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Preservation of the human remains assemblage TABLE | preservation of material between these two types of depositional environment could be pointed to as a causal factor. However, the contrast between the two types of deposit is significantly marked and distinct enough to suggest that, in the pit features, a deliberate choice was made to select particular elements of the skeleton for deposition. Whether this choice occurred pre-cremation or

Table 1 Preservation of the human remains assemblage TABLE | preservation of material between these two types of depositional environment could be pointed to as a causal factor. However, the contrast between the two types of deposit is significantly marked and distinct enough to suggest that, in the pit features, a deliberate choice was made to select particular elements of the skeleton for deposition. Whether this choice occurred pre-cremation or

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ItLus 2 Trench | general site view confirm the extent of the archaeological deposits. The second site, Trench 2, was located c 35m to the north and east of Trench 1, measured 10m north/south by 6m east/west, and was positioned to examine what was subsequently identified as a demolished standing stone. Both sites were covered by a layer of colluvium of varying depth (maximum c 0.6m) that may have formed, in part, as a result of cultivation.
ItLus 2 Trench | general site view confirm the extent of the archaeological deposits. The second site, Trench 2, was located c 35m to the north and east of Trench 1, measured 10m north/south by 6m east/west, and was positioned to examine what was subsequently identified as a demolished standing stone. Both sites were covered by a layer of colluvium of varying depth (maximum c 0.6m) that may have formed, in part, as a result of cultivation.
ILLus 3 Late third millennium cist cemetery
ILLus 3 Late third millennium cist cemetery
Cist 010
Cist 010
ILttus 5 Cist 010
ILttus 5 Cist 010
ILLus7 Cist 012
ILLus7 Cist 012
ILLusS 6 Cist 012
ILLusS 6 Cist 012
ILtLtus9 Cist 014 A small sub-rectangular cist measuring 0.5m by 0.35m by 0.36m deep, orientated north- east/south-west (illus 10). The structure was contained within a small close-fitting pit (112), backfilled with sand. It was floored with a thin slab which covered all but the south-eastern corner of the cist. From this unfloored corner, a small, squat Bipartite Vase Food Vessel (SF 96) was recovered (illus 11 & 40). The vessel lay on its side with the mouth to the south east, although a small plinth like sub-circular stone at the base of the vessel may suggest that it was originally placed upright.
ILtLtus9 Cist 014 A small sub-rectangular cist measuring 0.5m by 0.35m by 0.36m deep, orientated north- east/south-west (illus 10). The structure was contained within a small close-fitting pit (112), backfilled with sand. It was floored with a thin slab which covered all but the south-eastern corner of the cist. From this unfloored corner, a small, squat Bipartite Vase Food Vessel (SF 96) was recovered (illus 11 & 40). The vessel lay on its side with the mouth to the south east, although a small plinth like sub-circular stone at the base of the vessel may suggest that it was originally placed upright.
The structure comprised a small (0.74m by 0.52m by 0.1m thick) top slab surrounded by a sub-oval ring of stones (146) measuring 0.4m by 0.25m (illus 12). Removal of this upper structure
The structure comprised a small (0.74m by 0.52m by 0.1m thick) top slab surrounded by a sub-oval ring of stones (146) measuring 0.4m by 0.25m (illus 12). Removal of this upper structure
ItLus 10 Cist 073
ItLus 10 Cist 073
ILLus 13 Cist 147 floor a small cremation deposit was recovered, representing the remains of a minimum of one adult individual (illus 13). A very fragmented and burnt possible scraper fragment (Lithic 23) was recovered from this deposit, along with a bone pin (SF 122; illus 46) and fragments revealed a small sub-rectangular cist measuring 0.6m by 0.3m by 0.35m deep, and orientated east/west. The structure was contained within a small close-fitting pit (156), backfilled with sand. It was floored with pebbles, which extended across the entire base. In the centre of the cist
ILLus 13 Cist 147 floor a small cremation deposit was recovered, representing the remains of a minimum of one adult individual (illus 13). A very fragmented and burnt possible scraper fragment (Lithic 23) was recovered from this deposit, along with a bone pin (SF 122; illus 46) and fragments revealed a small sub-rectangular cist measuring 0.6m by 0.3m by 0.35m deep, and orientated east/west. The structure was contained within a small close-fitting pit (156), backfilled with sand. It was floored with pebbles, which extended across the entire base. In the centre of the cist
ILLus 12 Cist 147 ItLus 14 Feature 003/150
ILLus 12 Cist 147 ItLus 14 Feature 003/150
ILLus 16 Feature 003/150 of cremated animal bone of small and larger ungulates. Dating of the cremated human bone indicated that the individual had died between 2030 and 1770 cal Bc (SUERC — 9128).
