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A number of features of the assemblage give hints about the nature of activities at the Brachead site. The absence of quern stones is interesting, and likely to be significant given the scale of excavation; this, along with the restricted size and range of this assemblage (despite near- total excavation) point towards the site being temporarily occupied, perhaps on a seasonal basis, rather than representing a permanent settlement. The pot lids perhaps hints that the occupants may have brought with them a certain Most items have been manufactured from local materials, especially quartzite cobbles. A number of non-local stones were also used (greywacke from the Southern Uplands and Dalradian chlorite schists from the southern Highlands), but the evidence suggests these were glacially transported and would have been locally available in drift deposits. One whetstone was made from a fossil, and this may have been deliberately selected because it was unusual.

Figure 35 A number of features of the assemblage give hints about the nature of activities at the Brachead site. The absence of quern stones is interesting, and likely to be significant given the scale of excavation; this, along with the restricted size and range of this assemblage (despite near- total excavation) point towards the site being temporarily occupied, perhaps on a seasonal basis, rather than representing a permanent settlement. The pot lids perhaps hints that the occupants may have brought with them a certain Most items have been manufactured from local materials, especially quartzite cobbles. A number of non-local stones were also used (greywacke from the Southern Uplands and Dalradian chlorite schists from the southern Highlands), but the evidence suggests these were glacially transported and would have been locally available in drift deposits. One whetstone was made from a fossil, and this may have been deliberately selected because it was unusual.

Related Figures (55)

ItLus | Location of Braehead
ItLus | Location of Braehead
ILLus 2 Aerial photograph of site lying just to the west of King George V Dock (58/RAF/8893) (© Crown Copyright: RCAHMS)
ILLus 2 Aerial photograph of site lying just to the west of King George V Dock (58/RAF/8893) (© Crown Copyright: RCAHMS)
Lus3_ Plan of Braehead showing the location of palisades, structures, ditches and other isolated features. KEY: S = structure; P = palisade; BT = bedding trench; G = gully
Lus3_ Plan of Braehead showing the location of palisades, structures, ditches and other isolated features. KEY: S = structure; P = palisade; BT = bedding trench; G = gully
ItLus 5 Plan of Structure 5 and the western entrances of Palisades A/B and G even with BT6 (illus 3 & 18); this would create an enclosure roughly 30mx20m. Postholes 2006] and [1957] lay immediately to the west of the western terminals of Palisades A and B and may have been the foundations for gate piers and thus part of a gate structure closing off the western entrance; this entrance would have been about 1.10m wide (illus 5). This entrance finds parallels at Leven (Atkinson 2000), Ingam Hill (Jobey 1971), Myrehead (Barclay 1983) southern, easterly terminal was hard to define as it petered out into a series of shallow postholes (illus 18) and therefore it is unclear whether a full circuit of this palisade survives. The bedding trench of Palisade A/B exhibited a clear terminus on the western side of the site and then appeared to resume just over 1m to the north-east in the form of BT3 (illus 3). It is therefore possible that Palisade B was a continuation of Palisade A, petering out at postholes [2349] to [2327] or
