Alternative Names Mains Of Ardestie
Site type CUP MARKED STONE, SETTLEMENT, SOUTERRAIN
Canmore ID 34572
Site Number NO53SW 1
NGR NO 50205 34446
Council ANGUS
Parish MONIKIE
Former Region TAYSIDE
Former District ANGUS
Former County ANGUS

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Archaeological Notes

NO53SW 1 5030 3444.

(NO 5030 3444) Souterrain (NR)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1974).

The Ardestie souterrain, discovered in February 1949, and excavated by Wainwright between February 1949 and June 1950, revealing a robbed but recognisable complex of surface huts, etc, associated with the souterrain, as well as evidence of post-souterrain occupation.
A cup and ring marked stone was found in the wall of one of the huts. Full report with plans and illustrations.
F T Wainwright 1953; 1963.

NO 5135/5136 and NO 5034 A copper alloy ball with a hole pierced in one end, 3.5cm in diameter, was discovered in the vicinity of a souterrain in the Carlungie/Ardestie area, as a surface find. It was brought in as a verbal enquiry to Montrose Museum in 1994 and to Glasgow Museums in January 1995. It was retained by the finder. Glasgow Museums Enquiry Number 1306.
R Benvie 1995

This paper considers the evidence for the abandonment of souterrains in that part of east central Scotland characterized by Wainwright as 'southern Pictland'. The evidence suggests that most souterrains were deliberately destroyed, or at least infilled, and that none seems to have outlasted the early 3rd century AD. The process of destruction seems to have been associated with a significant degree of ritual activity not previously noted. It is postulated that the evidence would allow for a single episode of abandonment (a 'souterrain abandonment horizon'), in the late second or early third century AD, which might be related to a major reorientation of social and political structures, perhaps associated with changes in Roman frontier policy.
I Armit 1999

NO 5020 3444 A watching brief was maintained at Ardestie Souterrain, on two separate visits in February 2007, during the excavation of two small trenches, one for a new entrance gate and the other for the relocation of an information board. There were no finds or features of archaeological significance.
Archive to be deposited with RCAHMS.
Funder: Historic Scotland.
Sarah Hogg, 2007.

Notes and Activities

February 2007

WATCHING BRIEF

Notes NO 5020 3444 A watching brief was maintained at Ardestie Souterrain, on two separate visits in February 2007, during the excavation of two small trenches, one for a new entrance gate and the other for the relocation of an information board. There were no finds or features of archaeological significance.
Archive to be deposited with RCAHMS.
Funder: Historic Scotland.
Sarah Hogg, 2007.

Further details

Books and References

Armit, I (1998i) Scotland's hidden history, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Page(s): 87 Held at RCAHMS E.2.1.ARM

Armit, I (1999a) 'The abandonment of souterrains: evolution, catastrophe or dislocation', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol.129, 2
Page(s): 585

Benvie, R (1995h) 'Carlungie/Ardestie (Monikie parish), copper alloy ball', Discovery Excav Scot
Page(s): 96

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