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Derek Hall

University of St Andrews, Medieval History, Honorary Fellow

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Studied archaeology at Weymouth College 1976-1978, worked on digging circuit 1978-1982, then worked for Urban Archaeology Unit and latterly SUAT Ltd based in Perth, Scotland. Following demise of SUAT became an independent contractor in 2009. Medieval pottery specialist since 1979, currently Editor of TAFAC journal, formerly Co-Editor of Medieval Ceramics. Member of EAA, FSA (Scot) and FSA. Member of the Certified Institute for Archaeologists MCiFA. Appeared on Time Team in 2004 (Roxburgh) and Wemyss Caves (2005) as the pottery specialist. As for 2024 is the Lead Archaeologist for the University of St Andrews Monastic Archaeology Field School at Lindores Abbey in Fife.

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Papers by Derek Hall

New Dating Evidence for North Sea Trade Between England, Scotland, and Norway in the 11th Century AD

Radiocarbon, 2010

This study follows on from previous research at Perth, Scotland, in which we dated carbonized foo... more This study follows on from previous research at Perth, Scotland, in which we dated carbonized food residues removed from the external surface of rim sherds of cooking pots of London Sandy Shellyware pottery (Museum of London Pottery Fabric Code SSW).The 15 residues that were dated produced 14 C ages between 910 ± 35 and 1085 ± 40 BP. We have now carried out radiocarbon measurements on similar residues from the same fabric obtained from the Billingsgate excavations in London and the Bryggen excavations in Bergen, Norway.The London and Bergen measurements gave age ranges of 905 ± 35 to 1115 ± 35 BP and 920 ± 35 to 1055 ± 35 BP, respectively, both very similar to the Perth age range. The measurements at each site are in agreement with our Bayesian model assumption that they belong to a single phase of activity. The model estimates the introduction of London Sandy Shellyware in London to cal AD 820-1020, in Perth to cal AD 930-1020, and in Bergen to cal AD 980-1030 (95% probability). Further modeling predicts that it fell out of use in the reverse order.

Excavation of Neolithic enclosures at Cowie Road, Bannockburn, Stirling, 1984-85

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Excavations undertaken in 1984 and 1985 on cropmark sites identified as pit and post alignments r... more Excavations undertaken in 1984 and 1985 on cropmark sites identified as pit and post alignments revealed a bow-ended pit-defined enclosure dated to late-fifth to mid-fourth millennium BC, a post-defined enclosure dated to the mid-fourth to early-third millennium BC, and possible domestic activity. The pits of the enclosure showed up to three phases of use with deposits containing Carinated Bowl-type pottery in the later phases. Medieval or post medieval `rig & furrow' overlay the site and a small assemblage of medieval pottery is also described. There are notes on: `Geology, geomorphology, and soils' by David Jordan (29--31); `Archaeological background' by J S Rideout (31--2); `The palaeochannel' by David Jordan (43--4); `Neolithic pottery' by Trevor Cowie (44--7); `Stone artefacts' by Ann Clarke (48--51); `Radiocarbon dated charcoals' by Michael Cressey (51); the results of radiocarbon dating; `Macroplant assessment' by Tim Holden (53--4); and `Appen...

The development of a medieval street frontage: evidence from excavations at 80-86 High Street, Perth

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

In advance of redevelopment, an excavation was carried out in 1992 by the Scottish Urban Archaeol... more In advance of redevelopment, an excavation was carried out in 1992 by the Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust Ltd (SUAT) at 80-86 High Street, Perth. Three burgageplots were identified on this prime street frontage site, with medieval occupation spanning some three centuries from the mid-to late 12th century through to the late 14th or early 15th century. Structural remains were not well represented, but there was significant evidence for small-scale craftworking on the site. Most importantly, perhaps, the burgage plots had been laid out over a wattle-lined ditch, radiocarbon dated to cal AD 998-1039, which may have defined an enclosure around an early church, the first real evidence (other than stray finds) for pre-burghal settlement in Perth. The project was funded by the developer,

Three excavations in medieval Dumbarton: 94-102 and 101-3 High Street and 75 College Street

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

This report describes the results of three archaeological excavations which took place within the... more This report describes the results of three archaeological excavations which took place within the medieval burgh of Dumbarton, two by Eric Talbot between 1971 and 1972 on the High Street and at College Street and the third, on the High Street, by SUAT in 1997. Evidence of medieval activity, including metal working, was found on burgage plots in the High Street. A large pottery assemblage provided an important opportunity to investigate medieval trends in a west coast burgh, an area hitherto under-represented in ceramic studies. Glass waste at College Street may have originated from the site of the late 18th/19th-century Dumbarton Glassworks.

