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The crop marks of a circular enclosure, showing at least three concentric circles, with a possible fourth, show around the Craw Stane (NJ42NE0033). This would appear to represent a ditched and palisaded enclosure, with a possible annexe to the north-east. Other indeterminate cropmarks are in the same field. In June 2005 sherds of a beaker were recovered from a cattle scrape 8m to the north of the Craw Stane (NJ42NE0033). They are from a cord beaker with two shallow grooves around the neck. The finder reported seeing the base of a pot in the side of the scrape but this was not noted when the area was excavated under a call-out by Historic Scotland. Resistivity survey of the scheduled area of the Craw Stane and the series of surrounding enclosures was carried out in November 2006 as part of the Rhynie Environs Project. The survey clarified the nature of the multiple enclosures around the Craw Stane and identified a further possible ditch with entrance on the southern edge of the complex. A number of features were also visible within these enclosures. To the south of the Craw Stane enclosures a stone circular feature, 10m in diameter, with an internal feature and possible entrance to the southeast was identified. Linear features (possibly field drains or boundaries) and other less well defined features were also present. In 2011 Gordon Noble and Meggen Gondek lead an excavation at the base of the Craw Stane. The excavation revealed four separate lines of enclosure, all surrounding this stone and the northern edge of the sand and gravel ridge upon which it stands. The four enclosure boundaries consisted of an inner ditch, an outer ditch, a circular setting of large postholes and a palisade trench. The posts and palisade seem to have been parts of an integral structure. A strip and map evaluative excavation was carried out in 2012 by G Noble and M Gondek on the palisaded enclosure and associated structures identified during previous survey and excavation. The excavation encompassed a large proportion of the interior of the enclosures, where linear settings of postholes, beam slots and associated features appear to represent a series of different timber structures of both post and plank built construction. Sections were also dug across the inner and outer enclosure ditches and the palisade. Post and beam settings near the Craw Stane appear to represent elements of an elaborate entrance structure to the interior. Artefacts recovered include sherds of imported Late Roman amphorae of 6th century date, bronze and iron pins, metalworking moulds for pins and a brooch, pigment and further sherds of 6th century Continental glass. The results of this work strongly suggest that the Craw Stane was associated with a high status, probably royal site, encompassing settlement and ritual dimensions of the 5th to 6th century AD. A strip-and-map excavation took place in 2015, directed by G Noble and M Gondek. The excavation encompassed the eastern entrance of the enclosure complex and the annexe enclosure that extends to the north. The excavation showed that the annexe appears to pre-date the main enclosed site, although it is difficult to determine whether it existed in any form during the 5th-6th century phase of the site. The ephemeral nature of the annexe suggests that may have been enclosed by a turf wall rather than a ditch. A possible floor surface was recorded just outside the annexe enclosure. The line of the timber palisade was identified and a slot placed along the projected line. The regularity in the relationship of the post-holes of the palisade and inner timber structure show they are two elements working together in a structure. A foundation trench for an outer plank wall was also identified, which similarly matches the inner timber structure, suggesting the features were part of a substantial outer enclosure wall/rampart. Packing stones were recorded near the eastern outer ditch, which would have provided a socket for a stone with a base no larger than 0.8m, similar in size to the Craw Stane. Finds included 27 sherds of Late Roman Amphora, evidence of metalworking, a blue glass bead and a possible gaming piece.
Excavation in 2016 re-opened a 2012 trench to investigate the possible structure next to the Craw Stane, and three other trenches were excavated to better understand the exterior boundaries of the enclosure complex. Planks were recorded within the palisade trench, suggesting a large structure that could have stood to 5m or 6m high. It is likely that the timbers required would need to be imported. The possible structure around the Craw Stane were not easy to identify or classify, however the features are likely part of a structure within the later enclosure, overlaying earlier features. It would appear to have been burnt down during the decommissioning of the site. Finds related to metalworking were found mainly in the outer ditches, with little around the Craw Stane. Other finds from 2016 include glass fragments and a glass bead, coarse stone tools, lithics, and iron blade, copper pins, a copper dagger pommel, iron pin fragments, an iron shield boss and Late Roman amphorae sherds.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)