Castlehill, New Cumnock Dsr - Ra03009

Castlehill, New Cumnock: Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Data Structure Report October 2003

Rathmell Archaeology Ltd

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Overview This Data Structure Report (DSR) presents the findings of an archaeological evaluation and excavation undertaken prior to the construction of a residential dwelling house on land between 9 and 11 Castlehill, New Cumnock (NGR ref: NS 6175 1379). Prior to this development the area was open ground (including a plumber’s yard and dog kennels) extending to 0.04ha (403m 2) roughly in the centre of the village of New Cumnock. There are several known archaeological sites near the development area. The site itself adjoins the graveyard of the321 original parish church to the southwest and lies to the south of New Cumnock Castle indicating that we might encounter medieval or post-medieval features within the development area. The West of Scotland Archaeology Service, archaeological advisers to East Ayrshire Council as the planning authority, provided guidance on the structure of archaeological investigations required on this site prior to the development works. East Ayrshire Council on their advice attached a condition to planning consent (03/1062/FL) to ensure that appropriate archaeological work was undertaken before the development commenced. Rathmell Archaeology Ltd was appointed to act on behalf of the client, Mr Shankland, with regard to the archaeological condition on the planning consent. The terms of the evaluation and subsequent excavation were agreed with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service. The main objective of the evaluation was to determine the location, extent, nature, condition and significance of any archaeological features that lie within the development area. On completion, an excavation was undertaken to clear the identified significant archaeology to the agreement of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service on behalf of the planning authority.

Project Works The programme of works agreed with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service included an archaeological desk-based assessment and the intrusive evaluation of the development area through machine cut trenches. These works were undertaken in keeping with a submitted Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) with on site works running from 15th to 16th September 2003. The intrusive evaluation trenches were extended and combined into one open area upon discovery of a number of negative features in the southwest corner of the development area. This open area matched the full extent of the footprint of the proposed building. All of the archaeological remains revealed by the expansion of the original evaluation trenches were excavated and recorded with the approval of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service. The excavation works ran on-site from 17th to 18th September 2003. All works were conducted in accordance with the WoSAS Standard Conditions, Institute of Field Archaeology’s Standards and Policy Statements and Code of Conduct and Historic Policy Statements.

Findings: Desk based assessment and site inspection There are two known sites of archaeological significance, which affect the development area. These are New Cumnock Castle to the north and New Cumnock Old Church to the southwest. Black Bog Castle in New Cumnock (WoSASPIN 9065; NMRS ref: NS61SW 2), also known as Black Craig Castle in the New Statistical Account (1845) and occasionally referred to as The Castle of Black Lorg locally (Murray 1989), existed a short distance to the north of the development area. This would place the main element of the castle under the site of the current disused United Reform Church. Although no upstanding remains of the original  Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 1 of 17

