Tayside Fife Archaeol J 4

A substantial mound was subject to archaeological evaluation to determine the impact of current disturbance. The monument was found to be prehistoric in date and to have been extensively disturbed. Management issues are discussed.

Records a watching brief during installation of two new water mains in Fife. After an introduction, including `Geophysical survey' by Robert James & Gavin McGregor (69), come reports on four excavations at Kirkton, Scotsarvit, Eden Wood and Forgan, respectively. `A Bronze Age cemetery at Kirkton' (69--78) includes `The cremations' by Julie Roberts (71--3), `The lithics' by Mike Donnelly (73--4), `The copper-alloy fragment' (74--5), `The Food Vessel' (75--6) by Gavin MacGregor, and `Residue analysis of the Food Vessel' by Marcia Taylor (76--7). `Dark Age and medieval settlement at Scotstarvit' (79--90) includes `The medieval ceramics from Scotstarvit' by Robert S Will (83--4), `The spindle-whorl' by Gavin MacGregor (84), `Palaeo-botanical analysis' by Diane Aldritt (84--8), `Burnt bone' by Julie Roberts (88) and `Burnt and industrial debris' by Irene Cullen (88). `The Roman camp at Eden Wood' is discussed by Gavin MacGregor & Alan Leslie (90--2). `Forgan smithy' is by Duncan Abernethy, Iain Banks, Alan Leslie, Gavin MacGregor & Eland Stuart (93--6) and includes `The lithics' by Mike Donnelly (94--5) and `The medieval and post-medieval ceramics at Forgan smithy' by Robert Will (95).

The house had two main phases. The earlier, between the fourth century BC and second century AD, was 20m diameter with bank, ring ditch and posthole circle. Subsequently a ring groove holding a wooden fence was constructed. Traces of activity from the third millennium BC were also identified. There are contributions on `Geology and soils' (109), `Soil analyses' (113--14), `Soil micromorphology' (114--16) by Clare Ellis; `Macroplant remains' by Dorothy Rankin (116--20); and `Vitrified fuel ash' by Andrew Heald (120)

Discusses questions of production, iconography, dating and consumption in relation to a thirteenth-century pewter mirror-case newly-recognised in Perth Museum and Art Gallery.

Assesses documentary and field evidence for pottery production in medieval Scotland, presents a case study of the Carse of Gowrie and recommends avenues for further research. Appendix 1 lists redware fabrics currently identified from excavation.

The courtyard of Culross Palace, Fife, was enclosed in the nineteenth century, though standing buildings around it date from the late-sixteenth and early-seventeenth centuries. The approach to the Palace was paved in the eighteenth century. Neither date of construction nor function of the nearby Bessie Bar Hall could be confirmed. There are contributions on finds by: Julie Franklin (223--4) `The small finds'; Naomi Crowley `The pottery' (224) and `Building materials' (226); Robin Murdoch (224--6) `Glass'; Dennis Gallagher (226) `Clay tobacco pipes' and Irene Cullen (226--7) `Iron-working debris'.

Excavations and research since the early 1980s have provided insights into the origins and character of the medieval burgh of Arbroath and demonstrated the continuing potential for survival of archaeological remains. Early burials (one prehistoric and three possibly early Christian) and structural remains of late medieval stone buildings have been found, as well as property boundaries, domestic occupation and cultivation of backlands. The nature of the pre-burghal settlement, the burgh's development and the role of Arbroath Abbey are all subjects for continuing research.

Describes artefacts recovered from rescue excavations at four post-medieval graveyard sites, at Kinnoul, Perthshire and at Dunino and Leslie, Fife, and discusses their significance, including inferences about social and psychological aspects of communities and about customs, beliefs and social hierarchies.