Document record MAB56172 - CRAIBSTONE PARK AND RIDE

Geophysical survey, evaluation and excavation were carried out by Headland Archaeology in 2012-2015 prior to construction of the Park and Ride.

Geophysical survey, evaluation and excavation were carried out by Headland Archaeology in 2012-2015 prior to construction of the Park and Ride. Geophysical survey in 2012 identified a number of magnetic anomalies, although the majority appeared to be of non-archaeological origin. Trial trenching was carried out in September 2013, comprising 36 trenches across the site, recorded 42 features, mostly pits and postholes, these mainly in the southeastern part of the development area. Subsequent excavation (March - June 2014) identified seven domestic structures which probably dated from the earlier Bronze Age to the Iron Age, and a further three possible structures. The structures showed several phases of rebuilding or replacement. Ancillary features, including four-post structures and alignments of postholes were also recorded. There was also evidence for iron smelting and smithing. One feature is interpreted as the remains of a bloomery smelting furnace, dated to the Iron Age. A second smelting furnace is of early historic date, between the 8th and 12th centuries AD. Later activity of medieval date was evidenced by pits containing domestic material. One structure, a possible longhouse or barn, of medieval to post-medieval date was uncovered with evidence of post-medieval agricultural activity in the form of two areas of rig and furrow separated by a sunken trackway. Artefacts recovered included a small quantity of prehistoric and medieval pottery, and iron metalworking residues. A watching brief and excavation was carried out by Headland Archaeology in 2015 on a strip of ground in the southeast part of the development site, targeted on areas of archaeology identified in 2014. A number of pits, postholes and linear features, and two possible structures were excavated, again indicating occupation during the prehistoric period followed by later post-medieval agricultural activity.

HEADLAND ARCHAEOLOGY, 2013, A96 PARK AND RIDE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION, Evaluation report (Bibliographic reference). SAB4515.

HEADLAND ARCHAEOLOGY, 2013, A96(T) DYCE DRIVE PARK AND CHOOSE AND ASSOCIATED LINK ROAD (DYCE): GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY, Geophysical survey (Bibliographic reference). SAB4514.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2014, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 14, 2013, p. 13 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5483.

ARCAHEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2015, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND. NEW SERIES, VOLUME 15, 2014, p. 12 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5542.

HEADLAND ARCHAEOLOGY, 2016, A96 PARK AND CHOOSE SCHEME: ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF AND EXCAVATION, Exc and WB report (Bibliographic reference). SAB4516.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2017, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 17, 2016, pp.10-11 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6497.

WOODLEY, NC, 2018, AN IRON AGE AND EARLY HISTORIC SETTLEMENT AND METALWORKING SITE AT WALTON ROAD, DYCE IN TAFAJ. VOL 24, PP39-55 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3430.

Record last edited

Apr 4 2019 5:00PM