blackpotts, st abbs, scottish borders - 2009

8/14/2019 Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders - 2009

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Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders

Evaluation, Survey and Gorse Clearance

June 2009

Carried out on behalf of The National Trust for Scotland

Buildings Archaeologist and Heritage Consultant

TRAPRAIN HOUSE

LUGGATE BURN

WHITTINGEHAME

EAST LOTHIAN

EH41 4QA

T : 01620 861643 E : [email protected]


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Table of Contents

2

1.0 SUMMARY 2

2.0 INTRODUCTION 3

3.0 OBJECTIVES 6

4.0 METHODOLOGY 7

5.0 RESULTS 9

5.1 Fieldwork 9

5.2 The Trenches 115.2.1 Trench 1 115.2.2 Trench 2 115.2.3 Trench 3 125.2.4 Trench 4 125.2.5 Trench 5 135.2.6 Trench 6 135.2.7 Trench 7 135.2.8 Trench 8 135.3 Survey 145.4 Artefacts 15

6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 16

ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1: Location plan.

Figure 2: Site Plan

Figure 3: Trench plans and sections

Appendix 1: Context ListAppendix 2: Photo ListAppendix 3: Artefact ListAppendix 4: Stratigraphic matrix

References

DES EntryPhoto Thumbnails


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100 km

Glasgow Edinburgh

Aberdeen

Inverness

North Sea

Figure 1: Location Plan

Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders 2009

0 1km

This map is based on an Ordnance Survey digital map reproduced with the permission of HM Stationery Office Crown Copyright NTS licence No. 100023880.

0 10km

Blackpotts Settlement


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Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders - 2009

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1.0 SUMMARY

1.1 An archaeological survey and evaluation in part to remove intrusivegorse was undertaken at Blackpotts Settlement, St Abbs Head, ScottishBorders, upon land owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). This

programme of works formed part of the Trusts Thistle Camp initiativebased on the use of volunteers.

1.2 Blackpotts is believed to be an Iron Age settlement and has recentlybeen de-scheduled by Historic Scotland. The investigation took theform of one main trench, three test trenches, four test pits and an EDMtopographic survey. In addition, removal of all detrimental gorsevegetation was achieved.

1.3 8 Trenches and trial pits were opened to investigate the potential of thesurviving archaeology and characterise its depth, condition and date. It

became clear that dating material was almost entirely absent from therecord and the features recorded (including the bank, well ditch andposthole) were not indicative of any particular period. Due to the gorsecover and the burning associated with control in the past, the thintopsoil was scorched and may affect any charcoal recovered fromanything other than a deep secure context. The depth of topsoil in thehill was thin, and came down directly onto bedrock in most cases, whilethe slope wash covering the glacial till surrounding the hill madedistinguishing even the substantive feature of the ditch a difficultactivity.

However, there is clear evidence for surviving archaeology on the site asa whole, including features such as a rock cut well which may provideevidence from waterlogged deposits. The single posthole also showsthe potential for further structural features and with further analysis ofthis area and the wear pattern on the bedrock as well as investigation ofthe possible structural platforms on the lower levels it may be possibleto provide a better understanding of the period(s) that the site can beassigned to. Evidence from two Roman coins that were uncovered bythe owner of a nearby house (only 200m from the site) may suggest a4th-century date, as both coins were identified by Nick Holmes at theNational Museum of Scotland as bronze nummus.

Topographic survey of the area also allowed the enhancement of aRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments ofScotland (RCAHMS) plan. This significantly increased the understandingof the layout and potential for further hut/structure platforms as well asprovide further detail on the lower platforms and quarries that hadbeen obscured by gorse.

1.4 Further work might entail investigation of the surrounding ditch at thebase of the slope to the north of the site, open area excavation on thesummit of the hill, to expand Trench 1 and provide more evidence of theputative structure.


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2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Site location

The site is located on the east Berwickshire coast approximately 6.5kmnorth of the Scottish Border. The NTS St Abbs property consists of threeseparate sections of land (Fig. 1) The site of Blackpotts is described inthe NMRS (NT96NW.51] as; What may be a settlement, disturbed byextensive surface quarrying, occupies a rocky knoll 250m NNW of Blackpottsfarmhouse. Oval on plan, it measures about 41m by 35m within a stonybank, which has been reduced to a scarp for much of its circuit. thismonument is centred on NT 90419 67674 near the Blackpotts cottages.

