Document record MAB54717 - MIDMILL SOUTH EAST, KINTORE

In April 2008 a 10 percent evaluation was carried over this site by MAS in advance of a proposed development.

In April 2008 a 10 percent evaluation was carried over this site by MAS in advance of a proposed development. Six trenches were excavated, revealing evidence of prehistoric cultivation and possible settlement which may be contemporary with Midmill long cairn (to the north of the site). A possible hearth was located in Trench 2. Rig and furrow was observed over part of the site, in which some prehistoric pottery sherds were found suggesting that the medieval/post-medieval cultivation may have ploughed out earlier features. In Trench 3, two areas of ard marks were identified along with a charcoal filled pit with a sherd of prehistoric pottery within. Further prehistoric pottery and flints were found along the lines of the ard marks, some have which have been dated to the Neolithic because of their similarities with pottery found during an evaluation in an adjacent field in 2007 (NJ71SE0102). Further excavation was carried out by MAS in 2008 in two areas. Area 1 focused on evaluation Trench 2 which produced Grooved Ware pottery, Area 2 focused on evaluation Trenches 2 and 4 where a possible occupation deposit had been found. Excavation in Area 1 recorded a group of three pits containing Grooved Ware and small amounts of cremated bone. Bone from one of the pits was dated to 2910-2690 cal BC. To the southwest there was a cremation complex of a central pit surrounded by smaller satellite pits associated with a small amount of Beaker pottery. Bone from the central pit gave a radiocarbon date of 2470-2230 cal BC. Area 2 had been deeply disturbed by rig and furrow cultivation (the rigs running west-northwest to east-southeast) with consequent truncation of prehistoric features. The occupation layer was visible over much of the area and sealed a hearth cut into the natural subsoil. This and a number of other features incorporated burnt food remains, including hazel nutshells, grains of naked barley. Lithic finds included a small range of tools indicating domestic and craft functions. Pottery, generally small abraded pieces, found throughout Area 2 was identified as Mid/Late Neolithic Impressed Ware. Although fragmentary, the evidence indicates domestic occupation. A series of northeast-southwest ard marks appear to post date these features. They were 50-70mm deep and circa 50mm wide. Although they cannot be directly dated the size and depth of the marks is very similar to those of late 2nd millennium BC date from Rattray, Aberdeenshire.

Period Notes
Radiocarbon samples: SUERC 22020 - 2910-2690 cal BC. SUERC 31024 - 2470-2230 cal BC

MURRAY, H.K., 2008, MIDMILL SOUTH EAST, KINTORE: EVALUATION (Bibliographic reference). SAB4607.

EVALUATION

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2009, DISCOVERY & EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, VOL 9, 2008, p.24-25 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3496.

MURRAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES, 2013, MIDMILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, KINTORE, ABERDEENSHIRE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS CARRIED OUT 2007-2012. PART 1, Exc rep pt 1 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5049.

MURRAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES, 2013, MIDMILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, KINTORE, ABERDEENSHIRE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS AND EXCAVATIONS CARRIED OUT 2007-2012. PART 2 , Exc rep pt 2 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5050.

Apr 18 2008 , DG8809-18, DG8809-18 (Ground Photograph). SAB13312.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2022 2:54PM