Four excavations in Perth, 1979-84

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Reports: medieval--post-medieval malting kilns at `Mill Street' by Martin Brann & Neil McGavi... more Reports: medieval--post-medieval malting kilns at `Mill Street' by Martin Brann & Neil McGavin (ed David Bowler) (918--30); early medieval buildings at `King Edward Street' by Peter Clark & Linda Blanchard (ed David Bowler) (931--8); investigations into possible Dominican Friary site at `Kinnoull Street' by David Bowler & Derek Hall (939--47) including cemetery evidence; `Blackfriars House' by David Bowler & Derek Hall (947--54). The artefacts section, by B Ford (959--79) includes notes on: `Horse equipment' by B Ellis (963); `Numismatica' by N Holmes (965); `Porous ceramic material' by C Underwood (965); `Stone shot' by M Brann (966); `Doorway pediment' by N Cameron & D Bowler (966); `Ceramic building material' by D W Hall (968, 970); `Textiles' by H Bennett (971); `Leather' by C Thomas & A Walsh~(971). There are details of `The human skeletal remains from Kinnoull Street' by M Bruce (ed A Cox) (979--85), `Animal bone' by C Sm...

Artefactual, environmental and archaeological evidence from the Holyrood Parliament Site excavations

Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports, 2010

A summary of these specialist reports (Parts 1 and 2) was published in 2008 in the monograph on t... more A summary of these specialist reports (Parts 1 and 2) was published in 2008 in the monograph on the Holyrood Parliament Site Project: Scotland's Parliament Site and the Canongate: Archaeology and History by the Holyrood Archaeology Project Team, Chapter 3.9 & 3.10 (HAPT 2008). Except for sections 3.9 and 3.10, Chapter 3 in that monograph has been repeated here as Part 3, in order to provide the archaeological context for the artefactual and environmental evidence alongside the specialist reports.

The Early Medieval Origin of Perth, Scotland

Radiocarbon, 2007

The radiocarbon results (and Bayesian modeling) of 15 samples of carbonized food residues removed... more The radiocarbon results (and Bayesian modeling) of 15 samples of carbonized food residues removed from the external surface of rim sherds of cooking pots indicate that shellyware pottery first appeared in Perth, Scotland, around cal AD 910–1020 (95% probability) and that it had disappeared by cal AD 1020–1140 (95% probability). Previously, it had been suggested that this pottery could not date to before AD 1150. These data, together with 14C analyses carried out on leather artifacts and a sample of wattle from a ditch lining, also demonstrate that there was occupation in Perth about 100 yr or more prior to the granting of royal burgh status to Perth in the 1120s.

The excavation of a medieval ring-ditch enclosure at Hayknowes Farm, Annan, Dumfries and Galloway

Scottish Archaeological Journal, 2001

Excavation at a crop-mark site found close to Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, revealed evidence of ... more Excavation at a crop-mark site found close to Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, revealed evidence of a ring-ditch containing a number of intriguing internal structures. Initially this was presumed to be a prehistoric monument, but pottery and radiocarbon dating, unexpectedly, indicated that the main structural phase of the site falls between the 11th-13th centuries AD. This suggests that a degree of caution is required when interpreting crop-mark sites on morphological characteristics alone. Moreover this excavation makes clear that morphological interpretation can have a constraining influence on excavation strategy, so caution is required when designing fieldwork programmes.