ItLus 5 Plan of Structure 5 and the western entrances of Palisades A/B and G even with BT6 (illus 3 & 18); this would create an enclosure roughly 30mx20m. Postholes 2006] and [1957] lay immediately to the west of the western terminals of Palisades A and B and may have been the foundations for gate piers and thus part of a gate structure closing off the western entrance; this entrance would have been about 1.10m wide (illus 5). This entrance finds parallels at Leven (Atkinson 2000), Ingam Hill (Jobey 1971), Myrehead (Barclay 1983) southern, easterly terminal was hard to define as it petered out into a series of shallow postholes (illus 18) and therefore it is unclear whether a full circuit of this palisade survives. The bedding trench of Palisade A/B exhibited a clear terminus on the western side of the site and then appeared to resume just over 1m to the north-east in the form of BT3 (illus 3). It is therefore possible that Palisade B was a continuation of Palisade A, petering out at postholes [2349] to [2327] or
ILLus 6 Sections through the inner ditch showing Palisades D and E, and Structure |
ILLus 6 Sections through the inner ditch showing Palisades D and E, and Structure |
ILLus 7 Abutting postholes within the bedding trench of Palisade C
ILLus 7 Abutting postholes within the bedding trench of Palisade C
LUS 8 Only the bases of the postholes in Palisade C survive along this stretch, showing the degree of plough truncation on the western side of the enclosure terminal within structure Sz (illus 16). both palisade terminals were difficult to define due to plough truncation and animal burrowing but there was gap of around 2.5m which may have served as the entrance. The larger cut at the southern terminal together with the presence of stone packing is interpreted as the remnants of a substantial post and may be mirrored on the northern side by posthole [2110] which was 0.50mx0.33m diameter and 0.09m deep (illus 18). The cut of the bedding trench of Palisade C was almost vertical sided with a fairly flat base that was occasionally U or V-shaped and measured from 0.09m to 0.95m wide, averaging around 0.35m (illus 13 — Sections 8, P,D, A &
LUS 8 Only the bases of the postholes in Palisade C survive along this stretch, showing the degree of plough truncation on the western side of the enclosure terminal within structure Sz (illus 16). both palisade terminals were difficult to define due to plough truncation and animal burrowing but there was gap of around 2.5m which may have served as the entrance. The larger cut at the southern terminal together with the presence of stone packing is interpreted as the remnants of a substantial post and may be mirrored on the northern side by posthole [2110] which was 0.50mx0.33m diameter and 0.09m deep (illus 18). The cut of the bedding trench of Palisade C was almost vertical sided with a fairly flat base that was occasionally U or V-shaped and measured from 0.09m to 0.95m wide, averaging around 0.35m (illus 13 — Sections 8, P,D, A &
ILLus9 Sections through the outer ditch (L), pit [1576] (M) and Structure 2 (N)
ILLus9 Sections through the outer ditch (L), pit [1576] (M) and Structure 2 (N)
ILLus 10 View looking east through the eastern entrance, with the junction between S1 (to the right) and S2 (to the left) in the foreground Block 4 consists of the outer ditch, the middle ditch and the inner ditch (illus 3 & 38). No direct stratigraphic relationship between the posts may have formed the supports for an inner ring-beam for the roof while postholes [2348], [2086], [1271] and [2263] were perhaps part of the circle that formed the exterior wall.
ILLus 10 View looking east through the eastern entrance, with the junction between S1 (to the right) and S2 (to the left) in the foreground Block 4 consists of the outer ditch, the middle ditch and the inner ditch (illus 3 & 38). No direct stratigraphic relationship between the posts may have formed the supports for an inner ring-beam for the roof while postholes [2348], [2086], [1271] and [2263] were perhaps part of the circle that formed the exterior wall.
