The Prehistoric Heart of Galloway by Warren Bailie the Project Is Funded by Contents

Dunragit The Prehistoric Heart of Galloway by Warren Bailie The project is funded by Contents Foreword 4 Acknowledgements 5 Summary 8 Periods and Dating 9 Published by GUARD Archaeology Ltd 2020 Company Registration Number: SC384 640 Introduction 10 52 Elderpark Workspace, 100 Elderpark Street, Glasgow G51 3TR [email protected] part 1: Landscape past to present 15 0141 445 8800 part 2: The Mesolithic 23 Printed by Introscan Ltd, Glasgow Requests for permission to reproduce material from this booklet should be sent to GUARD part 3: The Neolithic activity 31 Archaeology Ltd, as well as to the author, illustrator, photographer or other copyright holder. Copyright rests with GUARD Archaeology Ltd and the individual authors. part 4: The Bronze Age - ritual monuments and settlement 45 The maps are reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. All rights reserved. GUARD Archaeology Licence number part 5: The burnt mounds 61 100050699. The consent does not extend to copying for general distribution, advertising or promotional purposes, the creation of new collective works or resale. part 6: The Iron Age settlement 69 part 7: Conclusions 79 Further reading 82 4 5 Foreword Acknowledgements This illustrated book, ‘Dunragit: The Prehistoric archaeological mitigation measures as identified in GUARD Archaeology Ltd would like to thank Transport We would also like to thank the many specialists Heart of Galloway’ is the culmination of eight years’ the Environmental Statement were incorporated into Scotland for commissioning us to undertake the post- who contributed to the post-excavation works; Diane work (2012–2020) on the archaeological remains the works. Extensive archaeological surveys were excavation works. Particular thanks go to Ed Danaher, Alldritt, Torben Ballin, Beverley Ballin Smith, Gemma discovered along the route of the A75 Dunragit undertaken prior to and during the construction their Archaeological Adviser for reviewing earlier Cruickshanks, Derek Hamilton, Fraser Hunter, Carol Bypass. works and significant finds dating back over 9,000 drafts. Special thanks go to archaeologist Declan Hurl Lang, George McLeod, Susan Ramsay, Rick Schulting, years were recorded. These included archaeological (Amey plc) for his support and guidance throughout Alison Sheridan, Christophe Snoeke, Catherine Smith, This publication presents the findings of both the remains from the Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze the advance works, and to Andy Gillan of R. J. McLeod Richard Tipping and Clare Wilson. Radiocarbon dates archaeological excavations and the subsequent post- Age and Iron Age periods. These discoveries are during the construction phase of the project. We were produced by Paula Reimer and Stephen Hoper excavation analysis. Written in an accessible format, documented within this publication and provide a are also indebted to Sally Hales of Mouchel, Rod of Queen’s University Belfast (CHRONO Lab) and the book presents the results of these extraordinary fascinating glimpse into the past. McCullagh (formerly Historic Environment Scotland) SUERC. archaeological investigations to a wide-ranging and the late Jane Brann, Dumfries & Galloway audience. A monograph presenting more detailed This publication also represents the work of many Council Archaeologist for their support throughout The desk top publishing was carried out by Gillian results of these archaeological investigations will dedicated archaeologists. I would like to take this the fieldwork phases of the project. The excavations Sneddon, and graphics were produced by Gillian follow. opportunity to thank all those at Guard Archaeology, were directed by Warren Bailie and Kevin Mooney Sneddon with assistance from Jennifer Simonson, in particular Warren Bailie and John Atkinson, with assistance from Iraia Arabaolaza, Alan Hunter Jordan Barbour and Nieves Ruiz Nieto. The academic The £17.1 million bypass project opened in March for undertaking the necessary investigations and Blair, Maureen Kilpatrick, Christine Rennie and Beth editor for the work was Dr Kenny Brophy of Glasgow 2014. This involved the construction of a new 5.3 producing this detailed account of the lives of our Spence. Technical support was from Aileen Maule University. The project was managed for GUARD kilometre stretch of the A75 and delivers a number prehistoric ancestors in Galloway. and John Kiely. Archaeology Ltd by Dr John Atkinson. of benefits for the economy and road users, including improved journey time reliability, safety and I hope you enjoy this informative account of the connectivity. Prehistoric Heart of Galloway. Transport Scotland place great importance on meeting our environmental obligations as we Roy Brannen plan and construct essential