Excavations at Three Early Bronze Age Burial Monuments in Scotland

Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 1992

The excavations of the cemetery groups at Balneaves, Loanleven and Park of Tongland facilitate an... more The excavations of the cemetery groups at Balneaves, Loanleven and Park of Tongland facilitate an examination of many aspects of Bronze Age burial practices in Scotland. They are notable as much for the differences in burial ritual they imply as for the very narrow chronological period in which they were used. The three sites produced a total of seventeen14C dates, two of which are aberrant, with means of the remaining fifteen falling within a period of 250 years (3370–3610 bp in radiocarbon years). The excavations were sponsored by Historic Scotland (formerly Historic Buildings and Monuments, Scotland).At Balneaves, a penannular ditch enclosed sixteen features, including a group of seven pits with cremation burials, four of which were associated with a distinctive assemblage of collared urns. The cremated bone was well preserved. At least one large standing stone had been erected on the site, and this was buried in the medieval period.At Loanleven, only a segment of the enclosing r...

Sourcing Scottish white gritty ware

Medieval Ceramics, 2003

Following on from the successful pilot study funded by Historic Scotland which assessed the previ... more Following on from the successful pilot study funded by Historic Scotland which assessed the previous work and analyses carried out on Scottish White Gritty Ware pottery, a major investigation of the Scottish White Gritty Ware industry was initiated by Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division and funded by Historic Scotland. The project set out to examine the range and type of vessels, the production areas and chemical composition of the clays used in the production of Scottish White Gritty Ware. The chemical and petrographic analyses aimed to identify the source or sources of the pottery and its distribution within Scotland. Over six hundred sherds of pottery from over forty Scottish archaeological sites were evaluated by chemical analysis using ICP, combined with the petrographic examination of a selection of thin sections. Also undertaken as part of the project were the construction of a Scottish White Gritty Ware vessel typology, a limited programme of clay prospection, a review of past scientific work, glaze analysis, chemical comparisons with English and Continental material and a geophysical survey of the Scottish White Gritty Ware kiln site at Colstoun in East Lothian. The petrographic analyses were carried out on the existing thin section collection housed in the National Museum of Scotland and newly prepared examples from sherds especially selected for the study. The results of the analyses have pointed to the production of White Gritty ware in several areas of Scotland from the Scottish Borders to the Moray Firth and have identified those geographic areas that require further research and excavation. This study has put together the largest and one of the most significant datasets for any Medieval European ceramic industry and has created a major platform for any future work on Scottish ceramics.

The origins of settlements at Kelso and Peebles, Scottish Borders archaeological excavations in Wester and Easter Kelso and Cuddyside/Bridgegate, Peebles by the Border Burghs Archaeology Project and the Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust, 1983--1994

Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports, 2003

This is a report on archaeological work in two of Scotland's less well-known medieval burghs ... more This is a report on archaeological work in two of Scotland's less well-known medieval burghs of Kelso and Peebles. The excavations at Wester Kelso/Floors Castle established that the original medieval burgh of Kelso or Wester Kelso was much further west than previously believed, being situated well inside the present Castle policies. That early settlement at Wester Kelso appears to have been abandoned in the 14th or 15th centuries, at the same time that the royal burgh of Roxburgh was deserted, probably as a result of the English occupation of Roxburgh Castle. The other settlement of Easter Kelso, near the abbey, survived and expanded northwards from the abbey along Roxburgh Street. The finding of a possible building terrace in Phase 1 at 13-19 Roxburgh Street indicates that settlement along the southern end of that street could date to as early as the 13th or 14th centuries. Combining the archaeological, cartographic and documentary evidence, it seems clear that 'Easter'...

The Scottish mediaeval pottery industry - A Pilot Study

TAFAC Journal Volume 4, 1998

The evidence fot medieval pottery production is assessed from both a doumentary and fieldwork poi... more

A Hidden Vernacular? Basic Level Building Survey in Perth and Kinross and beyond

Tayside and Fife Archaeological Journal Volume 28, 2022

It has become common practice in recent years for standing building recording to be requested by ... more It has become common practice in recent years
for standing building recording to be requested
by Local Authority archaeological services when
planning applications are submitted for alterations
to historic buildings. In this paper the author discusses
surveys that he has carried out on various types of
buildings (mainly rural) and discusses the benefit of
such survey.

Preliminary Fieldwork and Analysis of Three Scottish Medieval ‘Deer Parks’

North Berwick, East Lothian: its archaeology revisited

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Nov 30, 1998

An overview of archaeological excavation and research in one of the smaller burghs shows surprisi... more An overview of archaeological excavation and research in one of the smaller burghs shows surprisingly good preservation of deposits, especially beneath wind-blown sand, and evidence of the burgh's origins, topography, development and industries. The early importance of pilgrimage, the role of the Cistercian nunnery and the impact of climate are all subjects for continuing research. This paper is sponsored by Historic Scotland.