2.2 Site History and Background (collated byDr Daniel Rhodes)

Prehistoric

St Abbs has a long cultural history known to go back at least 3000 years.The earliest remains known are two Late Bronze Age (2000-500 BC) goldarmlets discovered in 1931 on the shoreline below Kirk Hill (NT96NW.9).This presumably relates to around the same period as when the cairn ofBell Hill (NT96NW.10) was in use, half a mile down the coast. Furtherprehistoric activity is visible in the landscape, typified by small hilltopsettlements and promontory forts: there are several of these in thevicinity of St Abbs Head.

Although these remains are limited to the non-cultivated areas, theyshow that over time St Abbs had a relatively continuous pattern ofsettlement. At Blackpotts, one of the numerous settlements in the area,there is a possible low rampart or bank and although no ditch is visibleon the surface, the possibility exists that the rocky knoll on which thesite is located was surrounded by such a construction. The oval plan, (41by 35m) has the faint remains of three possible building platforms,partly disturbed by later quarrying. The site may well date to the IronAge (500 BC AD 500), although since no previous intrusiveinvestigation has been carried out, this remained uncertain. Also datingto the Iron Age is a small promontory fort to the north-west, withdouble ditch, at Brander Heugh (NT87SE.2).

Early Medieval (AD 500 c.1000)

Kirk Hill (NT96NW.5) is the largest and most complex site at St Abbs,consisting of a hilltop 3ha in area. It has within it the remains of a 7th-century Anglian monastery, known as Colodaesburg, and the medievalchurch of St Aebbe. The church lies within its own enclosure, which inturn lies within a larger enclosure that includes the entire top of the hill.


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According to excavations carried out in the 1980s by the Alcocks (1986)1,there is evidence of Roman period cultivation, although this is limited toa few finds of Roman pottery. This evidence lay below a double palisaderampart, filled with wicker, which has been dated to AD 630-770. Thistakes occupation of the Kirk Hill into the Dark Ages, although it appears

to have none of the features associated with a monastic settlement.Therefore it is possible that the Anglian monastery was built within arecently disused fortification, rather than being heavily defended itself.

Later Medieval, Post-Medieval and Recent

The landscape of St Abbs is characterised by farmland, the fossilisedevidence of which can be found over the entire headland and beyond,in the form of drystone boundaries, dykes and rig and furrow traces(NT96NW.43, NT96NW.48, and NT96NW.50). The rig shows howintensive agriculture was possible during more climatically favourable

periods, most especially during the 18th century. These traces of rig andfurrow are fairly widespread across the property. The trackways andsettlements associated with them are less widespread, although theyare nevertheless known to have existed.

St Abbs Nunnery (NT96NW.6) is located on a headland north of thepresent lighthouse (NT96NW.39). Its name belies a more recent pastthan was previously recorded, as archaeologists now believe the site tobe a high to late medieval fortification (1200-1500). The remains of alonghouse are visible and are presumed to be the remains of RampartHall, shown on Blackadders 18th century map of St Abbs. These

remains lie to the seaward side of a ruined, mortared wall and ditch thatcuts the headland off from the rest of St Abbs.

Along the coast at Brander Heugh are the remains of a track leadingdown the cliff to Lumsdaine Shore (NT87SE.10). This track was used tobring goods off-loaded at high tide to the farms on the headland above.The main commodity landed was fertiliser, such as lime, which wasmoved by sea due to its bulk. A path to the shore is noted onBlackadders map of 1797, and was presumably in use for some timebefore, although this appears to be the earliest account available.

Other evidence of recent human activity at St Abbs is varied, with theremains of a golf course (NT96NW.45) and an artificially constructed lochpresent on the Head, both dating from around the turn of the century.The nine-hole golf course was built in 1888 and operated forapproximately 20 years (eight earthworks associated with it are visible).Mire Loch was created in 1900, by damming the mire to create a troutpond. Previously, in the early 19th century, the site had been drained.This was presumably because of its boggy, and therefore potentiallyfertile, nature.

