Castlehill, New Cumnock:

Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Data Structure Report

October 2003

Rathmell
Archaeology Ltd
 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Overview
This Data Structure Report (DSR) presents the findings of an archaeological evaluation and
excavation undertaken prior to the construction of a residential dwelling house on land
between 9 and 11 Castlehill, New Cumnock (NGR ref: NS 6175 1379).
Prior to this development the area was open ground (including a plumber’s yard and dog
kennels) extending to 0.04ha (403m 2) roughly in the centre of the village of New Cumnock.
There are several known archaeological sites near the development area. The site itself
adjoins the graveyard of the321 original parish church to the southwest and lies to the south
of New Cumnock Castle indicating that we might encounter medieval or post-medieval
features within the development area.
The West of Scotland Archaeology Service, archaeological advisers to East Ayrshire Council
as the planning authority, provided guidance on the structure of archaeological investigations
required on this site prior to the development works. East Ayrshire Council on their advice
attached a condition to planning consent (03/1062/FL) to ensure that appropriate
archaeological work was undertaken before the development commenced.
Rathmell Archaeology Ltd was appointed to act on behalf of the client, Mr Shankland, with
regard to the archaeological condition on the planning consent. The terms of the evaluation
and subsequent excavation were agreed with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service.
The main objective of the evaluation was to determine the location, extent, nature, condition
and significance of any archaeological features that lie within the development area. On
completion, an excavation was undertaken to clear the identified significant archaeology to
the agreement of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service on behalf of the planning
authority.

Project Works
The programme of works agreed with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service included an
archaeological desk-based assessment and the intrusive evaluation of the development area
through machine cut trenches. These works were undertaken in keeping with a submitted
Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) with on site works running from 15th to 16th September
2003.
The intrusive evaluation trenches were extended and combined into one open area upon
discovery of a number of negative features in the southwest corner of the development area.
This open area matched the full extent of the footprint of the proposed building. All of the
archaeological remains revealed by the expansion of the original evaluation trenches were
excavated and recorded with the approval of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service. The
excavation works ran on-site from 17th to 18th September 2003.
All works were conducted in accordance with the WoSAS Standard Conditions, Institute of
Field Archaeology’s Standards and Policy Statements and Code of Conduct and Historic
Policy Statements.

Findings: Desk based assessment and site inspection

There are two known sites of archaeological significance, which affect the development area.
These are New Cumnock Castle to the north and New Cumnock Old Church to the
southwest.
Black Bog Castle in New Cumnock (WoSASPIN 9065; NMRS ref: NS61SW 2), also known
as Black Craig Castle in the New Statistical Account (1845) and occasionally referred to as
The Castle of Black Lorg locally (Murray 1989), existed a short distance to the north of the
development area. This would place the main element of the castle under the site of the
current disused United Reform Church. Although no upstanding remains of the original
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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

