Excavation has continued on the north- east end of the perimeter defences of the motte hill where the excavation levels have reached the burnt clay base of the original timber tower. This has revealed further evidence of fallen burnt main support timbers in the form of charcoal and nails. An unstratified section of trench, approx 1.0 meter wide has been discovered and at this stage of excavation must be speculated to have been the remnant of the rather hurried excavation carried out by Coles in the latter years of the 19^th century.   Further examination of the southern and western perimeters of the summit of the motte hill have revealed an extension of the area of cobbling previously reported to the south of the earlier excavation.  Important finds recorded this season include a gilded bronze ring loop with screw and decoration in the form of animal heads at each end of the circle (see photograph). A clench nail of approx. 8.0 cms in length was recovered and proved to have been annealed by extreme heat and, as a result, was in almost perfect condition. Numerous iron nails, daub, charcoal, butchered animal bone and the local green galena glazed pottery of the region of the type previously reported in D & E 2008: 52; have been recovered in profusion from the later medieval layers.  Progress has been drastically curtailed once again by the record rainfall of August which precipitated to the record breaking amount of 12.50 inches for the month, an amount never previously recorded and Dumfries & Galloway since records began.  Excavation will continue once the site has dried out!

     

 Project Director’s Report  This is the 8^th season and we had reasonable weather early on until August.  It was still raining by end of September.We concentrated on the N. Cairn and left S. Cairn due to weed killing regulations and presence of sheep.North Cairn passage grave 2800BC – 2500BC.  Tree root damage there and awaits further investigations once water has receded.  It had been under water for 2 months.  There was a stone guarding the entrance, “The Beast.”  Eddie Peterson came down to have a look. Thinks it had once been upright. It could also be “totemic” and fallen over.  Lot more excavation needed.  Smaller boat burials in Area 6-8 towards E perimeter.  At least 2 exhibit evidence of late Iron Age.  Half a millstone?  Quern?  Also a large reclining stone possibly looks like a human.Cobbled burial, lot of smaller round it.  Paving smashed and burials in it.  Series of post holes, half a rectangle to date.  May have had a covering over it.  Think we have half of it but could be more going up the hill.  No. 46 capstone used in the picnic area.Further 11 possible capstones.  Biggest about 5 tons in weight.  Possibility of further burials up hill.  Long way to go.Satellite Cairn has 4 burials and a medieval platform.  Possible stone missiles scattered over it.  On top of the pre-historic cairn.Suffering from wet and stuck in peat.  Needs cleared.If we can get South Cairn weed killed we can carry on SE.  NE burials to look at.Standing Stone?  Found further up the lane but once we look at it in depth we will discuss further.

     

Ingleston Motte 2009 update  Excavation has continued on the south-western area of the Motte.  This is showing further evidence of the position of the floor area of the main tower.  Current excavation is being carried out to ascertain the perimeter of the south-west defences.  Problems have arisen as a result of soil erosion in this area.  On the north-east edge, the lowest level of previously excavated areas is now showing evidence of the base of the first tower, and the possibility of a fallen major structural beam is now being examined, this being in the form of charcoal.  Finds at this early stage of the season has included further medieval nails, rivet heads and assorted pottery.  Robert McCubbinSite Director, Ingleston.

     

Newbarns Project update for 2009  Excavation has been carried out on the two Northern Cairns only this season and we have uncovered more evidence of medieval occupation and more Prehistoric burials from the Bronze and Iron Ages, confirming the importance of the site as an ancient place of worship as well as a cemetery. An expanse of cobbled flooring of a medieval stone founded building has been uncovered and dating evidence from this feature places the last occupation on this site as c 1250-1350 AD when it was most likely a sheep rearing and wool producing community perhaps working on behalf of one of the local Abbeys.  Further excavation of a Neolithic Passage Grave confirm its construction as c 2700 BC and this makes it the oldest feature on site and the small satellite cairn immediately to the east of the main cairns has proved to be the burial place of a VIP of the Bronze Age community whose cremation ashes have been placed in the ground underneath a huge granite capstone weighing several tonnes. An arrow was placed over his cremated remains and this gives us valuable dating evidence.  A small complex of later prehistoric burials has been uncovered towards the eastern perimeter of the large cairn and here are at least two which exhibit evidence of having been cist graves of the Early Iron Age. Although no trace of bones remain it is postulated that there would have been complete bodies placed inside these beautifully constructed burial features.  Volunteers are welcome to come and help us, but children under 16 must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times.

     

Interim Report News from Ingleston Motte Dig - 2008 Further excavations on the 12^th/13^th century defended wooden fort have continued this season despite some adverse weather conditions.   The smithing furnace on the SE edge of the motte has been planned, recorded, and since dismantled down to the natural. Evidence of possible flooring (cobbling) is appearing in the area considered to be the central part of the building, together with post holes.   Further evidence of smithing to the south side of this (outside the building)has recently been underlined by the finding of quantities of  “hammer scale”. Finds have included two medieval iron arrow heads, a medieval spear head, quantities of medieval galena glazed reduced greenware and iron objects (mostly clenched nails and rivets).  Iron ingots and slag from the furnace walls have also been retrieved.   The positioning and recorded positions of the nails have helped to show the direction of the main timbers falling as the burning building collapsed.  Further areas consisting of burnt clay containing charcoal and pieces of bone have been identified and are currently awaiting investigation. Contributions so far this season have been made by students Archie and William (Durham University), and Richard from Newcastle University. Returning  volunteers have included GP Donna, who was prised away from Newbarns and her medical practice, and Ken and Alex, who gave their invaluable expert assistance, which is always greatly appreciated.  Early season site preparation from Meurig Hughes, our Welsh wizard, was a great help, as was all the work done by Trust members Roy and Alastair, Barbara and her son Ruarhi, and of course Lizzie, who is sorting out all our organisational problems.

     

South Site to date has got 14 Neolithic Bronze Age burials and Iron Age Crannog occupation evidence.

North Site now comprises 2 Cairns. The larger one exhibits evidence of 32 Neolithic Bronze Age burials and a smaller Satellite Cairn is exhibiting evidence of Early Bronze Age burials covered by huge capstones and to date, dating evidence has been recovered in the form of a barbed and tanged arrowhead.  Later medieval evidence of defence-works are also present.