Nether Murthat DSR - RA03024

Nether Murthat, Beattock: Archaeological Evaluation

Data Structure Report

27th November 2003

Nether Murthat – Data Structure Report

Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 1 of 26

Overview This Data Structure Report (DSR) presents the findings of an archaeological evaluation required by Patersons of Greenoakhill in respect of the proposed extraction of sand and gravel on land at Nether Murthat, Beattock, Dumfries & Galloway (NGR ref: NY 104 989).

The area concerned is currently agricultural ground at Nether Murthat farm extending to 35ha to the south-east of Beattock, adjacent to the River Annan. This ground contains the inferred line of a Roman Road (SMR DG8698), the location of potential later prehistoric fort (SMR DG7268) and a spoil heap (SMR DG12244) from the construction of the railway in the nineteenth century. These sites were identified by Ms Jane Brann, who advises Dumfries & Galloway Council on archaeological matters. The final site, the spoil heap, was considered to not be of archaeological importance and did not require to be addressed by the archaeological works. Ms Brann also identified the hazard from currently unknown archaeological sites given the density of known prehistoric sites in the immediate landscape.

Dumfries & Galloway Council requested a programme of archaeological work commencing with an evaluation to inform the planning determination process. Rathmell Archaeology Ltd was appointed to act on behalf of the applicant, Patersons of Greenoakhill, with regard to assessing the archaeological resource. The terms of the evaluation were agreed in advance with the Dumfries & Galloway Council through a Written Scheme of Investigation. The main objective of the works was to evaluate the extent, nature, condition and importance of the known archaeological monuments that lie within the development area. Given the constraints from the current landownership the evaluation was unable to assess the hazard from currently unknown archaeological sites.

The evaluation confirmed the presence of the later prehistoric fort (SMR DG7268) and characterised the features associated with this monument. While the enclosure features of this monument, ditches and palisades, survive well the interior by contrast is substantively devoid of features. The features investigated did not contain any prehistoric artefacts while the ditches appear to have sterile fills. Overall the monument is at best of Regional significance. The works failed to identify any archaeological features associated with the Roman Road. It is inferred that either the line of this road does not cross through the extraction area or the prolonged history of ploughing has wholly removed trace of this monument.

Project Works

The programme of works agreed with the Dumfries & Galloway Council comprised an archaeological desk-based assessment and an intrusive evaluation through machine cut trenches.

The desk-based assessment consulted the readily available public archives including the Dumfries & Galloway Sites and Monument Record, the National Monuments Record of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Record Office. The evaluation trenches extended to 5% of a 1ha area centred on the putative later prehistoric fort (SMR DG7268) and three trenches across the presumed line of the Roman Road (SMR DG8698).

All works were undertaken in keeping with the submitted Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) with on-site works running from 17th November 2003 to 21st November 2003.The exception to this was that the evaluation exceeded the specified 5% sample of the putative later prehistoric fort. While the WSI specified a need for some 1100m2, basal dimensions, and the actual area investigated was 1200m2.

All works were conducted in accordance with the Institute of Field Archaeology’s Standards and Policy Statements and Code of Conduct and Historic Scotland Policy Statements.



Findings: Desk based assessment and site inspection The development area is depicted as open ploughed ground on Roy’s Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55) with a settlement or farm named Murthat lying in the general vicinity and a road running south from Moffat to the west. By the first edition Ordnance Survey (1861) the ground has been enclosed, with common boundaries surviving to the present day. However, the ground named Oak Bank is covered by a dense stand of trees, unlike the current sparse covering of trees.

A series of spoil heaps or barrow runs (NMRS NY19NW61; SMR DG12244) have been identified on the western side of the development. Their character and location, adjacent to the west coast mainline, has led to the interpretation that these features derive from the construction of the Annandale direct line of the Caledonian Railway circa 1847-8 (Thomas 1971).

The inferred line of the Roman Road (NMRS NY19NW30; SMR DG8698) was accounted as running through the parish (Gabrial Scot 1791-99 & Singer 1845). A potential route for this road was determined by the Ordnance Survey (OS 1861a), described as the ‘supposed route’ (OS 1861b), and this runs through the development area. There have been no modern identified features or cropmarks to support this inferred line as it crosses the development area.

The interpretation of an oblique aerial photography (Fig 1) taken by Mr J Dewar in 1975 led to the identification of a possible late prehistoric fort at Oak Bank (NMRS NY19NW23; SMR DG7268). The probable lines of two ditches had been identified as cropmarks running in an arc to cut off a promontory overlooking the River Annan. This encloses an area measuring about 80m by 40m (RCAHMS 1997, no. 638). These cropmarks are only visible within the field to the immediate north of Nether Murthat farm, as the next field north is under stubble. No features are visible within the interior, and in general there are strong geological markings within the cropmark field that obscure much of the archaeological cropmarks.

Another run of oblique aerial photography taken by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) in 1992 (Fig 2) again evidences the same cropmarks for the two ditches, although they appear less stark than those from 1975. No additional features are visible.

