New dates for enclosed sites in north-east Scotland: results of excavations by the Northern Picts project

Gordon Noble* (Corresponding Author), James O'Driscoll, Cathy MacIver, Edouard Masson-MacLean, Oskar Sveinbjarnarson

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

This article presents the results of a program of investigation into the enclosed settlements/forts and promontory forts of north-east Scotland, undertaken as part of the Northern Picts project. Reconnaissance excavations are reported on for nine sites: Crathie Point and Durn Hill, northern Aberdeenshire (Banffshire); Barmkyn of North Keig, Hill of Keir, Hill of Christ’s Kirk and Cnoc Cailliche (Wheedlemont), central Aberdeenshire; and Doune of Relugas, Knock of Alves and Wester Tulloch, Moray. Targeted excavation was undertaken at all examples and in the majority of cases produced a basic chronology for key phases of occupation/defence at the sites in question. Thirty-two new radiocarbon dates are presented, with a number of sites producing Iron Age dates, but a smaller number also revealing early medieval phases of occupation and use.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)165-196
Number of pages32
JournalProceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Volume149
Early online date30 Nov 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Nov 2020

Bibliographical note

The fieldwork conducted as part of this programme of investigation was funded by donations to the University of Aberdeen Development Trust and through funding by Historic Environment Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council Archaeology Service. Thanks to the colleagues who gave advice and support for the investigations: Bruce Mann, Strat Halliday, Ian Ralston, Fraser Hunter and Ewan Campbell. The writing of this article was supported by a Leverhulme Trust Research Leadership Award (RL-2016-069). Strat Halliday read through earlier versions of this article, but any errors as always remain the authors’ responsibility

Keywords

  • Enclosed sites
  • Northern Picts project
  • Fort
  • Ramparts
  • Wall
  • Ditch

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