ILLus 11 Plan of the three ditch terminals and Palisades E and F
ILLus 11 Plan of the three ditch terminals and Palisades E and F
ILLus 13 Sections through the inner ditch showing Palisades A, C, D and G, and Structures 5 and 6
ILLus 13 Sections through the inner ditch showing Palisades A, C, D and G, and Structures 5 and 6
ILLus 14 South-facing section through inner ditch showing lens of dumped domestic refuse Inner ditch: The inner ditch again showed considerable variation about its circuit (illus 3; 6 — Section F, G, B, H, & E; 13 — Section S, P, D, A & Q). The breadth of the ditch varied between 1.59 and 3.12m. The southern terminal was 040m deep (illus 6 — Section G) and the northern terminal was 0.65m deep, while along the western section of the enclosure the ditch was only 0.12m deep. The deepest section was on the southern section between S1 and S3 where the ditch was up to 0.70m deep. At the terminals the fills included re-deposited peat, sand and silt, dumped domestic refuse (including charcoal, burnt peat clasts, ash, artefacts), silts rich in organic matter, and occasional sand lenses. Further away from the ditch terminals the sequence generally became less complex comprising predominantly a primary silt high Middle ditch: Although the form of the middle ditch was also uneven around its circuit it was the least distorted of the three ditches (illus 3). The two ditch terminals were broad and steep sided with flat bases and formed an entrance up to 5m wide (illus 11). The breadth of the ditch varied between 3.30m and 1.10m and the depth between 0.8m and 0.25m (illus 12). In the deeper portions of the ditch, the primary fill comprised a re-deposited peat, sand, and silt, overlain by silts rich in organic matter with some sand lens. Where the ditch was shallower the fills comprised
ILLus 14 South-facing section through inner ditch showing lens of dumped domestic refuse Inner ditch: The inner ditch again showed considerable variation about its circuit (illus 3; 6 — Section F, G, B, H, & E; 13 — Section S, P, D, A & Q). The breadth of the ditch varied between 1.59 and 3.12m. The southern terminal was 040m deep (illus 6 — Section G) and the northern terminal was 0.65m deep, while along the western section of the enclosure the ditch was only 0.12m deep. The deepest section was on the southern section between S1 and S3 where the ditch was up to 0.70m deep. At the terminals the fills included re-deposited peat, sand and silt, dumped domestic refuse (including charcoal, burnt peat clasts, ash, artefacts), silts rich in organic matter, and occasional sand lenses. Further away from the ditch terminals the sequence generally became less complex comprising predominantly a primary silt high Middle ditch: Although the form of the middle ditch was also uneven around its circuit it was the least distorted of the three ditches (illus 3). The two ditch terminals were broad and steep sided with flat bases and formed an entrance up to 5m wide (illus 11). The breadth of the ditch varied between 3.30m and 1.10m and the depth between 0.8m and 0.25m (illus 12). In the deeper portions of the ditch, the primary fill comprised a re-deposited peat, sand, and silt, overlain by silts rich in organic matter with some sand lens. Where the ditch was shallower the fills comprised
ILLus 15 Packing stones in BT12
ILLus 15 Packing stones in BT12
ILLus 16 Plan of Structures 3 and 4
ILLus 16 Plan of Structures 3 and 4
ILLus 17 Plan of Structure 6 depth. A bedding trench and an irregular line of stones defined its course over the middle ditch, but much of the circuit had been destroyed by the plough or was not visible. The two postholes [2006] and [1957] may be associated with this inner gully as they occur on its extrapolated course, although an association with Palisade A has also been suggested (Block 1 above).
ILLus 17 Plan of Structure 6 depth. A bedding trench and an irregular line of stones defined its course over the middle ditch, but much of the circuit had been destroyed by the plough or was not visible. The two postholes [2006] and [1957] may be associated with this inner gully as they occur on its extrapolated course, although an association with Palisade A has also been suggested (Block 1 above).
ILLus 18 Plan of Structures | and 2 and Palisade E
ILLus 18 Plan of Structures | and 2 and Palisade E
ILLus 19 View of S1 with the gully fully excavated Structure 1: S1 comprised a circular gully with a diameter of approximately 11.5m and an east facing entrance approximately 2.5m across (illus 18 & 19). Posthole [1745] lay at the centre of $1. The U-shaped gully measured up to 1.25m wide and was up to 0.60m deep (illus 6 — Sections B & H). The gully fill comprised a lower clay loam, overlain by a silt loam, overlain by a clay lining which was finally overlain by another silt loam; the use of the gully Pit [1652]: Pit [1652] was located on the northern side of the site, just on the interior of the inner ditch (illus 17). It measured 1.6m wide and 0.38m deep and had a silt loam fill with numerous charcoal fragments. Pit [1652] cut Palisade B.
