Crannog excavation in Galloway
AOC Archaeologists Dr Graeme Cavers and Dr Anne Crone will be undertaking excavations and survey at Cults Loch, near Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway, to discover new archaeological evidence from a number of prehistoric archaeological sites.
For the last few years, a team of archaeologists under the Scottish Wetlands Archaeology Programme, has been developing a research framework for studying wetland archaeology. Until now, despite the spectacular wetland archaeological remains that survive in Scotland, this has been a poorly studied part of Scotland’s past.
Being particularly rich in crannogs (prehistoric timber roundhouses built on man-made platforms within lochs), Galloway has proven to be the ideal area to advance this research. Several small-scale excavations of selected crannogs have been undertaken over the last two years, in order to identify a flagship site around which a major project could be focussed. The conclusion was that the crannogs at Cults Loch, near Castle Kennedy, should form the focus of future work. As the wetland sites at Cults Loch lie at the very centre of a densely settled prehistoric landscape, this area offers an exciting opportunity to integrate the wealth of evidence expected from wetland sites with the evidence from more common dryland sites. This will allow the archaeologists to build up a more rounded understanding of the nature and development of later prehistoric settlement in this part of Galloway.
Graeme and Anne are very keen to maximise public involvement in this exciting project, which will commence on 3rd September and finish on 12th September 2008. Public involvement will take a variety of forms:
- Voluntary participation on the dig
- Guided tours
- An Open Day at Cults Loch on Saturday 6th September (2pm to 5pm)
- A public lecture: full details will be in the press soon
To this end, if anyone is willing to take part in the excavations, please contact AOC Archaeology Group (Tel: 0131 440 3593) or email Graeme at: Graeme.Cavers@aocarchaeology.com.
Research Sponsor: Historic Scotland