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

structure still exist, partially landscaped remains of the moat are still visible in the garden of the old manse. The Ordnance Survey (1909) shows more of this moat extending to the west and east sides of the site of the castle and it is reasonable to infer that the sunken Castlehill Road runs within the southern moat. The earliest reference to the castle is in charters from the beginning of the 14th century, showing that it belonged to the Dunbars. The original castle is thought to have been a motte and baillie building (Murray 1989) although it is likely that there had been a settlement on the site before any castle was built. It is probable that the original structure would have been made of wood and situated on the summit of a knoll. The site of the castle is significant in the wider geography of the area. It was situated on an isolated piece of raised ground approximate to the confluence of the River Nith and the Afton Water and to the west; there are extensive areas of marshy ground. The situation of the castle would have been naturally defensive while lying across the natural north to south communication route formed through the Southern Uplands by the River Nith. Subsequent structures were of stone as by 1580 the castle was described as ruinous (Warrick 1899). There may have been a rebuild or repair about 1650 and there were still considerable upstanding remains at the end of the 18th century (Warrick 1899). Modern building works to the north of the United Reform Church uncovered the remains of massive stone walls possibly relating to the stone phase of the castle (Donald McIver pers comm). The parish of New Cumnock was created in 1650 when the larger parish of Cumnock was split. The Old Church was built in 1659 as the church for the new Parish. This church is ruinous, and without a roof, but the walls are stable and the windows are, for the most part, intact. The Old Church and Churchyard (WoSASPIN 9059; NMRS ref: NS61SW 1) sit to the immediate southwest of the development area. The Churchyard adjoins the development area to the southwest. The northern part of the churchyard slopes upward towards the development area. The Old Church and Churchyard are not to be confused with the United Reform Church, which sits to the north of the development area. The frontage from 9 to 11 Castlehill Road (inclusive) has been extensively modified in recent times. The ground was used, post World War II, as a plumbers yards with the eastern part of the area having been reduced to the same level as the road to facilitate access to the yard. Subsequently a small brick building was built on the street front to the immediate east of the development area (Shankland pers comm). Around the same time, the road was widened with the construction of a new retaining wall of kerbstones replacing an older drystone dyke. The development area was being used as a slate yard by the plumbing company and was partially re-levelled, sometimes with blaes. This work exposed the foundations of the wall to the Old Churchyard. By the 1980s, the development area had been converted to use as kennels with several brick ground surfaces and at least one water line put in. To the west, the ground was reduced, again to the level of the road, for the building of 11 Castlehill Road (Shankland pers comm). These excavations revealed a stratigraphic sequence that appeared to contain significant non-natural elements (Illus 1a). It is reasonable to infer that the development area is the only surviving southern frontage onto Castlehill Road, which has been substantially unaltered in modern times.

Findings: Evaluation and Excavation trenches Initially two trenches were opened in order to evaluate the archaeological significance of the development area. Trench One stretched from west to east along the rear wall of the proposed house. Trench Two was an L-shaped open area on the north-western portion of the proposed house covering the garage and vestibule that are to front onto Castlehill Road. Trench One initially exposed a hard clay matrix (002), which was inferred at the time to be a natural deposit. Trench Two extended over a much larger area. In the southern end of Trench Two the same clay matrix was found. This shelved off as the trench bed sloped  Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 2 of 17

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

northward towards the road, to be replaced with yellow-orange sand and gravel subsoil

Illus 1a: Section formed during construction of 11 Castlehill

Illus 1b: Ordnance Survey 1909  Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 3 of 17

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Illus 2: Plan of excavated features

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Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

(005). At the extreme northern edge of Trench Two there was revealed an edge [007] and a black fill (006). This marks the excavation for the kerb-built retaining wall. Further cleaning of the interface between the clay matrix (002) and the sand and gravel subsoil (005) suggested that the former was not an in-situ natural deposit. The clay matrix (002) was then removed by machine to reveal a concentration of stones (003) and a highly humic layer (004). This humic layer was also removed which exposed level sand-gravel subsoil (005). Trenches One and Two were merged into one evaluation trench covering almost the entire development area (barring a small area to the extreme east). This single trench was excavated down to the level of the sand-gravel subsoil (005). Within this subsoil (005) were revealed a number of small negative features. Broadly speaking these features consist of a number of linear features and a series of small pits. These features appear in the context record from (010) to [029]. Features [013], [045], [043] and [041] form a discontinuous curved line of gullies arcing across the southwest corner of the development area. These were up to 150mm deep and 350mm wide with very steep sides and flat bases. The fill of these features was a mid-brown sandy soil similar to (004), several pieces of slag were recovered. Within the arc of these linear features, there were other features that could be grouped, prior to excavation, by form and appearance. [015], [023], [025], [027] and [029] each had an extended oval plan and appeared to form a curving series of interconnected pits in the southern part of the enclosed area. Each of these was a little over 1m long and about 250mm deep although exact dimensions varied. It was very difficult to distinguish between fills at the interface between features. The presence of charcoal within the fills of [027] and [029] incorporating material that was not in the environment at the time of the filling of [015], [023] and [025] may suggest the former predate the latter. [011], [031], [033], [035], [037] and [039] were a group of small shallow features within the north of the enclosed area. However, where [011], [033] and [037] were circular in plan [031], [035] and [039] were sub-rectangular. Those with a circular plan ranged in size up to 500mm in diameter and up to 300mm deep and had a mid-brown sandy fill containing several stones. Conversely, the smaller sub-rectangular pits contained a high quantity of charcoal in the fill. These varied in exact dimensions but all were about 400mm in diameter and 250mm deep and the bases were irregular. Finally, there are three features outwith the area delimited by the linear features. [021] was a large oval feature, 390mm deep with a mid-brown sandy fill, while [017] and [019] were smaller more sub-rectangular features. These sub-rectangular features outside the linear features were very similar in shape and form to those sub-rectangular features inside the linear features ([031],[035] and [039]). All of these features were excavated and recorded, some did yield anthropic material and several physical relationships between features could be observed. Several pieces of slag were recovered from within the fill of features, as well as a single piece of struck flint and a single fragment of ferrous metal.