9 Medieval Archaeology

Edinburgh University Press eBooks, Jul 30, 2019

The Roman temporary camp at Auchtermuchty, Fife

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Nov 30, 1993

In a watching brief a ditch of Roman type was revealed. No dating evidence was recovered.

Sourcing Scottish medieval ceramics - the use and success of chemical analysis

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

The aim of this summary paper is to review the success of chemical sourcing in the study of the S... more

Pictish Byre-houses at Pitcarmick and their landscape: investigations 1993–5

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Pictish Byre-houses at Pitcarmick and their landscape: investigations 1993-5 martin carver*, John... more Pictish Byre-houses at Pitcarmick and their landscape: investigations 1993-5 martin carver*, John Barrett †, Jane downes ‡ and Janet hooper § with research contributions by alison sheridan, Fraser hunter, Peter rowe, allan hall, mark edmonds, derek hall and matilda holmes aBstract 'Pitcarmick-type' houses were identified by the Royal Commission in north-east Perthshire in 1988 and published in their survey of 1990. Long and narrow with rounded ends, they seemed to occur in a sequence between prehistoric roundhouses and medieval and post-medieval dwellings. They were therefore provisionally assigned to the later 1st millennium ad, a period associated in this region with the Picts. Excavations by John Barrett and Jane Downes at Pitcarmick (North) in 1993-5 defined the basic properties of two Pitcarmick-type houses and produced radiocarbon dates between the 8th and 11th centuries. A subsequent survey of the broader landscape by Janet Hooper offered a sequence of the main phases of occupation and their context. The Pitcarmick upland had been settled in the Bronze Age with circular stone-and-turf houses, thought to represent a series of self-supporting farmsteads using mixed farming and in touch with similar settlements in adjacent territory. Two thousand years later, Early Historic settlers inserted their dwellings into this relict landscape, also practising mixed stock and crop farming. In the Middle Ages, the land was settled by farmers who kept sheep and ploughed the earlier settlement areas. The post-medieval period is represented by a group of shielings on the eastern edge of the prehistoric and early medieval settlement area, where ploughing continued. These investigations are here brought to press by Martin Carver, supported by Historic Scotland and a team of specialists who examined the quartz, charcoal, animal bone and pottery and produced a tighter array of radiocarbon dates. This account proposes that the Bronze Age roundhouses are of conventional type, with a central hearth, entrances facing south-east, and roofs supported by a post-ring. The two Pictish buildings are defined as longhouses with byres (properly byre-houses), constructed with turf-and-stone layered walls and timber roof-supports. Occupants sheltered round a hearth at the west end and animals were stalled either side of a paved drain at the east end. These houses are radiocarbon-dated to the period c ad 700-850. Both buildings had been reused between c ad 1000 and 1200 and both were subsequently flattened by later medieval and post-medieval ploughing, the effects of which severely inhibited subsequent interpretation. While Pictish in date and territorial affiliation, these longhouses exhibit strong links with preceding and contemporary practice across the North Sea. Their form currently stands in marked contrast both to their prehistoric predecessors and to contemporary neighbouring settlement in Britain. * department of archaeology, university of york, king's manor, york yo1 7eP

Excavation of an unnamed castle at Cullykhan, Castle Point, Troup

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

The peninsula known as Castle Point, Troup, was occupied or used from the late Neolithic period t... more The peninsula known as Castle Point, Troup, was occupied or used from the late Neolithic period to the Second World War. This paper deals with the construction and use of the castle, from the 13th to 17th centuries. The excavations of the castle site revealed the footings of a rectangular tower, with a cobbled courtyard and the remains of a kitchen range to its south-east. Within the kitchen was a collapsed fireplace arch bearing two similar mason's marks. A small quantity of pottery sherds, three coins, dated to the 16th century, and a few other artefacts were also recovered. Evidence of earlier medieval structures underlay the kitchen area, including a number of stone drains, two narrow clay-lined channels and a pit.