Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

Assignment One

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012

Report on the Archaeological Potential of the area formerly known as Kirktown Strichen
Contents Page 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 7 8 9 10

1. 2. 3. 4.

Location Introduction Pre-existing fieldwork Discusions 4.1 Pre Historical Period 4.2 Historical Period 4.2.1 Background 4.2.2 Map of Zones of Potential Archaeology 4.2.3 Z1 Mill of Cospatric Macmadethyn 4.2.4 Z2 Mill of Cospatric (alternative location) 4.2.5 Z3 Church and Ladywell 4.2.6 Z4 Settlement 5. Proposed Further Prospection Methods of Z4 Settlement 6. Conclusion

Illustrations Page 2 4 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 9

Fig.1 Fig.2 Fig.3 Fig.4 Fig.5 Fig.6 Fig.7 Fig.8 Fig.9 Fig.10 Fig.11

1:25 000 OS map of Site 1:25 000 OS map showing relationship of ritual areas to Site 1847 Strichen Estate Map, held on micro-film Strichen Library 2nd Edition OS map, enclosure on Site Map of potential archaeology zones 2nd Edition OS map with xxx xx insert and 1768 Estate Map showing Kirktown and Mill 1st Edition OS map and Aberdeenshire SMR map Photo Churchyard, 1794 Portrait of bridge (Strichen Library), Corbel Strichen Town House RCAHMS map and 1st Edition OS map Roy Military map Saterlit Image of Strichen Churchyard (Googlemaps)

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

Assignment One

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012

1. Location

Fig.1 The area is roughly 1km square and centres on a low lying hill to the south of the modern settlement of Strichen. Its northern and eastern boundaries are set by a bend in the river Ugie flowing north to south, and its western and southern limits by a burn running west to east. Rising up 20 meters above these water features the hill plateau out for an area of 350 meters. For the purpose of this report the area will be referred to as Site. (Fig.1)

2. Introduction Although the Site today is largely agricultural, before 1763 it was an urban settlement known as Kirktown of Strichen. Alexander Fraser, 7th Lord Strichen, had the settlement moved to a new planned town on the northern bank of the river Ugie where modern Strichen now stands. This deliberate end of occupation at a precise point along the Sites timeline, suggest that surviving archaeology has not been added to or contaminated by material after the mid 1700s. The following desk study aims to identify the location and evaluate the potential of this surviving pre1763 archaeology. The results of this study may then form a requisite to carry out further non-invasive investigation that may go on to justify a possible archaeological evaluation on the site with the view of increasing the understanding of past life in a Buchan settlement 2

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

Assignment One

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012

3. Pre-Existing Fieldwork Excavation. The following map and table has been generated from data provided by RCAHMS i and Aberdeenshires SMRii:

Ref. 1

Name Howford Strichen

Aberdeenshir e SMR NJ95SE0021

RCAHMS Canmore ID 20728

Description Urn Cinerary

Find Inverted urn containing burnt bone of adult over 20 and bones of child under 2. Pit fill containing Bones, Wood Cremated bone of x2 individuals + burnt flint. Five clay pinheads found during sieving.

Date Bronze Age 2000-800 BC

Comments Excavated 1970 Lockhart RD, now housed Marischal Museum.

NJ95SEOO32

Cinerary pit,

NJ95SE0031

Cinerary pit, (urn reported but not found on excavation).

Adziel House

NJ95SE0049

n/a

Crop Mark

Strichen old church

NJ95SW0008

245034 180884 20747

Remains of: 1620 church 1799 church

6 7

The Glebe Buchan House

NJ95SW0071 NJ95SW0070

n/a 180885

Farmstead Manse

Circular enclosure with internal feature. Part of 1620 church that houses the burial aisle of Lord Thomas Strichen. 1799 church is now roofed shell. Still in use. Italian Villa type L-plan. Still in use.

