Knowehead, Roberton:

Archaeological Evaluation

Data Structure Report

16th January 2004

Rathmell
Archaeology Ltd
 Data Structure Report – Knowehead, Roberton

Overview
This Data Structure Report (DSR) presents the findings of an archaeological evaluation
undertaken in connection with the development of 0.27ha of agricultural ground at
Knowehead, Roberton, South Lanarkshire (NGR ref: NS 9438 2858).
There were no known archaeological sites within the development area prior to these works.
However the village of Roberton contains Castle Dykes (NMRS: NS92NW1), a large fortified
dark age or medieval site. Castle Dykes lies to the immediate north-west, across the burn,
and supported the assessment by the West of Scotland Archaeology Service that the site
had the potential for prehistoric and medieval activity.
South Lanarkshire Council attached a condition to the planning consent (CL/03/0522)
requiring a staged programme of archaeological work commencing with this evaluation. 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.
Rathmell Archaeology Ltd was appointed to act on behalf of the applicant, Mr AJB Forrest,
with regard to the archaeological condition on the planning consent. The terms of the
evaluation were agreed in advance with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service,
archaeological advisor to planning authority, through a Written Scheme of Investigation.
The evaluation failed to identify any significant archaeological features within the
development area. Several shallow linear depressions were observed but no archaeological
material was observed and all features were shallow.

Project Works
The programme of works agreed with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service included an
archaeological intrusive evaluation through machine cut trenches extending to 5% of the
development area. These works were undertaken in keeping with the submitted Written
Scheme of Investigation subject to the exceptions below with on-site works running on the 9th
January 2004.
The exception to this was that the evaluation exceeded the specified 5% sample of the
development area. The Written Scheme of Investigation specified a need for some 135m 2,
basal dimensions, and the actual area investigated was 228m 2, an 8.4% evaluation. The
trench were opened in positions similar to those agreed, although slightly modified to avoid
overhead power cables.
All works were conducted in accordance with West of Scotland Archaeology Service
Standard Conditions, the Institute of Field Archaeology’s Standards and Policy Statements
and Code of Conduct and Historic Scotland Policy Statements.

Findings: Site Assessment

No archaeological remains were known within the development area, however several sites
are known locally and are of a significance to deserve to be mentioned here. The most
significant archaeological feature in the local landscape is Castle Dykes (NMRS: NS92NW1),
stands opposite the development area on the far side of the burn. Its exact nature is
uncertain and it is described as a fort from the sub-Roman or early medieval period, however
its period cannot be described with certainty.
Few other sites are known in the local area that may give an indication of the archaeological
potential of the development area. Cropmark evidence for ring-ditches (NMRS: NS92NW35)
have been observed 250m south-east, raising the potential for prehistoric sites.

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 Data Structure Report – Knowehead, Roberton

Figure 1: Trench layout

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 Data Structure Report – Knowehead, Roberton

Figure 2: Linear cut [105] from south

Figure 3: Linear cut [205] from north

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 Data Structure Report – Knowehead, Roberton

There are some signs of topographic changes and breaks of slope across the rest of the site
but nothing or regular form which would indicate anthropic origins. At the western edge of the
site was a curving arc of field rubble incorporating pieces of concrete and containing areas of
concrete slab (termed ‘enclosure’ on Figure 1).

Findings: Evaluation trenches

The trenches exhibited a common stratigraphic sequence with a 400mm deep ploughsoil
overlying a 250mm deep b-horizonwhich in turn lay on a sand and gravel subsoil. The
interface between the ploughsoil and the b-horizon was typically stone rich, while the
overlying ploughsoil was very humic and stone free. Consequently the ploughsoil was prone
to bogging down the tracked plant, and was described as very difficult to plough (Mr Forrest
pers comm) having historically been used as water meadows (ibid).
Trench 1 was 51m in length and closely followed the proposed line on the southern edge of
the development area running roughly east to west. Nothing of archaeological significance
was observed within this trench although a two shallow features [103][105] were
investigated. No artefactual material as recovered from any of the features or the topsoil.
Due to adverse weather conditions and the high water retention of the ploughsoil the eastern
end of Trench 1 flooded quickly. To properly evaluate this area we extended the trench to the
south, allowing the investigation of the shallow linear feature [105]. All features exposed were
investigated.
Trench 2 ran roughly parallel to the northern boundary of the development area but had to
avoid overhead power cables. The trench was 56m in length and covered a total area of
112m 2. Nothing of archaeological significance was observed within the trench, however two
linear features were observed and investigated.
As before the eastern end of the Trench flooded quickly but no features were observed prior
to the flooding and there was on need to investigate further. Two shallow linear features were
investigated [204][205] and recorded but neither contained anthropic material. No artefacts
were recovered from either of the features or the topsoil. All features exposed were
investigated.

