Building record MAB36681 - FINAVON

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Summary

Remains of a hillfort, an elongated, heavily vitrified, timber-laced fort within which lies a well.

Protected Status/Designation

Scheduled Monument 139

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Location

Grid reference	Centred NO 5069 5567 (208m by 142m) Centred at - Polygon: Unknown Extent
Map sheet	NO55NW
Civil Parish	Aberlemno
Authority	Angus

Type and Period (6)

Full Description

Remains of a hillfort, an elongated, heavily vitrified, timber-laced fort within which lies a well. The fort measures about 152.4m by a maximum of 36.6m internally. Excavations carried out in 1933-4 by Childe (1935) showed that the wall was about 6.1m thick and that it stood 3.6m internally and 4.87m externally beneath the grass-grown rubble. There was a row of dwellings with hearths under the shelter of the north wall. Pot-making, spinning and metal-working were carried out in the lee of the south wall. The finds, including gritty plain potsherds, stone whorls, flints, an iron ring, and a thick jet ring, are in the NMAS. A massive cistern was excavated at the east end to a depth of some 6.3m. In 1966 MacKie dug two trenches against the inner faces of the north and south ramparts, and three radio-carbon dates were obtained indicating that the fort was in use from the 7th century BC until at least the late 5th or early 4th century before being destroyed. Fragments of vitrified and unvitrified material from this fort are in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. A squarish piece of sandstone, 28cm by 25cm, bearing a cup and a groove mark surrounded by two concentric rings, found on the ground surface below the end of the rampart of Finavon fort is in Dundee Museum. The fort has recently been resurveyed. Site visit in 2025 by Radco noted evidence of burnt timbers and a blackened stone with woodlike, tree ring patterns suggesting residue from vitrification.

Period Notes
C14 dates (BP=before 1950 These dates have increased error ranges following reassessment of GaK dates from the 1970s/1980s) : GaK-1222 charcoal from low in fallen rubble of the vitrified fort BP 2360 +/-240 (1100 cal BC to 200 AD); GaK-1223 charcoal from occupation layer of the vitrified fort BP 2270 +/- 270 (1000 cal BC to 400 AD); GaK-1224 charcoal from planks, inner wall face of the vitrified fort BP 2540 +/-210 (1300 to 100 cal BC). Thermoluminescence dates (note BP=1980) : All samples from two cores taken from massive blocks of vitrification on northern rampart. TL58fa (0-5cm depth) BP 1255 +/- 70; TL59fa (10-15cm depth) BP 1560 +/- 80; TL60fa (20-30cm depth) BP 1220 +/- 95; TL61fa (-) BP 1330 +/- 75. Archaeomagnetic dates :mean date from seven samples of vitrified material in northern and southern ramparts c 180-190 BC (95% confidence).

A/57123, A/57123 (Photograph). SAB21883.

AN/2579, AN/2579 (Photograph). SAB23893.

AN/2580, AN/2580 (Photograph). SAB23897.

AN/2581, AN/2581 (Photograph). SAB21893.

AN/2582, AN/2582 (Photograph). SAB23898.

AN/2583, AN/2583 (Photograph). SAB21894.

AN/2584, AN/2584 (Photograph). SAB23899.

AN/2617, AN/2617 (Photograph). SAB23900.

AN/2618, AN/2618 (Photograph). SAB21895.

AN/2619, AN/2619 (Photograph). SAB23901.

AN/2620, AN/2620 (Photograph). SAB21896.

AN/2621, AN/2621 (Photograph). SAB21897.

AN/2621/S, AN/2621/S (Photograph). SAB21882.

AN/2622, AN/2622 (Photograph). SAB23902.

AN/2623, AN/2623 (Photograph). SAB23903.

AN/2624, AN/2624 (Photograph). SAB21898.

AN/2625, AN/2625 (Photograph). SAB21899.

AN/2626, AN/2626 (Photograph). SAB23904.

AN/2627, AN/2627 (Photograph). SAB23905.

AN/2628, AN/2628 (Photograph). SAB21900.

AN/2629, AN/2629 (Photograph). SAB23906.

AN/2630, AN/2630 (Photograph). SAB21901.

AN/2631, AN/2631 (Photograph). SAB23907.

AN/2632, AN/2632 (Photograph). SAB23908.

AN/2633, AN/2633 (Photograph). SAB21902.