structure still exist, partially landscaped remains of the moat are still visible in the garden of
the old manse. The Ordnance Survey (1909) shows more of this moat extending to the west
and east sides of the site of the castle and it is reasonable to infer that the sunken Castlehill
Road runs within the southern moat.
The earliest reference to the castle is in charters from the beginning of the 14th century,
showing that it belonged to the Dunbars. The original castle is thought to have been a motte
and baillie building (Murray 1989) although it is likely that there had been a settlement on the
site before any castle was built. It is probable that the original structure would have been
made of wood and situated on the summit of a knoll. The site of the castle is significant in the
wider geography of the area. It was situated on an isolated piece of raised ground
approximate to the confluence of the River Nith and the Afton Water and to the west; there
are extensive areas of marshy ground. The situation of the castle would have been naturally
defensive while lying across the natural north to south communication route formed through
the Southern Uplands by the River Nith.
Subsequent structures were of stone as by 1580 the castle was described as ruinous
(Warrick 1899). There may have been a rebuild or repair about 1650 and there were still
considerable upstanding remains at the end of the 18th century (Warrick 1899). Modern
building works to the north of the United Reform Church uncovered the remains of massive
stone walls possibly relating to the stone phase of the castle (Donald McIver pers comm).
The parish of New Cumnock was created in 1650 when the larger parish of Cumnock was
split. The Old Church was built in 1659 as the church for the new Parish. This church is
ruinous, and without a roof, but the walls are stable and the windows are, for the most part,
intact. The Old Church and Churchyard (WoSASPIN 9059; NMRS ref: NS61SW 1) sit to the
immediate southwest of the development area. The Churchyard adjoins the development
area to the southwest. The northern part of the churchyard slopes upward towards the
development area. The Old Church and Churchyard are not to be confused with the United
Reform Church, which sits to the north of the development area.
The frontage from 9 to 11 Castlehill Road (inclusive) has been extensively modified in recent
times. The ground was used, post World War II, as a plumbers yards with the eastern part of
the area having been reduced to the same level as the road to facilitate access to the yard.
Subsequently a small brick building was built on the street front to the immediate east of the
development area (Shankland pers comm). Around the same time, the road was widened
with the construction of a new retaining wall of kerbstones replacing an older drystone dyke.
The development area was being used as a slate yard by the plumbing company and was
partially re-levelled, sometimes with blaes. This work exposed the foundations of the wall to
the Old Churchyard.
By the 1980s, the development area had been converted to use as kennels with several brick
ground surfaces and at least one water line put in. To the west, the ground was reduced,
again to the level of the road, for the building of 11 Castlehill Road (Shankland pers comm).
These excavations revealed a stratigraphic sequence that appeared to contain significant
non-natural elements (Illus 1a). It is reasonable to infer that the development area is the only
surviving southern frontage onto Castlehill Road, which has been substantially unaltered in
modern times.

Findings: Evaluation and Excavation trenches

Initially two trenches were opened in order to evaluate the archaeological significance of the
development area. Trench One stretched from west to east along the rear wall of the
proposed house. Trench Two was an L-shaped open area on the north-western portion of
the proposed house covering the garage and vestibule that are to front onto Castlehill Road.
Trench One initially exposed a hard clay matrix (002), which was inferred at the time to be a
natural deposit. Trench Two extended over a much larger area. In the southern end of
Trench Two the same clay matrix was found. This shelved off as the trench bed sloped

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

northward towards the road, to be replaced with yellow-orange sand and gravel subsoil

Illus 1a: Section formed during construction of 11 Castlehill

Illus 1b: Ordnance Survey 1909

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Illus 2: Plan of excavated features

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

(005). At the extreme northern edge of Trench Two there was revealed an edge [007] and a
black fill (006). This marks the excavation for the kerb-built retaining wall.
Further cleaning of the interface between the clay matrix (002) and the sand and gravel
subsoil (005) suggested that the former was not an in-situ natural deposit. The clay matrix
(002) was then removed by machine to reveal a concentration of stones (003) and a highly
humic layer (004). This humic layer was also removed which exposed level sand-gravel
subsoil (005).
Trenches One and Two were merged into one evaluation trench covering almost the entire
development area (barring a small area to the extreme east). This single trench was
excavated down to the level of the sand-gravel subsoil (005). Within this subsoil (005) were
revealed a number of small negative features. Broadly speaking these features consist of a
number of linear features and a series of small pits. These features appear in the context
record from (010) to [029].
Features [013], [045], [043] and [041] form a discontinuous curved line of gullies arcing
across the southwest corner of the development area. These were up to 150mm deep and
350mm wide with very steep sides and flat bases. The fill of these features was a mid-brown
sandy soil similar to (004), several pieces of slag were recovered.
Within the arc of these linear features, there were other features that could be grouped, prior
to excavation, by form and appearance. [015], [023], [025], [027] and [029] each had an
extended oval plan and appeared to form a curving series of interconnected pits in the
southern part of the enclosed area. Each of these was a little over 1m long and about
250mm deep although exact dimensions varied. It was very difficult to distinguish between
fills at the interface between features. The presence of charcoal within the fills of [027] and
[029] incorporating material that was not in the environment at the time of the filling of [015],
[023] and [025] may suggest the former predate the latter.
[011], [031], [033], [035], [037] and [039] were a group of small shallow features within the
north of the enclosed area. However, where [011], [033] and [037] were circular in plan [031],
[035] and [039] were sub-rectangular. Those with a circular plan ranged in size up to 500mm
in diameter and up to 300mm deep and had a mid-brown sandy fill containing several stones.
Conversely, the smaller sub-rectangular pits contained a high quantity of charcoal in the fill.
These varied in exact dimensions but all were about 400mm in diameter and 250mm deep
and the bases were irregular.
Finally, there are three features outwith the area delimited by the linear features. [021] was a
large oval feature, 390mm deep with a mid-brown sandy fill, while [017] and [019] were
smaller more sub-rectangular features. These sub-rectangular features outside the linear
features were very similar in shape and form to those sub-rectangular features inside the
linear features ([031],[035] and [039]).
All of these features were excavated and recorded, some did yield anthropic material and
several physical relationships between features could be observed. Several pieces of slag
were recovered from within the fill of features, as well as a single piece of struck flint and a
single fragment of ferrous metal.