Carbon 15 dated, GrA28622 calibrated 18901690BC SUERC Lab No 33727 Context 005 s.1 Sample of Betula Uncalibrated 3510 +/30 = 1890-1770BC to 1 sigma, or SUERC Lab No 33728 - Context 005 s.2 - Sample of Quercus Uncalibrated 3600 +/30 = 2020-1910BC to 1 sigma Prehistoric 70%

Excavated 1986 Shepherd IAG Excavated 1984 Greig M & Ingles J. Now housed at Mariscles Museum.

Seen on 1977 areial black/white photo, NJ95S2718099. Scotland Building at Risk Register: Ser.1746

17 and 18 century

th

th

Post medieval after 1560 Built 1853AD

Shown on 1 edition OS map Architect Mackenzie & Mathews

st

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

Assignment One

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012

4. Discussion 4.1 Pre-History The search on the Aberdeenshire SMR and RCAHMS websites show that the known archaeology of the Site is restricted to its periphery. The Bronze Age cremations at Howford to the east and a Recumbent Stone Circle 1km west outside the Site area, orbits the Site as areas of ritual. Suggesting the Site was either transited between these places or was the hub of occupation utilising them. (Fig.2)

Fig.2 The suitability of the Site for occupation is illustrated well on the estate map of 1843 iii with the method of depicting land relief used at that time (Fig.3). The Site being an area of dry high ground surrounded by water obstacles would have providing protection and maybe an amount of status for a Bronze Age community.

Fig.3 Although no finds or ancient monuments are recorded relating to this period, the hockey-stick shaped enclosure on the Site has the potential of being a pre-history feature (Fig.4). The way the field system has always avoided this irregular enclosed space as if ignoring its existence on the landscape suggest local superstition may be at play. Further research of the folk law of the community may provide a story for its deliberate exclusion, but further archaeological evaluation may be needed to discover its original function allocate it a period.

Fig 4 4

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

Assignment One

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012

4.2 Historical Period 4.2.1 Background

The earliest surviving record of Strichen as a settlement appears in a charter of 1206 by the last Mormoar of Buchan (Celtic Earl) Fergus (Tocher J.F. 1910)iv. In it Strichen is refer to by another name, Crux Medici, which may be interrupted from the Latin as either meaning Doctors Crossing or Cross of the Doctors. The Fergus charter only refers to the Site in its relationship to other settlements on the landscape. The next charter issued by his son-in-law William Comyns around 1214, after becoming Earl of Buchan through marriage and the death of Fergus in 1211, gives actual details of the settlement itself (Registrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis, 1845)v. Williams charter now calls the settlement Strichen and in it records the deed of a mill granted to Cospatric for the rent of two stone of wax and a pledge of military service. The Mill and wax production denotes industry and Cospatric , whose name prefix Cos means servant, may be of reasonable high status in society for he also appears as a witness on the previous Fergus charter. 4.2.2 Map of Zoned Areas of Potential Archaeology

Key Z1. Z2. Z3. Z4.

Mill, vertical Mill, horizontal Well, Lady-well Settlement, cross-roads

Fig.5 The map depicts zones of archaeology potential derived from the desk study. Each will be discussed with the zone having the highest estimate value of knowledge to be gained from possible future prospection elaborated on which methods may be used. 4.2.3 Z1 Mill of Cospatric Macmadethyn The location of Cospatrics mill is no longer known, however period maps presents two possibilities. A mill at Z1 in the north of the Site was fed by a mill pond that is now known as the Strichen Community Parks Lake (Fig.6). Although the sluice gate feeding this mill remains, the mills absence from the landscape since its demolition in 1857 to make way for a viaduct of the Formatine and Buchan railway, has been detrimental on the memory of this waters primary function. The modern concept that the Lake was ornamental in origin dates from around 1820 when the 5

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012 estate was landscaped by W S Gilpin (Tait, A A 1980)vi. With the arrival of the railway the estate was made a country club and later a Hydro, adding to the persona of a lake over that of a working mill pond. Assignment One The dating of the Lake may help to confirm and re-establish the mills presence in this zone. Underwater prospection methods to ascertain dating evidence may therefore be justified, especially as its age may have a bearing on the discussion in Z3.