AN/2634, AN/2634 (Photograph). SAB23909.

AN/2635, AN/2635 (Photograph). SAB23910.

AN/2636, AN/2636 (Photograph). SAB21903.

AN/2637, AN/2637 (Photograph). SAB23911.

AN/2638, AN/2638 (Photograph). SAB21904.

AN/2639, AN/2639 (Photograph). SAB23912.

AN/2640, AN/2640 (Photograph). SAB23913.

AN/2641, AN/2641 (Photograph). SAB21905.

AN/2642, AN/2642 (Photograph). SAB23914.

AN/2643, AN/2643 (Photograph). SAB21906.

AN/2644, AN/2644 (Photograph). SAB23915.

AN/2645, AN/2645 (Photograph). SAB23916.

AN/2646, AN/2646 (Photograph). SAB21907.

AN/2647, AN/2647 (Photograph). SAB23917.

AN/2648, AN/2648 (Photograph). SAB23918.

AN/4402/CN, AN/4402/CN (Photograph). SAB21908.

AN/4403/CN, AN/4403/CN (Photograph). SAB21909.

AN/4404/CN, AN/4404/CN (Photograph). SAB21910.

AN/4404/CS, AN/4404/CS (Photograph). SAB24414.

AN/4405/CN, AN/4405/CN (Photograph). SAB23586.

AN/4406/CN, AN/4406/CN (Photograph). SAB21911.

AN/4406/CS, AN/4406/CS (Photograph). SAB21881.

B/81095/CS, B/81095/CS (Photograph). SAB21912.

B/81096/CS, B/81096/CS (Photograph). SAB21913.

B/83425/PO, B/83425/PO (Photograph). SAB23587.

B/83426/PO, B/83426/PO (Photograph). SAB21914.

B/93516/S, B/93516/S (Photograph). SAB23588.

B/93517/S, B/93517/S (Photograph). SAB23589.

Williams, J, 1777, [Untitled], 39-44 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10271.

Childe, V G, 1935, Proc Soc Antiq Scot 69, 49-80 (Bibliographic reference). SAB7022.

Childe, V G, 1936, Proc Soc Antiq Scot 70, 347-52 (Bibliographic reference). SAB7189.

Cotton, M A, 1954, Archaeol J 111, 66 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10553.

Feachem, R W, 1963, [Untitled], 106 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11713.

MacKie, E W, 1966, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 2-3 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11244.

MacKie, E W, 1967, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 4 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11136.

MacKie, E W, 1969, Antiquity 43, 16-18 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6326.

Coutts, H, 1970, [Untitled], 34 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10941.

Coutts, H, 1971, [Untitled], 66 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11615.

Nisbet, H C, 1974, Science and Archaeology 12, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6135.

MacKie, E W, 1975, [Untitled], 189-90 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6334.

Nisbet, H C, 1975, Science and Archaeology 15, 11, no. 1 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6137.

MacKie, E W, 1976, [Untitled], 210-11, 233 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6348.

Hanson and Maxwell, W S and, 1983, [Untitled], 13 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11845.

RCAHMS, 1983, [Untitled], 26, No. 203 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9117.

Zealand, A, 1988, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 26 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11117.

Sanderson, Placido and Tate, D C W, F, 1988, Nucl Tracks Radiat Meas 14 1/2, 307-16 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10637.

SHEPHERD, IAG, 1988, THE PREHISTORIC SOCIETY SUMMER CONFERENCE 1988: ABERDEEN AND NORTH EAST SCOTLAND, 55-6 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1744.

Mackie and Davis, E W and, 1991, Glasgow Archaeol J 15, 148 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11428.

ALEXANDER, D, 1999, FINAVON HILL. FIELD SURVEY. REPORT NO.489, REPORT (Bibliographic reference). SAB74.

FIELD SURVEY

RADCO, 2025, ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT: 'ICE TO FIRE: TAP O'NOTH'S ANCIENT SECRETS (Bibliographic reference). SAB3212.

Feb 12 2008 , AAS/08/01/DG111-31, AAS/08/01/DG111-31 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB21219.

Feb 13 2001 , AAS/01/1/CT44-6, AAS/01/1/CT44-6 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB24410.

Feb 13 2001 , AAS/01/1/G2/26, AAS/01/1/G2/26 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB24409.

Feb 13 2002 , AAS/02/1/CT41-44, AAS/02/1/CT41-44 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB28593.