1

Alcock, L., Alcock, E.A. and Foster, S.M., 1986, Reconnaissance excavations on the early historicfortifications and other royal sites in Scotland, 1974-1984, Excavations near St Abbs, Berwickshire,

1980,proc. Soc. Antiq. Scotl116 (1986), 255-279


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In the 19th century the focus of human activity changed on the Headwith the construction of the lighthouse (NT96NW.39) in 1862. Theremains associated with the lighthouse include the harbour at PetticoWick (NT97NW47), with its jetty and store, as well as the foundations for

the keepers cottages and the remains of two separate gardens. Alsoparts of the headland complex are the remains of a Lloyds signalstation, for the identification of passing shipping.


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3.0 OBJECTIVES

3.1 The overriding aims of the fieldwork were to determine the character,extent, condition, quality, date and significance of the feature believed tobe an Iron Age settlement at Blackpotts and to carry out stabilising works

designed to prevent the degradation of the site. With this in mind thespecific objectives were:

3.1.1 Conduct a topographic survey of the site and its immediate surroundings.3.1.2 Conduct a systematic sampling programme using a hand augur to

establish the depth and significance of any archaeological deposits withinthe site. [Not carried out due to lack of time and suitable auguringequipment.]

3.1.3 Investigate through small-scale hand trenching the significance ofinternal archaeological features.

3.1.4 Excavate by hand a small investigative trench across the possible externalbank and ditch of the feature upon its northern side.

3.1.5 Remove from the site the gorse that contributed to the ongoing erosion.3.1.6 Give basic training to Thistle Camp volunteers in archaeological survey,

excavation and recording techniques.

3.2 Should any archaeological deposits or materials be discovered during the

course of the investigation, suitable small samples would be recovered foridentification and dating purposes. It was the explicit aim of the proposedproject to retain in situ as much as possible of any anthropogenic materialthat might be encountered.


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4.0 METHODOLOGY

4.1 Intrusive investigation was undertaken using hand excavation of trenchesand test pits. The trench locations were established following onsiteexamination of the topographic features, locations of probable sub

surface archaeology and to produce a broken section across the site fromsouth to north.

The main Trench 1 was hand excavated and initially measured 1m east towest by 6m north to south, though the possibility of extension was fullyutilised. Trenches 2 and 3 were established to check the location, depthand character of any potential enclosing ditch to the north and southrespectively. Trench 4 examined a possible platform to the south and therevetment wall, while test pits 5-8 examined various locations within themain enclosure. (see Figure 2)

Where possible, the trenches were excavated to bedrock or what wasassumed to be a natural glacial till.

4.2 Survey of the site was carried out using a total station, where coordinateswere hand written and post processed in Penmap software. Locations oftrenches and other relevant features were recorded. An arbitrary datumwas established, which was later referenced to Ordnance Surveycoordinates and Height Datums.

Plate 1: Surveying breaks of slope and trenches.


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Figure 2: Site Plan


0 20 m

quarry

quarry

well?

well?(possible)

T1

T4

T3

T2

T5 T6

T7

T8

quarry

Fence Line

quarry


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5.0 RESULTS

5.1 Fieldwork

The work was undertaken over 6 days between the 13th 20th June 2009,

and concentrated on evaluating a staggered cross-section from south tonorth over the site, with trenches located to investigate features such asthe ditches, banks and platforms.

The various datasets from the investigation are presented in the appendixsection; Context list (Appendix 1), Photographic list (Appendix 2), andArtefact list (Appendix 3).

Plate 2: Aerial view of site looking south, showing Blackpotts cottages (top left) and trenches. Photo: James Allan


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1 m

1 m

0

0

Figure3: Trench plans and sections


0

5m

Trench 1

Trench 1

Trench 2

Trench 2

Trench 4

sec

tion

sec

tion

2007

2007

10081008

1001

1009

1010

2008

2004

1005

1003

1002

1007

1007

1006

4004

4004

4003

4002

4003

1010

1011

1006

2009

2001/3

cut

cut

cutcut

extent ofexcavtion

extent ofexcavtion

South

South

North

North

Bank

Bank

revetment

revetment

Ditch


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5.2 The Trenches (see Figure 2)

5.2.1 Trench 1The initial trench was 5m north-south by 1m east-west, set on the northern edge of

the upper platform. The trench was later extended to the south, first by 3m x 2mand subsequently a further 6m x 1m extension. Removal of the thin topsoil [1001]exposed the shallow depth of the soil covering the bedrock [1007] which wascomposed of a heavily worn whinstone. This did show however, that occupationhad taken place on the surface where the bedrock was worn by use. Furthermorein areas where there were hollows in the natural rock, they appeared to have beeninfilled with flat stones to level the surface [1006].