Discussion
Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from either of the trenches and none of
the features investigated yielded any anthropic material or appeared to be part of a larger
structure.
The topsoil was about 400mm over the entire site. This was an extremely humic soil that
showed evidence of having been ploughed but had not recently been cultivated. This soil
was very dark black and therefore it was easy to observe the b-horizon that was lighter mid-
brown sandy silt. Both the topsoil and b-horizon drained badly and retained a lot of water.
The subsoil was well-drained sandy gravel, which varied slightly in composition across the
site.
All those features that were exposed were investigated. This consisted of two short linear
features in Trench 1 [103][105] and two linear features in Trench 2 [204][205]. None of
these features yielded any anthropic material and all were shallow with sloped sides. These
factors suggest that these features were either natural or the product of agricultural works.
The linear cut [204] ran for 21m along the bed of Trench 2. However, this feature was
irregular in both size and character. It was impossible to determine the origin of this feature it
may yet have been the remains of some agricultural activity.
The build up of water in the eastern end of both trenches appeared to coincide with a natural
dip in the subsoil, which may have been the remnant of a paleochannel.

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Figure 4: Flooding in Trench 1 Figure 5: Linear cut [103] from west

Figure 6: Trench 1 from west Figure 7: Trench 2 from west

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 Data Structure Report – Knowehead, Roberton

Build up of medium stones around the edges of this area gave it the appearance of being
anthropic however upon excavation there was no substantial evidence to suggest human
action. In support of this conclusion was the fact that the fill of this deepened area was
simple an extension material from the b-horizon.
At the western edge of the site was a curving arc of field rubble incorporating pieces of
concrete and containing areas of concrete slab (termed ‘enclosure’ on Figure 1). This
appears to have been substantially formed as an edge to the ploughed ground. The concrete
slabs in this area were elements of twentieth century farm structures that stood here prior to
the construction of the modern house a Knowehead (Mr Forrest pers comm.).
Taking the development area as a whole we have been able to uncover little of
archaeological value. Some shallow features were investigated but demonstrated little
evidence to suggest human action and no artefacts were recovered. Breaks of slope and
changes in the eastern topography of the development area were shown to be of natural
origin. As to the rubble and concrete remains at the western end of the site, this had no
observable structure and frequent inclusions of modern material. We may therefore say with
some certainty that there is little of archaeological value within the development area.

Conclusion
An archaeological evaluation was carried out on 9th January 2004 on 0.27ha of agricultural
ground to be developed for residential units at Knowehead, Roberton, South Lanarkshire.
The evaluation comprised 2 trenches covering approximately 8.4% of the total development
area, opened to a depth of between 400mm and 650mm. A representative sample, as
agreed with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service, of all of the uncovered features with
archaeological potential was investigated.
Those features investigated included four shallow linear features although these contained
no anthropic material and were assessed to not be of archaeological significance and
probably derived from agricultural activity. Other features in the topography of the site were
proven to be natural.
On balance we propose that this evaluation has demonstrated that the proposed
development will not adversely impact on any archaeological remains and we recommend
that no further archaeological works are appropriate should the development proceed as
proposed.

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 Data Structure Report – Knowehead, Roberton

Appendix 1: Trench Details

Within this appendix a standardised set of data pertaining to the evaluation trenches is
presented.
All measurement distances quoted along the trench measure based on the quoted
orientation of the trench. See Figure 1 for trench locations.
Trench 1

Orientation: West to East

Size: 51m by 2m (102m 2)
Ploughsoil depth: 400mm
Depth of B-horizon: 250mm
Subsoil character Sand and gravel subsoil grading from yellow brown in the western
end of the Trench to orange and yellow in the east. Frequent small
and medium stones.
Modern features: None
Significant features: A short, shallow linear feature [105] was investigated at the
western end of the trench. A second shallow linear feature [103]
was investigated crossing the eastern end of the Trench. Both
features had fills ((106) and (104) respectively) that were
comparable to the b-horizon (102). Neither fill contained any
anthropic material.
Artefacts: None
Trench 2

Orientation: West to East

Size: 56m by 2m (112m 2)
Ploughsoil depth: 400mm to 490mm
Depth of B-horizon: 200mm to 250mm (not present for first 9m from western end)
Subsoil character Sand and gravel subsoil, which was yellow-orange in colour.
Greater concentrations of gravel were observed towards the
eastern end. Frequent small and medium stones. Occasional
areas of bleaching and one clay inclusion were noted towards the
midpoint of the trench.
Modern features: None
Significant features: A long linear feature [204] ran on a generally straight, but irregular,
line from the western end of the trench for 21m. This feature had a
shallow u-shaped cross section that was at maximum 800mm
broad and 150mm deep; though more commonly around 600mm
broad and 50mm deep. A second shallow linear feature [205]
crossed the trench aligned north to south. This shallow feature was
750mm broad and up to 150mm deep with a scooped cross-
section. Both features had fills ((203) and (206) respectively) that
were comparable to the b-horizon (202). Neither fill contained any
anthropic material.
Artefacts: None
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Appendix 2: Record Summaries

