Wester Bleaton Quarry, Kirkmichael:
Archaeological Survey and Desk Based Assessment
Data Structure Report
By Douglas Gordon
15th September 2006
Rathmell
Archaeology Ltd
Quality Assurance
This report covers works which have been undertaken in keeping with the issued brief as modified by the agreed programme of works. The report has been prepared in keeping with the guidance of Rathmell Archaeology Limited on the preparation of reports. All works reported on within this document have been undertaken in keeping with the Institute of Field Archaeology�s Standards and Policy Statements and Code of Conduct.
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Contents
1 Overview 3
2 Project Works 3
3 Findings: Desk Based Assessment 3
4 Findings: Survey 6
5 Discussion of Significance 6
6 Recommendations 9
7 Conclusion 9
8 References 10
Appendix 1 � Sites 11
Appendix 2 - Discovery & Excavation in Scotland 11
Contact Details 12
Figures
Figs. 1a-f Historical maps 4
Fig. 2a-b Ordnance Survey Maps 5
Figs. 3 Site of Wester Bleaton 7
Figs. 4a-d Images of features 8
1 Overview
1.1 This Data Structure Report presents the findings of an archaeological survey commissioned by Dalgleish Associates Ltd on behalf of D.Geddes (Contractors) Ltd in respect to a proposed reopening and expansion to Wester Bleaton Quarry, Kirkmichael, Perthshire (centred NGR: NO 1146 5980). The study area consists of hilly ground extending to roughly 11ha and currently comprises the remains of the disused quarry, rough pasture and arable fields.
1.2 The study area is situated in a part of Perthshire which is rich in archaeology and so has the potential to contain archaeological sites. Hence, the archaeological works were designed to inform the determination process within the planning process and therefore inform the development of any necessary mitigation of impact on the archaeological remains within their development area enclosure
1.3 The Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust who advise the planning authority on archaeological matters has provided guidance on the structure of archaeological investigations required on this site prior to work.
1.4 The survey identified one site of archaeological significance within the development area, specifically a Historic Rural Settlement (HRS).
2 Project Works
2.1 The programme of works agreed with the Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust comprised a desk- based assessment and a walkover survey of the development area. In keeping with this agreement the survey works were undertaken on the 12th September 2006; the day was dry and overcast allowing easy access to the ground.
2.2 The desk-based assessment involved the consultation of publicly accessible archives. These included Perth and Kinross Sites & Monuments Record; National Monuments Record of Scotland; National Library of Scotland; National Map Library of Scotland; Historic Scotland; and the Scottish Cultural Resource Access Network. The consultation of these records identified one site, which is detailed in Appendix 1.
2.3 All works were conducted in accordance with the Institute of Field Archaeology�s Standards and Policy Statements and Code of Conduct and Historic Scotland Policy Statements.
3 Findings: Desk based assessment
3.1 The available cartographic evidence from 1755 (Roy; Figure 1a) to 1832 (Stobie et al; Figures1b to 1c) consistently represent the study area as open hillside. Stobie�s map of 1783 depicts two buildings situated in the southwest of the study area; these are marked as Danyday. They are portrayed as a southeast facing U shaped farmhouse with a rectangular building to the northeast, aligned northwest to southeast. However, by the time of the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey (1867) Danyday has become Dunidea (Figure 2a) and is depicted as three roofed structures, one unroofed structure and an enclosure. On the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey (1902) Dunidea consists of two buildings, a southwest facing U shaped structure and a rectangular building to the northwest. The U shaped building is still present on the 1927 Ordnance Survey. However, the rectangular structure is no longer depicted and has been replaced by 2 rectangular buildings to the southeast. At some point in time after this the name of the farmstead changed to Wester Bleaton.
3.2 A survey carried out by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS 1990) in the late 1980�s identified Wester Bleaton (NMRS: NO15NW70) as comprising two buildings and a kiln, which had been reduced to turf-covered stone wall- footings. A pen was also identified to the immediate south.