A single defined feature was located in the final southern extension. This was a cut[1008] that extended to a depth of 1.50m beneath the ground surface and 1.20mbeneath the bedrock level. The conical profile and flat base could relate to theconstruction of a significant post setting. Fill [1010] which showed signs of

tipping into a void and which extended around the feature may indicate theremoval of a post. The concave fill [1009] of silt that filled the central part of theupper fill, allows for the partial reconstruction of the post diameter, given thedisplacement that is easy to recognise in the posthole section (see Fig. 3). The postwould have had a diameter of between 0.5 0.6 metres. The flat base is alsoevidence of the feature being a large posthole. The shape of the cut wasinfluenced by the bedrock material that would make any cut feature difficult tocreate as a vertical sided hole and would necessitate an angled cut that was widerat the top.

The north end of the trench was located over a slight revetment bank formed ofsilty soil and whin rubble [1002] this was retained to the north by a line of larger

boulders [1002] though these only survived to a single course (if indeed they wereany higher). Directly to the southern interior of this revetment, a slight dip waspossible evidence for the location of the bank material being dug directly fromnext to the bank and the subsequent infill of clean silt seen in context [1004] wasa natural build up. Exterior to the bank was a shattered material [1005] that maysimply result from the exposed bedrock being subject to frost and weathershattering.

5.2.2 Trench 2The trench was located at the base of the north slope of the site and measured 5mnorth-south and 1m east-west. The location was selected in order to examine the

possibility of a ditch.

The removal of c. 0.16m of topsoil [2001] revealed a potential ditch fill [2003] thatlay across the centre of the trench (see Plate 3) bounded to the north by naturalglacial till [2004] and to the south by slope wash [2002] from the raised knoll onwhich the main site sits. The natural clays [2005] were exposed in a deliberateovercut to establish the ditch profile with a potential width of 1.40m and depthof c. 0.85m

Although the fill of the ditch [2006], later renumbered [2008], was of very similarmaterial to the slopewash and natural, it was possible to determine an interfacebetween the natural [2005] and the fill. This proceeded to resolve itself into a fairlyrecognisable ditch profile to the south, where the 45 angle continued up onto the


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slope of the knoll to the south, and enough of a return on the north side wasexcavated to confirm the nature of the feature [cut 2007] and its path.

The base was sub rounded, and reached a maximum depth of 0.85m. In addition,the natural rubble fill [2008] shows signs of tipping, from a slow rather thanintentional infill. However, this evidence is contradicted by the natural appearance

of the infill soils, which were almost impossible to distinguish from the naturalsubsoil.

5.2.3 Trench 3The trench was located to the south of the main site, external to therevetment/bank and measured 5m north-south and 1m east-west. The locationwas picked in order to examine the possibility of a ditch being present.

The removal of topsoil [3001] revealed a subsoil of mixed clay and angular stoneswhich was stripped off to reveal a more natural deposit of orange brown silty clay[3003]. No trace of a ditch was located. However, given the nature of the deposits,this is not conclusive evidence for the lack of a ditch on the south side of the site asa maximum depth of only 0.30m was examined in the hard clay soil.

5.2.4 Trench 4The trench ( 5m north-south and 1m east-west) was located on the lower platformthat seems to curve around the site from the north-west corner to the upperplatform on which Trench 1 was located. Removal of gorse allowed for thecomplete examination of this area, with a trench crossing south to north over therevetment and platform makeup.

Plate 3: Ditch [2007] showing profile and tip lines in fill [2008]


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Removal of topsoil [4001] again came down immediately onto a layer of wornwhinstone bedrock [4002] at the north end, and a level of large to mediumwhinstone [4003] that extended the flat platform out to the south from the naturalbedrock. Forming a revetment to this material was a line of large whinstoneboulders [4004] on the southern edge of the trench up to 0.50m wide and 0.30mhigh.

