Скачать или смотреть Prehistoric Cairns in Scotland - SP Energy Networks Elvanfoot Substation

In October and November of 2023, Red River Archaeology Limited, part of the Red River Archaeology Group, undertook archaeological controlled monitoring on behalf of Kiloh Associates for their client, SP Energy Networks.

Elvanfoot Substation, where our work took place, is a key node in central and southern Scotland’s transmission network, and SP Energy Networks is currently extending the existing footprint with the installation of two new transformers to allow the future connection of clean energy generation.

As with SP Energy Networks and Kiloh Associates, we at the Red River Archaeology Group are proud to play a central role in the journey to Net Zero.

Monitoring was undertaken of all areas stripped ahead of the main construction phase, in order to ensure that any subsurface features, deposits or artefacts were identified, excavated and recorded. The monitoring confirmed the presence of two cairns and a third possible cairn. These were cleaned and recorded and planned, half-sectioned and then fully excavated.

These types of cairns can be found in many areas across the UK and have a series of interpretations. Cairn fields can be part of upland farming, where swathes of land were cleared of stone, or cairns could be created as landscape or burial markers. For the Elvanfoot site, previous archaeological work to the west uncovered Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age pottery and the presence of potential cremated remains, suggesting these cairns served in a funerary capacity. These enigmatic stacks of stones represent part of our cultural heritage, now preserved by record for future generations.

While this is quite a small-scale investigation, it demonstrates the value that can be gained from archaeological works during development. Red River continues to provide such services across all development sectors and are proud to add to the wealth of archaeological knowledge provided by development activities in Scotland each year.

Footage by Gary Coupe. Produced by Dr. Tom Horne.

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