Discussion The Castle, Moat and its Counterscarp It is possible to make certain inferences by observing the archaeological material that survived within the development area. The pre-development topography of the site rose steadily to the south. The key to understanding this topography is the re-deposited clay matrix (002). The natural landform, based on the sand and gravel subsoil, would have been roughly level. In turn the rise of ground seen in the Churchyard and the images from the construction of 11 Castlehill suggest that this re-deposited clay matrix (002) formed a linear bank running parallel to Castlehill Road.  Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 5 of 17

Illus 3a: Northern boundary of development from east

Illus 3b: View of southwest corner of trench with Old Parish

showing drop to Castlehill Road

Church in background (note wedge of clay matrix in section)

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Illus 4a: Negative features from south (pre excavation)

Illus 4b: Negative features from south (post excavation)

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By moving downward through the stratigraphy of the site we are able to say that the construction of the wall of the churchyard (southwest of the development area) was after the deposition of the clay matrix (002). The character of the churchyard wall is such to suggest that its construction is likely to post-date the church. Equally it can be observed that the north transept of the Old Church has been cut into the linear bank, so it is possible to infer with some certainty that the deposition of the linear bank (ie the clay matrix (002)) preceded the construction of the Old Church and Churchyard. The clay matrix (002) itself occupies significant position in the stratigraphy of the development area lying as it does on top of a palaeosol (004). We can make some supposition regarding the origin of this deposit. The adjacent position of the moat of the New Cumnock Black Bog Castle (along the line of Castlehill Road) strongly suggests that the clay matrix (002) may be re-deposited from the excavation of the moat. It should be noted that the clay matrix (002) is in no way similar to the natural subsoil (005) found on the rest of the site. It can be assumed, however, that the clay is re-deposited from a natural layer deeper that the (005), accessed during excavation of the moat. We can therefore suggest that the clay matrix (002) originally formed part of a counterscarp of the moat and we are able to infer a date, based on the castle origins, from around the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century for its deposition. The palaeosol (004) under the clay matrix (002) was extremely homogenised suggesting either extensive tillage or bioturbation. This soil layer obviously preceded the deposition of the clay matrix (002) and therefore the construction of the moat for the castle. Immediately beneath this palaeosol (004) we have the yellow-orange sand and gravel subsoil (005) with the archaeological features cut into it. The depth and homogeneity of the palaeosol (004) may suggest a period of several centuries between the formation of the archaeological features and the deposition of the clay matrix (002). The early enclosure It is reasonable to suppose that all of the features cut into the subsoil (005) have been truncated, probably by subsequent ploughing or agricultural works. Given that the linear features [013], [045], [043] and [041] form a discontinuous line enclosing the southwest corner of the site we can infer that they form part of a much larger enclosure the further remains of which are have been destroyed by construction of 11 Castlehill Road or lie beneath the Old Church and Churchyard. [045] is unique among these features in that it has a discrete posthole [047] in the southern end. This gives further credence to the idea that all the linear features represent the foundations for timberwork that may have formed an enclosing structure. The converse, that these are drainage or soakaway features, does not appear that credible as the gullies are level and discontinuous while their fills contain numerous stones that may have acted as packing. Close to the southwest corner of the development area and within the area enclosed by the linear features are [015], [023], [025], [027] and [029]. When excavated these features could be seen to be a series of interconnecting pits. Each of these is an extended oval in plan but of varying depths. [015], [023] and [025] have a very similar fill and therefore can be grouped together. The similarity of the fill makes recognition of a sequence or understanding relationships very difficult. The fill of [027] and [029] contain a much higher quantity of charcoal and common slag fragments. It is for this reason that they can be grouped separately. The interface [027] and [015] may account for charcoal appearing in the fill of [027]. We are also able to observe that [027] was cut through [015] and that [029] was cut through [013]. We are therefore able to suggest that [027] and [029] are the latest features in the sequence of the site. The function of these pits is uncertain, although the fill of [023] contained a number of edge set packing stones suggesting that it held timberwork. Conversely the fills of the eastern features [027][029] were more reminiscent of pit fills. Their intercutting nature suggests that they are sequential although through common form a common function or purpose is inferred.

