Moray HER - NJ05NW0166 - GRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ05NW0166
NameGRANTOWN ROAD, FORRES
NRHE Card No. 
NRHE Numlink
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Documentary Record Only
Site Condition Destroyed
Details An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at this site in 2010 by AOC prior to a residential development. The works consisted of a 10 percent sample evaluation of a circa 34-hectare land parcel. The proposed development contained a series of cropmark sites identified from aerial photographs (NJ05NW0035, NJ05NW0037 and NJ05NW0081). The trenching distribution was therefore both specific to the known sites and subject to random placement. The evaluation identified features across the entire site. This comprised linear ditches, pits, and post-holes. Artefacts recovered included Grooved Ware, coarse stone, flint, and later prehistoric ceramics. A secondary phase of archaeological works was required on part of the development sire based on the results of the evaluation. The excavation phase ran concurrently with the latter phases of the evaluation. The archaeological excavation comprised the complete excavation of a series of features identified underlying the area of a proposed roundabout and access road situated alongside the Grantown Road (A490). The excavation identified the remains of two palisaded enclosures, ring-ditch and ring-groove roundhouses and a series of adjacent pits. Excavation by AOC in 2013 investigated various features identified in the evaluation and recorded a series of truncated prehistoric structures including two ring-ditch houses, post-ring structures and isolated pits. Artefacts recovered included prehistoric pottery, coarse stone, and chipped stone assemblages. Further excavation was carried out by AOC in March 2017 of five areas (C, D, E, G and H). In area G, a prehistoric palisaded enclosure with centrally placed post-ring roundhouse was recorded, and another roundhouse recorded in Area C, with clusters of pits with pottery found close to these roundhouses. In areas C and H, several undated, but probably also prehistoric, pits were excavated. Of later date were two large intercut medieval pits, one of which was clay lined and contained part of a stone bowl, pottery, and animal bones.
Last Update27/01/2023
Updated Bycpalmer
CompilerCH
Date of Compilation16/06/2011

Google Map for NJ05NW0166

National Grid Reference: NJ 0310 5724



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
2010 Evaluation
2010 Excavation
2013 Excavation aocarcha1-146021
2017 Excavation

Excavations and Surveys

Date MDate YTypeDurationDirector / OrganisationAuspicesFundExtent
 2010 Excavation  AOCDEVDEV 
22013 Excavation  AOCDEV  
 2017 Excavation  AOCDEVDEV 

Artefact and Ecofact

Date MDate YArtefact TypeFinderRecovery MethodConditionStorage LocationAccess No.
 2017 STONE BOWL AOC Excavation  
 2010 FLINTS AOC Excavation Unknown Unknown  
 2010 GROOVED WARE AOC Excavation Unknown Unknown  
 2010 COARSE STONES AOC Excavation Unknown Unknown  

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
DITCHESLINEAR A100
PITS  B100
POST-HOLES  C100
ENCLOSURES PALISADEDD100
RING-DITCHES  E100
HOUSESRING-GROOVE F100
POTTERY  G100
POTTERY GROOVED-WAREH100
STONES COARSEI100
FLINTS  J100
BONES ANIMALM100
ROUND-HOUSES  K100
BOWLSSTONE L100