ILLus 19 View of S1 with the gully fully excavated Structure 1: S1 comprised a circular gully with a diameter of approximately 11.5m and an east facing entrance approximately 2.5m across (illus 18 & 19). Posthole [1745] lay at the centre of $1. The U-shaped gully measured up to 1.25m wide and was up to 0.60m deep (illus 6 — Sections B & H). The gully fill comprised a lower clay loam, overlain by a silt loam, overlain by a clay lining which was finally overlain by another silt loam; the use of the gully Pit [1652]: Pit [1652] was located on the northern side of the site, just on the interior of the inner ditch (illus 17). It measured 1.6m wide and 0.38m deep and had a silt loam fill with numerous charcoal fragments. Pit [1652] cut Palisade B.
Radiocarbon dates. Calibration based on OxCal v3.10 (2005) TABLE |
Radiocarbon dates. Calibration based on OxCal v3.10 (2005) TABLE |
ILLus 20 The radiocarbon dates from the site (OxCal 3.10 (2005))
ILLus 20 The radiocarbon dates from the site (OxCal 3.10 (2005))
Character of key cannel coal and shale assemblages in west-central Scotland of Iron Age—Early Historic date examined by the writer
Character of key cannel coal and shale assemblages in west-central Scotland of Iron Age—Early Historic date examined by the writer
ILLus 21 Production sequence of a cannel coal bracelet
ILLus 21 Production sequence of a cannel coal bracelet
Working debris
Working debris
ILLus 23 Edge-trimming flakes As illus 30 shows, the vast majority of the working debris comes from the ditch fills, and thus does not represent in situ working deposits.
ILLus 23 Edge-trimming flakes As illus 30 shows, the vast majority of the working debris comes from the ditch fills, and thus does not represent in situ working deposits.
ILLus 24 Distribution of the working debris, grey squares marked sampled contexts where no debris was recovered
ILLus 24 Distribution of the working debris, grey squares marked sampled contexts where no debris was recovered
ILLus 25 Distribution of the cannel coal finds, excluding working debris some curation of broken roughouts, perhaps on the off-chance they could be reused, with final deposition taking place later, perhaps when the inhabitants left the site. Alternatively broken or discarded roughouts may have been thrown away immediately rather than left to lie on the working surface. There is also a small separate cluster of gathered blocks in the north-west corner of the outer ditch, suggesting the disposal of a small stockpile. It is worth comparing this to the deposition of other materials. Coarse stone shows a broadly similar pattern to roughouts, although with a near-total absence from the middle ditch (illus 36). This supports the idea that roughouts were treated in the same way as other discarded artefacts. Pottery is markedly different, focusing much more strongly in the west (and especially south-west) of the site (illus 34). This is likely to indicate different activity areas;
ILLus 25 Distribution of the cannel coal finds, excluding working debris some curation of broken roughouts, perhaps on the off-chance they could be reused, with final deposition taking place later, perhaps when the inhabitants left the site. Alternatively broken or discarded roughouts may have been thrown away immediately rather than left to lie on the working surface. There is also a small separate cluster of gathered blocks in the north-west corner of the outer ditch, suggesting the disposal of a small stockpile. It is worth comparing this to the deposition of other materials. Coarse stone shows a broadly similar pattern to roughouts, although with a near-total absence from the middle ditch (illus 36). This supports the idea that roughouts were treated in the same way as other discarded artefacts. Pottery is markedly different, focusing much more strongly in the west (and especially south-west) of the site (illus 34). This is likely to indicate different activity areas;
ILLus 26 Range of the maximum diameters of the cannel coal finds Although jewellery-making debris of canne coal, shale and similar materials has regularly been recovered from Scottish later prehistoric and Early Historic sites, it has never received the attention it deserves. This is surprising because its importance was recognized long ago by Callander in a seminal study of jet and related items in Scottish prehistory (Callander 1916). It certainly merits more attention, as it is one of the few craft processes we can reconstruct in detail, and one which is abundant in areas near the raw materials, especially central and western Scotland and coastal Sutherland. Elsewhere the subject has seen more study: the Kimmeridge shale industry of Dorset, while there are valuable site-specific studies from Bronze Age sites in Derbyshire (Calkin 1955; Beswick 1979; Radley 1969; Cox & Mills 1991). Further afield, the