Prior to the evaluation the field was being used for grazing sheep and had been until recently been used for grazing cattle. The fields are generally bounded by drystone dykes built from rounded field stone, although some stretches of post and wire fences are present. Mr Vic Kerr, who retired from farming the ground 16 years ago, confirmed that the ground had not been ploughed since the mid 1980s. Prior to this all the fields were ploughed for a barley crop on a six year rotation and before the 1960s the fields were in an oats and turnip rotation. The ground has only been used as pasture since he retired.

Overall the topography of the potential quarry is a raised terrace adjacent to the floodplain of the River Annan, to the east. The terrace is bounded at the west by the Dead Burn and has an undulating nature that, to the west, tends to marshy and boggy ground in the hollows. The inferred line of the Roman Road lies along the high point of a broad north to south ridge through the centre of the development area. At the site of the Oak Bank fort a clear promontory lies orientated north to south, tapering to the north and with steep slopes on all sides bar the south. A linear hollow arcs across the southern side of the promontory and is clearly visible as the eastern dyke running along the top of the bluff crosses the hollow. This topography combined with our knowledge from the aerial photographs, suggested a probable location for the innermost ditch within the hollow cutting off the promontory. There was no obvious location for the outer ditch, as the topography rose away from the site.



Figure 1: 1975 Oblique aerial photograph showing Oak Bank fort in upper right quadrant. The arcing ditch cropmarks are only visible in the pasture field and not the adjacent stubble field. In the lower left quadrant St Catharines fort is clearly visible across the River Annan.

Figure 2: 1992 Oblique aerial photograph of Oak Bank fort after the two fields have ceased to be ploughed.



Figure 3: Layout plan of trenches.



Findings: Putative fort trenches Seven trenches were opened to determine the nature, form and extent of Oak Bank Fort (Figure 6). Trenches 1 to 4 were opened in the north-east corner of the field north of Nether Murthat Farm. They radiated from the angle of the field, numbered 1 to 4 from east to west. Trench 5 ran parallel to Trench 4 but in the next field north while Trench 6 lay on the promontory in the same field. Trench 7 was a small trench opened on the eastern edge of the promontory overlooking the steep drop to the floodplain.

Outer Ditch The inferred line of the Outer Ditch was crossed by Trenches 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. A negative feature cutting the subsoil and matching this line was located in Trenches 1, 2, 3 and 5, but was absent from Trench 4. In plan the Outer Ditch varied in breadth from 1.5m in Trench 1 to 3.5m in Trench 3 although it is uncertain as to whether this reflects the character of the underlying ditch or is partly a product of ploughing. The Outer Ditch was excavated in Trench 2 and 5 to its full depth.

In Trench 2 the Outer Ditch was 2m broad (Fig 5c) and had a v-shaped cross section with a rounded base cut through a loose clast supported gravel (211). Beneath the topsoil there was a b-horizon (202) which is likely to represent a truncation of the ditch fills by the subsequent working of the soil. The fill of the ditch (211) was sandy silt that was rich in pebbles and small stone. The base of the ditch was 950mm below the modern ground surface, with the last 450mm cutting the subsoil.

In Trench 5 the Outer Ditch was 2m broad with a steep v-shaped cross section cut into a stiff clay with stones. The ditch fill (502) was a homogenous sandy silt with increasing stones towards the base. The base of the ditch was 1m below the modern ground surface, with the topsoil only 200mm deep. The ditch cut was a very abrupt interface and the subsoil appears very stable.

Where excavated, no artefacts were recovered from the fills of the ditch nor were any anthropic materials noted.

Inner Ditch The inferred line of the Inner Ditch was again crossed by Trenches 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, but was observed in plan in all. The line of the ditch follows the inner edge of the depression that cuts off the promontory lying to the north-east. The breadth of the Inner Ditch varies from 4m in Trench 3 to 6m in Trench 4. As with the Outer Ditch this variation may not reflect the underlying character of the ditch.

The Inner Ditch was machine sectioned in Trench 2 to the maximum safe depth without the use of stepping or shoring (Fig 7b). The ditch cut was 4m broad at its upper level and was observable cutting at an angle down through the underlying sands and gravels. We may infer from the slope of the cut and the depth of excavated deposits that the ditch has a probable v-shape profile with a basal depth of more than 1.5m from the modern ground surface. The ditch is probably cut some 0.5m into the underlying sand and gravel layers, including at depth the loose clast supported gravel (210).

The observable fills of the ditch (204) (205) are a sequence of sandy silts with common stone inclusions that noticeably increase in the volume towards the base of the section. One in-wash layer of sand (207) was noted within the section. The ditch fills are overlain by over deepened and homogenised b-horizon and topsoil as was present at the Outer Ditch in Trench 2.

No artefacts were recovered from the fills of the ditch. Occasional wood charcoal fragments were noted in the section from the lower (202) and mid (204) fill of the ditch. No other anthropic materials were noted.