Discussion
The Castle, Moat and its Counterscarp
It is possible to make certain inferences by observing the archaeological material that
survived within the development area. The pre-development topography of the site rose
steadily to the south. The key to understanding this topography is the re-deposited clay
matrix (002). The natural landform, based on the sand and gravel subsoil, would have been
roughly level. In turn the rise of ground seen in the Churchyard and the images from the
construction of 11 Castlehill suggest that this re-deposited clay matrix (002) formed a linear
bank running parallel to Castlehill Road.

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Illus 3a: Northern boundary of development from east Illus 3b: View of southwest corner of trench with Old Parish
showing drop to Castlehill Road Church in background (note wedge of clay matrix in section)
 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Illus 4a: Negative features from south (pre excavation) Illus 4b: Negative features from south (post excavation)

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By moving downward through the stratigraphy of the site we are able to say that the
construction of the wall of the churchyard (southwest of the development area) was after the
deposition of the clay matrix (002). The character of the churchyard wall is such to suggest
that its construction is likely to post-date the church. Equally it can be observed that the north
transept of the Old Church has been cut into the linear bank, so it is possible to infer with
some certainty that the deposition of the linear bank (ie the clay matrix (002)) preceded the
construction of the Old Church and Churchyard.
The clay matrix (002) itself occupies significant position in the stratigraphy of the
development area lying as it does on top of a palaeosol (004). We can make some
supposition regarding the origin of this deposit. The adjacent position of the moat of the New
Cumnock Black Bog Castle (along the line of Castlehill Road) strongly suggests that the clay
matrix (002) may be re-deposited from the excavation of the moat. It should be noted that the
clay matrix (002) is in no way similar to the natural subsoil (005) found on the rest of the site.
It can be assumed, however, that the clay is re-deposited from a natural layer deeper that the
(005), accessed during excavation of the moat. We can therefore suggest that the clay matrix
(002) originally formed part of a counterscarp of the moat and we are able to infer a date,
based on the castle origins, from around the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century for its
deposition.
The palaeosol (004) under the clay matrix (002) was extremely homogenised suggesting
either extensive tillage or bioturbation. This soil layer obviously preceded the deposition of
the clay matrix (002) and therefore the construction of the moat for the castle. Immediately
beneath this palaeosol (004) we have the yellow-orange sand and gravel subsoil (005) with
the archaeological features cut into it. The depth and homogeneity of the palaeosol (004)
may suggest a period of several centuries between the formation of the archaeological
features and the deposition of the clay matrix (002).
The early enclosure
It is reasonable to suppose that all of the features cut into the subsoil (005) have been
truncated, probably by subsequent ploughing or agricultural works. Given that the linear
features [013], [045], [043] and [041] form a discontinuous line enclosing the southwest
corner of the site we can infer that they form part of a much larger enclosure the further
remains of which are have been destroyed by construction of 11 Castlehill Road or lie
beneath the Old Church and Churchyard. [045] is unique among these features in that it has
a discrete posthole [047] in the southern end. This gives further credence to the idea that all
the linear features represent the foundations for timberwork that may have formed an
enclosing structure. The converse, that these are drainage or soakaway features, does not
appear that credible as the gullies are level and discontinuous while their fills contain
numerous stones that may have acted as packing.
Close to the southwest corner of the development area and within the area enclosed by the
linear features are [015], [023], [025], [027] and [029]. When excavated these features could
be seen to be a series of interconnecting pits. Each of these is an extended oval in plan but
of varying depths. [015], [023] and [025] have a very similar fill and therefore can be grouped
together. The similarity of the fill makes recognition of a sequence or understanding
relationships very difficult. The fill of [027] and [029] contain a much higher quantity of
charcoal and common slag fragments. It is for this reason that they can be grouped
separately. The interface [027] and [015] may account for charcoal appearing in the fill of
[027]. We are also able to observe that [027] was cut through [015] and that [029] was cut
through [013]. We are therefore able to suggest that [027] and [029] are the latest features in
the sequence of the site.
The function of these pits is uncertain, although the fill of [023] contained a number of edge
set packing stones suggesting that it held timberwork. Conversely the fills of the eastern
features [027][029] were more reminiscent of pit fills. Their intercutting nature suggests that
they are sequential although through common form a common function or purpose is
inferred.
 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

