A 12th-century 'Bowl-fired' Grain Drying Kiln at Druminnor Castle, Aberdeenshire. Implications for Social Change, Agricultural Productivity and Landscape Development in North-east Scotland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The discovery of a medieval 'bowl-fired' grain-drying kiln during excavations at Druminnor Castle has implications for how we view the management of agricultural practices in the north-east of Scotland during the 12th century. Landscape study of the Forbes Estate has suggested the former existence of two large open fields associated with the castle. Technological change associated with the construction of a kiln may have coincided with a parallel development in field layout. The 12th-century date of the kiln might suggest a similar date for the fields. These changes occurred within a 'native' lordship prior to a later influx of Anglo-Norman influence in the area.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-32
Number of pages32
JournalStudia Celtica
Volume52
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2018

Bibliographical note

Grateful thanks are owed to the Hunter Archaeological and Historical Trust for funding the environmental analysis and to Bruce Mann of Aberdeenshire Archaeological services for organising and funding the radiocarbon dates. Also, many thanks for his support and advice throughout this project. David Irving managed the excavation of the kiln, ably assisted by Barry Foster. Iain Ralston oversaw survey and site photography whilst Angela Groat managed the site databases. Especial thanks to Brian Cornock, Peter Thorn and Andrew Wainwright for invaluable assistance in defining the site geology and to Alex Forbes for tremendous forbearance in the face of his lawns and borders being ravaged for years on end. Also, for his wealth of knowledge of the Forbes’ family histories and for pointing out a number of deficiencies in an early draft of this paper. David Knight kindly provided information on the Fisher Gate kiln as well as supplying the lovely image of that structure. Penny Dransart kindly commented on an early draft of this paper and has worked tirelessly since to help knock it into better shape. All of her insightful suggestions have been acted upon. The three anonymous reviewers are to be thanked for their useful comments and suggestions. All errors are the responsibility of the authors. Finally, it is a pleasure to extend a warm thank you to all the other volunteer diggers who have turned up to help in all sorts of weathers over the years.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A 12th-century 'Bowl-fired' Grain Drying Kiln at Druminnor Castle, Aberdeenshire. Implications for Social Change, Agricultural Productivity and Landscape Development in North-east Scotland'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this