Fig 1a: Roy�s Military Map 1748-55
Fig1b: John Stobie 1783
Fig1c: John Thompson 1832
Figure 2a: 1St Edition Ordnance Survey 1867
Figure 2b: 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey 1900
3.3 Out with the redline development the site of Wester Dunidea (NMRS: NO15NW75) was identified, approximately 700 metres to the southwest of the study area. Wester Dunidea is depicted on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey as a group of three structures, one of which is within a rectangular enclosure, possibly a walled garden.
3.4 The site of Wester Bleaton is clearly visible on Aerial Photographs, on a 1946 photograph (106G/Scot/UK60 Fr4134) structures 1 and 2 are visible as is the enclosure which is roughly pear shaped with an entrance on it�s eastern side, which is in contrast to the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map which depicts a rounded rectangular enclosure. By 1971 (05/71/409 FR326-328) structure 1 is still visible while structure 2 and the enclosure are only partially visible. The same can be said for photographs from 1988 (61788 Fr 111-112).
4 Findings: Survey
4.1 The study area is generally open hill ground, which on the eastern side consists of rough pasture. The southern side is used for crops, as well as having several pheasant runs, turning to rough pasture towards the west. The western side of the hill is wooded.
4.2 Only one site was identified during the walkover survey (Site 1; Figure 2). This was composed of four elements; a kiln, two structures and an enclosure. The kiln has a diameter of 3-4m. Structure 1 measures 7.5m by 4.5m and up to 350mm in height, with an entrance in the middle of its southern side. Structure 2 is 12m by 5m and stands approximately 250mm high. The enclosure is fragmented, but stands up to 300mm high.
4.3 This site represents the remains of the settlement of Wester Bleaton (NMRS: NO15NW70) which, as previously stated (see sections 3.1-3.2), is marked on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey (1867) as Dunidea. Only two of the structures are now visible along with an enclosure (which is in keeping with the survey by the RCAHMS). There was no evidence of the other two structures depicted on the 1867 Ordnance Survey. However, it is possible that these may survive as negative features.
5 Discussion of significance
5.1 The cartographic evidence shows that the site has been in use since at least the eighteenth century. As previously mentioned Wester Bleaton is depicted on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey as Dunidea. It is also highly likely to be the farmstead depicted by Stobie (1783) as Danyday (Figure 2b). As such the site is classed as a Historic Rural Settlement and is considered to be of archaeological significance.
5.2 The proposed reopening and expansion of the Wester Bleaton Quarry is anticipated to have an adverse physical impact against the site of Wester Bleaton, as its most eastern elements lie within the quarry development; as such mitigation is required to address this.
Figure 3: The Site of Wester Bleaton; broken red line for limits of the site . Blue for structures. Green for kiln and Purple for the enclosure.
Figure 4a: Enclosure
Figure 4b: Kiln
Figure 4c: Structure 1
Figure 4d: Structure 2
6 Recommendations
6.1 The principle of archaeological planning guidance is the presumption in favour of preservation in-situ of a site failing that then for the preservation in-record of a site. In the case of preservation in-situ, we recommend the exclusion of the site of Wester Bleaton from the development by fencing, so as to make it part of the area out with of the quarry, thus ensuring no accidental tracking of heavy machinery over the site or the bunding of materials onto the site. If this approach is not possible then a further programme of archaeological works should be carried out, consisting of excavation, recording, analysis and publication works targeted on the area to be effected by the quarry development. In addition, it would be necessary for the archaeological monitored topsoil strip of the development area in the immediate vicinity of the site, as well as the exclusion of the unaffected portion of the site.
