Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 110

NR 644874. A large quantity of microliths and three stone-built rings, perhaps cooking-places, represent occupation dated by 14C to the later 7th millennium bc; later material reflects activity on the site into Neolithic times. A R

An account of eleven undatable short cists containing cremation burials and vitreous material but no grave-goods. A R

NO 084324. A settlement of round timber houses included one particularly large house from which a stone-built souterrain was entered. 14C dates indicate that the souterrain was built about the 1st century BC and filled in around 200 AD, but there is evidence to suggest that activity on this extensive site continued into the 9th century AD. A note by G Barclay compares the souterrain with others in Perthshire and Angus. A R

NS 843798. The N and W ramparts of the fort and part of the praetentura were examined. The 'additional margins' of the W rampart were shown to be an ascensus on the inside, and interleaved road surfaces and rampart tumble on the outside. The earliest structures in the praetentura appeared to be temporary and were followed by two timber buildings, presumably barrack-blocks. All evidence for putative Antonine II buildings had been removed in 1903 but there were traces of ?lean-to buildings against the inside races of the W and N ramparts. Occupation continued into the early 160s. Au(abr)

A discussion of the historical and archaeological evidence for an Irish attack on Britain in the period between the end of the Third Pictish War (c 460) and Gildas' account of it (c 545) in which he implies that the Irish returned. An attack around AD 530 seems acceptable, led by Cairell of the Dál Fiatach of Ulster. A R

Low mounds surrounded by rectilinear or circular ditches and low rectilinear and circular kerbed cairns, both groups covering extended inhumation burials, represent a funerary tradition of the pre-Viking Iron Age, predominantly in N Scotland. Sometimes forming cemeteries, these mounds and cairns are loosely associated with Pictish symbol stones, and a possible origin in La Tène burial tradition is suggested. A R

NT 520709. Excavation of two kilns yielded a very large assemblage of wheel-thrown vessels in typically pale fabric with thick yellow, green or brown glazes. Cooking pots and jugs predominate, the jugs decorated mostly with applied strips but also with face-masks; mid to later 13th century. A R

[NO 7975]. Estate in same family since 12th century. Buildings erected round a wedge-shaped courtyard: hallhouse of c 1420 extended c 1480 when camera built opposite on earlier wall (plinth paralleled in parish kirk dedicated 1242). Additions of 16th and 17th centuries (fine ceilings) but main house rebuilt 1755 (contract reproduced). D F R

NK 101256, NJ 991212. Two flint working sites examined many years ago at Forvie and Menie Links yielded numerous rod microliths which identify these sites as among the most northerly Meso sites in Britain.