On a site at Netherton Braes in Glasgow, a programme of archaeological monitoring and investigative work was undertaken by Rebecca Shaw Archaeological Services Ltd on an area of ground located next to Linn Cemetery, in advance of a proposed extension to the burial ground. During the course of the works eighty-eight possible archaeological features were uncovered, all of which were investigated. Although about quarter of the features turned out to natural, the majority had characteristics akin to postholes or stakeholes. The bulk of the text for this news item is drawn from Rebecca Shaw's data structure report on the excavation.
The features did not appear to form any particular arrangement and instead seemed rather randomly dispersed over the higher and flatter ground. The lack of any datable evidence means that an accurate date cannot be given to the features. However, their location next to a river, on an discreet area of higher, flatter ground is suggestive of early prehistoric activity, possibly occurring on a seasonal basis over a long period of time. The occurrence of postholes and stakeholes can be indicative of prehistoric activity from either hunter-gatherer encampments or later settlements. Sites dating to the Mesolithic period (8000 to 4000 BC) tend to be found in close proximity to water (either coastal or rivers), possibly for ease of transport using a boat. Settlements at this time were mainly thought to have been seasonal, some of which were reused over hundreds of years. Excavated sites have revealed the remains of round wooden framed tent-like structures (surviving as postholes or stakeholes) with hearths or areas or burning nearby. Unfortunately, the location of the possible archaeological features on this site does not indicate any definitive form or pattern, though a number of potential linear arrangements may be present. Unfortunately the lack of any finds or deposits from within any of the features, or in the general proximity, means that any date assigned to the features would be very tentative.
The earliest cartographic sources indicate that there has not been any development within this field from the 18th century onwards, suggesting that the features identified during the excavation pre-date this period. The main concentration of features is located on the high flat ground rather than on the lower or sloped ground, suggesting that their occurrence is deliberate rather than accidental. The position of the site above the Cart Water is probably also intentional. Although the features could represent some kind of early field divisions from the medieval period, their displacement again belies this theory due to any lack of recognisable form.