Context Summaries
No. Interpretation Description

101 Topsoil Trench 1 Black humic homogenised ploughsoil, rootlets

throughout and occasional stones up to 400mm thick
102 B-horizon Trench 1 Mid-brown sandy silt up to 250mm thick. Common sub-
rounded small to medium stones, tending to
concentrate on the upper interface of the layer.
103 Cut of linear feature Linear cut 530mm broad, 100mm deep with a scooped
cross-section. Aligned northeast to southwest a 3.5m
stretch was exposed crossing the trench extension.
104 Fill of linear feature [103] Mid-brown sandy silt, comparable to the b-horizon
(102).
105 Cut of linear feature; Linear cut 500mm broad, 50mm deep, 3m long with
possible wheel spin/rut shallow scooped cross section. Aligned southwest to
north east and wholly within the trench.
106 Fill of linear feature [105] Mid-brown sandy silt, comparable to the b-horizon
(102).
107 Subsoil Trench 1 Sand and gravel subsoil, yellow-brown to orange
201 Topsoil Trench 2 Black humic homogenised ploughsoil, rootlets
throughout and occasional stones up to 400mm thick
202 B-horizon Trench 2 Mid-brown sandy silt up to 250mm thick. Common sub-
rounded small to medium stones, tending to
concentrate on the upper interface of the layer.
203 Fill of linear feature [204] Mid-brown sandy silt, comparable to b-horizon (202)
204 Cut of linear feature Irregular linear cut at maximum 800mm broad and
150mm deep, more commonly 600mm broad and
50mm deep. This cut was aligned, approximately, east
to west and ran for 21m, having a u-shaped cross
section.
205 Cut of linear feature Linear feature 750mm broad, 150mm deep with a
scooped cross-section. Aligned north to south a 2m
stretch was exposed crossing the trench.
206 Fill of linear feature [205} Mid-brown sandy silt, comparable to b-horizon (202)
207 Subsoil Trench 2 Sand and gravel subsoil, yellow-brown to orange.
Occasional areas of bleaching noted and one clay
inclusion.

Drawing Record
No. Title Scale Date Author
1 Site plan, Trench 1 and Trench 2 NTS 9/1/04 TR

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Photographic Record
Film No. Description From Date

1 1 Extension of Trench 1 W 9/1/04

1 2 Extension of Trench 1, feature [103] W 9/1/04
1 3 Extension of Trench 1, W 9/1/04
1 4 Feature [103] S 9/1/04
1 5 Eastern end of Trench 1 W 9/1/04
1 6 Feature [105] S 9/1/04
1 7 Feature [105] S 9/1/04
1 8 Post-excavation Trench 1 W 9/1/04
1 9 Feature [205] S 9/1/04
1 10 Post-excavation Trench 2 W 9/1/04
1 11 Section through [204] N 9/1/04
1 12 Concrete slab at western end of development area N 9/1/04
1 13 Irregular ploughing edge and area pf rubble N 9/1/04

Appendix 3: Discovery & Excavation in Scotland

LOCAL AUTHORITY: South Lanarkshire

PROJECT TITLE/SITE Knowehead, Roberton
NAME:
PARISH: Wiston and Roberton
NAME OF Alan Matthews and Thomas Rees
CONTRIBUTOR:
NAME OF Rathmell Archaeology Limited
ORGANISATION:
TYPE(S) OF PROJECT: Evaluation
NMRS NO(S): None
SITE/MONUMENT None
TYPE(S):
SIGNIFICANT FINDS:+ None
NGR (2 letters, 6 figures) NS 9438 2858
START DATE (this season) 9th January 2004
END DATE (this season) 9th January 2004
PREVIOUS WORK (incl. None
DES ref.)
PROPOSED FUTURE None
WORK:
MAIN (NARRATIVE) An archaeological evaluation took place on an area of
DESCRIPTION: (may agricultural ground at Knowehead, Roberton, South
include information from Lanarkshire. The evaluation comprised 2 trenches
other fields) covering approximately 8.4% of the development area.
Four shallow linear features were investigated but these
contained no anthropic material and were assessed to not

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 Data Structure Report – Knowehead, Roberton

be of archaeological significance and probably derived

from agricultural activity. Other features in the topography
of the site were proven to be natural.
PROJECT CODE: 03030
SPONSOR OR FUNDING Mr AJB Forrest
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.

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

The West of Scotland Archaeology Service can be contacted at their office or through the
web:

West of Scotland Archaeology Service

Charing Cross Complex
20 India Street
Glasgow
G2 4PF

www.wosas.org.uk

t.: 0141 287 8332-3 f.: 0141 287 9259

e.: enquiries@wosas.glasgow.gov.uk

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