Signs of ancient Neolithic settlement unearthed in Scotland

Carnoustie is continuing to reveal the story of its ancient past in the latest excavation works linked to a major residential and business development.

image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNdP93iFjPNlaSNNe7Sw6F6gry0RDxvkobGyuqEiBP2XC0QIXruDlNn4B9_z2bk1FUNmYfOQFO2JShyphenhyphenHj14QBOPyOX3XRHAyS-ysrdFJn0LUqBkVOVLiAiG-Tx5xNMdwGgQ_VGQ/s640/Scotland-01.jpg

Early Neolithic pit during excavation showing pottery finds
[Credit: © ARO]

A team of archaeologists has been involved in earthworks at fields neighbouring Pitskelly Farm, where more than 200 new homes and a business park are planned.

The site is close to land where an internationally significant treasure trove was unearthed in 2016, and experts involved with the current project say the farmland has also shown signs of settlement from as far back as the late Neolithic period of thousands of years ago.

The project, visible to A92 motorists at Upper Victoria, follows approval in principle for the ambitious scheme as part of land allocation made in the 2016 Angus Local Development Plan.

Lindsay Dunbar of Midlothian-based consultant AOC Archaeology Group, said: “As excavations over the last few years at Carnoustie, specifically at David Moyes Road a kilometre or so from our site have shown, there is potential for truly amazing archaeology to be uncovered.

“Here at Upper Victoria we have found more evidence of the long-lived and continual occupation of this part of the Angus coastline with the remains from the late Neolithic through to the post-Medieval period.”

Site findings will be recorded, recovered and handed over to Aberdeenshire Council Archaeological Service who act as archaeological curators for Angus Council.

The 2016 finds from the nearby site included a gold-adorned Bronze Age sword.

Carnoustie company D J Laing Homes Ltd will establish the business park while the housing is to be a joint venture project between town firm and Persimmon Homes.

The outcome of  consultancy projects including archaeological excavations, will support a detailed planning application due to come forward in late summer.

D J Laing Homes managing director Karen Nicoll said: “This project has been in the pipeline for the past six years so we are delighted that the consultancy studies are now nearing completion and will support the current planning conditions and enable full planning approval for over 200 houses and a new business park to come forward.

“It represents a substantial commitment by D J Laing Homes to both Carnoustie and Angus.”

Project managers Voigt Architects added: “This major development will provide new mainstream and much needed affordable housing in south Angus but of equal importance will be the delivery of a new business/industrial development area with direct access to the A92 road network, increasing opportunity for existing businesses within the town and also attracting new inward investment to Carnoustie and Angus.”

This research was undertaken by Cameron Archaeology and  is freely available to download from the ARO website – Archaeology Reports Online.

Author: Graham Brown | Source: The Courier [June 05, 2019]