Neolithic

Four areas of archaeological significance covering a timescale from early Neolithic to post-medieval periods were identified during initial fieldwork at Lockerbie Academy.2 The earliest site identified was the remains of a Neolithic timber hall, which was situated on top of the flat plateau towards the north-west end of the site. At the summit of the rounded knoll in the centre of the area, a Bronze Age phase consisting of a cremation and inhumation cemetery enclosed by a possible ring-cairn was identified. At the base of the rounded knoll, the remains of an Early Historic timber hall were identified. This Anglian timber hall reoccupied the site of a post-built structure, which was interpreted as a timber hall, possibly belonging to an earlier British tradition. A corn-drying kiln was identified cut into the same knoll as the Bronze Age cemetery and has been dated to the late medieval or early post-medieval period. A segmented ditched enclosure was located towards the north-east end of the site, but the poor survival of this feature combined with a lack of finds and palaeobotanical evidence means that it remains undated.

In 1992, during a routine reconnaissance of MOD land at West Freugh, a scatter of artefacts was observed eroding out of a former land surface within the dunes at Knocknab. Initially the assemblage was recorded in situ and surface artefacts were collected. However, when it became evident that archaeological layers were being exposed and then undermined by severe storms, limited excavation was also undertaken. Over the following three years, the area was periodically monitored and artefacts collected where present. The great majority of the assemblage comprised lithics and ceramics located on the old ground surface and within pits. A radiocarbon date of 3940–3700 cal BC, obtained from Sorbus charcoal from a pit in Area 1, established an early Neolithic context for the material. The aim of this report is to bring the results of this investigation into the public arena, with particular emphasis on an analysis of the lithic and ceramic assemblages. It is not intended to provide a more wide-ranging synthesis of the material from Luce Sands but it is hoped that the information within this article could be incorporated into such a synthesis in the future.

The remains of an unenclosed prehistoric settlement were identified during a series of
archaeological works that took place in advance of sand extraction in 2006. Rathmell
Archaeology Ltd carried out the ensuing excavations on behalf of Barr Ltd. Two ring
groove houses were identified, along with a palisaded enclosure dating from the Late
Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age, and a series of unassociated negative features. While
radiocarbon dates showed evidence of further activity from the Neolithic to the Early
Bronze Age, no other coherent structures were identified.

This talk covered the new information that has emerged about the early farming communities (4000-2500 BC) in this part of Scotland over the past 25 years. It emphasised the importance of Bill Cormack’s work in laying the foundations for what we know today

A review article

A review article

A trapezoidal enclosure, previously known only from aerial photographs, was the focus of archaeological investigations at Evan Road, Beattock. No dating evidence for the enclosure was retrieved, although it is likely to be later prehistoric on the basis

An archaeological excavation carried out by CFA Archaeology at the site of the new Lockerbie Academy identified four concentrations of archaeological features. These consisted of a Neolithic timber hall, a segmented ditched enclosure, an Anglian timber ha

Review article

On behalf of the Whithorn Trust, and with support from Historic Scotland, a palaeoenvironmental study was carried out on a wet fen/mire located 400 m south of Rispain Camp, an Iron Age site in Galloway. The investigation revealed a good lateglacial and ea

Specialist reports on the charcoal and radiocarbon dates from the excavations of a Bronze Age roundhouse and associated palisade enclosure at Aird Quarry, Castle Kennedy, Dumfries and Galloway

Remains of a prehistoric roundhouse within a palisade enclosure were identified during an archaeological evaluation in advance of a quarry extension in 1999. In accordance with planning conditions an archaeological excavation by AOC Archaeology Group was

Summary of a lecture delivered to the Society on 5th November 2004. The archaeology of the estate at Newbarns, Colvend, is a unique and mysterious monumental record dating back to the Neolithic era, with multi-settlement evidence of occupation through th

Summary of a lecture presented to the Society on 15th October 2004. Displays of prehistoric artefacts in the museums of Scotland include much material from Wigtownshire, mostly collected during the latter decades of the 19th century. George Wilson, Free

In 1946 a Miss Helen Selby brought into the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland a collection of artefacts gathered largely from local sources by her father, William McDowall Selby, and grandfather, Robert Bird Selby, who served successively as medi

This paper examines the peopling of the Cree valley in the early-mid Neolithic as expressed in the monuments that they constructed. It endeavours to explore the chambered tombs, their location within and relationship to the landscape and geography of the

Excavations were carried out by GUARD (Department of Archaeology, Glasgow University) around the site of Warden's Dykes on behalf of Trusthouse Forte and BP Oil UK Ltd in advance of the construction of an access road for the new Gretna motorway service st

Set against the broader background of the Neolithic in south-west Scotland, this paper considers the two well-known Neolithic monuments of cairnholy I and II in Dumfries and Galloway, with a particular focus on the types of experiences that these monument

The collections of Stranraer Museum include a flint core tool from the shore at Wig Sands, south-east of the village of Kirkcolm, Wigtownshire. Wig Sands is an area of flat sand and cobbles forming the beach of Wig Bay on the west side of Loch Ryan, some

The Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust Ltd (SUAT) carried out an excavation in advance of development at the site of the former British legion Club House at 67-71 Irish Street, Dumfries (NGR NX 9717 7595). The excavation was jointly funded by Callander L

This paper reviews the archaeological evidence for the organisation of the later prehistoric landscape that has emerged from work in the Border Counties over the last twenty years. It challenges any assumption that prehistoric farms and territories were d

This is the second part of a series which considers the evidence for prehistoric activity across an area of landscape found in Dumfries and Galloway, defined by the river systems of the Cree and Esk. It is the purpose here to assess the evidence for Bronz

This paper reviews the results of aerial photographic recording of archaeological sites revealed by cropmarking in south-west Scotland. A consideration of patterns of visability and recovery provides a preamble to a review of the general trends this mater