Document record MAB49901 - GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at this site in 2010 by AOC prior to a residential development.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at this site in 2010 by AOC prior to a residential development. The works consisted of a 10 percent sample evaluation of a circa 34-hectare land parcel. The proposed development contained a series of cropmark sites identified from aerial photographs (NJ05NW0035, NJ05NW0037 and NJ05NW0081). The trenching distribution was therefore both specific to the known sites and subject to random placement. The evaluation identified features across the entire site. This comprised linear ditches, pits, and post-holes. Artefacts recovered included Grooved Ware, coarse stone, flint, and later prehistoric ceramics. A secondary phase of archaeological works was required on part of the development sire based on the results of the evaluation. The excavation phase ran concurrently with the latter phases of the evaluation. The archaeological excavation comprised the complete excavation of a series of features identified underlying the area of a proposed roundabout and access road situated alongside the Grantown Road (A490). The excavation identified the remains of two palisaded enclosures, ring-ditch and ring-groove roundhouses and a series of adjacent pits. Excavation by AOC in 2013 investigated various features identified in the evaluation and recorded a series of truncated prehistoric structures including two ring-ditch houses, post-ring structures and isolated pits. Artefacts recovered included prehistoric pottery, coarse stone, and chipped stone assemblages. Further excavation was carried out by AOC in March 2017 of five areas (C, D, E, G and H). In area G, a prehistoric palisaded enclosure with centrally placed post-ring roundhouse was recorded, and another roundhouse recorded in Area C, with clusters of pits with pottery found close to these roundhouses. In areas C and H, several undated, but probably also prehistoric, pits were excavated. Of later date were two large intercut medieval pits, one of which was clay lined and contained part of a stone bowl, pottery, and animal bones.

AOC, 2010, R3 GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES: EVALUATION & EXCAVATION DATA STRUCTURE REPORT (Bibliographic reference). SAB3542.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2011, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND. NEW SERIES, VOLUME 11, 2010, p.113 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5535.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2013, R3 GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES: 2013 PHASE 1 EXCAVATION DATA STRUCTURE REPORT, Excavation report (Bibliographic reference). SAB5520.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2014, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 14, 2013, p.131 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5483.

COOK, M, 2016, PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN THE NORTH-EAST OF SCOTLAND: EXCAVATIONS AT GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES 2002-2013. (Bibliographic reference). SAB8059.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2017, GRANTOWN ROAD, R3 FORRES ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION, AREAS C, D, E, E, G & H: POST EXCAVATION RESEARCH DESIGN, PERD (Bibliographic reference). SAB6559.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2017, GRANTOWN ROAD, R3 FORRES, MORAY: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION, AREAS C, D, E, G AND H: DATA STRUCTURE REPORT, Excavation DSR (Bibliographic reference). SAB5584.

Record last edited

Jun 26 2025 10:02AM