Fig.6 4.2.4 Z2 Mill of Cospatric (alternative location).

Z2 is recorded only on the SMR as a circular enclosure with a rectangle feature seen from an aerial photograph vii. The SMR categorised it as a 70% chance of being pre-historic. However its description and location near the junction of the burn and river is descriptive of a horizontal mills footprint (Cruden S. 1948)viii.

Fig.7 Horizontal mill technology predates that of the more efficient vertical mill. With no gearing the speed of the horizontal mill relied solely on the flow rate of the stream or river to turn. Production would have been limited to supplying local needs only. With the introduction of the geared vertical mill (Z1 mill) a surplus could be generated for sale. A charter does mention a mill of Adziel that was granted to the students of Theology, New College, University of Aberdeen in 1504 (Spalding Club 1847)ix. However, the late date suggests this mill is the one marked as Newton on the map (Fig.7). Being circumstantial evidence a site visit and walk-over survey of Z2 would be needed to identify

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012 the practicality of a mill at this location regarding gradient and rate of water-flow, before further methods of prospection are employed. Assignment One

4.2.5

Z3 Church and Ladywell

Church Officially Strichen did not have a church building until 1620, and then only in 1633 was it made a parish by act of Parliament (Jarvis A 1879)x. This absence of a church in the community is evident with the existence of a Corps Road that the dead of Strichen were carried along to be buried in Rathen 9 miles away. A Font Stone, on top of Mormond Hill halfway along this road, is additional evidence marking the place where the minister of Rathen would meet the parishioners of Strichen for baptism. Although there are no mentions of a church in the William Charter there is secondary evidence to the contrary. Two separate accounts refer to the same instance of the Duchess of Buchan, Marjory daughter of Fergus and Wife of William, gifting the parish of Strichen along with other to the Monks of Arbroath at the time of William the Lion (Shaw 1827, Watts 1900)xi. The primary source of the accounts is a charter and if identified it may justify further prospection to find this earlier Church. The discovery of a Pict Church beneath Talbots church gives the possibility that a similar situation existed on this Site (Carver M 2004)xii. (The hockey-stick enclosure mention in Pre-History may have a bearing on this). The possibility of further prospection under the 1799 church that replaced the 1620 is made easier for it was gutted of timber in 1975. Today it is a roofed shell owned by Aberdeenshire Council. The exposed floor enables further noninvasive investigation like Ground Radar, or the cheaper but invasive option of test-pitting, to take place in order to ascertain the value of the archaeology here.

Fig.8 7

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

Assignment One

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012

Ladywell The existence of the Ladywell on the site may also provide evidence to justify an early Christian presence. Its actual whereabouts is sketchy as the map of the RCAHMS places it on the platform of the redundant railway station, and although Aberdeenshires SMR uses the same grid references, the SMR places it over 1.5km east on its map. However a well depicted on the 1st edition OS map on the south bank of the river Ugie just north of the graveyard, seems a more plausible location. If substantiated its importance increases for such wells were often adopted from earlier pagan sites. By naming it after St Mary also points to the period of Scottish Christianity before the influence of the Church of Rome began in earnest around the time of Marjory and William. The Church of Rome would eventually outlaw pilgrimage to such sites, which adds to notion of its antiquity (Walker R 1883)xiii. The archaeological potential of such a site is subject to the imagination of the site director, for it entertains the possibility of containing pagan, early Christian, medieval and post medieval artefacts. A simple walk-over survey may locate the well off the map, but excavation would be needed to confirm its function and to what period.

Fig.9 4.2.6 Z4 Settlement Because of its relationship with the settlement shown on Roys Mapxiv and its proximity between the church and irregular wooded enclosure already discussed, the filed to the south of the church yard has been selected as a plausible site of occupation, and the zone warranting a discussion on further prospection.

