Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 118

This review of the present evidence concludes that endemic, wild reindeer became extinct in Britain c 8000 years ago. Au

Further excavation and pedological analysis of the gully forming the southern perimeter of the henge suggest that the channel previously interpreted as a natural stream (see 83/10516) is in fact the 'missing' southern segment of henge ditch. Au

Cist burial of a six or seven year old, accompanied by a Late Northern/Step 5 beaker; evidence complicated by the presence in the beaker of a fragment of lead glass. A R

Reports growing evidence for the enclosure of open moorland in northern and western Scotland in the early 1st millennium bc. Some trace of cereal cultivation nearby. A R

A co-linear alignment of pits and ditch segments accompanied by a bank is cut by the ramparts of an enclosure annexed to an Iron Age fort. Three consecutive pits may have held posts, whereas the rest had been used for quarrying. They may be the relics of pre-Iron Age earthworks, including a larger system of land divisions. Finds comprise a stone ard and two plain stone balls. Au (adp AR)

Antonine 1 structures include timber buildings and a stone furnace, while Antonine 2 saw rebuilding on a much grander scale with massive timber buildings and one stone building, all set on a grid with cobbled roads. Evidence of industrial activity may include production of a type of pottery unique to Inveresk. Other finds consist of iron tools, bronze jewellery, samian pottery and glass, some of unexpectedly high quality. A R

Excavations (1956-7) on a rock outcrop immediately west of Iona Abbey revealed a sub-rectangular building and a later cross-base. The possible identification of the building with one of the cells of St Columba is considered. Au (abr)

Radiocarbon dating of grain from circular kilns indicates that this type of kiln, traditionally regarded as being 16th to l9th century, was in use at least 500 years earlier. Au (sl abr A R)

Excavations at Threave and Smailholm argue against the conventional model of the free-standing and self-contained towerhouse by demonstrating the presence alongside of additional residential and service buildings. Analysis of the floor areas of three Douglas towerhouses (Threave, Newark and Hermitage) shows the accommodation within the towerhouse to have been inadequate for the needs of the Douglas family. A R

Records kept in the royal burgh of Selkirk concerning the regulation of staple foodstuffs, markets, weights and measures and craft guilds show the importance of co-operation and self-regulation within the trade community. A R

Under the title 'An Heroic Age: war and society in northern Britain, AD 450-850', six lectures were given using documentary and archaeological evidence.