The remaining features of the site are a scattering of small pits. However, we are able to
distinguish differences in shape and fill. Within the interior of the linear enclosure the features
can be separated into those circular features with a mid-brown sandy fill and those sub-
rectangular features with a fill containing and high quantity of charcoal. The circular features,
[011], [033] and [037] are postholes and their arcing alignment suggests that they
represented the surviving part of a larger circular structure. This is reinforced by the
presence of packing stones within the fill. Packing material is also present in feature [021],
which is outside the linear enclosure. We can therefore suppose that it formed a part of some
larger structure the further remains of which are now destroyed. Alternatively feature [021]
may relate to one of the interior postholes, such as [011] that is broadly of a comparable size.
The small sub rectangular features of the interior, [031], [035] and [039], did not appear to be
structural. These were small pits which either related to the dumping of waste or the carrying
out of some small-scale craft industry. An exact determination of their use is impossible at
this stage due to truncation and the small area of surviving archaeology. Potentially more
information could be gained through analysis of the fill.
Features [017] and [019], just outside the linear enclosure, had fills similarly rich in charcoal.
Truncation of deposits and the small amount of surviving archaeology make interpretation if
their original purpose very difficult. The may have enclosed or supported another structure
which has been removed by subsequent activity or they may relate to the linear enclosure.
Regarding the individual finds collected from the site there is a significant amount of slag.
Most of this came from the fills of the linear features but requires specific analysis to
determine its significance in interpretation of the site. The moderate amount of wood
charcoal and burnt bone fragments may provide dating material for the small pits or the large
extended oval pits at the southern corner of the site. Very little can be said in relation to the
stray finds of a small piece of worked flint that came from [045] and of a metal fragment from
[021]. It is possible that the metal fragment may relate to the slag and therefore indicate the
use of the site. The flint is likely to represent the incorporation of material into the fill by some
chance of taphonomy rather than deliberate human action. It is also significant that the site
was completely without ceramic material. Would suggest an over all timescale for the site
which could not be later than the early part of the Medieval period.

Conclusion
Evaluation and excavation took place between 9 and 11 Castlehill Road prior to
development. Two significant archaeological horizons were investigated. The first is the
probable remains of an upcast counterscarp to the moat of New Cumnock Castle. The
second horizon was a number of features cut into the sand gravel subsoil. A series of
shallow gullies formed the northeast arc of the foundations of a larger enclosure. Postholes
and small pits were evidence for internal and external structures. Pieces of slag and one
fragment of metal were found. These features are tentatively interpreted of being of an early
medieval date.

References
Kirkland, Rev Matthew 1845 Parish of New Cumnock in ‘New Statistical Account
of Scotland’
McIver, Donald 2000 A Stroll through the Historic Past of New Cumnock
Murray, T 1989 The Castles of New Cumnock
Ordnance Survey 1858-1860 Ayrshire First Edition & Name Book
Roy 1747-55 Military Survey of Scotland
Young, Rev Mr James 1799 Parish of New Cunmock in ‘The Statistical Account
of Scotland
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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Appendix 1: Record summaries

Context Summaries
No. Interpretation Description
001 Topsoil Final topsoil build-up on site.
002 Clay matrix counterscarp Re-deposited natural clay covering an (possibly)
old topsoil horizon.
003 Concentration of stones Concentration of stones at the convergence of 001
beneath 001 and 004 and 004. Beneath both of these topsoil layers.
004 Grey black humic soil under 002 Possibly an old soil layer. High concentration of
organic material.
005 Orange sand gravel subsoil Natural sand and gravel subsoil. The base layer of
the entire site.
006 Fill of revetment cut [007] Grey black fill.
007 Revetment cut 1.2mm N/S slot 310mm deep at northern limit.
Smooth gradient.
008 Fill of engineer pit [009] Modern, no archaeological significance. Not
recorded.
009 Cut of engineer pit Modern, no archaeological significance. Not
recorded.
010 Fill of posthole next to section Mid-brown sandy silt fill, occasional medium sub-
[011] rounded stones.

