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Cropmark of a Neolithic timber hall. The cropmarks reveal what is probably the wall-trench of a rectangular timber building with internal pits which probably indicates the positions of roof supports. It appears to have a semi-circular annexe on the west end. Originally thought to be Dark Age or medieval but with the excavation of a similar type of cropmark at Balbridie (NO79NW0014) which proved to be Neolithic, this site has also been proved of the same date. Partial excavation of the eastern end in May 2004 revealed a curving line of postholes. Several sherds of Neolithic pottery were recovered. Within a pit a small fragment of a possible wooden bowl and fragments of leather were recovered although date is uncertain at present. A more intensive season of excavation was undertaken in May and June 2005 during which the full plan of the building was revealed and its structure investigated. The building measured circa 24 x 9m externally and 22.5 x 8m internally. The west segment of the structure may have been unroofed, while the interior was sub-divided by a series of partitions. The main entrance was to the northeast, with two narrow gaps between the timbers in the side walls possibly providing light and air to the inner rooms. Outer walls built of large oak timbers, and the internal partitions had been constructed of lighter timbers. Two large pits lay on the longitudinal axis of the building, their function unclear although they do not appear to have held roof supports. Preliminary analysis of finds distribution indicates there was little activity in the west end of the building. Within the main area there was a concentration of flint artefacts to the west with a lower concentration at the east end and very few flints in the central area. The distribution of pottery was in reverse with little to the west and an increasing concentration towards the centre and east of the structure. This may suggest functional differences between the different areas of the structure. Systematic environmental sampling was undertaken throughout the building and analysis may show if there is any pattern in the distribution of grain. From the 2004 excavation, barley, emmer, bread/club wheat, and a possible grain of spelt were identified from the east end of the building.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)