Aberdeenshire HER - NJ62SE0002 - MAIDEN CASTLE

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ62SE0002
NameMAIDEN CASTLE
NRHE Card No.NJ62SE2
NRHE Numlink 18182
HES SM No. 12012
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Remains of a small fort, consisting of a stone wall 3.65m wide surrounded at a slightly lower level by a rampart, 3.65m wide by 0.48m high, with an external ditch 3.65m broad by 0.91m deep. The wall is represented by a low mound of stone, of which no facing stones can be seen, enclosing an oval area with entrance in the S. The rampart consists of a low rubble mound and is best preserved in the W. The entrance through both ditch and bank coincides with that of the inner wall. It appears to have been partially excavated as there are rough trenches visible in interior and abutting the wall. No record by whom. Two of the trenches were re-cut in 2007 by Murray Cook revealing the inner and outer revetments of a rampart and areas of burning. Remains of a possible small furnace, a fragment of crucible, several flints and a sherd of beaker were also recovered. Part of a roundhouse was noted but not excavated in 2007. The interior has a number of mature beech trees growing within it with the roots causing considerable damage. Samples from below and above the inner rampart and under the inner stone walled enclosure have given calibrated radiocarbon dates of, respectively, AD 530-640, AD 500-650 and AD 420-610. Construction of the defences is suggested to be between AD 420 and AD 650. In July 2008, an evaluation was carried out at this site by AOC as part of the 'Hillforts of Strathdon' project. Three trenches and a series of trial pits were excavated, revealing evidence for later rectilinear buildings and evidence for more extensive metal working in the site's vicinity. Artefacts and charcoal were also recovered.
Last Update03/04/2024
Updated Bycpalmer
Compiler 
Date of Compilation26/06/2007

Google Map for NJ62SE0002

National Grid Reference: NJ 6942 2436



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
2007 Excavation
2008 Excavation
2007 Research Project

Excavations and Surveys

Date MDate YTypeDurationDirector / OrganisationAuspicesFundExtent
    UNKNOWN   
62007  Murray Cook SA 

Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
CRUCIBLES REMAINS OFE100
FLINTS  F100
FURNACES REMAINS OFG70
POTTERY  H100
FORTS  A100
WALLSSTONE B100
RAMPARTS REMAINS OFC100
DITCHESDEFENSIVE D100