Document record MAB60935 - PITSKELLY, UPPER VICTORIA, CARNOUSTIE

A programme of archaeological work, comprising trial trenching evaluation, monitored topsoil strip and excavation carried out by AOC Archaeology in 2019 ahead of proposed development (Upper Victoria Phase 2A) recorded features representing a multiperiod settlement and farmland site, and cist burials.

A programme of archaeological work, comprising trial trenching evaluation, monitored topsoil strip and excavation carried out by AOC Archaeology in 2019 ahead of proposed development (Upper Victoria Phase 2A) recorded features representing a multiperiod settlement and farmland site, and cist burials. Several probable prehistoric and early historic structures are represented although plough truncation means that more diagnostic elements such as postholes and hearths have not survived. Settlement features of prehistoric date included a single large Neolithic pit in the southern portion of the site, containing pottery fragments of likely Late Neolithic date. Also a structure represented by multiple ring grooves forming a rough circle (structure 1) indicative of at least one phase of house, and a fully enclosed ring ditch (structure 2). There were various other probably ring groove structures across the site but definitive identification if individual structures was problematic given the truncation, although they are probably the remains of prehistoric roundhouses. Two structures are of possible Early Medieval historic date, as are elements of field boundaries. The first structure (structure 2) was sub-rectangular with rounded ends, measuring approximately 16m by 8.5, the other (structure 4) a large sub-rectangular feature measuring 45m by 7m. There were no associated finds. North of these structures was a sub-oval enclosure 25m by 19m. A number of field boundaries, which appear to respect the other structures and as such are thought to be of contemporary date, extend across the site. The two predominant boundaries both lie on a southeast-northwest to northwest/west-east alignment and measure 162m and circa 200m respectively. They run parallel to each other in the southern half of the area and are circa 100m apart. They may be connected at the north end by a perpendicular field boundary. Other probable early historic structures had been severely truncated. One sherd of medieval pottery was recovered from a pit. A Bronze Age cists cemetery, comprising eight cist burials were uncovered in the northern part of the site, some containing well preserved human remains with textiles, blades and beakers also recovered. Cist 1 was oriented southwest-northeast, the cist constructed or large subrounded boulders, and contained a likely crouched inhumation although the remains were poorly preserved. Cist 2 appeared to have been previously disturbed, with part of the capstone removed. It contained a small portion of heavily degraded and fragmented bone but no further finds. Cist 3 was within a large pit, the fills containing stones that suggested that the cist was once marked by a cairn. The majority of the remains were severely degraded. Cist 4 was also within a large pit containing stones indicative of a cairn. The capstone was of schist, the side slabs of sandstone, wit no slab at the south end. It contained a crouched inhumation, and beside the head was a poorly preserved ceramic vessel. Cist 5 sat within a large pit, and comprised a capstone of red sandstone and uprights of schist. It contained the remains of at least three individuals, the main one bound and covered in a possible ox-hide or fabric shroud. Textile fragments and a bone woggle were also recovered. The cist also contained the disarticulated remains of a juvenile and cremated remains, as well as two-thirds of a beaker vessel. The remains and vessel were all laid on a tightly packed quartz pebble base. Cist 6, which also had a red sandstone capstone, contained remains of two individuals, both fairly well preserved with some organic covering. The remains of a crushed beaker and a decorated bone woggle were also recovered. Cist 7, at the base of a large pit, contained a crouched inhumation and possible arm bones of a juvenile, also a small copper alloy blade covered by a black organic substance, probably a sheath. Cist 8 contained poorly preserved remains laid on a loosely packed quartz and pebble base with a ceramic beaker. The excavation also recorded a number of undated features, mainly pits, and three probable cremation pits. See also NO53NW0104 and NO53NW0103.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2019, PHASE 1A AND 2B UPPER VICTORIA LINK, CARNOUSTIE, ANGUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKS: DATA STRUCTURE REPORT, DSR (Bibliographic reference). SAB7896.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2019, PHASE 2A UPPER VICTORIA LINK, CARNOUSTIE, ANGUS, ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKS: DATA STRUCTURE REPORT, DSR (Bibliographic reference). SAB7852.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2019, PHASE 2A UPPER VICTORIA LINK, CARNOUSTIE, ANGUS, POST- EXCAVATION RESEARCH DESIGN, PERD (Bibliographic reference). SAB7854.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2019, UPPER VICTORIA LINK, CARNOUSTIE, ANGUS, ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKS: WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION ADDENDUM, WSI addendum (Bibliographic reference). SAB8280.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2019, UPPER VICTORIA LINK, CARNOUSTIE, ANGUS, ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKS: WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION, WSI (Bibliographic reference). SAB7853.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2022, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 22 (2021), p. 23 (Bibliographic reference). SAB8314.

Apr 9 2019 , AOC-GR-09-04-216 - 221, AOC-GR-09-04-216 - 221 (Ground Photograph). SAB35057.

Jun 4 2019 , AOC-GR-04-06-230 - 231, AOC-GR-04-06-230 - 231 (Ground Photograph). SAB35063.

Jun 6 2019 , AOC-GR-06-06-232 - 234, AOC-GR-06-06-232 - 234 (Ground Photograph). SAB35064.

May 1 2019 , AOC-GR-01-05-044 - 046, AOC-GR-01-05-044 - 046 (Ground Photograph). SAB35065.

May 8 2019 , AOC-GR-08-05-032 - 035, AOC-GR-08-05-032 - 035 (Ground Photograph). SAB35058.

May 15 2019 , AOC-GR-15-05-036 - 037, AOC-GR-15-05-036 - 037 (Ground Photograph). SAB35059.

May 16 2019 , AOC-GR-16-05-038 - 041, AOC-GR-16-05-038 - 041 (Ground Photograph). SAB35061.

May 23 2019 , AAS-GR-19-05-135 - 146, AAS-GR-19-05-135 - 146 (Ground Photograph). SAB35660.

May 23 2019 , AOC-GR-23-05-042 - 043, AOC-GR-23-05-042 - 043 (Ground Photograph). SAB35062.

May 23 2023 , AAS-GR-19-05-004 - 031, AAS-GR-19-05-004 - 031 (Ground Photograph). SAB34900.

Record last edited

Jul 27 2022 2:21PM