The infilled material [4003] was irregular in depth, depending on the underlyingbedrock, but ranged from 0.20m 0.50m.

5.2.5 Trench 5The trench was a small 1m x 1m test pit, designed to investigate the depth ofbedrock, and soil makeup at different locations on the upper platform. The topsoil[5001] was removed and exposed signs of heat-affected soil (from gorse burning)

that came down onto bedrock [5002] a further 0.05m down.

5.2.6 Trench 6The trench was a small 1m x 1m test pit, designed to investigate the depth ofbedrock, and soil makeup at different locations on the upper platform. The topsoil[6001] was removed and exposed signs of heat affected soil (from gorse burning)that came down onto bedrock [6002] a further 0.08m down.

5.2.7 Trench 7The trench was a small 1m x 1m test pit, designed to investigate the depth of

bedrock, and soil makeup at different locations on the upper platform. The topsoil[7001] was removed and exposed signs of heat affected soil (from gorse burning)that came down onto bedrock [7002] a further 0.07m down.

5.2.8 Trench 8The trench was located at the site of a small pool, located c. 5m to the north east ofTrench 4 on the same lower platform.

The removal of topsoil [8001] and a further cleaning of subsoil [8002]revealed a rock-cut feature with squared edges and steep vertical sides[8003] of which only one corner wasexamined. The interior of this cut wasfilled with angular whinstone rocks ofvarious sizes [8004], however, removaldown to a depth of c. 0.20m beneath theground surface showed that the featurewas filled with water.

Plate 4: Water filled feature [8003] with rock-cut rectangular sides to east.


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5.3 Survey

The survey was carried out using a total station and reflector pole withresulting 3D coordinates collected in a site notebook. The transferredcoordinates were entered into Penmap software, to produce a 10cm

contour plot.

The survey enhanced the original RCAHMS survey, and provided furtherrefined detail on the topographic form of the settlement, both natural andman-made. The results form the basis of Figure 2.


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5.4 Artefacts

Very few artefacts were recovered during the investigation; but there was acomplete lack of ceramics. However, six possible pot boilers wererecovered, formed of roughly fist-sized water-worn cobbles, they had been

cracked and heat affected. (three examples are shown below)

Plate 5: Examples of 3 recovered heat affected cobbles, interpreted as pot boilers.

Within Trench 1, a form of slag or cramp was recovered in sealed contextlayer [1004], and although perhaps associated with gorse burning rather

than human activity, samples were taken for further analysis. Modernglass and a recent iron object were also recovered from topsoil deposits in[1001], [3001], [3002] and [4001].


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6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The programme of evaluation has shown the existence human occupationon the site of Blackpotts.

During the course of the evaluation, it soon became clear that cut featureswould be rare on this site, given the nature of the bedrock that lay only0.08m to 0.10m below the current ground surface.

Trench 1 however, did show that occupation had taken place at thislocation, with worn bedrock, and infilled holes showing deliberate activityto provide a level surface. A single large posthole, although significant,does not allow for any form of reconstruction of any structure. It wasinteresting to note that rather than rotting in place, where a definitive postpipe would have been visible, it seems likely that the post was removed,evidenced by both the ring of packing material around the cut, and the

pattern of fill, which shows the packing slipping into a void. No dateablefinds were recovered from this area (or any area), however a number ofcracked pot boilers give evidence to a date that may range anywhere fromthe Bronze Age to the Early Historic where these items were commonlyused on domestic sites.

Two further pot boilers were recovered near the rock-cut water feature(Trench 8). This feature and a possible other (see Fig. 2) located on theupper platform, may represent wells/springs that were utilised as watersources.

The lower platform that curves around the south side of the site (seeFigure 2) , with its low revetment bank, ( [1002/1003] and [4004] ) aroundthe exterior face, may have had two functions. One may have been toextend into a platform into which structures could be built, partly cut intothe natural slope. Another would have been to allow access to the site in aspiral route, running from the north-west corner (where sadly a recentquarry has removed a possible entrance) around to the south andreturning up to the upper platform. Visual assessment of the slope to theeast and north of this lower route/platform, revealed a number of roundedhollows, that may represent recessed platforms which may indicatestorage or animal structures.

