Drylawhill
Field System (Period Unassigned), Long Cist Cemetery (Early Medieval)
Site Name Drylawhill
Classification Field System (Period Unassigned), Long Cist Cemetery (Early Medieval)
Canmore ID 249175
Site Number NT57NE 223
NGR NT 590 780
NGR Description Centred on NT 590 780
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/249175
- Council East Lothian
- Parish Prestonkirk
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District East Lothian
- Former County East Lothian
NT57NE 223 centred on NT 590 780
NT 590 780 Evaluation trenches were excavated in June 2002 to the N and S of the area of the Scheduled Drylawhill cursus (NT57NE 67) and other cropmark features. To the S of the cursus, the S edge of an Early Christian cemetery was revealed. At least eight, and as many as ten graves were identified over an area 70m wide E-W, all apparently extended inhumations on an E-W alignment. Eight graves were lined with long cists, and a probable boulder-lined grave and what appeared to be a cist grave that had been disturbed or exhumed were also present. The remains of a grain-drying kiln of later medieval type lay nearby.
To the N of the cursus, eight ditches were identified as the continuation of a field system of probable Iron Age date, recognised from cropmarks on aerial photographs within the Scheduled area. One pit may also be prehistoric. Colluvial soil movement had resulted in sediment being deposited over part of the evaluation area, masking the prehistoric features.
An area of cropmark features (NT57NE 107), previously interpreted as a cluster of pits of unknown date, was found to correspond with an extensive area of modern pitting and disturbance within the former stackyard of Drylawhill Farm. A very faint circular cropmark in the N of the site had been previously identified as a possible enclosure, but no subsoil features were identified in its vicinity.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: Hallam Land Management.
P Masser 2002
Desk Based Assessment (8 February 2002)
Headland Archaeology undertook an assessment of archaeological issues affecting a proposed area of development at Drylawhill, East Linton.
This 24 ha site on the north side of the village has been identified by East Lothian Council as a potential site for approximately 350 houses.
None of the archaeological features have been subject to field evaluation so the level of knowledge about specific features is low. However, the majority of the development site lies within the limits of a scheduled ancient monument and therefore the archaeological features are, de facto, of national importance.
Headland Archaeology 2002
Archaeological Evaluation (June 2002)
NT 590 780 Evaluation trenches were excavated in June 2002 to the N and S of the area of the Scheduled Drylawhill cursus (NT 57 NE 67) and other cropmark features. To the S of the cursus, the S edge of an Early Christian cemetery was revealed. At least eight, and as many as ten graves were identified over an area 70m wide E-W, all apparently extended inhumations on an E-W alignment. Eight graves were lined with long cists, and a probable boulder-lined grave and what appeared to be a cist grave that had been disturbed or exhumed were also present. The remains of a grain-drying kiln of later medieval type lay nearby.
To the N of the cursus, eight ditches were identified as the continuation of a field system of probable Iron Age date, recognised from cropmarks on aerial photographs within the Scheduled area. One pit may also be prehistoric. Colluvial soil movement had resulted in sediment being deposited over part of the evaluation area, masking the prehistoric features.
An area of cropmark features (NT57NE 107), previously interpreted as a cluster of pits of unknown date, was found to correspond with an extensive area of modern pitting and disturbance within the former stackyard of Drylawhill Farm. A very faint circular cropmark in the N of the site had been previously identified as a possible enclosure, but no subsoil features were identified in its vicinity.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: Hallam Land Management.
P Masser 2002