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

The remaining features of the site are a scattering of small pits. However, we are able to distinguish differences in shape and fill. Within the interior of the linear enclosure the features can be separated into those circular features with a mid-brown sandy fill and those subrectangular features with a fill containing and high quantity of charcoal. The circular features, [011], [033] and [037] are postholes and their arcing alignment suggests that they represented the surviving part of a larger circular structure. This is reinforced by the presence of packing stones within the fill. Packing material is also present in feature [021], which is outside the linear enclosure. We can therefore suppose that it formed a part of some larger structure the further remains of which are now destroyed. Alternatively feature [021] may relate to one of the interior postholes, such as [011] that is broadly of a comparable size. The small sub rectangular features of the interior, [031], [035] and [039], did not appear to be structural. These were small pits which either related to the dumping of waste or the carrying out of some small-scale craft industry. An exact determination of their use is impossible at this stage due to truncation and the small area of surviving archaeology. Potentially more information could be gained through analysis of the fill. Features [017] and [019], just outside the linear enclosure, had fills similarly rich in charcoal. Truncation of deposits and the small amount of surviving archaeology make interpretation if their original purpose very difficult. The may have enclosed or supported another structure which has been removed by subsequent activity or they may relate to the linear enclosure. Regarding the individual finds collected from the site there is a significant amount of slag. Most of this came from the fills of the linear features but requires specific analysis to determine its significance in interpretation of the site. The moderate amount of wood charcoal and burnt bone fragments may provide dating material for the small pits or the large extended oval pits at the southern corner of the site. Very little can be said in relation to the stray finds of a small piece of worked flint that came from [045] and of a metal fragment from [021]. It is possible that the metal fragment may relate to the slag and therefore indicate the use of the site. The flint is likely to represent the incorporation of material into the fill by some chance of taphonomy rather than deliberate human action. It is also significant that the site was completely without ceramic material. Would suggest an over all timescale for the site which could not be later than the early part of the Medieval period.

Conclusion Evaluation and excavation took place between 9 and 11 Castlehill Road prior to development. Two significant archaeological horizons were investigated. The first is the probable remains of an upcast counterscarp to the moat of New Cumnock Castle. The second horizon was a number of features cut into the sand gravel subsoil. A series of shallow gullies formed the northeast arc of the foundations of a larger enclosure. Postholes and small pits were evidence for internal and external structures. Pieces of slag and one fragment of metal were found. These features are tentatively interpreted of being of an early medieval date.

References Kirkland, Rev Matthew 1845

Parish of New Cumnock in ‘New Statistical Account of Scotland’

McIver, Donald

2000

A Stroll through the Historic Past of New Cumnock

Murray, T

1989

The Castles of New Cumnock

Ordnance Survey

1858-1860

Ayrshire First Edition & Name Book

Roy

1747-55

Military Survey of Scotland

Young, Rev Mr James 1799

Parish of New Cunmock in ‘The Statistical Account of Scotland  Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 9 of 17

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Appendix 1: Record summaries Context Summaries No.

Interpretation

Description

001

Topsoil

Final topsoil build-up on site.

002

Clay matrix counterscarp

Re-deposited natural clay covering an (possibly) old topsoil horizon.

003

Concentration of stones beneath 001 and 004

Concentration of stones at the convergence of 001 and 004. Beneath both of these topsoil layers.

