Site type CAIRN
Canmore ID 138210
Site Number NS97SE 109
NGR NS 9906 7057
Council WEST LOTHIAN
Parish BATHGATE
Former Region LOTHIAN
Former District WEST LOTHIAN
Former County WEST LOTHIAN

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Archaeological Notes

NS97SE 109 9906 7057

NS 9906 7057 The remains of a substantial and well-preserved cairn lie on the summit of a rocky wooded hillock known as Raven Craig, some 1200m SSE of Cairnpapple. Although surrounded by trees, the cairn itself has no tree cover and has a grassed-over stony surface, partly obscured by nettles and other rank vegetation.
The cairn is some 9m in diameter by around 1.5m high and has been defined by a kerb of large boulders, of which six survive apparently in situ on the NW and SW. Other kerbstones, some slightly displaced, are visible sporadically around the cairn. The centre of the cairn has been disturbed and a hole some 1.2m diameter by 1m deep remains open.
The cairn was identified by Richard Bamlet of West Lothian Council in summer 1997, during woodland management operations. Although it seems surprising that such a well-preserved monument has survived unrecorded so close to the well-known prehistoric ceremonial complex at Cairnpapple, it appears that the light cover of trees on the sides and summit of the hillock may have prevented its earlier discovery.
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
I Armit 1998

NS 9906 7057 Fragments of prehistoric pottery were found by a member of the public around the central disturbed area of the cairn at Raven Craig. The cairn lies close to Bathgate and is prone to disturbance by children. The pottery comprises eight sherds, including about one-third of a base, c 80¿100mm in diameter, and four body sherds ornamented with cord maggot impressions and jabs. No rim sherds are present, but the fabric, form and decorative features are indicative of a Food Vessel, most likely of simple bipartite form. Claimed as Treasure Trove (TT 89/03) and allocated to West Lothian Council.
T Cowie 2004

Armit, I (1998h) 'Raven Craig (Bathgate parish), cairn', Discovery Excav Scot
Page(s): 97

Cowie, T (2004i) 'Raven Craig (Bathgate parish), Bronze Age pottery', Discovery Excav Scot, vol.5
Page(s): 131