A Hive of Archaeological Activity at Beecraigs
West Lothian Council has recently uncovered archaeological remains at Beecraigs Country Park while preparing to build a visitor centre. The remains were discovered as a result of a programme of archaeological work as advised by the West of Scotland Archaeology Service. Staff from Headland Archaeology were monitoring excavation by a mechanical digger when they recognised the traces of old post settings and a ditch.
Further examination revealed that the post settings were arranged in a circle next to a small round enclosure. The absence of any artefacts or a hearth may suggest that the post settings were associated with a timber circle rather than a round house; with the ditch marking the former location of a small cairn alongside. A short distance away, in a more sheltered spot, the team think they have encountered remains of a settlement, perhaps lived in by the builders of the circle and cairn. All the features are assumed to be prehistoric, perhaps dating to the Bronze Age, but further analysis will be carried out to find out more.