004

Grey black humic soil under 002

Possibly an old soil layer. High concentration of organic material.

005

Orange sand gravel subsoil

Natural sand and gravel subsoil. The base layer of the entire site.

006

Fill of revetment cut [007]

Grey black fill.

007

Revetment cut

008

Fill of engineer pit [009]

1.2mm N/S slot 310mm deep at northern limit. Smooth gradient. Modern, no archaeological significance. Not recorded.

009

Cut of engineer pit

Modern, no archaeological significance. Not recorded.

010

Fill of posthole next to section [011]

Mid-brown sandy silt fill, occasional medium subrounded stones.

011

Cut of posthole next to section

012

Fill of linear Slot North/South [012]

Circular 500mm diameter and 400mm deep. Steep sides. Fill of 013. A mid-brown sandy silt. Many small sub-rounded stones. No anthropic material.

013

Cut of Linear Slot North/South

Linear slot 3.9m in length, 430mm broad 120150mm deep. Aligned N/S and cut into 005.

014

Fill of Linear Slot East/West [015]

Mid-brown sandy silt with common small subrounded stones. Rare burnt bone fragments and charcoal.

015

Cut of Linear Slot East/West

Linear cut with rounded ends and a box shaped cross section. 1.65m long, 580mm wide by 180mm deep. Cut by 027. Cut or cuts 025 to the west.

016

Fill of Small pit to East [016]

Some settlement activity debris. Mid-brown sandy silt with frequent small sub-rounded stones. Charcoal and burnt bone fragments.

017

Cut of small pit to East

Small pit aligned NE to SW. 50cm by 320mm and 40mm deep at maximum.

018

Fill of small pit to North [019]

Mid-brown sandy silt with common small subrounded stones. Occasional charcoal and burnt bone fragments.

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Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

019

Cut of small pit to North

Small pit 600mm NW to SE, 150mm E/W. Subrectangular shape in plan. Max depth 30mm.

020

Fill of large posthole to East. Evident packing material but no post pipe. [0210

Mid-brown sandy silt with common small subrounded stones and occasional medium subrounded stones. Small metal fragment recovered.

021

Cut of large posthole to East

Sub-rectangular in plan. Aligned N/S. Up to 390mm deep. Flat based in the northeast quarter.

022

Fill of slot Northwest/Southeast [023]

Mid-brown sandy silt with frequent sub rounded and sub angular stones. Small and medium stones.

023

Cut of slot Northwest/Southeast. Linear slot emerging from section, aligned SW/SE. Possibly slot for structural Cuts or cut by 025 at eastern end. 900mm long feature. has been exposed, 380mm wide and 190mm deep. Box shaped section.

024

Fill of slot North/South [024]

Mid-brown sandy silt with common small subrounded and sub-angular stones. One fragment of slag recovered.

025

Cut of Slot North/South. Possible structural slot.

Linear slot with rounded ends. Cuts or cut by 015 and 023. Aligned NNE/SSW. 1.05m long, 430mm broad and up to 220mm deep.

026

Fill of Pit Southeast, some anthropic inclusions. [026]

Mid-brown sandy silt with common charcoal fragments and rare slag fragments. Common small to medium sub-angular stones.

027

Cut of Pit Southeast

Very difficult to define cut. Sub-circular, 450mm diameter and 100mm deep. Appeared to cut 015.

028

Fill of Slot Northeast/Southwest [029]

Mid-brown sandy silt with some clay lenses and small to medium sub-rounded stones. Common slag fragments and charcoal. Occasional fragments of burnt bone and shell.

029

Cut of Slot Northeast/Southwest Possibly structural.

Linear slot with rounded ends. Aligned SW/NE Cut by 013. 1.1m long, 400mm broad and 250mm deep with a box shaped cross section.

030

Fill of Sub-rectangular Pit [032]

Sandy silt with inclusions of charcoal and burnt bone.

031

Cut of Sub-rectangular Pit

Aligned SW/NE. 400mm long, 310mm wide, and 190mm deep. Steep to near vertical sides and irregular base.

032

Fill of Sub-circular Posthole [033]

Mid-brown sandy silt fill. Sub-rounded medium stones.