Feb 13 2002 , AAS/02/1/G2/3-5, AAS/02/1/G2/3-5 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB28594.

Jun 7 1997 , AAS/97/07/CT36,38-42,59, AAS/97/07/CT36,38-42,59 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22404.

Sep 15 2000 , AAS/00/13/CT52-56, AAS/00/13/CT52-56 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB29367.

Sep 15 2000 , AAS/00/13/G31/20-1, AAS/00/13/G31/20-1 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB29368.

Other Statuses/References

Authority: ANG;
HES Scheduled Monument Number: 139;
NMR Card Number: NO55NW32;
NRHE Numlink: 34813;
Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NO55NW0032;

External Links (2)

https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM139 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
https://www.trove.scot/place/34813 (trove.scot link)

Sources/Archives (83)

--- SAB10271 Bibliographic reference: Williams, J. 1777. [Untitled]. 39-44.
--- SAB10553 Bibliographic reference: Cotton, M A. 1954. Archaeol J 111. 66.
--- SAB10637 Bibliographic reference: Sanderson, Placido and Tate, D C W, F. 1988. Nucl Tracks Radiat Meas 14 1/2. 307-16.
--- SAB10941 Bibliographic reference: Coutts, H. 1970. [Untitled]. 34.
--- SAB11117 Bibliographic reference: Zealand, A. 1988. Discovery and Excavation, Scotland. 26.
--- SAB11136 Bibliographic reference: MacKie, E W. 1967. Discovery and Excavation, Scotland. 4.
--- SAB11244 Bibliographic reference: MacKie, E W. 1966. Discovery and Excavation, Scotland. 2-3.
--- SAB11428 Bibliographic reference: Mackie and Davis, E W and. 1991. Glasgow Archaeol J 15. 148.
--- SAB11615 Bibliographic reference: Coutts, H. 1971. [Untitled]. 66.
--- SAB11713 Bibliographic reference: Feachem, R W. 1963. [Untitled]. 106.
--- SAB11845 Bibliographic reference: Hanson and Maxwell, W S and. 1983. [Untitled]. 13.
--- SAB1744 Bibliographic reference: SHEPHERD, IAG. 1988. THE PREHISTORIC SOCIETY SUMMER CONFERENCE 1988: ABERDEEN AND NORTH EAST SCOTLAND. Y. 55-6.
--- SAB21219 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 12 2008 . AAS/08/01/DG111-31. DG. AAS/08/01/DG111-31.
--- SAB21881 Photograph: AN/4406/CS. CS. AN/4406/CS.
--- SAB21882 Photograph: AN/2621/S. S. AN/2621/S.
--- SAB21883 Photograph: A/57123. . A/57123.
--- SAB21893 Photograph: AN/2581. . AN/2581.
--- SAB21894 Photograph: AN/2583. . AN/2583.
--- SAB21895 Photograph: AN/2618. . AN/2618.
--- SAB21896 Photograph: AN/2620. . AN/2620.
--- SAB21897 Photograph: AN/2621. . AN/2621.
--- SAB21898 Photograph: AN/2624. . AN/2624.
--- SAB21899 Photograph: AN/2625. . AN/2625.
--- SAB21900 Photograph: AN/2628. . AN/2628.
--- SAB21901 Photograph: AN/2630. . AN/2630.
--- SAB21902 Photograph: AN/2633. . AN/2633.
--- SAB21903 Photograph: AN/2636. . AN/2636.
--- SAB21904 Photograph: AN/2638. . AN/2638.
--- SAB21905 Photograph: AN/2641. . AN/2641.
--- SAB21906 Photograph: AN/2643. . AN/2643.
--- SAB21907 Photograph: AN/2646. . AN/2646.
--- SAB21908 Photograph: AN/4402/CN. Colour Negative. AN/4402/CN.
--- SAB21909 Photograph: AN/4403/CN. Colour Negative. AN/4403/CN.
--- SAB21910 Photograph: AN/4404/CN. Colour Negative. AN/4404/CN.
--- SAB21911 Photograph: AN/4406/CN. Colour Negative. AN/4406/CN.
--- SAB21912 Photograph: B/81095/CS. CS. B/81095/CS.
--- SAB21913 Photograph: B/81096/CS. CS. B/81096/CS.