011 Cut of posthole next to section Circular 500mm diameter and 400mm deep. Steep
sides.
012 Fill of linear Slot North/South Fill of 013. A mid-brown sandy silt. Many small
[012] sub-rounded stones. No anthropic material.
013 Cut of Linear Slot North/South Linear slot 3.9m in length, 430mm broad 120-
150mm deep. Aligned N/S and cut into 005.
014 Fill of Linear Slot East/West Mid-brown sandy silt with common small sub-
[015] rounded stones. Rare burnt bone fragments and
charcoal.
015 Cut of Linear Slot East/West Linear cut with rounded ends and a box shaped
cross section. 1.65m long, 580mm wide by 180mm
deep. Cut by 027. Cut or cuts 025 to the west.
016 Fill of Small pit to East [016] Some settlement activity debris. Mid-brown sandy
silt with frequent small sub-rounded stones.
Charcoal and burnt bone fragments.
017 Cut of small pit to East Small pit aligned NE to SW. 50cm by 320mm and
40mm deep at maximum.
018 Fill of small pit to North [019] Mid-brown sandy silt with common small sub-
rounded stones. Occasional charcoal and burnt
bone fragments.

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

019 Cut of small pit to North Small pit 600mm NW to SE, 150mm E/W. Sub-
rectangular shape in plan. Max depth 30mm.
020 Fill of large posthole to East. Mid-brown sandy silt with common small sub-
Evident packing material but no rounded stones and occasional medium sub-
post pipe. [0210 rounded stones. Small metal fragment recovered.
021 Cut of large posthole to East Sub-rectangular in plan. Aligned N/S. Up to
390mm deep. Flat based in the northeast quarter.
022 Fill of slot Northwest/Southeast Mid-brown sandy silt with frequent sub rounded
[023] and sub angular stones. Small and medium
stones.
023 Cut of slot Northwest/Southeast. Linear slot emerging from section, aligned SW/SE.
Possibly slot for structural Cuts or cut by 025 at eastern end. 900mm long
feature. has been exposed, 380mm wide and 190mm
deep. Box shaped section.
024 Fill of slot North/South [024] Mid-brown sandy silt with common small sub-
rounded and sub-angular stones. One fragment of
slag recovered.
025 Cut of Slot North/South. Linear slot with rounded ends. Cuts or cut by 015
Possible structural slot. and 023. Aligned NNE/SSW. 1.05m long, 430mm
broad and up to 220mm deep.
026 Fill of Pit Southeast, some Mid-brown sandy silt with common charcoal
anthropic inclusions. [026] fragments and rare slag fragments. Common small
to medium sub-angular stones.
027 Cut of Pit Southeast Very difficult to define cut. Sub-circular, 450mm
diameter and 100mm deep. Appeared to cut 015.
028 Fill of Slot Northeast/Southwest Mid-brown sandy silt with some clay lenses and
[029] small to medium sub-rounded stones. Common
slag fragments and charcoal. Occasional
fragments of burnt bone and shell.
029 Cut of Slot Northeast/Southwest Linear slot with rounded ends. Aligned SW/NE Cut
Possibly structural. by 013. 1.1m long, 400mm broad and 250mm
deep with a box shaped cross section.
030 Fill of Sub-rectangular Pit [032] Sandy silt with inclusions of charcoal and burnt
bone.
031 Cut of Sub-rectangular Pit Aligned SW/NE. 400mm long, 310mm wide, and
190mm deep. Steep to near vertical sides and
irregular base.
032 Fill of Sub-circular Posthole Mid-brown sandy silt fill. Sub-rounded medium
[033] stones.
033 Cut of Sub-circular Posthole 340 to 400mm in diameter, 230mm deep. Vertical
sides and flat base.
034 Fill of Sub-oval Pit [035] Sandy silt with inclusions of charcoal and burnt
bone.
035 Cut of Sub-oval Pit 270mm by 340mm and 150mm deep. Steep sided.