Figure 4a: Shallow linear feature (103) and posthole (105) (Film 2; Neg 22)

Figure 4b: Two excavated linear slots (405) and (407), in Trench 4 (Film 2; Neg 28)

Figure 4c: Section through broad black feature (409) and posthole [411] (Film 2; Neg 30)

Figure 4d: Linear stone feature (107) and shallow linear feature (114) (Film 2; Neg 11)



Figure 5a: Looking east up Trench 5 Figure 5b: Looking north along field

with outer, inner and palisades marked boundary to summit of Oak Bank

(Film 2 ; Neg 15 ) (Film 1; Neg 18)

Figure 5c: Section through Outer Ditch Figure 5c: Detail of drystone field

[212] in Trench 2 (Film 2; Neg 9) boundary (Film 2; Neg 35)



Palisade and Enclosure Features To the immediate interior of the Inner Ditch several linear features were identified running broadly parallel to the Inner Ditch in trenches 1, 3, 4 and 5. No features were noted in Trench 2 as it was ended too close to the inner edge of the Inner Ditch. The character of these features was such that they fell into two characteristic groups, Trenches 1 and 3 and then Trenches 4 & 5.

In Trenches 1 and 3 a stone feature (107)(302) formed from a belt of medium sized rounded stones (Fig 4d) crossing the breadth of the trenches. Where investigated in Trench 1 this stone feature proved to be bedded in a slight cut into the subsoil. In Trench 1 this lay to the immediate north of a 1m broad, shallow cut (114). Further north in Trench 1 there were a number of potential small features (Fig 4a) including a narrow linear slot (103) crossed the trench and was associated with a number of probable postholes. One of these postholes (105) was excavated and proved to be circular in plan, with a U shaped cross section and cut to a depth of 250mm into the subsoil.

In Trenches 4 & 5 a broad band of material (409)(505) was exposed beneath the topsoil where the trenches crossed the bottom break of slope coming into the hollow. The band of material was more than 6m wide in Trench 4 but almost 8m wide in Trench 5. On excavation in Trench 4, this material (409) was a sandy silt deposit that was rich in stones and occasional wood charcoal. The underlying subsoil surface appeared to have been slightly truncated, with a marked cut at the eastern limit. Some 400mm to the west of this cut, within the band of material, a linear cut was excavated [411] that was filled by a comparable fill to the overlying material (Fig 4c). The linear slot was cut to a depth of 300mm into the subsoil, a cumulative depth of 600mm beneath the modern ground surface.

Uphill and to the interior of the band of material were a suite of linear slots running parallel to the ditches and other enclosure features. In Trench 4, there were two of these features (405) (407) both of which appeared to be a combination of post-holes and slots (Fig 4b) on a common alignment. These features had a typical depth of around 250mm beneath the topsoil and a breadth of 350mm. In Trench 5 three comparable features (506), (508) and (509) were noted with a common location and orientation to the equivalent features in Trench 4. However, two of these linear slots intercut one another, suggesting that they are not all contemporary.

Summit Area To the interior of the enclosure features previously described, very few additional features were noted on the summit. Two possible small posthole features were noted in Trench 6 and it is possible that the most northern posthole features already described in Trench 1 should be considered as summit features.

Trench 7 appeared to be bare subsoil apart from the cairn that had been dumped on the eastern slope of the hill. This has all the characteristics of field stone and probably represents a clearance of the area either contemporary with or subsequent to the building of the drystone field boundaries.

Findings: Roman Road trenches Four trenches were opened to determine the position and nature of the Roman Road (NMRS No. NY19NW30), and were numbered 8 to 11. These trenches were positioned perpendicular to the inferred line of the Roman Road as determined by the Ordnance Survey. The trenches were placed in the areas that were topographically most likely to contain any surviving remains of a road.

None of these four trenches exhibited any features that would be suggestive of the presence of a made stone and gravel road or of any of the associated features such as ditches or gravel borrow pits. Within each trench the exposed subsoil was composed of variable mixture of subsoil ranging in colour from light orange to grey-brown although always combining sands, gravels and concentrations of medium stones.



Figure 6: Plan of significant archaeological feature comprising Oak Bank fort.



Fig 7a: From summit of Oak Bank looking southwest over evaluation area (Film 1; Neg 28)

Fig 7b: Section through Inner Ditch [206] in Trench 2 (Film 2; Neg 1)

Fig 7c: Looking east along field boundary to Oak Bank (Film 1; Neg 29)

Fig 7d: The summit of Oak Bank across the Annan to Catharine’s Hill (Film 2; Neg 34)



Figure 8: Composite section through the Inner Ditch [206] and Outer Ditch [212] in Trench 2, with the inferred full profile of the Inner Ditch [206].