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

Assignment One Fig.10

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012

5. Proposed Further Prospection of Z4 Settlement The fields potential to survey for potential archaeology is made easier because by 1799 the whole surface less the graveyard and Manse had been cleared of urban habitation. Its present function for agriculture gives an open levelled working area ideal to set up a survey grid needed to perform more advance scientific non-invasive procedures. Its ease of access is also a selecting factor for it enables the wider community to engage with surveying techniques such as field walking and metal detecting thereby promoting archaeology within the community. Because of the open nature of the field most of the non-invasive methods could be employed like Ground Penetrating Radar, Thermal Infra Red Imergry and Magetomery. But considering the cost of such equipment and the need for skilled operators to work it, the Resistivity Method is adequate in this instance for detecting the desirable features of filled trenches and structure.

Fig.11 Working travesty across the field a team of two could survey the whole field within a day. Considering that occupation ended just over 200 years ago the archaeology is expected to be of no great depth. The red circle areas 9

Andrew David Sturdy Student ID 5080099

KL205N Archaeological Methods & Techniques Prospection December 2012 on Fig.11 are of interest for the dark colouring of the grass denotes a greater depth of top soil and may indicate filled in pits or robber trenches. Using probes set one meter apart would give a survey depth of around 3 4 meters. The quick interpreted of the data using computer software in producing a recognisable map, is beneficial to the archaeologist but also gives instant feedback to the community, keeping them engaged with the investigation. Assignment One Once individual features/households are known, they can be targeted for future invasive evaluation to gain knowledge of the possible status and employment of their previous occupants. Adding to the understanding of life in a Buchan settlement. 6. Conclusion The enigma of the Site is that although today it as an assemblage of quiet fields that house a redundant dilapidating church, in a former existence it was a hive of community. Bronze Age evidence in the area suggests that this community is ancient and may have been the first of a period of unbroken occupation from the mid second millennium BC to 1763. However it is only with the advent of written history in the 13th century, that a settlement can be placed here with any certainty. This settlement had a mill and an owner of status that pledged military service to his overlord. Speculation suggest on, or before, this time an early Christian presence may have been active on the Site, and the presence of the Ladywell may confirm an even older belief system that was once observed here. The Site being clear of modern habitation makes it easily accessible for further prospection, and the gains to be made in the understanding of a post medieval settlement in Buchan, justifies the time and expense required to implement these procedures.

Royal Commision on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/, Nov 2012 Aberdeenshire Council http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/shire/default.aspx , Nov 2012 iii Strichen Estate Map, 1843 Micro-film, Strichen Library iv Tocher J.F. 1910, The Book of Buchan, The Buchan Club, Peterhead, Page 135-137 v Registrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis, 1845, Ecclesis Cathedralis Aberdonenensis Regesta Que Extant in Unum, Page 14-15 vi Tait, A A (1980) The landscape garden in Scotland 1735-1835 vii Adziel House, Crop Mark, http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/shire/detail.aspx?refno=NJ95SE0049 Nov 2012 viii Cruden S. 1948, The Horizontal water-mill at Dounby, Orkney, Chapter 4 Page 43, http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_081/81_043_047.pdf ix Spalding Club 1847, Illustrations of the topography and antiquities of the shires of Aberdeen and Banff, page 64 http://archive.org/stream/illustrationsoft04robe#page/64/mode/1up x Jarvis A., Epitaphs and inscriptions from burial grounds and old buildings in the North East of Scotland, Douglas, Edinburgh, Page135-144 xi Shaw Lachlan 1827, The History of the province of Moray, Morison, Glasgow; Watt William 1900, The History of Aberdeenshire and Banff, Blackwood, Edinburgh xii Carver M 2004, An Iona of the East: The Early-medieval Monastery at Portmahomack, Tarbat Ness, http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/1830/1/carverm2.pdf Dec 2012 xiii Walker Russel 1883, Holy Wells in Scotland, Proceedings of the Society, Chapter 4 page 152 xiv Roy W. 1747, Military Survey of Scotland, http://maps.nls.uk/roy/index.html Nov 2012
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