EAB3039 - Excavation 1860 - 1861 - WEST GRANGE OF CONON

A partially-rock-cut souterrain discovered during agricultural operations in the spring of 1859 and excavated by Jervise (1863) in 1860 and 1861. It consists of a main passage leading to a beehive chamber, and a narrow entrance passage with an unusual subsidiary passage leading to a second entrance. To the north of the souterrain was a circular area of rough paving circa 12 m in diameter, which was obviously the remains of a surface structure similar to that at Ardestie (MAB36230) and Carlungie I (MAB36078). A cluster of six long-cists was found to the northwest of the main passage, the only known instance of burials which can be almost certainly associated with the souterrain builders. The most interesting of the numerous finds from the excavation, which were all donated to NMAS, were Roman amphora fragments from above the main passage, and a bronze spiral armlet from the paved area. In 1966, an inspection by the OS through a hole in the ground (too small for entry) showed the corbelled chamber, which appeared to be about 1.2 metres high. Except for shallow depressions denoting the passages, no other parts of the souterrain are visible. As well as the amphora fragments which may date from the 2nd Century AD, a possible Roman bronze needle was found. The site was backfilled on Jervise's request to protect it.