Discussion Ditch complex

The presence and line of the Inner Ditch and Outer Ditch, identified from the oblique aerial photographs, have been confirmed by the evaluation trenching. The Outer Ditch appears to be discontinuous but the Inner Ditch does not. The longer stretch of the Outer Ditch lies on the reverse slope of the rising ground to the south of the promontory (Fig 8). This contrasts with the Inner Ditch that follows the hollow, which arcs across the, gentle gradient, southern access to the promontory. The section through the Inner Ditch also indicates that the hollow appears to pre-date the excavation of the ditch. The Ditch has therefore been used to exaggerate a natural feature. The eastern limit of the hollow is the area that topographically most closely resembles the character of the ditch lying within and may be predominantly anthropic in origin.

There was no clear indication of an entrance through the ditch complex. There is an identified break in the Outer Ditch within Trench 4 suggesting that there may be a staggered entrance through both ditches.

The fills of the ditches were universally sterile of any anthropic input other than limited quantities of wood charcoal. This is not wholly unusual as the upcast from the excavation of the ditches will have presumably formed ramparts. These ramparts would inhibit the mobility of anthropic material discarded or lost in the interior of the site (McCullagh 2000). The exception to this would potentially be the terminals of the ditch when adjacent to entranceways. No such terminals were identified.

The predominantly V shaped cross section of the ditches appear remarkable given that the basal portion of the ditches in Trench 2 are cut through loose unconsolidated gravels. The unstable character of the subsoil suggests that they would have rapidly filled. This may be evidenced through the stone fills towards the base of the ditches. There was no visible recutting of the ditch, indeed it would probably be hard to maintain a V shaped cross section should the ditch be recut. One inference would be that the ditches were not maintained or emptied after being cut.

While the base of the ditches exhibit characteristics of rapid filling, the Inner Ditch had at least one sand inwash layer that may suggest a period of relative stability in the profile of the ditch fill.

Palisades and enclosure features The presence of parallel linear slots running between Trench 4 and 5 suggest that these are most probably palisade or fence features. From the sections exposed it is clear that these features are formed by a continuous combination of posts and linear slots on a common alignment.

In Trench 4 it is apparent that these palisades respect one another, although the most downslope palisade [411] lies in an uncertain association with the band of material (409). This gives rise to the potential interpretation that these features are contemporaneous. However, in Trench 5 at least two of these features intercut and three slots are identifiable outwith the band of material. This suggests a greater complexity to the palisade enclosures and offers the potential for a single palisade that is renewed at various times, with some realignment at the same time.

The surviving severely truncated slot in Trench 1 may be the basal portion of one of these palisades that has suffered from the exaggerated effect of ploughing on the summit area. This provides the potential for the extent of the palisades to be in common with the ditch complex. While the shallowest access to the summit of the promontory is from the south, it is likely that a palisade enclosure would have had to encircle the whole summit area given that the steepness of slope does not make any approach to the summit inaccessible.

Trench 1 and 3 both contained a linear rubble feature of uncertain function, which may be the



base of a drystone construction. One alternative potential is the use of rubble bases in the construction of turf walls or rampart faces. The location and length of this feature suggests that this is some element of an enclosure feature comparable in function to the palisades.

The Ramparts The excavation of the ditch complex must have created considerable volumes of sand and gravel that would most commonly have been used to form a rampart. No clear topographic feature was visible to suggest the location of the rampart, although there was a slight suggestion of a rise and fall in the dyke to the east of Trench 1 upslope of the linear hollow.

The band of material (409)(505) in Trenches 4 & 5 is of uncertain origin but appears to have levelled up a slightly truncated area of subsoil at the base of the slope running down towards the Inner Ditch. One potential interpretation is that this material is the residual base of a rampart. That this putative rampart lies outwith the palisades may suggest a sequential enclosure of the promontory. The presence of one of the possible palisade lines at the inner edge of the band of material can not be used to imply sequence as the fill of palisade was not distinguishable from the band of material.

Interior structures The findings from the interior trenches clearly illustrate a general absence of negative features from the summit of the promontory. Certainly there is inadequate evidence to even suggest the character of the structures that may have stood there. The most likely explanation for this is that the prolonged ploughing of the ground has led to sever truncation of the features in the summit area. Consequently, a fundamental element of the monument appears to have been expunged through the passage of time. The alternative is that the original monument had a bare interior. This appears relatively uncredible in the context of the extensive enclosure features and the presence of comparable sites such as St Catharine’s Hill (Fig 1 and Fig 7d) to the immediate east that have interior structures.

Portable material culture All the artefacts recorded from the development site during these works have been of nineteenth and twentieth century date, which presumably derive from middening of the ground.

The absence of artefacts from the ditch complex of Oak Bank fort has already been discussed above. This does not credibly address the absence of artefacts from the internal features such as the palisade slots, postholes and general topsoil. However, the later prehistory of central Scotland has often been characterised as artefact poor and even aceramic. It is reasonable to postulate that a similar poverty in the survival of material culture may be present at Oak Bank fort.