033

Cut of Sub-circular Posthole

340 to 400mm in diameter, 230mm deep. Vertical sides and flat base.

034

Fill of Sub-oval Pit [035]

Sandy silt with inclusions of charcoal and burnt bone.

035

Cut of Sub-oval Pit

270mm by 340mm and 150mm deep. Steep sided.

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Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

036

Fill of Posthole [037]

Mid-brown sandy silt with medium sub-rounded stones.

037

Cut of Posthole

340mm by 260mm and 220mm deep. Oval in plan. Aligned SW/NE. Vertical sides and a flat base.

038

Fill of Sub-rectangular Pit [039]

Sandy silt with inclusions of charcoal.

039

Cut of Sub-rectangular Pit

300mm by 240mm and 150mm deep. Vertical sides and a flat base.

040

Fill of Linear Slot [041]

Mid-brown sandy silt.

041

Cut of Linear Slot

2.4m in length. Vertical sides. Shallow, maximum depth between 60mm and 150mm. 200mm wide.

042

Fill of Linear Slot [043]

Mid-brown sandy silt.

043

Cut of Linear Slot

2.9m long Linear slot with vertical sides. 300 to 350mm broad and 150mm deep. Curving slightly with rounded ends.

044

Fill of Linear Slot [045]

Mid-brown sandy silt. Mixing with (046).

045

Cut of Linear Slot

980mm long, up to 300mm broad and 150mm deep, Vertical sides.

046

Fill of Posthole

Mid-brown sandy silt. Mixing with (044).

047

Cut of Posthole

Circular. 320mm in diameter. 160mm deep. Near vertical sides.

Drawing Title Record No.

Scale

Date

Author

1

Plan of Archaeological Remains, Pre-excavation

1:100

16/9/03

TR

2

Section of Western Limit of Excavation Area

1:20

16/9/03

TR

3

Plan of Archaeological Remains, Post -excavation

1:100

16/9/03

TR

Photographic Record Film No. Description

From

Date

1

20

Removal of Topsoil (001) showing (002), (003) and (005)

N

15/9/03

1

21

Removal of Topsoil (001) showing (002), (003) and (005)

N

15/9/03

1

22

Removal of Topsoil (001) showing (002), (003) and (005)

NE

15/9/03

1

23

Removal of non-archaeological material

N

15/9/03

1

24

Removal of non-archaeological material

N

15/9/03

1

25

(002) exposed – showing slope and Churchyard wall

N

15/9/03

1

26

Section through (002)

NW

15/9/03

1

27

Section through (001), (002) and (004)

E

15/9/03

1

28

Section through (001), (002) and (004)

E

15/9/03

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Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

1

29

Section through (001), (002) and (004)

E

15/9/03

1

30

Post-excavation shot of [011]

E

15/9/03

1

31

Post-excavation shot of [011]

E

15/9/03

1

32

Section through (001), (002), (003) and (004)

E

15/9/03

2

1

Pre-excavation shot of entire area – (005)and all features

S

16/9/03

2

2

Pre-excavation shot of entire area – (005)and all features

S

16/9/03

2

3

Revetment and wall between site and Castlehill Road

E

16/9/03

2

4

Site to (005) and features, Churchyard wall and Church

NE

16/9/03

2

5

Site to (005 and features, Churchyard wall and fence line

NE

16/9/03

2

6

[013] post-excavation, showing sections

S

16/9/03

2

7

Churchyard wall, showing exposed foundations

E

16/9/03

2

8

[013] post-excavation, showing all sections

N

16/9/03

2

9

[017] post excavation

N

16/9/03

2

10

[017], [019] post-excavation and [021] pre-excavation

E

16/9/03

2

11

[021] post-excavation, [017] and [019] background

E

16/9/03

2

12

[021] post-excavation

E

16/9/03

2

13

Post-excavation [023], [025], [027], [029] foreground

S

16/9/03

2

14

Post-excavation [023], [025], [027], [029] foreground

S

16/9/03

2

15

Post-excavation [023], [025], [027], [029] foreground

S

16/9/03

2

16

Post-excavation [023], [025], [027], [029] foreground

SE

17/9/03

2

17

Post-excavation [035], [037] and [039]

