Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 137

Describes the rescue excavation of a short cist burial of Bronze Age date.

Reports the excavation of a cist cemetery and a standing stone on the Firth of Clyde. Eighteen cists, dated to the Early Bronze Age, were discovered. Thirteen of these contained human remains and/or artefacts. At the beginning of the second millennium BC these cists were covered by a mound; there is evidence to suggest further burials were inserted into the mound, though these do not survive. During the late second millennium BC a standing stone was erected approximately 35m to the north of the cist cemetery. Deposits of cremated human bone were associated with the construction of the mound, allowing precise dating of this event.

Reports on the excavation of a multi-ditched and multi-palisaded late prehistoric enclosure (and subsequent unenclosed settlement). The site was totally excavated, and extensive sampling and on-site dry sieving was used to ensure maximum information retrieval. The site consisted of large numbers of ditches and palisades, with several structures of undetermined function. It is noted that stratigraphic relationships were difficult to determine due to plough damage. The site is notable for the recovery of a large cannel coal assemblage, consisting of debris from the manufacture of items of jewellery.

Describes the excavation of the ninth-century Dupplin Cross in the parkland of Dupplin Castle prior to its removal to St Serf's church, Dunning, to prevent further deterioration from weathering. The form of the cross is described in detail, and the documentary and previous archaeological evidence reviewed. The excavation suggested that the cross remained in its original setting, despite extensive conservation work during the 1920s.

Describes and catalogues twenty nine ceramic vessels which had contained coin hoards, found in Scotland since the late eighteenth century. Discusses the value of the hoards to dating of the vessels, and the opportunity this presents to refine the dating of archaeological sites via stratified pottery assemblages.

Considers the problem of lock picking as a means of unlawful entry in early modern Scottish towns, and responses to this problem by craft guilds. Discusses the lock technology available during this period, using surviving locks and lock picks (the latter mainly from the collection of the 'notorious' Deacon Brodie) alongside documentary evidence. Evidence for the response of locksmiths to the problems of lock picking is also drawn from both artefactual and documentary evidence.

Reports the excavations of the Summerlee Ironworks in the late 1980s. These were in operation from 1836-1932 when the works ceased production and the building complex was blown up. Excavations revealed the remains of four blast furnaces, five heating stoves, an engine house, boiler bases, numerous flues and channels, a retaining wall, the base of a water tower, and the chemical plant. The technology of nineteenth-century iron working is reviewed, and related to the structures uncovered at Summerlee. Most of the features discovered relate to late-nineteenth/ early-twentieth-century remodelling and upgrading of the plant; however the bases of some of the furnace arches are probably part of the original construction. The manufacturers of bricks recovered during the excavation are listed, and there is a brief description of the other artefacts retained, consisting largely of metal fragments, tools, and metal working debris. It is noted that the metal finds have deteriorated very badly since their excavation, with the exception of the cast iron artefacts.