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Features of a later prehistoric settlement and an early medieval cemetery recorded during a monitored topsoil strip and excavation by CFA Archaeology in September to December 2021 ahead of sand and gravel extraction (Phase 6 at the quarry). At the east end of the field was evidence of a settlement in the form of several timber-built structures. The largest is a possible roundhouses comprising 23 pit/post holes and a curving gully, with a possible entrance on the southwest, and of external diameter 11 m. One post-hole yielded a single sherd of prehistoric pottery. To the southeast was a second possible roundhouse, external diameter of the structure 8 m, comprising 26 pit/post holes, nine of which contained sherds of prehistoric pottery, and three contained fragments of bone. To the northeast a possible structure of 10 pit/post holes. These structures may be related to the Bronze Age settlement identified and excavated in the Phase 1 field to the east (NO35SE0083). At the crest of the hill, in the north part of the area investigated, was a group of 22 long cist graves, with another two isolated long cists to the north. Many were heavily truncated, but where the cists survived these were formed of red/pink sandstone slabs with large grey cobblestones supporting the sides. One grave contained two iron objects. Preservation of bone was poor overall, with few bones remaining intact, probably a consequence of the loss of capping stones, although 21 contained human remains. The skeletons, orientated east-west, were placed supine, arms extended to the side of the body and legs extended. The form of the graves indicate Early Medieval long cists: two groups of cist burials were also found in the Phase 1 field to the east. A single probable cremation burial was located at the far northern edge of the excavation area, probably plough truncated. The monitored topsoil stripping identified nine isolated elongated pits across the site, though several in close proximity to the structures on the east side of the site. An isolated curvilinear ditch recorded in the western half of the site was possibly a ring ditch structure. A further 51 features were recorded spread across the site, mainly small and medium pits, two containing sherds of prehistoric pottery. In addition to the human skeletal remains, finds from the investigations included 78 pottery sherds, two small iron bars, three pieces of modern bottle glass and one possible worked stone. The prehistoric pottery was recovered primarily from the two possible roundhouse structures. The iron bars from one of the graves were possibly fittings or pins associated with the burial and likely to be early medieval in date. Burnt bone was found in three pits/postholes but it is not clear if this is animal or human. There was also evidence of post-medieval agricultural activity in the form of a single field boundary and cultivation furrows.
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Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Angus
HER -
NO35SE0285 - POWMYRE QUARRY