ILLus 16 Feature 003/150 of cremated animal bone of small and larger ungulates. Dating of the cremated human bone indicated that the individual had died between 2030 and 1770 cal Bc (SUERC — 9128).
Ittus 17 Cist 151 A small sub-circular cairn (003), c 1.46m in diameter and 0.6m deep (illus 14), sealed a small stone top slab measuring c 1m by 0.7m by 0.08m thick, which in turn overlay a sub-rounded stone structure (illus 15). This structure was constructed of small-to-large sub-rounded beach boulders arranged in a drystone circle between two and three courses high (0.25m) set into a close-fitting pit (169). In the middle of the pit,
Ittus 17 Cist 151 A small sub-circular cairn (003), c 1.46m in diameter and 0.6m deep (illus 14), sealed a small stone top slab measuring c 1m by 0.7m by 0.08m thick, which in turn overlay a sub-rounded stone structure (illus 15). This structure was constructed of small-to-large sub-rounded beach boulders arranged in a drystone circle between two and three courses high (0.25m) set into a close-fitting pit (169). In the middle of the pit,
ItLus 18 Cist 151 A large sub-rectangular cist measuring 1.08m by 0.7m by 0.7m deep, and orientated north-east/ south-west. This cist was sealed by a weathered sandstone capstone, measuring 1.75m by 1.12m by 0.24m thick, which underlay five smaller stones, possibly the remnants of a small cairn (illus 17). The cist was contained within a large construction pit (316), measuring 2m by 1.3m by 0.8m and backfilled with sand. The cist had occasional small sub-rounded pebbles across its base and contained the highly-degraded
ItLus 18 Cist 151 A large sub-rectangular cist measuring 1.08m by 0.7m by 0.7m deep, and orientated north-east/ south-west. This cist was sealed by a weathered sandstone capstone, measuring 1.75m by 1.12m by 0.24m thick, which underlay five smaller stones, possibly the remnants of a small cairn (illus 17). The cist was contained within a large construction pit (316), measuring 2m by 1.3m by 0.8m and backfilled with sand. The cist had occasional small sub-rounded pebbles across its base and contained the highly-degraded
ILLus 21 Feature 101/165/184 ItLus 20 Feature 101/165/184 remains o f an inhumation burial, evidenced by fragmentary tooth enamel remnants in the north- eastern corner. At the southern edge of the cist, just east o f centre, a Tripartite Bowl/Vase Food Vessel (SF 116) was recovered (illus 18, 41). The vessel lay on its side, with the mouth facing to the sout n.
ILLus 21 Feature 101/165/184 ItLus 20 Feature 101/165/184 remains o f an inhumation burial, evidenced by fragmentary tooth enamel remnants in the north- eastern corner. At the southern edge of the cist, just east o f centre, a Tripartite Bowl/Vase Food Vessel (SF 116) was recovered (illus 18, 41). The vessel lay on its side, with the mouth facing to the sout n.
ItLus 19 Feature 101/165/184
ItLus 19 Feature 101/165/184
Excavation of cist 184 revealed that it was unfloored and that it contained a cremation
Excavation of cist 184 revealed that it was unfloored and that it contained a cremation
ILLus 22 Cist 178
ILLus 22 Cist 178
ILLus 23 Cist 178 ungulate bone. Dating of adult cremated bone indicated that the individual had died between 2140 and 1920 cal Bc (SUERC — 9134). Dating
ILLus 23 Cist 178 ungulate bone. Dating of adult cremated bone indicated that the individual had died between 2140 and 1920 cal Bc (SUERC — 9134). Dating
Cist 309
Cist 309
Cleaning revealed a large weathered sub-angulai capstone, measuring 1.3m by 0.67m by 0.1n thick. Removal of this revealed a sub-rectangula cist, measuring 1.1m by 0.5m by 0.46m deep orientated north-west/south-east and surroundec by a setting of large sub-rectangular boulder: (illus 26). The cist lay in a close-fitting cu (317) backfilled with sand. In the centre of the
Cleaning revealed a large weathered sub-angulai capstone, measuring 1.3m by 0.67m by 0.1n thick. Removal of this revealed a sub-rectangula cist, measuring 1.1m by 0.5m by 0.46m deep orientated north-west/south-east and surroundec by a setting of large sub-rectangular boulder: (illus 26). The cist lay in a close-fitting cu (317) backfilled with sand. In the centre of the
ILLUS 26 Cist 309 cist, a small Tripartite Bowl (SF 121) had been placed (illus 42). This was found lying on its side, with the mouth of the vessel facing west. On the northern side of the pottery vessel, a
ILLUS 26 Cist 309 cist, a small Tripartite Bowl (SF 121) had been placed (illus 42). This was found lying on its side, with the mouth of the vessel facing west. On the northern side of the pottery vessel, a
ILLUS 28 Feature 322/335 cremation deposit representing the remains of a minimum of two adults and one non adult were recovered (illus 27). A fine burnt edge-retouched blade in two fragments (Lithics 82, 83; illus 44) and a pot-lid fracture (Lithic 3), probably from another artefact, were deposited with the cremation deposit, along with several fragments of cremated small and large ungulate bone. Dating of cremated adult bone indicated that the individual had died between 2140 and 2080 cal BC (SUERC — 9133). To the south of the vessel, fragmentary tooth enamel indicated that the cist originally contained unburnt human bone. Feature 322/335