Trench 4 itself showed how the natural bedrock itself had been extendedout to form a wider (c. 4m) platform, formed by backfilling between thenatural rock and the surrounding bedrock.

One thing that became clear from examination of the bank whichsurrounded the upper edge of some of the hill was its relatively small size;material for the bank would have been hard to produce from the shallowsoils of the knoll. It is therefore hard to imagine this site as defensive, andrather a small settlement, with perhaps a small fence surrounding theupper edge of the knoll.


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The ditch was located in Trench 2, after much difficulty, and only aftergreat perseverance, on the northern side, where strangely the slope to thesettlement is at its highest and steepest. Only 0.85m deep, it would hardlyhave formed a significant defensive barrier, but may be more to do withimpressions for show rather than practical reasons. If the entrance was

in the north-west, then approaching the site from the north would appearlogical, and from this view would have been impressive: a large slope,surrounded by a ditch, with the upper platform structures and fence,silhouetted against the skyline.

Given absence of datable finds the potential exists that the site couldeasily be a prehistoric settlement with round thatched houses, or even asmall early historic site, perhaps even both.

Recommendations for further study would include a continuingexamination of the surrounding ditch and a more systematic investigation

of both the known water feature (Trench 8) and the upper platformaround Trench 1, where a larger area excavation would expose furtherfeatures that may show the layout of the structures that once stood there;it would also useful to track the extent of the ditch. The recovery of datingevidence is also critical to understanding this site.


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Appendix 1 Context Register

Context List Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders 2009 BP09

Context Description

1001 Topsoil (mid-brown thin silty)

1002Medium sized sub rounded whinstone (c. 250mm diameter) part of bankedrevetment

1003Light-brown silty matrix with small angular stone fragments, part of banked materialbehind bank revetment

1004 Dark brown organic rooty silt to south of enclosure bank

1005Light brown silty matrix with frequent angular small whinstone, shattered brash toexterior of revetment bank.

1006 Medium sized flat angular whinstone set in natural bedrock hollows to level surface

1007 Heavily fractured and worn whin bedrock

1008 Oval shaped steep-sided cut through bedrock with rounded base c. 1.50m deep

1009 Light brown silt fill of 1008 with no inclusions showing no sign of a post pipe.

1010Brashy small angular stone fragments mounded around the cut 1008, possibledebris from construction.

2001 Topsoil (mid-brown thin silt)

2002 Mid-brown silty matrix with occasional small angular whin fragments. (slopewash?)

2003 Mid-brown silt with frequent small angular whinstone (possible top fill of ditch)

2004Mid-brown silt with occasional small angular whinstone fragments and occasionallarger stones

2005Orangey - mid-brown silty clay with occasional sub rounded stones (possibleovercut into natural)

2006 Mid-brown silty clay (THIS CONTEXT WAS RENUMBERED 2008)

2007 Ditch Cut, steep sloping sides cut into natural - flat base, and return slope to north

2008Mid-brown silty clay with moderate angular medium to large angular whinstone (Fillof ditch 2007)

2009Mid-brown silty clay with occasional angular whinstone fragments (Fill of ditch2007)


3002 Mid-brown silty clay with occasional angular stones

3003 Orangey brown silty clay (natural subsoils)

4001 Topsoil (mid-brown thin silt)

4002 Shattered whinstone bedrock

4003Large and moderate sized angular whinstone with occasional rounded pebbles, setin mid-brown silty matrix

4004 Revetment wall of large angular and subrounded whinstone 1.10m wide


5002 Dark brown organic rooty silt









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Context List Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders 2009 BP09

Context Description


8002 Dark brown organic rooty silt with frequent small angular whinstone fragments

8003

Rectangular cut into Shattered whinstone bedrock with steep sides, not fully

excavated.

8004 Angular whinstone infill of cut 8003

Appendix 2 Photo Register (Digital)

Photo Record List Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders 2009 BP09

PhotoID

SiteCode Description

Directionfrom Date

1BP09 First day, unloading the tools.