new infrastructure. In Chief Executive advance of the construction of the bypass, several Transport Scotland 6 7 Drumflower C5 Dunragit Inverness Mid-Challoch Aberdeen West Challoch East Challoch A75(T) Boreland Cottage Upper C1 Droughduil Bridge Glasgow Edinburgh N C2 Stranraer Dunragit A75 0 100 km C6 C6 C6 C7 C9 C12 Mains of Park pond C16 pond C10 C15 C18 C17 Droughduil Holdings B7084 C11 C8 C4 pond Whitecrook Bridge C3 Myrtle Cottage Boreland Cottage Lower A74(T) N Evaluation trench locations along the road line, side roads 0 1 k m and ponds and areas of potential archaeological significance 8 9 Summary Periods and Dating An archaeological evaluation was carried out by archaeology established during the evaluation. The Although there is continued debate on where archaeological discoveries are described. These date GUARD Archaeology Ltd in collaboration with Amey various sites have been grouped and named using periods in prehistory begin and end, influenced ranges are sourced from the Scottish Archaeological plc along the line proposed for the A75 Dunragit local landmarks (see overview of route with site by new research and excavations, it is important Research Framework which draws on the expertise, Bypass. The trial trench evaluation of 10% of the 7.4 locations). The archaeological sites discovered during to set out the current approximate date ranges for knowledge and debate from leading specialists and km development route (including 5.3 km bypass these works represents the rich prehistoric past of each period discussed here. This will enable the academics in their relevant period (https://www. and new side roads) identified eleven main areas of this area of the Dumfries and Galloway coastline reader to understand the framework in which the socantscot.org/research-projects/scarf/). potential archaeological significance. Ten of these over some eight millennia. Among the main findings eleven sites were investigated further by a watching were Mesolithic and Neolithic structures, a Bronze brief in advance of the construction phase of works. Age funerary complex including urn cremations and Droughduil Bridge This was conducted on behalf of the main contractor grave goods such as jet beads and flint tools, and an R J McLeod, which led to an additional 29 sites being extensive unenclosed Iron Age settlement. Mid Challoch excavated. All of the new sites were in proximity to or Whitecrook Bridge directly associated with the areas (1-11) of significant Boreland Cottage Lower Myrtle Cottage West Challoch Drumflower Mains Park Boreland Cottage Upper Droughduil Holdings East Challoch Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Neolithic Bronze Age Iron Age 12700 BC – 4100 BC 4100 BC – 2500 BC 2500 - 800 BC 800 BC - AD 400 10 11 Introduction In August 2012, GUARD Archaeology Ltd began On reviewing the record of known sites in the Historic The excavations, and subsequent analyses of the finds species of plants and wood present to build up to investigate the route of the A75 Bypass around Environment Record for the area, it was clear that and samples, revealed some of the most significant a picture of the environment and economy of Dunragit by an archaeological evaluation. From the there was high potential for previously unknown archaeological discoveries in Scotland in recent prehistoric Dunragit over the past eight thousand outset it was known that the area around Dunragit prehistoric archaeology to survive along the route. decades. A series of archaeological sites spanning years. was rich in prehistoric archaeology, but no one The main aim of the evaluation was therefore to eight millennia included rare Mesolithic settlement could have expected the wealth of sites that lay establish whether any significant archaeological activity, Neolithic ritual activity, Beaker period The presentation of this information ensures that the undiscovered, finds spanning some eight millennia, remains survived below the surface along the burials, Bronze Age ritual and funerary evidence, a archaeological remains of prehistoric Dunragit are making it worthy of the title ‘The Prehistoric Heart of proposed route of the bypass road. series of burnt mounds and an Iron Age settlement. not forgotten and that the picture of life thousands of Galloway.’ years ago is better understood. The initial trial trenches encountered some pits and Each archaeological feature was painstakingly Archaeological evaluations are often required for linear features, some containing lithics, stone tools, excavated and recorded. All of the artefacts, which planning developments where there is potential prehistoric pottery and other material culture. mainly comprised stone tools and pottery sherds, This publication describes the results of for unknown archaeology to be

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