ILLUS 28 Feature 322/335 cremation deposit representing the remains of a minimum of two adults and one non adult were recovered (illus 27). A fine burnt edge-retouched blade in two fragments (Lithics 82, 83; illus 44) and a pot-lid fracture (Lithic 3), probably from another artefact, were deposited with the cremation deposit, along with several fragments of cremated small and large ungulate bone. Dating of cremated adult bone indicated that the individual had died between 2140 and 2080 cal BC (SUERC — 9133). To the south of the vessel, fragmentary tooth enamel indicated that the cist originally contained unburnt human bone. Feature 322/335
ILLus 29 Feature 322/335 Five cists (005, 091, 130, 133, 323) were found to be devoid of further significant in situ material. No specific reason could be discerned as to why this was so: certainly the group cannot be distinguished on morphological grounds
ILLus 29 Feature 322/335 Five cists (005, 091, 130, 133, 323) were found to be devoid of further significant in situ material. No specific reason could be discerned as to why this was so: certainly the group cannot be distinguished on morphological grounds
ItLus 30 Structure 076/077/133
ItLus 30 Structure 076/077/133
ItLus 31 Mound and later insertions
ItLus 31 Mound and later insertions
ILLus 32 Structure 009 A series of sub-circular stone settings (021/085; 076; 146) lay directly on top of the upper surface of the mound and appeared to respect the position of the three underlying cists, two of which were topped by cairn structures. Most of the stones used to construct these settings were sub-rounded grey granite boulders from the nearby beach, but interspersed in the pattern were deliberately placed red and orange sandstones. Perhaps more significant for our understanding of the monument, the relationship between cists, cairns and stone settings suggested that these features were part of the overall construction plan for the mound. Certainly, the location of the underlying features must have been deliberately preserved during the construction of the mound, most probably by leaving the small cairn features uncovered,
ILLus 32 Structure 009 A series of sub-circular stone settings (021/085; 076; 146) lay directly on top of the upper surface of the mound and appeared to respect the position of the three underlying cists, two of which were topped by cairn structures. Most of the stones used to construct these settings were sub-rounded grey granite boulders from the nearby beach, but interspersed in the pattern were deliberately placed red and orange sandstones. Perhaps more significant for our understanding of the monument, the relationship between cists, cairns and stone settings suggested that these features were part of the overall construction plan for the mound. Certainly, the location of the underlying features must have been deliberately preserved during the construction of the mound, most probably by leaving the small cairn features uncovered,
ItLus 33 Structure 028 Four features were subsequently cut through the mound: three on the western side and one on the east (illus 31). All of these features respected the placement of the stone settings, suggesting that they postdate the construction of these settings.
ItLus 33 Structure 028 Four features were subsequently cut through the mound: three on the western side and one on the east (illus 31). All of these features respected the placement of the stone settings, suggesting that they postdate the construction of these settings.
ItLus 34 Structure 028 Structure 009 A large much weathered sandstone capping stone, measuring 1.3m by 0.9m by 0.13m, sealed a large sub-rectangular cist measuring 0.8m by 0.6m by 0.64m deep and orientated north/ south (illus 32). The cist was contained within a slightly larger cut (320) measuring 1m by 0.8m by 0.7m deep and had been backfilled with sand. The cist contained decayed tooth enamel, which may represent the remains of a poorly preserved inhumation. The builders had utilized a cup- marked slab for the westernmost slab of this cist (see MacGregor below).
ItLus 34 Structure 028 Structure 009 A large much weathered sandstone capping stone, measuring 1.3m by 0.9m by 0.13m, sealed a large sub-rectangular cist measuring 0.8m by 0.6m by 0.64m deep and orientated north/ south (illus 32). The cist was contained within a slightly larger cut (320) measuring 1m by 0.8m by 0.7m deep and had been backfilled with sand. The cist contained decayed tooth enamel, which may represent the remains of a poorly preserved inhumation. The builders had utilized a cup- marked slab for the westernmost slab of this cist (see MacGregor below).
