Document record MAB49895 - KNOCKOMIE, GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES (R1)

An archaeological evaluation was carried out at this site by CFA Archaeology in December 2007 in advance of a proposed housing development.

An archaeological evaluation was carried out at this site by CFA Archaeology in December 2007 in advance of a proposed housing development. In total 10 percent of the total development site was trenched. Based upon the results of the evaluation a watching brief was required for seven site investigation trial pits which were subsequently excavated. Fifty-five trenches were excavated across both the northern and southern fields at totalling 7020 square metres. Two possible structures and seventy-seven individual features were noted during the evaluation. One of the possible structures (in Trench 17) contained sherds of prehistoric pottery, thought to be Late Bronze Age in date. It is possible that some of the other pits are also of prehistoric date, some of which contained metal working slag. In the northern field, concentrations of features were recorded including: a large ring ditch house in Trench 4; a large spread of charcoal-rich material in the northern part of the field, which is cut by a number of features including the possible hearth/furnace; a second possible hearth/furnace on the northern edge of the charcoal-rich spread; a smaller curvilinear structure in the south-east of the field; and a wide distribution of small pits. In the southern field, a concentration of features was noted in the north-east of the field in Trenches 50, 51 and 54. Prehistoric pottery was recovered from features in Trenches 50 and 54. A possible worked chert was also recovered from a feature in Trench 51. It is likely that these represent a localised spread of prehistoric features. In total, 12 sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered along with 3 lithics, and quantities of slag, fired clay, animal bone and charcoal. A second phase of evaluation was carried out by CFA in March 2008 in the northwestern part of the site, north of the Knockomie Hotel. Twelve trenches were excavated, and eight scattered pits and two curved lengths of ditch were recorded. One of the pits contained a relatively recent pig burial, but no prehistoric or other artefacts were recovered. The two lengths of ditch may represent the remains of a discontinuous circular feature. It is likely that the features uncovered in this evaluation are a continuation of the prehistoric settlement recorded to the east in the 2007 evaluation. A monitored topsoil strip and excavation for the Phase 1 area carried out by AOC Archaeology in 2021 recorded roundhouse settlements which were the focus for high status metalworking, including bronze Finds included at least two types of crucibles, small amounts of non-ferrous metal and a small ring, possibly of bronze. At least 13 roundhouses (and four-post structures) were uncovered, mostly concentrated along the hillslopes of the northern part of the site, with another roundhouse on the hill to the south. Overlying the roundhouse settlement was a deep deposit containing extensive iron-working debris and smelting hearth base fragments within which an extensive curvilinear setting of slabs was set alongside smithing hearth puts and other small areas of slabs. Anvil stones were identified in many stone settings. Frequent rotary quern fragments were also found within the slabbing and from roundhouse postholes across the site. One posthole contained remains of a large mammal skull. Extensive iron artefacts were recovered in redeposited contexts across the site. It appears that the metalworking industry took place at least during a secondary phase of occupation of the roundhouse settlement. Other areas of the site contained pit groups with prehistoric pottery and flint artefacts. Two cremation pits were found at two different locations. Other features included a double pit formed by a hearth pit and possibly a stone-lined kiln. It is likely the multiple periods of prehistoric activity are represented on the site.

RICHARDSON, P, 2008, Knockomie Hotal, Forres: Archaeological Evaluation, Eval report (Bibliographic reference). SAB3047.

Data Structure Rep

CFA ARCHAEOLOGY, 2008, KNOCKOMIE HOTEL, FORRES, MORAY: PHASE 2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION DATA STRUCTURE REPORT, Evaluation report (Bibliographic reference). SAB8144.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2009, DISCOVERY & EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, VOL 9, 2008, p.123 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3496.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2020, NEW HOUSING, KNOCKHOMIE, GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES: ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF AND EXCAVATION WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION, WSI (Bibliographic reference). SAB8446.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2021, NEW HOUSING, KNOCKHOMIE, GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES: ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF AND EXCAVATION DATA STRUCTURE REPORT, DSR (Bibliographic reference). SAB8426.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2022, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 22 (2021), pp.121-2 (Bibliographic reference). SAB8314.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2022, KNOCKOMIE, GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES: POST EXCAVATION RESEARCH DESIGN (Bibliographic reference). SAB8427.

Record last edited

Aug 26 2024 12:47PM