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

036 Fill of Posthole [037] Mid-brown sandy silt with medium sub-rounded
stones.
037 Cut of Posthole 340mm by 260mm and 220mm deep. Oval in plan.
Aligned SW/NE. Vertical sides and a flat base.
038 Fill of Sub-rectangular Pit [039] Sandy silt with inclusions of charcoal.
039 Cut of Sub-rectangular Pit 300mm by 240mm and 150mm deep. Vertical
sides and a flat base.
040 Fill of Linear Slot [041] Mid-brown sandy silt.
041 Cut of Linear Slot 2.4m in length. Vertical sides. Shallow, maximum
depth between 60mm and 150mm. 200mm wide.
042 Fill of Linear Slot [043] Mid-brown sandy silt.
043 Cut of Linear Slot 2.9m long Linear slot with vertical sides. 300 to
350mm broad and 150mm deep. Curving slightly
with rounded ends.
044 Fill of Linear Slot [045] Mid-brown sandy silt. Mixing with (046).
045 Cut of Linear Slot 980mm long, up to 300mm broad and 150mm
deep, Vertical sides.
046 Fill of Posthole Mid-brown sandy silt. Mixing with (044).
047 Cut of Posthole Circular. 320mm in diameter. 160mm deep. Near
vertical sides.

Drawing Title Scale Date Author

Record
No.
1 Plan of Archaeological Remains, Pre-excavation 1:100 16/9/03 TR
2 Section of Western Limit of Excavation Area 1:20 16/9/03 TR
3 Plan of Archaeological Remains, Post -excavation 1:100 16/9/03 TR

Photographic Record
Film No. Description From Date
1 20 Removal of Topsoil (001) showing (002), (003) and (005) N 15/9/03
1 21 Removal of Topsoil (001) showing (002), (003) and (005) N 15/9/03
1 22 Removal of Topsoil (001) showing (002), (003) and (005) NE 15/9/03
1 23 Removal of non-archaeological material N 15/9/03
1 24 Removal of non-archaeological material N 15/9/03
1 25 (002) exposed – showing slope and Churchyard wall N 15/9/03
1 26 Section through (002) NW 15/9/03
1 27 Section through (001), (002) and (004) E 15/9/03
1 28 Section through (001), (002) and (004) E 15/9/03

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

1 29 Section through (001), (002) and (004) E 15/9/03

1 30 Post-excavation shot of [011] E 15/9/03

1 31 Post-excavation shot of [011] E 15/9/03
1 32 Section through (001), (002), (003) and (004) E 15/9/03
2 1 Pre-excavation shot of entire area – (005)and all features S 16/9/03
2 2 Pre-excavation shot of entire area – (005)and all features S 16/9/03
2 3 Revetment and wall between site and Castlehill Road E 16/9/03
2 4 Site to (005) and features, Churchyard wall and Church NE 16/9/03
2 5 Site to (005 and features, Churchyard wall and fence line NE 16/9/03
2 6 [013] post-excavation, showing sections S 16/9/03
2 7 Churchyard wall, showing exposed foundations E 16/9/03
2 8 [013] post-excavation, showing all sections N 16/9/03
2 9 [017] post excavation N 16/9/03
2 10 [017], [019] post-excavation and [021] pre-excavation E 16/9/03
2 11 [021] post-excavation, [017] and [019] background E 16/9/03
2 12 [021] post-excavation E 16/9/03
2 13 Post-excavation [023], [025], [027], [029] foreground S 16/9/03
2 14 Post-excavation [023], [025], [027], [029] foreground S 16/9/03
2 15 Post-excavation [023], [025], [027], [029] foreground S 16/9/03
2 16 Post-excavation [023], [025], [027], [029] foreground SE 17/9/03
2 17 Post-excavation [035], [037] and [039] E 17/9/03
2 18 Post-excavation [011], [031], [033], [035], [037] and [039] S 17/9/03
2 19 Post-excavation [011], [031], [033] E 17/9/03
2 20 Post-excavation [011], [031], [033], [035], [037] and [039] N 17/9/03
2 21 Post-excavation [019] NE 17/9/03
2 22 Post-excavation [043] foreground NE 17/9/03
2 23 Post-excavation [045] and [047] E 17/9/03
2 24 Post-excavation entire area – subsoil (005) S 18/9/03
2 25 Post-excavation entire area – subsoil (005) S 18/9/03
2 26 Post-excavation entire area – subsoil (005) SE 18/9/03
2 27 Interior of Churchyard showing ruined Church NE 19/9/03
2 28 Excavated are looking E to 9 Castlehill Road W 19/9/03
2 29 Section (001), (002), (004) and (022), [023] E 19/9/03