#Jun-09

2 BP09 First Day, the team gathers. # Jun-09

3 BP09 Trench 2 after removal of topsoil south Jun-09

4 BP09 Trench 1 (initial trench prior to extensions)after removal of topsoil - banked enclosure torear

south Jun-09

5 BP09 Trench 1 (initial trench prior to extensions)after removal of topsoil - banked enclosure tofront - note revetment

south Jun-09

6 BP09 Sheep in Trench 2! # Jun-09

7 BP09 Sondage in north end of Trench 2, showingslopewash 2005

south Jun-09

8 BP09 General view of Blackpotts site - south Jun-09

9 BP09 General view of Blackpotts site - east Jun-09

10 BP09 General view of Blackpotts site - north Jun-09

11 BP09 General view of Blackpotts site - west Jun-09

12 BP09 Working shot # Jun-09

13 BP09 Working shot # Jun-09

14 BP09 Extension to south of Trench 1 after topsoilstrip

south Jun-09

15 BP09 Extension to south of Trench 1 after topsoilstrip showing new trench

south Jun-09

16 BP09 Slag in situ within feature 1006 Vertical Jun-09

17 BP09 Slag in situ within feature 1006 Vertical Jun-09

18 BP09 Trench 3 after removal of topsoil south Jun-09

19 BP09 Trench 3 sondage at north end to determineoverburden.

south Jun-09

20 BP09 Iron obj in revetment at south end of Trench 4 Vertical Jun-09

21 BP09 Trench 4 after removal of topsoil (south end) -showing revetment

south Jun-09

22 BP09 Trench 1, south extension, showing bedrocknow apparent

south Jun-09

23 BP09 Trench 1, (north area) showing bedrock andloose infilling

south Jun-09

24 BP09 Trench 1, ) showing bedrock and loose brashinfilling - the foreground shows the bank with

north Jun-09


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Photo Record List Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders 2009 BP09Photo

IDSite

Code DescriptionDirection

from Date

stone revetment

25 BP09 Part of photo mosaic of Trench 1 after final

clean

Vertical Jun-09

26 BP09 Part of photo mosaic of Trench 1 after finalclean

Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09

31 BP09 Part of photo mosaic of Trench 1 after final

clean

Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09

37 BP09 Part of photo mosaic of Trench 1 after finalclean Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09


Vertical Jun-09

45 BP09 Trench 1 extended south area, with brashdeposit 1009 and possible cut 1008

east Jun-09

46 BP09 View over Trench 4 with bedrock 4002 to rear,rock infill 4003 and revetment 4004 toforeground

south Jun-09

47 BP09 View over Trench 4 with bedrock 4002 toforeground, rock infill 4003 and revetment4004 to rear

north Jun-09

48 BP09 Trench 5 after topsoil removal showing 5002 south Jun-09

49 BP09 Trench 6 after topsoil removal showing 6002 south Jun-09


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Photo Record List Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders 2009 BP09Photo

IDSite

Code DescriptionDirection

from Date

50 BP09 Trench 7 after topsoil removal showing 7002(heat affected from gorse burning)

south Jun-09

51 BP09 Trench 8 after removal of topsoil, showingbedrock cut face.

north Jun-09

52 BP09 Rainbow at Blackpotts # Jun-09



55 BP09 General working shot # Jun-09


57 BP09 Jim excavating posthole feature 1008 # Jun-09

58 BP09 General working shot with Fiona on the Level # Jun-09


60 BP09 Getting ready for lunch # Jun-09

61 BP09 View from Blackpotts west Jun-09

62 BP09 The team # Jun-09

63 BP09 The team # Jun-09

64 BP09 Trench 8 - showing water filled feature north Jun-09

65 BP09 Trench 8 - showing water filled feature south Jun-09

66 BP09 Trench 8 - showing water filled feature west Jun-09

67 BP09 View of east facing section of the ditch inTrench 2

east Jun-09

68 BP09 View of ditch - Trench 2 north Jun-09

69 BP09 View of ditch - Trench 2 south Jun-09

70 BP09 View of ditch - Trench 2 oblique southeast Jun-0971 BP09 Trench 4 showing revetment bank and

interior fill removed to bedrock levelsouth Jun-09

72 BP09 Trench 4 removed to bedrock level at northend

south Jun-09

73 BP09 Working shot at Trench 4 # Jun-09




77 BP09 Section of post cut 1008 with silty fill 1009 andsurrounding brash debris 1010

east Jun-09

78 BP09 Section of post cut 1008 with silty fill 1009 andsurrounding brash debris 1010

south Jun-09

79 BP09 Trench 5 - bedrock south Jun-09




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Appendix 3 Artefact List

Artefact Record List Blackpotts, St Abbs, Scottish Borders 2009 BP09TrenchContext Description