E

17/9/03

2

18

Post-excavation [011], [031], [033], [035], [037] and [039]

S

17/9/03

2

19

Post-excavation [011], [031], [033]

E

17/9/03

2

20

Post-excavation [011], [031], [033], [035], [037] and [039]

N

17/9/03

2

21

Post-excavation [019]

NE

17/9/03

2

22

Post-excavation [043] foreground

NE

17/9/03

2

23

Post-excavation [045] and [047]

E

17/9/03

2

24

Post-excavation entire area – subsoil (005)

S

18/9/03

2

25

Post-excavation entire area – subsoil (005)

S

18/9/03

2

26

Post-excavation entire area – subsoil (005)

SE

18/9/03

2

27

Interior of Churchyard showing ruined Church

NE

19/9/03

2

28

Excavated are looking E to 9 Castlehill Road

W

19/9/03

2

29

Section (001), (002), (004) and (022), [023]

E

19/9/03

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Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

2

30

Post-excavation [025] – also partial [015] and [023]

S

19/9/03

3

36

Pre-excavation (005) and all features

S

16/9/03

3

37

Pre-excavation (005) and all features

S

16/9/03

Samples List No. Type

Context No.

1

Bulk soil sample

012

2

Bulk soil sample

014

3

Bulk soil sample

016

4

Bulk soil sample

018

5

Bulk soil sample

020

6

Bulk soil sample

022

7

Bulk soil sample

024

8

Bulk soil sample

026

9

Bulk soil sample

028

Artefacts List No. Description

Context

Bags

1

Slag

012

1

2

Clay Pipe

006

1

3

Slag

018

1

4

Metal Fragment

020

1

5

Slag

026

1

6

Wood Charcoal

014

1

7

Slag

014

1

8

Slag

024

1

9

Slag

028

1

10

Wood Charcoal

028

1

11

Burnt Bone/Shell

028

1

12

Burnt Bone

038

1

13

Burnt Bone

034

1

14

Burnt Bone

030

1

15

Wood Charcoal

040

1

16

Flint

042

1

17

Burnt Bone

042

1

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 14 of 17

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

18

Wood Charcoal

042

1

19

Slag

042

1

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 15 of 17

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Appendix 3: Discovery & Excavation in Scotland LOCAL AUTHORITY: PROJECT TITLE/SITE NAME: PARISH: NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR: NAME OF ORGANISATION: TYPE(S) OF PROJECT: NMRS NO(S): SITE/MONUMENT TYPE(S): SIGNIFICANT FINDS:+ NGR (2 letters, 6 figures) START DATE (this season) END DATE (this season) PREVIOUS WORK (incl. DES ref.) PROPOSED FUTURE WORK: MAIN (NARRATIVE) DESCRIPTION: (may include information from other fields)

PROJECT CODE: SPONSOR OR FUNDING BODY: ADDRESS OF MAIN CONTRIBUTOR: E MAIL: ARCHIVE LOCATION (intended/deposited)

North Ayrshire Castlehill, New Cumnock New Cumnock Alan Matthews Thomas Rees Rathmell Archaeology Limited Evaluation and Excavation None Counterscarp and Enclosure None NS 6175 1379 15th September 2003 18th September 2003 None Post-excavation during 2003/4 Evaluation and excavation took place between 9 and 11 Castlehill Road prior to development. Two significant archaeological horizons were investigated. The first is the probable remains of an upcast counterscarp to the moat of New Cumnock Castle. The second horizon was a number of features cut into the sand gravel subsoil. A series of shallow gullies formed the northeast arc of the foundations of a larger enclosure. Postholes and small pits were evidence for internal and external structures. Pieces of slag and one fragment of metal were found. These features are tentatively interpreted of being of an early medieval date. 03009 Mr Shankland 8, Underwood, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 7HR [email protected] Report to West of Scotland Archaeology Service and archive to National Monuments Record of Scotland.

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 16 of 17

Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

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.: m.:

01294 542848 07817 334907

f.: e.:

01294 542849 [email protected]

 Rathmell Archaeology Ltd, Page 17 of 17