ILLus 26 Range of the maximum diameters of the cannel coal finds Although jewellery-making debris of canne coal, shale and similar materials has regularly been recovered from Scottish later prehistoric and Early Historic sites, it has never received the attention it deserves. This is surprising because its importance was recognized long ago by Callander in a seminal study of jet and related items in Scottish prehistory (Callander 1916). It certainly merits more attention, as it is one of the few craft processes we can reconstruct in detail, and one which is abundant in areas near the raw materials, especially central and western Scotland and coastal Sutherland. Elsewhere the subject has seen more study: the Kimmeridge shale industry of Dorset, while there are valuable site-specific studies from Bronze Age sites in Derbyshire (Calkin 1955; Beswick 1979; Radley 1969; Cox & Mills 1991). Further afield, the
ILLUS 27 (a) Toolmarks from a gouge on edge of SF 123; (b) Partial perforation of SF 123 showing toolmarks, probably from a gouge; (c) Initial stages of perforation on SF 153, showing toolmarks from a fine point or gouge; (d) Perforation on SF 162, showing toolmarks, probably from a gouge
ILLUS 27 (a) Toolmarks from a gouge on edge of SF 123; (b) Partial perforation of SF 123 showing toolmarks, probably from a gouge; (c) Initial stages of perforation on SF 153, showing toolmarks from a fine point or gouge; (d) Perforation on SF 162, showing toolmarks, probably from a gouge
the initial shaping and final working may have taken place at different spots, and thus that the raw materials may have been gathered at some distance from the site where the products ended
the initial shaping and final working may have taken place at different spots, and thus that the raw materials may have been gathered at some distance from the site where the products ended
ILLus 29 Part-perforated roughouts
ILLus 29 Part-perforated roughouts
ILLus 32 Perforated roughouts — finishing in progress
ILLus 32 Perforated roughouts — finishing in progress
List of pottery vessels, with contextual information
List of pottery vessels, with contextual information
ILLus 34 Distribution of later prehistoric ceramics
ILLus 34 Distribution of later prehistoric ceramics
ILLus 35 Later prehistoric ceramics and Roman pottery sherd
ILLus 35 Later prehistoric ceramics and Roman pottery sherd
Catalogue of illustrated pottery
Catalogue of illustrated pottery
Tool types in the Braehead coarse stone tool assemblage. Entries in the format ‘+2’ are combination tools with more than one wear type
Tool types in the Braehead coarse stone tool assemblage. Entries in the format ‘+2’ are combination tools with more than one wear type
Artefact types ranked according to the number of sites in the sample which produced them. Sixteen sites were analysed. Other infrequent finds were ingot moulds, haematite, a ball, a strike-a-light, a grooved stone, a decorated stone, a chipped tool and a rubbing stone
Artefact types ranked according to the number of sites in the sample which produced them. Sixteen sites were analysed. Other infrequent finds were ingot moulds, haematite, a ball, a strike-a-light, a grooved stone, a decorated stone, a chipped tool and a rubbing stone
ILLus 37 Metal work, the disc, pin and bar
ILLus 37 Metal work, the disc, pin and bar
KEY ph = posthole; pal = palisade; BT= bedding trench
KEY ph = posthole; pal = palisade; BT= bedding trench
(b) Charred cereal remains
(b) Charred cereal remains
Soil micromorphology — summary descriptions
Soil micromorphology — summary descriptions
Soil micromorphology — summary descriptions
Soil micromorphology — summary descriptions
Phytolith assemblage — summary of features
Phytolith assemblage — summary of features
ILLus 38 Likely sequence of structural development at Braehead. KEY: S = structure; P = palisade; BT = bedding trench; G = gully
ILLus 38 Likely sequence of structural development at Braehead. KEY: S = structure; P = palisade; BT = bedding trench; G = gully
ILLus 39 Flooding in the ditches after a recent downpour of rain
ILLus 39 Flooding in the ditches after a recent downpour of rain
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