alignments r... more Excavations undertaken in 1984 and 1985 on cropmark sites identified as pit and post alignments revealed a bow-ended pit-defined enclosure dated to late-fifth to mid-fourth millennium BC, a post-defined enclosure dated to the mid-fourth to early-third millennium BC, and possible domestic activity. The pits of the enclosure showed up to three phases of use with deposits containing Carinated Bowl-type pottery in the later phases. Medieval or post medieval `rig & furrow' overlay the site and a small assemblage of medieval pottery is also described. There are notes on: `Geology, geomorphology, and soils' by David Jordan (29--31); `Archaeological background' by J S Rideout (31--2); `The palaeochannel' by David Jordan (43--4); `Neolithic pottery' by Trevor Cowie (44--7); `Stone artefacts' by Ann Clarke (48--51); `Radiocarbon dated charcoals' by Michael Cressey (51); the results of radiocarbon dating; `Macroplant assessment' by Tim Holden (53--4); and `Appen...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Discusses excavations which revealed evidence for multiple phases of activity including two burnt... more Discusses excavations which revealed evidence for multiple phases of activity including two burnt mounds, two round-houses, part of a probable ring-groove structure which may be a platform house and a metal-working area, with the main foci on the Late Neolithic, Bronze Age and early medieval periods. There are specialist contributions on: ceramics from all periods in the `Pottery report' by Trevor Cowie (70--5); `Coarse stone artefacts' by Caroline R Wickham-Jones (75--7); `Chipped stone' by Bill Finlayson (77--8); `Stone axehead flake' by Alison Sheridan (78--9); `Cannel coal 'napkin ring'' by Fraser Hunter (79--82); `Burnt and industrial debris' by Irene Cullen (82--3); and `Palynological analysis of burnt mound material' by Ciara Clarke (84--6).
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Investigation prior to the construction of the bypass revealed features relating to various perio... more Investigation prior to the construction of the bypass revealed features relating to various periods of activity. Pits were identified at several locations containing prehistoric pottery, while the northern and western perimeters of a Roman temporary camp were examined. The foundations of an Iron Age timber structure c. ten metres in diameter were excavated. Extensive excavation around the western entrance of the Roman temporary camp located a concentration of features including a spread of pits containing Neolithic pottery and chipped stone, four later prehistoric structures and Roman/Early Historic field ovens. Twenty-five Neolithic to Early Romano-British radiocarbon dates are reported. Includes separately authored reports on:
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Six burials of ninth--tenth-century date recorded between 1991 and 1994, plus one tenth-century b... more Six burials of ninth--tenth-century date recorded between 1991 and 1994, plus one tenth-century burial recorded in 1979, lead to the suggestion that the headland was a Viking cemetery area. There is an appendix `Surface collection of artefacts' by Tim Neighbour & Andrew Dunwell (747--9).
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
In February 2000, ploughing disturbed the capstone of a cist, located on the side of a prominent ... more In February 2000, ploughing disturbed the capstone of a cist, located on the side of a prominent knowe at Rameldry Farm, near Kingskettle in central Fife. Excavation by Headland Archaeology Ltd on behalf of Historic Scotland revealed a short cist which contained the crouched inhumation of a man aged 40–50, who had suffered from arthritis, some tooth loss and possibly Paget’s Disease. He had been buried wearing a garment adorned with six V-perforated buttons. Five of these are of Whitby jet (including one with unique decoration including inlaid tin); the sixth is of the mineral lizardite, and has an enigmatic coating, possibly a glaze. Behind his shoulder was a dagger, of ‘Milston type (East Kennet variant)’; it had had a fancy horn hilt and a scabbard lined with animal skin. The scabbard yielded two AMS radiocarbon dates, with a mean value of 2280–1970 cal BC at 2s.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Limited excavations were carried out in advance of pipeline construction in the area between two ... more Limited excavations were carried out in advance of pipeline construction in the area between two adjacent cropmark enclosures at Hillend, near Roberton, Clydesdale District, Strathclyde Region. The principal features comprised three pits which produced an assemblage of Grooved Ware, strengthening the possibility that one of the enclosures may have been a henge monument and inviting speculation as to the date and relationship of the other enclosure, hitherto identified tentatively as a later prehistoric settlement. An isotopic date for one of the pits is discussed. The archaeological potential of the sites has been highlighted and their fragility demonstrated.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Reports on work carried out in advance of forestry development which revealed Bronze Age hut circ... more Reports on work carried out in advance of forestry development which revealed Bronze Age hut circles, cairns and burnt mounds.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