The significance of the fort Oak Bank fort has through these works been confirmed to have the characteristics of a later prehistoric fort. However, while a set of enclosure features has been identified there is an absence of features from interior features or portable material culture. The freely draining nature of the subsoil will also have compromised the survival of palaeoenvironmental evidence. The shallower features on the site have clearly been severely compromised by the prolonged ploughing of the site.

Given these characteristics the site cannot be considered favourably against the published criteria for National significance (Historic Scotland 2002, 11). Given the probable age of the monument, and the potential for the recovery of a pattern of defensive enclosure both in plan and temporally, then the monument is reasonably of regional importance.

The Roman Road The works failed to identify any archaeological features associated with the Roman Road. It is inferred that either the line of this road does not cross through the extraction area or the prolonged history of ploughing has wholly removed trace of this monument.

Some doubt has been raised from recent work as to whether the Roman Road had crossed



the River Annan or if it still lies to the east of the river, as it does further south (Brann pers comm). It is credible that these works give some support to the likelihood of this alternative route.

Conclusion The evaluation confirmed the presence of the later prehistoric fort (SMR DG7268) and characterised the features associated with this monument. While the enclosure features of this monument, ditches and palisades, survive well the interior by contrast is substantively devoid of features. The features investigated did not contain any prehistoric artefacts while the ditches appear to have sterile fills. Overall the monument is at best of regional importance.

The works failed to identify any archaeological features associated with the Roman Road. It is inferred that either the line of this road does not cross through the extraction are of the prolonged history of ploughing has wholly removed trace of this monument.

References Gabrial Scot 1791-99 Parish of Kirkpatrick-Juxta, The Statistical Account

of Scotland, Vol 4

Historic Scotland 2002 A list of scheduled monuments, properties in care and protected wrecks in Scotland 2002, Haddington

McCullagh, R 2000 An Iron Age Coastal Community in East Lothian: The Excavation of Two Later Prehistoric Enclosure Complexes at Fishers Road, Port Seton 1994-5, STAR Monograph 6

Ordnance Survey 1861a Dumfriesshire, 1st edition map

Ordnance Survey 1861b Name Book of the Ordnance Survey, Dumfriesshire, no 34

RCAHMS 1997 Eastern Dumfriesshire: an archaeological landscape, Edinburgh

Roy 1747-55 Military Survey of Scotland

Singer 1845 Parish of Kirkpatrick-Juxta, New Statistical Account of Scotland, Vol 4

Thomas, J 1971 Scotland: the lowlands and borders, A regional history of the railways, Newton Abbot



Appendix 1: Trench Details Within this appendix a standardised set of data pertaining to the evaluation trenches is presented. Modern Features are in this instance taken as any feature thought to post date circa 1840.

All measurement distances quoted along the trench measure based on the quoted orientation of the trench. See Figure 2 for trench locations.

Trench 1 Orientation: North to South (Parallel to drystone wall)

Size: 72m by 2m (144m2)

Topsoil depth: 200mm to 500mm

Subsoil character Sandy gravel with numerous stones at the northern end and interior to the ditches. Varies in wide bands between very stony or predominantly orange silty sand.

Significant features: Both the inner and outer ditches are evident in the subsoil. The outer ditch (110) is represented as a small stony feature a little more than 1m broad. The inner ditch (109) is much more substantial and almost 5m broad immediately beneath the topsoil. Towards the northern end of the trench, in the interior of the ditches, there are several small features. Two linear features running parallel to the ditches one of which is very shallow and containing large stones (107), the other is deeper but has very few stones in the fill (114). Also running parallel to the ditches is a shallow timber slot (103), which is flanked by several likely postholes (101), (102) and (105).

Artefacts: Nineteenth and twentieth century ceramics and glassware from Topsoil.

Trench 2 Orientation: North north-east to South south-west

Size: 38m by 2m (76m2)


Subsoil character Very stony sand and gravel at the northern most end, interior to the ditches. The character of the subsoil changes, in the area of the ditches, to orange slightly silty sand. At the southern most end of the Trench, the subsoil changes back to very stony sand and gravel.

Significant features: Both the inner [206] and outer [212] ditch appears very clearly in Trench 2. Both ditches were excavated to determine extent. At the extreme northern end of the Trench there is a possible posthole (214) but apart from that no other features were visible in the subsoil.

Artefacts: None

Trench 3 Orientation: North-east to South-west



Size: 68m by 2m (136m2)


Subsoil character The subsoil is predominantly very stony sand and gravel subsoil with bands of less stony orange slightly silty sand around the area of the ditches.

Significant features: Both the outer and inner ditches are clearly visible in the subsoil. The outer ditch (306) was about 4m broad and the inner (305) a little more than 5m. Towards the northern end of the Trench one possible feature was visible in the subsoil but seemed very shallow (304). Another stone feature ran parallel to the ditches (302).

Artefacts: None.

Trench 4 Orientation: East to West (Parallel to drystone wall)

Size: 53m by 2m (106m2)


Subsoil character Very stony sandy gravel at the eastern end of the Trench changes gradually to the western end to a mid-brown silty sand with numerous inclusions of gravel and stones.

