Medieval Archaeology 37

A European perspective to the current debate on the nature of archaeology and its relationship with history is given. Whilst some of the concepts are complex, it is important that medieval archaeology recognises its importance as a field of research likely to yield valuable insights into the nature of archaeological data, the ways in which inferences about the past can be drawn, and the similarities and differences between archaeology, anthropology and history.

An assemblage of articulated timbers was recovered from an eleventh-century waterfront where they had been reused. They had originally formed part of an arcade of a tenth-century building and exhibit as yet unparalleled features, including the use of an ogival arch. Dendrochronological dating suggests felling of the timbers between AD~956 and 979. I Tyers provides the tree-ring analysis (90-1) and D Goodburn-Brown comments on the conservage of the arcade post assemblage (91).

Documentary sources identify the deserted settlement of Rattray, Aberdeenshire, as a royal burgh from the mid sixteenth century and as a probable burgh of barony from the thirteenth century. Excavation has revealed a more complex settlement history with a late twelfth- or early thirteenth-century defensive motte having been replaced by a more manorial establishment which encouraged the development of an adjacent settlement between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. Domestic and industrial areas were excavated including metal-working and potting tenements. The form of the settlement and its inter-relationships with its natural and cultivated hinterland are examined. An historical background is given by J A Cripps (111-13) who also examines the documentary evidence for the burgh topography (116-17). I Fisher discusses St Mary's Chapel (117-19). H K Murray describes the various buildings, structures and zones (128-47). J C Murray provides a catalogue of ceramic finds (148-169) for which N H Trewin describes the thin-section analysis of some of the fabrics (149). R M Spearman & I Cullen examine the industrial debris (171-2). The coins were studied by S Thain (174-5,) and the iron objects by I H Goodall (175-88) with the timber, horse-shoe nails (H K Murray; 179 & 185,) and spurs (B M A Ellis; 185-8) described by others. Alison R Goodall describes the copper alloy and lead objects (188-94). F McCormick identifies the species and bones used for a range of other objects (197) and N H Trewin identifies the geological nature of the stone objects (197-9). J Stones looks at the window glass (199) and C Pamela Graves at a glass vessel fragment (199-201). The bone assemblage and animal husbandry are commented upon by S Hamilton-Dyer, F McCormick, H K Murray & J C Murray (203-5) all of whom also examine hunting and fishing (205-6). Appendices cover the imported pottery (J C Murray; 209 - 211,) the industrial debris (R M Spearman & I Cullen; 211-12) and the animal bone (212-14).

Descriptions are given of these two tenth-century objects. These are the first ingots found in this area - one where hack silver of any form is rare in hoards. It is argued that these ingots of a standard weight (one third of the standard Viking Age 25g unit) indicate a bullion economy, albeit a short-lived one in this area at this time.