--- SAB21914 Photograph: B/83426/PO. Polaroid. B/83426/PO.
--- SAB22404 Air-oblique Photograph: Jun 7 1997 . AAS/97/07/CT36,38-42,59. Colour Transparency. AAS/97/07/CT36,38-42,59.
--- SAB23586 Photograph: AN/4405/CN. Colour Negative. AN/4405/CN.
--- SAB23587 Photograph: B/83425/PO. Polaroid. B/83425/PO.
--- SAB23588 Photograph: B/93516/S. S. B/93516/S.
--- SAB23589 Photograph: B/93517/S. S. B/93517/S.
--- SAB23893 Photograph: AN/2579. . AN/2579.
--- SAB23897 Photograph: AN/2580. . AN/2580.
--- SAB23898 Photograph: AN/2582. . AN/2582.
--- SAB23899 Photograph: AN/2584. . AN/2584.
--- SAB23900 Photograph: AN/2617. . AN/2617.
--- SAB23901 Photograph: AN/2619. . AN/2619.
--- SAB23902 Photograph: AN/2622. . AN/2622.
--- SAB23903 Photograph: AN/2623. . AN/2623.
--- SAB23904 Photograph: AN/2626. . AN/2626.
--- SAB23905 Photograph: AN/2627. . AN/2627.
--- SAB23906 Photograph: AN/2629. . AN/2629.
--- SAB23907 Photograph: AN/2631. . AN/2631.
--- SAB23908 Photograph: AN/2632. . AN/2632.
--- SAB23909 Photograph: AN/2634. . AN/2634.
--- SAB23910 Photograph: AN/2635. . AN/2635.
--- SAB23911 Photograph: AN/2637. . AN/2637.
--- SAB23912 Photograph: AN/2639. . AN/2639.
--- SAB23913 Photograph: AN/2640. . AN/2640.
--- SAB23914 Photograph: AN/2642. . AN/2642.
--- SAB23915 Photograph: AN/2644. . AN/2644.
--- SAB23916 Photograph: AN/2645. . AN/2645.
--- SAB23917 Photograph: AN/2647. . AN/2647.
--- SAB23918 Photograph: AN/2648. . AN/2648.
--- SAB24409 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 13 2001 . AAS/01/1/G2/26. Black & White. AAS/01/1/G2/26.
--- SAB24410 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 13 2001 . AAS/01/1/CT44-6. Colour Transparency. AAS/01/1/CT44-6.
--- SAB24414 Photograph: AN/4404/CS. CS. AN/4404/CS.
--- SAB28593 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 13 2002 . AAS/02/1/CT41-44. Colour Transparency. AAS/02/1/CT41-44.
--- SAB28594 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 13 2002 . AAS/02/1/G2/3-5. Black & White. AAS/02/1/G2/3-5.
--- SAB29367 Air-oblique Photograph: Sep 15 2000 . AAS/00/13/CT52-56. Colour Transparency. AAS/00/13/CT52-56.
--- SAB29368 Air-oblique Photograph: Sep 15 2000 . AAS/00/13/G31/20-1. Black & White. AAS/00/13/G31/20-1.
--- SAB3212 Bibliographic reference: RADCO. 2025. ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT: 'ICE TO FIRE: TAP O'NOTH'S ANCIENT SECRETS.
--- SAB6135 Bibliographic reference: Nisbet, H C. 1974. Science and Archaeology 12. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.
--- SAB6137 Bibliographic reference: Nisbet, H C. 1975. Science and Archaeology 15. 11, no. 1.
--- SAB6326 Bibliographic reference: MacKie, E W. 1969. Antiquity 43. 16-18.
--- SAB6334 Bibliographic reference: MacKie, E W. 1975. [Untitled]. 189-90.
--- SAB6348 Bibliographic reference: MacKie, E W. 1976. [Untitled]. 210-11, 233.
--- SAB7022 Bibliographic reference: Childe, V G. 1935. Proc Soc Antiq Scot 69. 49-80.
--- SAB7189 Bibliographic reference: Childe, V G. 1936. Proc Soc Antiq Scot 70. 347-52.
--- SAB74 Bibliographic reference: ALEXANDER, D. 1999. FINAVON HILL. FIELD SURVEY. REPORT NO.489. REPORT.
--- SAB9117 Bibliographic reference: RCAHMS. 1983. [Untitled]. 26, No. 203.

Finds (7)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (8)

Record last edited

Apr 3 2025 12:24PM