A rich female grave found in 1979 contained two gilt-bronze oval brooches, forty-four glass beads... more A rich female grave found in 1979 contained two gilt-bronze oval brooches, forty-four glass beads, a bone comb, an iron knife, whetstone, bone needle case and needles, iron sickle, bronze ringed pin, bronze buckle and strap-end, iron rivet and textile fragments. Brooches and pin suggest a late 10th century date. AR
The townships of Barabhas are on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides betwe... more The townships of Barabhas are on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides between the blanket bog of Barabhas Moor to the east, and machair and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Barabhas Machair (centre NGR: NB 351 513) has been eroding for at least a century, and of archaeological interest for nearly as long. Survey and excavations over the last 40 years have revealed settlements from the Early Bronze Age to the present day, in a landscape that has been used and reused.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1994
The portions of the Balfarg/Balbirnie ceremonial complex excavated between 1983 and 1985 are desc... more The portions of the Balfarg/Balbirnie ceremonial complex excavated between 1983 and 1985 are described and related to the portions dug previously: Balbirnie stone circle (76/3594) and Balfarg henge (83/10516).The prehistoric ceremonial use of the area seems to have lasted from early in the third millennium until late in the second millennium BC (in terms of uncalibrated radiocarbon dates). The sequence began with pit-digging and pottery deposition in two parts of the site, near Balfarg Riding School (BRS) and to the west of Balfarg henge. Then, two timber structures, possibly with a mortuary function, were erected at BRS, probably in the early/mid third millennium BC (uncalibrated). The later of the two was mounded over and surrounded by a circular ditched enclosure (a henge?); this activity was associated with the deposition of Grooved Ware. At about the same time, at the west end of the site, a similar deposition of burnt and broken Grooved Ware predates the construction of the Ba...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1984
Three sites were excavated: a class II henge, a massive round barrow and a pair of ring-ditches. ... more Three sites were excavated: a class II henge, a massive round barrow and a pair of ring-ditches. Five periods of activity were noted on the henge site: I - pre henge-bank activity, including one burial; II - the class II henge, a ditch with an external bank enclosing a timber ring (late third millennium BC); III - burial and ritual/domestic activity, the former associated with food vessels, cinerary urns and a beaker, the latter with beaker material (second millennium BC); IV - in situ cremation and burial (late second/early first millennium BC); V-long grave cemetery (mid/late first millennium AD). A second timber ring, three burials and a number of pits could not be securely related to this sequence. One of the Period III food vessels had contained a cereal-based material.The barrow covered a substantial area of old land surface (Period II) exhibiting probable cultivation traces which in turn sealed small pits (Period I). The construction of the barrow (Period III) was undertaken ...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1996
The complete excavation of a post-defined Neolithic enclosure took place in 1979 and 1980 in adva... more The complete excavation of a post-defined Neolithic enclosure took place in 1979 and 1980 in advance of the construction of a gas compressor station for the British Gas Corporation. The enclosure appeared to have been constructed in two parts. There was little evidence for any associated activity except for a pit in the north half. Three charcoal samples from the post-holes produced radiocarbon dates in the range 3930-3390 cal BC. A small sample of a scatter of pits visible on aerial photographs was also excavated. Six penannular ring-ditch houses dating to the mid first millennium BC were also investigated. The houses were of the broad ring-ditch type with internal ring beam support. Other features included six-post structures and crescent-shaped hollows which might be the truncated remains of further house sites. There was little horizontal stratigraphy. The project was arranged and funded by Historic Scotland and its predecessor departments, with a contribution by British Gas.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 2005
Separately authored summaries of lectures given to or sponsored by the Society of Antiquaries for... more Separately authored summaries of lectures given to or sponsored by the Society of Antiquaries for Scotland.
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Papers by Trevor Cowie