ItLus 35 Structure 029
ItLus 35 Structure 029
ILLus 36 Structure 029
ILLus 36 Structure 029
ILLus 37 Standing stone — first constructions
ILLus 37 Standing stone — first constructions
ILLus 38 Standing stone — after felling The human remains analysis was undertaken with the objectives of establishing the number, age and sex of individuals represented, examining any evidence for health and disease and establishing any evidence for specific
ILLus 38 Standing stone — after felling The human remains analysis was undertaken with the objectives of establishing the number, age and sex of individuals represented, examining any evidence for health and disease and establishing any evidence for specific
ILLus 39 Section across Trench 2
ILLus 39 Section across Trench 2
Comparative bone weights of cremation deposits
Comparative bone weights of cremation deposits
Demographic summary
Demographic summary
Animal remains from Heads of Ayr, Dunure Road
Animal remains from Heads of Ayr, Dunure Road
ILLus 40 Food vessels Most of the Food Vessels had carefully smoothed surfaces that had been covered with slip prior to decoration. This served to conceal the fragments of crushed stone filler, but many are nevertheless visible protruding through the interior surface. The fabric is fairly gritty, with fragments generally no larger than 7x 4.5, Decoration, in all cases, is present over the whole of the exterior surface including the rim bevel(s) and excluding the underside of the base. The vessels’ colours — with a medium and/or dark-grey core and lighter-coloured surfaces — indicate that they had been fired rapidly, probably in an open bonfire. Traces of the vessels’ former contents are present in SF 96, 102, 117 and 63, in the form of thin patches or specks of a blackish-brown organic encrustation; a whitish encrustation seen on some of the pots represents post-depositional precipitation of carbonate from percolated groundwater.
ILLus 40 Food vessels Most of the Food Vessels had carefully smoothed surfaces that had been covered with slip prior to decoration. This served to conceal the fragments of crushed stone filler, but many are nevertheless visible protruding through the interior surface. The fabric is fairly gritty, with fragments generally no larger than 7x 4.5, Decoration, in all cases, is present over the whole of the exterior surface including the rim bevel(s) and excluding the underside of the base. The vessels’ colours — with a medium and/or dark-grey core and lighter-coloured surfaces — indicate that they had been fired rapidly, probably in an open bonfire. Traces of the vessels’ former contents are present in SF 96, 102, 117 and 63, in the form of thin patches or specks of a blackish-brown organic encrustation; a whitish encrustation seen on some of the pots represents post-depositional precipitation of carbonate from percolated groundwater.
ILLus 41 Food vessels SF 114 (cist 165) Gl Food Vessel, intact, and us 41). Bipartite Vase complete but for minor chipping and spalling. Ht 119; RD 130; max. D 140; BD 60; Th: neck decoration featuring t 11, base 14. Impressed hree tools: i) a small spatulate tool with rounded-triangular point, used to create two adjacent rows of impressions highlighting the outer ed ge of the rim; ii) a small, SF 102 (cist 150) (illus 40). Tripartite Bowl, intact and complete but for some spalling and some deep cracking, including one running around a coil joint line on the neck. Ht 130; RD 156; max.
ILLus 41 Food vessels SF 114 (cist 165) Gl Food Vessel, intact, and us 41). Bipartite Vase complete but for minor chipping and spalling. Ht 119; RD 130; max. D 140; BD 60; Th: neck decoration featuring t 11, base 14. Impressed hree tools: i) a small spatulate tool with rounded-triangular point, used to create two adjacent rows of impressions highlighting the outer ed ge of the rim; ii) a small, SF 102 (cist 150) (illus 40). Tripartite Bowl, intact and complete but for some spalling and some deep cracking, including one running around a coil joint line on the neck. Ht 130; RD 156; max.
ILLus 42 Food vessels
ILLus 42 Food vessels
ILLus 43 Fragmentary vessels
ILLus 43 Fragmentary vessels
ILLus 44 Lithic artefacts The struck flint assemblage is predominately burnt, but fresher pieces document the exploita- tion of grey- and brown-coloured material, and The retouched pieces form an interesting collection directly associated with the cremation and cist deposits. Most are intensively burnt and fragmentary due to pot-lid fractures and, in a
ILLus 44 Lithic artefacts The struck flint assemblage is predominately burnt, but fresher pieces document the exploita- tion of grey- and brown-coloured material, and The retouched pieces form an interesting collection directly associated with the cremation and cist deposits. Most are intensively burnt and fragmentary due to pot-lid fractures and, in a
ItLus 45 Decorated cist slab in situ It is clear that a tradition of quarrying and re- depositing fragments of rock art formed a potent element of some funerary rites during the second millennium Bc. This act would have involved the audible violation, smashing and breaking of rock outcrops, possibly ancient sites that were already imbued with significance. Incorporating fragments of these places in funerary sites such as Dunure Road would have metaphorically, and literally, connected them to other places in the landscape.