Significant features: The outer ditch is not present in this Trench. The inner ditch (412) is apparent in the subsoil and is about 6m board. Within the interior of the ditches, there was another wide shallow feature (409), which appeared to be the backfilling of a sculpted hollow. At the base of this hollow, there were cuts for postholes [411]. Further towards the interior two lines of timber slots (405) and (407) appeared, upon excavation, to be a linear series of postholes. Another posthole was also clearly visible (402). However, no features were present at the crest of the hill suggesting truncation of deposits due to ploughing.

Artefacts: Nineteenth and twentieth century ceramics and glassware from topsoil.

Trench 5 Orientation: West to East (Parallel to drystone wall)

Size: 64m by 2m (128m2)


Subsoil character The precise character of the subsoil changes along the length of the trench with bands of increasingly silty deposits amongst the sand and gravel. For the most part, however, the soil is very stony sand and gravel.

Significant features: The features of this Trench are very similar in layout to those in Trench 4. The inner ditch (504) is 5m broad. The broad dark infill feature, which appeared in Trench 4, seems to continue into this Trench (505) but was not excavated. Similarly, the timber slots (or postholes) also appear to continue in this Trench (506), (508) and (509). The outer ditch (502) does appear in this Trench but as it does not appear in Trench 4 we may suppose that it is



discontinuous.

Artefacts: None

Trench 6 Orientation: North north-west to South south-east

Size: 25.5m by 2m (51m2)


Subsoil character A mottled dark brown and light brown sandy gravel.

Significant features: Two possible postholes or small features (602 and (603).

Artefacts: None

Trench 7 Orientation: West to East

Size: 3m by 2m (6m2)


Subsoil character Very stony sand and gravel subsoil.

Significant features: Upper part of the stone cairn collapse of the western slope of the hill.

Artefacts: None


Size: 100m by 2m (200m2)


Subsoil character Sandy gravel in varied but very broad bands of colouring, from mid-brown to orange, and inclusions of stones.

Significant features: None

Artefacts: None


Size: 100m by 2m (200m2)




Artefacts: None




Size: 50m by 2m (100m2)




Artefacts: None


Size: 50m by 2m (100m2)




Artefacts: None

Appendix 2: Record summaries Context Summaries

No. Interpretation Description

101 Fill of Posthole Dark brown silty sand.

102 Fill of Posthole Dark brown silty sand.

103 Fill of Linear Slot (inc. stones) Dark brown silty sand. Several small to medium sub rounded stones.

104 Cut of Linear Slot Box shaped cross section if linear slot crossing the breadth of the trench.

105 Fill of Posthole Dark brown sandy silt with small to medium stones and rootlets throughout.

106 Cut of Posthole U-shapes cross-section of a circular cut. Sharp interface.

107 Linear Stone Feature Linear arrangement of large and medium rounded stones with dark brow silt matrix.

108 Fill of Inner Ditch Mid-brown sitly sand.

109 Cut of Inner Ditch Shallow slopping topmost part of cut.

110 Fill of Outer Ditch Mid-brown sandy silt.

111 Cut of Outer Ditch Linear cut running across breadth of Trench.

112 Topsoil Dark to Mid-brown silty sand. Some small to medium stones.



113 Sand and Gravel Subsoil Broadly banded very stony sand and gravel natural soil.

114 Fill of Broad Linear Feature Dark brow sandy silty with frequent small to medium sub-rounded stones. Rootlets throughout.

115 Cut of Broad Linear Feature Sharp interface, flat base and irregular sided. Crossing the full breadth of the trench.


202 Upper Fill of Inner Ditch B-horizon. Mid to light brown silty sand with inclusions of gravel and small stones.

203 Sandy Lenses in Inner Ditch Fill Light brown silt sand mix. Inclusions of small stones.

204 Lower Fill of Inner Ditch Mid-brown sandy silt. Inclusions of gravel and small sub-rounded stones. Some fragments of charcoal.

205 Clast Rich Basal Fill of Inner Ditch Very stony fill at base of Inner ditch. Increasing amount of stones towards base.

206 Cut of Inner Ditch Steep sided cut of ditch shallowing slightly towards base.

207 Thin Altered Layer Slightly silty sand. White to light brown. Very thin layer.

208 Orange Sand-Gravel Subsoil (S) Light orange sandy silt. Inclusions of gravel and small sub-rounded stones. Probably natural. Probably same as (209).

209 Orange Sand-Gravel Subsoil (N) Light orange sandy silt. Inclusions of gravel and small sub-rounded stones. Probably natural. Probably same as (208).

210 Fine Gravel Subsoil Natural subsoil, no matrix, small sub-rounded stones and gravel.

211 Fill of Outer Ditch Mid-brown sandy silt. Inclusions of gravel and small sub-rounded stones. Higher concentration of stones towards the base.