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

2 30 Post-excavation [025] – also partial [015] and [023] S 19/9/03

3 36 Pre-excavation (005) and all features S 16/9/03
3 37 Pre-excavation (005) and all features S 16/9/03

Samples List
No. Type Context No.
1 Bulk soil sample 012
2 Bulk soil sample 014
3 Bulk soil sample 016
4 Bulk soil sample 018
5 Bulk soil sample 020
6 Bulk soil sample 022
7 Bulk soil sample 024
8 Bulk soil sample 026
9 Bulk soil sample 028

Artefacts List
No. Description Context Bags
1 Slag 012 1
2 Clay Pipe 006 1
3 Slag 018 1
4 Metal Fragment 020 1
5 Slag 026 1
6 Wood Charcoal 014 1
7 Slag 014 1
8 Slag 024 1
9 Slag 028 1
10 Wood Charcoal 028 1
11 Burnt Bone/Shell 028 1
12 Burnt Bone 038 1
13 Burnt Bone 034 1
14 Burnt Bone 030 1
15 Wood Charcoal 040 1
16 Flint 042 1
17 Burnt Bone 042 1

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

18 Wood Charcoal 042 1

19 Slag 042 1

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Appendix 3: Discovery & Excavation in Scotland

LOCAL AUTHORITY: North Ayrshire

PROJECT TITLE/SITE Castlehill, New Cumnock
NAME:
PARISH: New Cumnock
NAME OF Alan Matthews
CONTRIBUTOR: Thomas Rees
NAME OF Rathmell Archaeology Limited
ORGANISATION:
TYPE(S) OF PROJECT: Evaluation and Excavation
NMRS NO(S): None
SITE/MONUMENT Counterscarp and Enclosure
TYPE(S):
SIGNIFICANT FINDS:+ None
NGR (2 letters, 6 figures) NS 6175 1379
START DATE (this season) 15th September 2003
END DATE (this season) 18th September 2003
PREVIOUS WORK (incl. None
DES ref.)
PROPOSED FUTURE Post-excavation during 2003/4
WORK:
MAIN (NARRATIVE) Evaluation and excavation took place between 9 and 11
DESCRIPTION: (may Castlehill Road prior to development. Two significant
include information from archaeological horizons were investigated. The first is the
other fields) probable remains of an upcast counterscarp to the moat
of New Cumnock Castle. The second horizon was a
number of features cut into the sand gravel subsoil. A
series of shallow gullies formed the northeast arc of the
foundations of a larger enclosure. Postholes and small
pits were evidence for internal and external structures.
Pieces of slag and one fragment of metal were found.
These features are tentatively interpreted of being of an
early medieval date.
PROJECT CODE: 03009
SPONSOR OR FUNDING Mr Shankland
BODY:
ADDRESS OF MAIN 8, Underwood, Kilwinning, Ayrshire KA13 7HR
CONTRIBUTOR:
E MAIL: admin@rathmell-arch.co.uk
ARCHIVE LOCATION Report to West of Scotland Archaeology Service and
(intended/deposited) archive to National Monuments Record of Scotland.

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 Data Structure Report – Castlehill, New Cumnock

Contact Details
Rathmell Archaeology can be contacted at its Registered Office or through the web:
Rathmell Archaeology Ltd
8, Underwood
Kilwinning
Ayrshire
KA13 7HR

www.rathmell-arch.co.uk

t.: 01294 542848 f.: 01294 542849

m.: 07817 334907 e.: admin@rathmell-arch.co.uk

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