6.2 Such works would entail:
� exposure of the full extent of the effected area; � excavation of the exposed archaeology;
� recording and sampling of a proportion of excavated sediments;
� analysis of ecofacts and artefacts recovered, including artefacts conservation; � Publication of results in an appropriate journal
7 Conclusion
7.1 A programme of archaeological survey works was undertaken on 11ha of ground for the reopening and expansion to Wester Bleaton Quarry, Kirkmichael, Perthshire (centred NGR: NO 1146 5980). The study area is hill ground consisting of the disused quarry, rough pasture and arable fields.
7.2 One site, dating to at least the eighteenth century, was noted within the quarry development and was assessed as being a Historic Rural Settlement and of archaeological significance.
7.3 Rathmell Archaeology has recommended a series of issues that will need to be addressed by the proposed development and outlined a choice of mitigation strategies that may be developed within the context of specific development proposals. These encompass preservation in-situ, excavation, post-excavation analysis and reporting.
8 References
Cartographic References
Ordnance Survey, 1867 1st edition Ordnance Survey,
Ordnance Survey, 1902 2nd edition Ordnance Survey, Blairgowrie Ordnance Survey, 1927 1 Inch Popular edition, Dunkeld and Pitlochry Roy 1747-55 Military Survey of Scotland,
The Counties of Perthshire and Clackmannan Thomson, J 1832 Perthshire with Clackmannan. Bibliography Stobie, J 1783
AMAA 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
RCAHMS 1990 North-East Perth (An Archaeological landscape), HMSO
SODev 1994 National Planning Policy Guideline 5, Archaeology and planning, Scottish Office Development
Department.
SOEnv 1994 Planning Advice Note 42, Archaeology, Scottish Office Environmental Department.
Aerial Photographs RAF 1946 vertical image 106G/Scot/UK60 frames 3132-34/4132-34
Ordnance Survey 1971 vertical image OS/71/409 frames 326-8/307-9
Anon 1988 vertical image 61788 frames 111-2
Appendix 1: Sites
Presented below are the sites identified by the works. Only those sites whose number is in bold lie wholly or substantially within the proposed extension area.
Site NMRS NGR Description
1 NO15NW70 NO1118 5972 Farmstead; two buildings, a kiln and a enclosure
Appendix 2: Discovery & Excavation in Scotland
LOCAL AUTHORITY:
Perth & Kinross
PROJECT TITLE/SITE NAME:
Wester Bleaton Quarry
PARISH:
Kirkmichael
NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR:
Douglas Gordon
NAME OF ORGANISATION:
Rathmell Archaeology Limited
TYPE(S) OF PROJECT:
Survey
NMRS NO(S):
NO15NW70
SITE/MONUMENT TYPE(S):
Farmstead, Kiln
SIGNIFICANT FINDS:
None
NGR (2 letters, 6 figures) N0 419 215 START DATE (this season) 12th September 2006 END DATE (this season) 12th September 2006
PREVIOUS WORK (incl. DES ref.) None
PROPOSED FUTURE WORK: None
MAIN (NARRATIVE) DESCRIPTION: (may include information from other fields) A programme of archaeological survey works was undertaken on 11ha of the ground of the existing quarry and proposed extension at Wester Bleaton Quarry, Kirkmichael. One site of eighteenth century or earlier date was noted within the quarry development, and assessed as being of archaeological significance.
PROJECT CODE:
06053
SPONSOR OR FUNDING BODY:
Dalgleish Associates Ltd on behalf of D.Geddes (Contractors) Ltd
ADDRESS OF MAIN CONTRIBUTOR:
10 Ashgrove Workshops, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 6PU
E MAIL:
contact@rathmell-arch.co.uk
ARCHIVE LOCATION (intended/deposited)
Report to Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust and archive to National Monuments Record of Scotland.
Contact Details
Rathmell Archaeology can be contacted at its Registered Office or through the web: Rathmell Archaeology Ltd
10 Ashgrove Workshops Kilwinning
Ayrshire KA13 6PU
www.rathmell-arch.co.uk
t.: 01294 542848 f.: 01294 542849
m.: 07817 334907 e.: contact@rathmell-arch.co.uk
End of Document