Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 116

Concerned about destruction of monuments, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland requested, in 1855, that sites be included in the first OS maps. From the mid 18th century, names of features had been recorded. The Scottish Object Name Books have survived. F B

A second excavation on the W coast of N Jura confirmed a Jura Phase 3 (final Mesolithic) occupation overlying a Phase 2 site. Carbon dating of a typologically similar Phase 3 site on the E coast suggested a late 4th millennium occupation. Au (abr)

Neo and IA pottery was found but the multiple ramparts were all of Dark Age date. Ramparts 1 and 3 were timber-laced and had been burnt; radiocarbon dates suggest construction in the 6th/7th century AD. Rampart 2, on a different line, incorporated mortared Roman stones. Finds include a metal disc in hanging-bowl style and a group of clay moulds for penannular brooches of 8th century type. Au (abr)

Recent work suggests that the industry was more extensive than had been believed. Two programmes are to examine possible local products through mineral analysis and through thin-section petrology and neutron activation analysis. Au

A small excavation revealed a single ditch with associated rampart and intervallum features. Old finds suggest Flavian and Antonine occupation. F B

The earliest, most classical carvings of the crescent and V-rod, the double disc with Z-rod, and the Pictish beast are found in three distinct, fairly localized areas and can be ascribed to slightly different dates. The sequence of decline into simplified forms offers a method of determining the relative ages of individual examples. F B

The results of fieldwalking on the mound, where substantial structural stones had been disturbed by ploughing, suggested an industrial site, perhaps associated with the Norse site of the Earl's Bu. Furnace linings, crucibles, ingot mould, etc are reported. F B/Ed

The unicameral chapel had an early timber phase, possibly stone clad, with a timber altar and two infant burials. The later stone chapel with stone altar and enclosure wall had four burials, three of them minors. The only dating evidence was a 10th century AS silver penny between the timber and stone phases. The surrounding rectangular and circular buildings have not been excavated. No final interpretation can be made, but it is likely to be a non-monastic chapel of Norse origin which remained a place of pilgrimage until the 19th century. F B (See also 88/1880, 1934.)

The four fragments are the only known Early Christian (11th-12th century) Scottish crosiers. They are so closely related to those of pre-Norman N Ireland, but with a lag of 50 to 100 years, as to suggest that Irish craftsmen settled in Scotland and continued to work in the style current when they migrated. Lost examples are listed. F B

Investigations reveal the loch's origins as lying in human exploitation of peat deposits combined with extreme natural events which culminated during 1st millennium AD. Au (abr)

Survey revealed about seventy settlement clusters. From 330 to 500m above sea level are deserted farmsteads, many associated with field systems and corn kilns; above 500m, shealings and enclosures associated with the summering of stock. An attempt is made to relate their chronology to population distribution and the development of the deer forests. Au (abr)