Aberdeenshire HER - NO79NE0022 - CRATHES MAINS

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNO79NE0022
NameCRATHES MAINS
NRHE Card No.NO79NE24
NRHE Numlink 36639
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Artefact
Site Condition Complete 2
Details Flint scatter first noted by Dr Grieve's in the 1970s (Grieve Site A) from which over 900 worked flints were found as a surface collection after ploughing and heavy rain. analysis of the finds in 2019 has identified debitage (flakes, blades, microblades), cores, and tools including bladelets, microliths, microburins and scrapers. The low microlith ratio suggests a relatively low Mesolithic component. Further fieldwalking has been carried out over this river terrace site, and extending eastwards and westwards by OFARS 2008-12 (see also NO79NE0099). Fieldwalking in 2008 recovered over 3000 worked flints have been collected, largely Mesolithic in date of the 'Narrow Blade' (later) technology, with all phases of work from preparation of raw material to finished tools represented, The assemblage includes diagnostic microburins and microliths, cores and a variety of scrapers. It also included material of Neolithic date, including a polished Neolithic knife/axehead, a broken leaf-shaped arrowhead and a small sherd of Neolithic pottery. Further fieldwalking was carried out by OFARS in January-February 2012 as a continuation of the 2008 survey. A total of circa 500 flints were recovered, the assemblage similar to that recorded previously with cores (mainly single platform), scrapers and material representing all stages of preparation but no diagnostic late Mesolithic microliths. Three wide based triangles were picked up confirming an Early Mesolithic occupation. The lithics appear to be part of a single concentration which extends eastwards (NO79NE0099). Geophysical, topographical and aerial survey was carried out in 2017 to provide background information about the site. Further fieldwalking was carried out by the Mesolithic Deeside Project in March 2022. A total of 448 lithics were found, as well as numerous clay pipes, a metal object and a midden.
Last Update25/01/2023
Updated Bycpalmer
CompilerDG
Date of Compilation 

Google Map for NO79NE0022

National Grid Reference: NO 7505 9595



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
2008 Fieldwalking
2012 Fieldwalking
2017 Geophysical Survey

Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Date MDate YArtefact TypeFinderRecovery MethodConditionStorage LocationAccess No.
 2012 FLINT CORES OFARS Fieldwalking  
 2012 FLINT SCRAPERS OFARS Fieldwalking  
41974 MICROLITHS DG Stray Find Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums  
 1972 WORKED FLINTS DG Stray Find Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums  
 2022 WORKED FLINTS Mesolithic Deeside Fieldwalking  
 2022 CLAY PIPES Mesolithic Deeside Fieldwalking  

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
AXE-HEADS POLISHEDF80
POTTERY  G100
ARROWHEADS LEAF-SHAPEDH100
MICRO-BURINSFLINT I100
FLINTS WORKEDA100
MICROLITHS  B100
FLAKESFLINT C100
CORESFLINT D100
SCRAPERSFLINT E100
PIPESCLAY J100