ItLus 45 Decorated cist slab in situ It is clear that a tradition of quarrying and re- depositing fragments of rock art formed a potent element of some funerary rites during the second millennium Bc. This act would have involved the audible violation, smashing and breaking of rock outcrops, possibly ancient sites that were already imbued with significance. Incorporating fragments of these places in funerary sites such as Dunure Road would have metaphorically, and literally, connected them to other places in the landscape.
ILLus 46 Bone pin The Dunure Road pin generally conforms to Longworth’s (1984, 64) type 5 category, but the unusually short length and the distinct sub- rectangular head are features that are difficult to parallel. Although Bronze Age perforated bone pins of type 5 are not common, a few examples, all from cremation burials, are known from southern Scotland: from Machrie Moor, Arran (Foxon 1991, 78, illus 17), Moncreiffe, Perth and Kinross (associated with two bone toggles and some fragments of bronze; Close-Brooks 1985, 142-3) and a large example with a bi- conical perforation from a cremation burial at Kirkburn, Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway (with a tubular bone bead; Longworth 1963, 125, illus 9a). Such pins are consistently recovered in a burnt condition, indicating that they were included on the funeral pyre as fasteners for clothing or decorative ornaments. the unusually short length and the distinct sub-
ILLus 46 Bone pin The Dunure Road pin generally conforms to Longworth’s (1984, 64) type 5 category, but the unusually short length and the distinct sub- rectangular head are features that are difficult to parallel. Although Bronze Age perforated bone pins of type 5 are not common, a few examples, all from cremation burials, are known from southern Scotland: from Machrie Moor, Arran (Foxon 1991, 78, illus 17), Moncreiffe, Perth and Kinross (associated with two bone toggles and some fragments of bronze; Close-Brooks 1985, 142-3) and a large example with a bi- conical perforation from a cremation burial at Kirkburn, Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway (with a tubular bone bead; Longworth 1963, 125, illus 9a). Such pins are consistently recovered in a burnt condition, indicating that they were included on the funeral pyre as fasteners for clothing or decorative ornaments. the unusually short length and the distinct sub-
Radiocarbon dates from Dunure Road TABLE 5
Radiocarbon dates from Dunure Road TABLE 5
ILLus 48 Cist 178 — capstone reinforced by other structural elements. A cup- marked stone has been quarried, transported and incorporated into one of the last cists to be constructed. Covers for some of the cists, such as cist 009 (illus 47), cist 178 (illus 48), and cist 300 (illus 25), have been derived from the beach and placed in order to show rippled surfaces. Final choices in cist construction also include a distinctly boat-shaped cist (028), its ‘prow’ pointing out across the expanse of the Clyde Basin towards Arran (illus 49). This sub- oval structure (029) containing fragments of burnt wickerwork, which is also intriguing in form and content in light of the reported finding of a coracle burial from Barns Farm (Watkins 1982). More substantive parallels can, however, perhaps be drawn: the empty ‘cenotaph’ boat- shaped settings described by Pollard (1999) on St Kilda, raising the interesting thought that at
ILLus 48 Cist 178 — capstone reinforced by other structural elements. A cup- marked stone has been quarried, transported and incorporated into one of the last cists to be constructed. Covers for some of the cists, such as cist 009 (illus 47), cist 178 (illus 48), and cist 300 (illus 25), have been derived from the beach and placed in order to show rippled surfaces. Final choices in cist construction also include a distinctly boat-shaped cist (028), its ‘prow’ pointing out across the expanse of the Clyde Basin towards Arran (illus 49). This sub- oval structure (029) containing fragments of burnt wickerwork, which is also intriguing in form and content in light of the reported finding of a coracle burial from Barns Farm (Watkins 1982). More substantive parallels can, however, perhaps be drawn: the empty ‘cenotaph’ boat- shaped settings described by Pollard (1999) on St Kilda, raising the interesting thought that at
ILLus 47 Cist 009 — capstone
ILLus 47 Cist 009 — capstone
ILLus 49 Cist 028 — looking towards Arran
ILLus 49 Cist 028 — looking towards Arran
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