1 [1001] 3 Glass bottle fragments

[1003] 1 Pot Boiler fragment

[1004] Sample of possible cramp or slag (8 bags)


2 [2003] Sample of burnt Clay ?


3 [3001] 5 Glass bottle fragments

[3002] 3 Glass bottle fragments1 Quartz Pebble Fragment

4 [4001] 3 Iron Obj part of cast iron item. Pipe?

8 [8001] 1 Pot Boiler fragment[8002] 2 Pot Boiler fragments

Acknowledgments

Special thanks must go to the team members

Christine McPhersonKatherine Reed

Fiona ConnJim ShearerJane ThompsonJames AllanGitta Dorsch

And

Kevin Rideout (Property Manager), Daniel Rhodes, Margaret Struckmeier, RobinTurner, and Derek Alexander

References

Maps:

1st Ed Ordnance Survey Map 1853

Reports:

NMRS MS/899/44 (Headland Archaeology Ltd 16/10/1997)


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Discovery and Excavation ScotlandLOCAL AUTHORITY: Scottish Borders

PROJECT TITLE/SITE NAME: Blackpotts Settlement

PROJECT CODE: BP09

PARISH: Coldingham

NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR: David Connolly

NAME OF ORGANISATION: (Connolly Heritage Consultancy)

TYPE(S) OF PROJECT: Evaluation and Survey

NMRS NO(S): NT96NW 19

SITE/MONUMENT TYPE(S): Settlement

SIGNIFICANT FINDS: none

NGR(2 letters, 8 or 10 figures) NT 9056 6750

START DATE (this season) 13th June 2009

END DATE (this season) 20th June 2009

PREVIOUS WORK(incl.DESref.) Recording field visit by Headland Archaeology (DES 1997)

MAIN (NARRATIVE)

DESCRIPTION:

(May include information from otherfields)

8 Trenches and trial pits were opened to investigate the potential of the surviving archaeology andcharacterise its depth, condition and date. It became clear that dating material was almost entirely

absent from the record and the features recorded (including the bank, well ditch and posthole) were

not indicative of any particular period. Due to the gorse cover and the burning associated withcontrol in the past, the thin topsoil was scorched and may affect any charcoal recovered from

anything other than a deep secure context. The depth of topsoil in the hill was thin, and came down

directly onto bedrock in most cases, while the slope wash covering the glacial till surrounding the

hill made distinguishing even the substantive feature of the ditch a difficult activity.

However, there is clear evidence for surviving archaeology on the site as a whole, includingfeatures such as a rock cut well which may provide evidence from waterlogged deposits. The

single posthole also shows the potential for further structural features and with further analysis of

this area and the wear pattern on the bedrock as well as investigation of the possible structuralplatforms on the lower levels it may be possible to provide a better understanding of the period(s)

that the site can be assigned to. Evidence from two Roman coins that were uncovered by theowner of a nearby house (only 200m from the site) may suggest a 4 th century date, as both coins

were identified by Nick Holmes at the National Museum of Scotland as bronze nummus, of mid to

late 4th century date.

Topographic survey of the area also allowed the enhancement of a Royal Commission on the

Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) plan. This significantly increased theunderstanding of the layout and potential for further hut/structure platforms as well as provide

further detail on the lower platforms and quarries that had been obscured by gorse.

PROPOSED FUTURE WORK: none

CAPTION(S) FOR ILLUSTRS: -

SPONSOR OR FUNDING BODY: The National Trust for Scotland

ADDRESS OF MAIN

CONTRIBUTOR:

Connolly Heritage ConsultancyTraprain House

Luggate BurnEast LothianEH41 4QA

EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

ARCHIVE LOCATION RCAHMS / NTS


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blackpotts, st abbs, scottish borders - 2009

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