212 Cut of Outer Ditch Sloping cut to rounded base of small ditch.

213 Fill of Possible Posthole Dark brown silty sand.


302 Linear Stone Feature Linear arrangement of large to medium stones running the full breadth of the trench.

303 Subsoil Very stony sand and gravel natural soil.



304 Black Discolouration on Subsoil Very thin layer of black sandy silt covering the natural soil.

305 Fill of Inner Ditch Mid-brown silty sand.

306 Fill of Outer Ditch Mid brown silty sand.


402 Fill of Possible Posthole Dark brown sandy silt.

403 Fill of Posthole (Palisade 1) Dark brown sand silt with charcoal inclusions and common rounded stones.

404 Cut of Posthole (Palisade 1) Clear interface, rounded base and circular in plan.

405 Fill of Linear Slot (Palisade 1) Dark brown sandy silt. Some small stones and gravel.

406 Fill of Posthole (Palisade 2) Dark brown sandy silt.

407 Fill of Linear Slot (Palisade 2) Very dark brown sandy silt. Inclusions of charcoal. Large stone and gravel inclusions.

408 Cut of Linear Slot (Palisade 2) Steep sided with a rounded base. Linear running the full breadth of the Trench.

409 Fill of Dark Earth Belt Dark brown to black sandy silt. Gravel inclusions. Charcoal fragments. Small to medium sub-rounded stones.

410 Lower Interface – Dark Earth Belt Interface probably representing landscaping or backfilling of a natural feature.

411 Cut of Posthole (Palisade 3) Cut for posthole may form part of a linear feature. About 300mm wide.

412 Fill of Inner Ditch Mid-brown sandy silt.



502 Fill of Outer Ditch Light orange-brow sandy silt, with inclusions of small sub-rounded stones.

503 Cut of Outer Ditch Sharp cut and contrast between clay based subsoil. Steep sided and sharp base.

504 Fill of Inner Ditch Mid to light brown silty sand.

505 Fill of Dark Earth Belt Dark brown to black sandy silt. Gravel inclusions.

506 Fill of Timber Slot Dark brown to black sandy silt.







602 Possible Posthole Dark to mid-brown silty sand.

603 Possible Posthole Mid-brown silty sand.

604 Subsoil Mottled dark brown to mid-brown sandy gravel.


702 Stone Cairn Material Large to medium stones. Scattered in a cairn.

703 Subsoil Stony sand and gravel natural soil.

Drawing Record No. Title Scale Date Author

1 NE-facing Section, Inner Ditch, Trench 2 1:10 19/11/03 AM

2 SW-facing Section, Outer Ditch, Trench 2 1:10 19/11/03 AM

3 Summary Plan Drawings, Trenches 1 to 7 1:100 20/11/03 AM

4 S-facing Section, Outer Ditch, Trench 5 1:20 21/11/03 AM

5 W-facing Section through (113) ad (114) 1:10 21/11/03 AM

6 W-facing Section through (105) 1:10 21/11/03 AM

7 W-facing Section through (103) 1:10 21/11/03 AM

8 S-facing Section through (403) 1:10 21/11/03 AM

9 S-facing Section through (407) 1:10 21/11/03 AM

10 N-facing Section through (409) 1:10 21/11/03 AM

Photographic Record Film

Neg. No. Description From

Date

1 15 Area of Fort prior to excavation W 17/11/03

1 16 Area of Fort prior to excavation SW 17/11/03

1 17 Commencement of Trench 1 NW 17/11/03

1 18 Stone dike and crest of hill S 17/11/03

1 19 Stone dike and crest of hill, excavation Trench 1 N 17/11/03

1 20 Area of Fort from crest of hill NE 17/11/03



1 21 Area of Fort from crest of hill E 17/11/03

1 22 Area of Fort from crest of hill SE 17/11/03

1 23 Trench 1, after topsoil stripping N 17/11/03

1 24 Trench 2, cleaning ditch sections NE 17/11/03

1 25 Trench 3, after topsoil stripping NE 17/11/03

1 26 Trench 4, after topsoil stripping E 17/11/03

1 27 Catharine’s Hill, seen from Fort SW 17/11/03

1 28 Trenches 1, 2, 3: excavation in progress NE 18/11/03

1 29 Area of Fort seen from a distance W 18/11/03

1 30 Area of Fort seen from a distance W 18/11/03

1 31 Area of Fort seen from a distance NW 18/11/03



1 34 Northern end of Fort from a distance W 18/11/03

1 35 Trench 5 after topsoil stripping E 18/11/03

1 36 Trench 6 after topsoil stripping SE 18/11/03

2 1 NE-facing Section, Inner Ditch, Trench 2 NE 20/11/03



2 4 N half of NE-facing Section, Inner Ditch, Trench 2 NE 20/11/03

2 5 N half of NE-facing Section, Inner Ditch, Trench 2 NE 20/11/03

2 6 S half of NE-facing Section, Inner Ditch, Trench 2 NE 20/11/03

2 7 Exposed (210) at base of Trench 2 N 20/11/03

2 8 SW-facing Section, Outer Ditch, Trench 2 SW 20/11/03

2 9 SW-facing Section, Outer Ditch, Trench 2 SW 20/11/03

2 10 Linear stone feature, N of Trench 3 NW 20/11/03

2 11 Stone feature, linear dark feature in Trench 1 W 20/11/03

2 12 Stone feature, linear dark feature in Trench 1 S 20/11/03

2 13 S-facing section through outer ditch, Trench 5 S 20/11/03

2 14 S-facing section through outer ditch, Trench 5 S 20/11/03

2 15 Excavation in progress, Trench 5 W 20/11/03

2 16 Excavation in Progress, area of Fort NW 20/11/03

2 17 Timber slot features, Trench 5 W 20/11/03

2 18 Trench 6 after topsoil stripping SE 20/11/03



2 19 Detail of stone dyke W 20/11/03

2 20 Distance of stone dyke W 20/11/03

2 21 Slope on W side of hill N 20/11/03

2 22 Section of (103) and (105) W 20/11/03

2 23 Section of (103) W 20/11/03

2 24 Section of (105) W 20/11/03

2 25 Black staining of subsoil, Trench 3 NW 21/11/03

2 26 Linear stone feature, Trench 3 NW 21/11/03

2 27 Linear stone feature, Trench 3 NW 21/11/03

2 28 Excavated features, (403) and (406), Trench 4 W 21/11/03

2 29 Section through (406), Trench 4 S 21/11/03

2 30 S-facing section (409), Trench 4 S 21/11/03

2 31 Unexcavated (101), Trench 1 posthole W 21/11/03

2 32 Slope on E side of Fort N 21/11/03

2 33 Slope on E side of Fort N 21/11/03

2 34 Slope on E side of Fort and Catharine’s Hill S 21/11/03

2 35 Close detail of drystone dyke W 21/11/03

2 36 Section through (107) and (114) W 21/11/03

Samples List No. Type Bags Context No.

1 Bulk sample of timber slot 1 407

2 Bulk sample of posthole fill 1 403

3 Bulk sample of posthole fill 1 105

4 Bulk sample of matrix of shallow stone feature 1 107

5 Bulk sample fill of linear feature 1 114

6 Bulk sample of lower fill of Inner Ditch, Trench 2 1 204

7 Bulk sample of fill of Outer Ditch, Trench 5 1 502

8 Bulk sample of fill of Outer Ditch, Trench 2 1 211

Artefacts List No. Description From

1 Two pieces of modern pottery and one piece of glass General Topsoil

2 Two fragments of bone Context (409)



3 Fragments of wood charcoal Context (409)



Appendix 3: Discovery & Excavation in Scotland LOCAL AUTHORITY: Dumfries & Galloway PROJECT TITLE/SITE NAME:

Nether Murthat

PARISH: Kirkpatrick-Juxta NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR:

Alan Matthews & Thomas Rees

NAME OF ORGANISATION:

Rathmell Archaeology Limited

TYPE(S) OF PROJECT: Evaluation NMRS NO(S): NY19NW23, NY19NW30 SITE/MONUMENT TYPE(S):

Fort (Prehistoric), Roman Road

SIGNIFICANT FINDS:+ None NGR (2 letters, 6 figures) NY 104 989 START DATE (this season) 17th November 2003 END DATE (this season) 21th November 2003 PREVIOUS WORK (incl. DES ref.)

None

PROPOSED FUTURE WORK:

None

MAIN (NARRATIVE) DESCRIPTION: (may include information from other fields)

An archaeological desk based assessment and evaluation were carried out in support of a proposal to develop a sand & gravel quarry at Nether Murthat, Beattock. The evaluation confirmed the presence of the later prehistoric fort (SMR DG7268; NMRS NY19NW23) and characterised the features associated with this monument. While the enclosure features of this monument, ditches and palisades, survive well the interior by contrast is substantively devoid of features. The features investigated did not contain any prehistoric artefacts while the ditches appear to have sterile fills. Overall the monument is at best of Regional significance. The works failed to identify any archaeological features associated with the Roman Road (SMR DG8698; NMRS NY19NW30). It is inferred that either the line of this road does not cross through the extraction area or the prolonged history of ploughing has wholly removed trace of this monument.

PROJECT CODE: 03024 SPONSOR OR FUNDING BODY:

Patterson of Greenoakhill

ADDRESS OF MAIN CONTRIBUTOR:

8, Underwood, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 7HR

E MAIL: [email protected] ARCHIVE LOCATION (intended/deposited)

Report to West of Scotland Archaeology Service and archive to National Monuments Record of Scotland.



Contact Details Rathmell Archaeology can be contacted at its Registered Office or through the web:

Rathmell Archaeology Ltd 8, Underwood Kilwinning Ayrshire KA13 7HR www.rathmell-arch.co.uk t.: 01294 542848 f.: 01294 542849 m.: 07817 334907 e.: [email protected]

Documents

Nether Murthat DSR - RA03024